Escape to Nature at - Sapphire Shepherd's Hut
We are now offering 'self retreats' / 'getaways' at 'Karuna Insight design'
At the largest, established, forest garden in the UK.
This will help us continue caring for the land,site design ,people and wildlife.
*“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.” Hermann Hesse, Wandering.
Sapphire forest garden shepherd’s hut is beautifully romantic.
Amongst acres of woodlands, orchards, veg gardens, meadows and straw-bale house.
Relax by natural pool, swim, picnic, or observe wildlife.
Experience off-grid living in tune with nature.
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We Welcome you to Sapphire shepherds hut, a hidden gem in the Shropshire hills.
In 2005 we both 18 acres of greasing fields and transformed the land into the thriving forest garden it is today, through love, care and lots of hard work.
Karuna Insight design has woodlands (10000 trees planted by our family), meadows, orchards, forest gardens, organic vegetable gardens, horticulture area and poly-tunnel.
We live a natural lifestyle in tune with nature.
Our self build home, is powered by the Sun, it's a natural building – a roundhouse built from straw, with 'hemp and earthen' wall plaster and floors. Hemp fleece and living 'sedum' roof act as insulation.
Close by we have a beautiful natural swimming pool/Duck pond/wildlife haven, accompanied by
a circular, reciprocal, turf roof structure, we welcome visitors to enjoy this social space.
The pool is a place for visitors to swim, relax in hummock, read, picnic, watch the ducks and wildlife.
*For 14 years we have been using compost loos. The fertility from the toilet is valuable , not a waste product to be flushed way, but compost to grow crops in the gardens, this is a closed loop system in action.
We keep small flock of free range ducks, which spend most of their time celebrating life on the pond.
Staying at Sapphire gives visitors the opportunity to experience the, close to nature, simple, “off grid” life style, in a beautiful warm and comfy shepherds hut.
Sapphire stands amid a newly forested, established Forest garden, set within the Shropshire hills AONB.
She is Solar powered ,and heated by a powerful wood stove. Close by there's a simple, standing tap outside for washing.
What you need to know:
Electricity -
Solar panel on the roof powers lights and 2 USB sockets to charge phones or other USB items.
Toilets -
Dry compost loo, a short walk from Sapphire (instructions provided).
Heating -
The wood burning stove heats the hut space up rapidly and efficiently. Wood is provided. Guests need to light and maintain the fire.
Cooking -
Gas burner is situated at the Bakery for your use.
Water -
Outdoors tap a short distance from the hut, for all your drinking and washing needs.
Wash pot and pans in the bakery (you can also heat wash water in the bakery) sorry, no shower.
Dogs –
Should be house-trained and well-behaved, around other dogs and people.
No smoking in the hut but you can smoke outside.
Sometimes we have fresh produce from the garden for sale.
There are plenty of walks in this area, Stiperstones Ridge, Long Mynd, Carding Mill Valley, The Wrekin.
Public transport -
The nearest Train stops are Shrewsbury and Church Stretton, the nearest bus stop and village shop is Dorrington.
You can take a taxi from Shrewsbury (10 miles) or walk from Church Stretton (5 miles) or Dorrington(3 miles).