Rick Stein’s shepherd’s huts near Padstow

My husband and I recently celebrated our silver wedding anniversary, so of course we wanted to do something a bit special to mark it. Regular readers will know that my favourite place in the world is Padstow in Cornwall, which we visit every year. We already had a holiday booked there with our younger son, daughter and Hetty from 11th to 18th July, and we booked the shepherd’s huts from 7th to 9th July, for our actual wedding anniversary.

TV chef Rick Stein owns a lot of businesses and employs a lot of people in Padstow. He also owns The Cornish Arms pub in St Merryn, a couple of miles outside Padstow. There are six shepherd’s huts on the grounds of the pub. I think just one of the shepherd’s huts is dog friendly, so we left Hetty at home with the kids. It meant we had more freedom while we were away.

I’ve never stayed in a shepherd’s hut before, but I would definitely do it again. They are small, but perfectly formed. With these being owned by Rick Stein, they were of a very high specification.

The shepherd’s huts occupy their own area behind the pub. They are completely hidden from the view of The Cornish Arms and we didn’t hear any noise from the pub at all. Each shepherd’s hut has its own reserved parking space. They all have their own gate and own set of steps, with a wall partially enclosing the shepherd’s hut and patio area with seating. You can see the other shepherd’s huts, but there is no need to walk past them, so you have almost complete privacy.

Inside, they have lots of windows, so you can let lots of fresh air in. Blinds help to keep it cool. I’m not sure how they are heated in winter, but during 2025’s hot summer, they felt pretty warm inside. A double bed (not king size) takes up almost the full width of the shepherd’s hut. There is a small kitchen area with fridge, toaster, microwave, sink and a little pod coffee machine. There is a tiny dining table and two chairs, with a Roberts radio (but no TV).

There is enough cutlery and crockery for two. The crockery is all designed by Kate Stein. Every Stein product which could possibly be needed is in the shepherd’s hut! Even the bottle opener is by Rick Stein and it sits on the shelf with the Stein name perfectly visible.

The small bathroom is a wet room with a toilet, sink and shower. The products are all Jill Stein and smell very nice.

Included in the price (we paid £220 a night) is breakfast in the pub. It is served from 9am, which isn’t easy for me. I’m a person who gets up at 6 and eats immediately. There is a small, high quality continental breakfast buffet, with a small hot breakfast menu. There is no full English breakfast, it is things like salmon and poached egg on toast or a sausage bap. I had avocado on toast. The staff were all really lovely and helpful.

We also had dinner in the pub on the first night – which is obviously an additional cost and you do need to book, as it is very popular.

I absolutely loved our stay in the shepherd’s hut. It is a perfect treat if you just want to chill out in peace or if you want a base for exploring Padstow and the surrounding area.