If you’re looking for somewhere to glamp in Cheshire then look no further than the Hobbit Retreat, a beautiful wooden cabin set in rolling green fields.
After a day exploring Chester, about an hour’s drive away, we headed to the Hobbit Retreat in the Cheshire East countryside. The Hobbit Retreat is an excellent option for glamping in Cheshire.
The Hobbit Retreat
You access this cute Airbnb through a round door which I loved – it made it feel super quirky and different, just like a hobbit home. Plus, I enjoyed climbing through it!
The only issue with this is that it might not be accessible if you have any mobility issues.
Inside there is a lounge with a recliner sofa and a wood burner. We went in the summer, but it would be so lovely for a cosy winter break.
There are board games and a TV and DVD player, so if the weather isn’t good enough to sit outside, there’s plenty to keep you occupied inside.
Through another round door, straight out of Lord of the Rings, is the bedroom with a comfortable double bed – we had the best night’s sleep! While we were there, there was a huge thunderstorm, so it was so lovely to watch this through the window all dry inside – I love a storm!
There is no wi-fi which adds to the experience of getting away from it all, and it was nice not to constantly be available via email and be unable to do work for a night.
The toilet and shower are outside in a separate converted rustic hut. Everything was lovely and clean, and the shower was hot and powerful.
I’m usually a big critic of showers, but this one was lovely. It felt private, too, as you feel as if you’re in the middle of nowhere, so I even showered with the curtains open – how liberating!
The outside
The glamping pod is situated in a large field, so there’s plenty of outside space for you to hang out in if the weather is good.
There’s a BBQ here for cooking dinner, and the hosts had thought of every little thing – utensils, washing up liquid, etc – meaning that the only thing you need to bring with you is food! This for me is a significant advantage for glamping over camping as if you’re camping you need to bring everything with you and I’m very forgetful!
There’s also a fire pit outside for toasting marshmallows and telling stories while keeping warm in the evening. Once it goes dark, solar-powered fairy lights light up the surroundings, which makes it a nice place to sit outside with a glass of wine (or two!).
It was so peaceful in the morning that I got up early and read a book for an hour in the sunshine – absolute bliss!
The hosts
Samantha is the host of this Airbnb (great name, by the way!), and she was brilliant and super friendly, giving us a really warm welcome. She helped direct us when we got lost on the way, even though she had provided us with detailed instructions on how to get there – doh!
The Hobbit Retreat is situated in the grounds of Samantha’s home, but you wouldn’t know it – once you’re in it, it feels far away, although you know that someone is on hand if you need them.
Check-in and check-out were contactless. You can drive straight up to the Hobbit House, and the key is in the door, and then you leave it as you left it.
Little touches
There were some lovely little touches to this Cheshire glamping pod, like a little box of chocolates and a welcome note. It was as if every little thing had been thought about and felt so personal.
Things to do
I liked the idea of combining a city break and countryside in one holiday, so we headed to Chester one day, where there was lots to do.
Just a few minutes away from the glamping retreat is Bridgemere Garden Centre, which you can look around, or there is a five mile walk which you can do which starts here. The walk takes in the ancient woodland of Checkley Wood, the grade II listed Checkley Hall, and lots of open farmland.
It was a beautiful day when we did this walk, and it was lovely and pretty flat, so not too strenuous in the heat.
We didn’t see another person on the walk, but we saw several birds of prey and what we thought might be a field vole. We also picked some blackberries along the way!
There are also nearby restaurants and pubs within walking distance, but we wanted a BBQ to make use of the available facilities, so we brought our own food with us.
Book your Hobbit Retreat stay
You can book the Hobbit Retreat on Airbnb for yourself here.
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