HOF Hut
+
Japanese Onsen
& Eco~Sauna
Our Hut is the last word in handcrafted design & ingenuity. Everything you see has been handcrafted & organically designed by us and you won't find anywhere else.
Larger than a shepherd's hut, you will feel all the warmth, comfort, generosity and love you need for a year-round, all weather, magical break in deepest darkest Devon.
Why choose HOF Hut?
We are dedicated to you having
an exclusive, creatively inspiring, reviving & re-setting stay.
Our ethos takes ideas from nature, completely runs away with it, finishing in a boutiquey flourish, with quirky features, loving touches and added extras you were not expecting.
We live in the property next door, so you are not isolated, however we treat your privacy as sacred.
We are here in a little hotel concierge capacity if you require.
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There is everything you need here including
a 'Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser'
and a coffee grinder & 'aeropress'
for an out of this world coffee experience. Some have even cooked a roast - with great success.
Or you could just go to the pub.....
Most of the fixtures, fittings & furniture are handcrafted by Siobhán, using reclaimed wood.
The hut interior design takes it's inspiration from combining a cool palette of minimalist Scandi design & the textures of a
Japanese Wabi-Sabi aesthetic ~ embracing imperfection, impermanence.
A true celebration of wood in many forms, it's original usage is sure to inspire & make you smile.
Hot days are a dream when you can just fling open bi-fold doors and let the outside in.
Our cottage makes an interesting view (no windows face the hut whatsoever, so your privacy is assured). Unlike some other huts, the roof is finished with fibreglass and the amount of wall insulation ensures that you can hol up, complete in the knowledge you will be snug, warm and the elements a distant sound.
Its a small but ergonomically designed shower room, with a very unique set up and quirky use of materials. A proper flushing loo - none of your composting loo nightmares!
HOF JAPANESE ONSEN
This handcrafted Japanese Onsen is big enough to float in. Continuously heated by our 'Big Bertha' woodburner and air source heat pump to about 38/39 degrees you'll find its a very different experience to your average hot tub.
With a bottle of fizz, a donkey nay, some owl - offs (they are quite feisty here) and the quietness of our rural valley, you will quickly forget your worries and believe in the simple here and now.....ah...bliss!
On long hot Summer days the Onsen can also act as a cooling plunge pool.
HOF tip: Early morning dip before the world awakes will seriously reinvigorate you
The exclusive use of the Onsen is included in your stay.
HOF ECO SAUNA
This beautiful compact Eco~Sauna (handbuilt from scratch by Siobhán) is completely unique and so called because no new trees were chopped in the making.
All the wood has been completely repurposed from other projects, giving the charm, look, feel & sustainability of an old traditional Sauna that almost appears to have been teleported from Finland.
The stove is electric and soft under seat lighting illuminates your session. Handmade wool seating pads have been made using locally sourced wool.
An exquisite meadow view awaits you
with an abundance of wildlife to experience.
HOF tip: Early morning coffee & brekkie sat
up here under the sauna veranda is a must.
Not to mention sundowners. & sunsets..
The exclusive use of the sauna
is included in your stay.
(We are installing a cold water rain shower for early Summer 2023 )
HOF HIDE
If that's not enough, take advantage of our outside spaces - HOF Hide is a covered chillout area with honesty bar.
There is a canvas windowed side panel to enclose you in Winter months and a bio-ethanol fireplace to toast your complimentary marshmallows by. A perfect place to chillout & de-stress- whatever the weather, time of day, post sauna/hot tub session.
Also in the Garden is a seating area around a fire pit, small webber BBQ & hammock for using in good weather.
Oh and superb views over the valley
to Yes Tor-the second highest point in Dartmoor.
HOF tip: activities here inc birdwatching ,book reading or just chilling - as you become aware of your peaceful surroundings and really start to unwind. Roasted marshmallow snaffling is to be encouraged- come on you're on holiday!
Exclusive use of the Hide & Garden is included in your stay.
You remember the dark skies of your childhood ? Well we have those here too. The village street lights turn off after 1am but this picture was taken with street lights on and a crescent moon behind the camera.
Find us here...
Lat. 50.771461
Long.-4.119144
What you Get
In the Kitchen (open plan):
Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, copper pans,
Smeg hob, Panasonic combi oven,
Fridge/freezer, proper panini/sandwich
toaster (because you cant sunbathe by the pool
without a cheese & tom toastie!), toaster/kettle,
cutlery/crockery/utensils.
In the Lounge area (open plan):
LG Smart TV+ Netflix, Free WIFI (55mb),
Tiny Outbacker woodburner
(with enough logs for your stay), small breakfast bar with two stools, on the shelving: coffee accoutrements to start your morning with panache, hot chocolate/tea/mini marshmallows, books of interest for the discerning guest.
In the Bathroom
White company shower gel/handwash,
bumboo toilet paper, handmade tin shower,
handmade wooden basin with
handpainted tiles.
In the Bedroom (open plan):
Fuffy White Company towels & robes,
spa slippers & towels,
quality bed linen, hot water bottles.
In the Japanese Onsen (hot tub):
Woodburner heated Hot pool (its large-
at 2.5m x 2.5m!), internal steps to sit
at various levels, heated to 38/39 degrees
at night, daily cleaning, air source heat pump to
maintain temp (minimal guest involvement).
In HOF Hide:
Honesty bar (cash donations please),
drinks fridge, bioethanol fireplace (fuel replen each day of your stay) Long benches, Bottomless marshmallows (yay!) cushions and throws. Handsewn (of course!) canvas side panel for inclement weather. Fairy lights & bar lights help to enhance cosy alpine feel.
Plus Complimentary basics like bread, a completely homemade Devonshire Cream Tea (Scones, Jam & Clotted Cream in the Spring/Summer months, Apple crumble & custard (apples from our trees) or mince pies in Autumn Winter) milk & butter, coffee/tea/cocoa.
Please note we operate a strictly over 25s only policy. We also do not allow pets inc. dogs to stay.
On the decking:
Handcrafted Wooden table & chairs with parasol in Spring/Summer. Sunbeds (late Spring/Summer).
In the Garden:
Did we mention the view?! HOF Hut is situated on top of a hill, overlooking a lush rural valley with views towards Yes Tor- a volcanic peak with hourly changing weather patterns.
You also get..... a firepit+wood, webber BBQ +charcoal, rustic wood stump seating, standalone hammock (late Spring/Summer), mature fruit trees, ontap raspberries/cherries when in season (great in your G&T), lots of birdies, our cat Bob and sometimes our springer Tia- who will need a ball throw.
In the Meadow:
Hop over the stile to the meadow and walk to the centre of Northlew (rather than using the narrow village road). There are often deer in the hedgerows as you walk - you can also view them from the Sauna.
Northlew has a fantastic shop where you can sit outside with (more) coffee & cake and watch village life- which you will see more of later in the local pub- The Green Dragon. We also have a patisserie shop where Tania's Tarts opens her kitchen window to sell amazing mouthwatering treats (in the village square) Saturdays 10-12pm.
Inside
Outside
In The Eco Sauna:
Sauna bucket & ladle, woollen seat pads, under seat lighting, electric sauna heater with timer for 60 min sessions. There is a veranda for hanging up robes and sheltering, a bistro set for those breakfasts & sundowners. The space is lit up at night with solar fairy lights.