In the sleepy village of Hambledon in Surrey, The Merry Harriers is a 16th-century inn with a difference: it has five luxury shepherd’s huts parked up in the garden – oh, and a handful of llamas that you can take on walks too. Set around a pond with views of nothing but greenery and the odd rabbit skittering past, this is proper switch-off territory (there’s limited phone signal too, if you need a little encouragement).

Inside, the brightly coloured huts are more spacious than they might first appear, with a large bed laden with cushions, a bathroom, kitchenette, cosy sheepskin-covered chairs and a log burner. The bed is designed so you can prop yourself up at either end for lazy evenings watching Netflix on the fold-out TV or cocooning yourself in the duvet to gaze out of the window with a good book. Outside, each hut has its own fire pit for evenings toasting marshmallows, and parking right next to your accommodation for the ultimate in laziness.

Head across the road to the pub for dinner in the traditional country inn (make sure to say hello to resident pub dog, chocolate lab Jake) for hearty classics such as fish and chips with chunky tartare sauce or, if you really can’t face leaving your little haven, you can order food direct to your hut.

As Covid-19 limits our choice for holidays abroad, the Merry Harriers shepherd huts are the perfect spot to hole up in during the winter months. Heated floors and the log burner ensure you won’t feel the cold when the rain is lashing the windows outside.

If you do decide to head out, being in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty there are plenty of walks nearby. The Devil’s Punchbowl, a 15-minute drive away, offers stunning views over the Surrey countryside as well as secluded woodland strolls.

The best shepherds’ huts in the UK, for when you want an unusual staycation