Review: Rick Stein's Redesigned Shepherd's Shepherd's Hut – Where Flower Luxury Meets Cornish Charm (Image: Designer Guild/Rickstein)
Padstow of Cornwall is known for his Rick and Jillstein, who debuted at the Great Western Night Club in 1974. Their first venture was short-lived, but before buying Cornish Arms Pub in 2009, they rapidly expanded their portfolio to include flagship seafood restaurants, cafes, patisserie, delis and fish and chip shops.
Before that, it was a famous local pub in the beautiful coastal village of St. Marine. And now it is a true gem of the North Cornish coast and home to Rick Stein's shepherd's shepherd's shepherd's shepherd's shepherd's cabin. Placed on the same grounds as Cornish's arms, the shed is so hidden that you wouldn't know they were there. But one of them really stands out.
Adorned with earthen trees and black details in green, the “Nook” shed has been reconsidered with the designer guild to celebrate the seafood restaurant's 50th anniversary.
This extraordinary accommodation is not a place to rest your head. This is a beautifully designed sanctuary that captures the finest Cornwall, great food, the stunning coastline and relaxed luxury.
Designer Guild/Rickstein Shepherd's Shepherd's Hut collaboration marks 50 years of seafood restaurants in Padstow (Image: Designer Guild)
Shepherd's shed
There are six wooden sheds in a very private slice of Pablot, each with their own name and designated parking space.
The improved “Nuk” shepherd's shepherd's shelter offers a quiet country retreat. A skillfully redesigned by Jill Stein OBE and Tricia Guild OBE, this area combines style and practicality.
The Nook is thoughtfully placed to provide isolation from the other five sheds nearby, with mature trees lined up towers around it. It's extremely soundproof, but when you open the doors and windows, the adjusted bird song is easily heard in the morning.
Come to dusk, you may find a wild rabbit flying around in the long green grass nearby.
Gentle lighting and well-placed outdoor seating create a magical, cozy atmosphere perfect for catching golden cornish sunsets through the branches of your own private outdoor seating area.
However, the outdoor seating area has painted soft furniture and consists only of two wooden loungers and a table, but despite this it is comfortable to sit right away.
At night, you can easily sleep with the shutters open slightly, and still enjoy a peaceful night's sleep. The shed is surprisingly pushed away thanks to the tall curved walls surrounding one side and the low plot where the shed sits adjacent to the parking lot and pub.
Outdoor seating makes for a cozy sunset location for enjoying local Cornish beer – KOREV (Image: Designer Guild)
Inside, the clever design of the raised shed maximizes compact space. The layout makes the beds, kitchen areas and bathrooms feel thoughtfully segmented.
Although petite, the bathroom is impressively equipped. It has everything you need without compromising your comfort. In terms of design, the interior beautifully reflects collaboration: elegant, bold, and undeniably calm.
The wooden shutters offer both privacy and soft light control, and the overall quality finish makes them feel much more generous than the average shed.
The bed is very comfortable and easily fits in a room for two people to relax. The wifi and mobile services in the shed were patchy but added to the appeal of being slightly off-grid. Staying here is like digital detoxing with modern comfort at your fingertips.
Opening the shutters in the morning to allow the sun to flow, soaking in the UK's best summer. Its warmth and brightness illuminates the exact details of the shed's design. After waking up, I enjoy a cup of coffee.
From simple self-check-in to small luxury like robes, slippers, hair dryers, and designated parking, the experience is smooth, thoughtful and obviously premium.
The contrast between the green interior and the wood in colour gives the shed a warmth and atmosphere (Image: Designer Guild)
Amenities
There are plenty of amenities. A refrigerator packed with water and fresh milk, some cooking essentials, and a Nespresso coffee maker with pods set up for a quiet morning. Lots of snacks such as olives, potato chips, local beer and soft drinks are available for an additional fee.
Upon arrival you will find a complimentary cold stationary and sparkling water, plus some Cornish beers from Kolev. The shed also includes books and binoculars for those interested in exploring local wildlife.
The kitchen area includes a small fridge for two, a sink, microwave, tableware and cutlery. Nook, and all five standard sheds are equipped with hair dryers, electronic safety, WiFi, Roberts radio, iron/ironing boards and underfloor heating.
All sheds have small wardrobes with hanging space and bed under storage.
Jill Stein's toiletries collection (Porce Dune Shampoo, Conditioner, Hand, Body Wash) is featured in the bathroom, and the shed is cleaned to a high standard before 3pm each day of your stay.
Without the stellar food it's not a Stein holiday, and one of the highlights is breakfast at Cornish Arms. The pub will be open for breakfast from 9am to 10:30am and the bar and restaurant will reopen to the public from 12pm.
Place and things to do
Nook Hut and the other five sheds do not have sea views, but their addresses are essentially coastal. It is a four-minute drive to Constantine Bay and is known for its gentle shelved soft, pale sand arc. The beach is a popular surfing and bodyboarding location next to Booby Bay.
Lifeguards patroll the beach until 6pm on the weekend, and the sunny waters are ready for swimming. The free location allows you to find parking, free space and other spaces right next to the beach, while the free location is about a 10 minute walk to the bay.
Visitors can use a small beach cafe, showers and on-site toilets. There is also an ice cream van and a coffee van that sells hot and cold drinks made to order.
For those who enjoy walking, the incredible southwest coast trails run from Porth Cotan to Treyannon, Constantine, Mother Ivy and Harinbays. It boasts beautiful scenery and is relatively easy for terrain for healthy pedestrians.
Every beach has its own perks. Some are quiet for bathers and swimmers, while others are dog-friendly (like Constantine) all year round. It just happens to be my favorite bunch of beaches, with impressive sand dunes carrying a gorgeous headland that spans the beach, rock pool and coast.
Constantine is also the ultimate sunset location, and if you are late enough, you may be spoiled with the untouched starry views above you.
Padstow is an eight-minute drive from Cornish's arm, and the village is dominated by the businesses of Rick and Jill Stein. There are also several paste-like shops that you will read perusalize, including Cornish Bakery, which sells fun rhubarb, apples and custard-flavored paste-like products.
Padstow features Stein Gift Shop, Deli, Coffee Shop, Fish and Chip Shop and Rick's iconic seafood restaurant. They are all worth visiting. At the shed, guests can find discount vouchers for use at the Steinderian Gift Shop.
Spend a day wandering through the vibrant harbor, visit the National Lobster hatch area, cycling the camel trails, or enjoy the beaches of Padstow. You can also go on a boat trip or visit the Padstow Museum and gallery.
The shed is set in its own secluded plot for privacy (Image: Designer Guild)
food
Guests at the shed can enjoy breakfast on the Cornish arms if they book in advance. The diner is the most delicious and tender, and is treated to a small continental spread of flake pastries, fresh fruits and yogurt, local sourdough bread, honey, cheese, ham, juice and a made-to-order dish.
You can order British classics such as bacon and sausage sandwiches, creamy omelettes and eggs served with eggs.
Dinner at Cornish Arms is equally satisfying. The menu leans against the path to Rickstein's signature seafood, with outstanding dishes such as perfectly cooked soles and fragrant fish curry. Crispy Cockles makes great appetizers to accompany your cocktails. I enjoyed the gin highball made from Steinzin, but the negroni was equally refreshing.
Don't miss Jack Stein's Scotch Egg Starter. The main menu includes a variety of classics, including Cornish Beef Burgers and Fish and Chips.
A relaxing environment and high quality food will become a destination in itself. This means you don't necessarily have to head to Padstow to enjoy Stein's famous dishes.
However, if you haven't done so before, we recommend visiting a seafood restaurant. The understated environment of Padstow Harbor captures the charm of a true Cornish and is ideal to mark special occasions.
Stein's Sashimi Platter and Hot Seafood Platter are outstanding dishes at seafood restaurants, yet another cocktail, this time Coastal Caipirinha. The combination of silver Abeljacachaca, lemongrass, sea vegetables, sugar cane syrup and burnt fresh limes captivates the taste birds.
Knowledgeable staff will recommend wine pairings to your selected dishes and help you choose delicious appetizers, starters, mains and desserts from the extensive menu.
It's a short drive to Padstow (about 8 minutes from the Shepherd's Shepherd's Hut), but if you don't have a car, you'll find it difficult to get a taxi. Public transport is difficult, so it is recommended to book in advance to avoid missing the lift.
verdict
A fun, curated countryside escape, the green-themed shed is the perfect home from home for foodies, coastal adventurers, or anyone looking for a bit of an off-grid stay.
Prices start at £170 per night, with the shed sleeping up to two people.
If you're heading there yourself, pack the lights and enjoy the well-kept hut that boasts all the essentials. Bringing your own beach gear is essential, but everything you need for a comfortable stay is in the shed.
Those who enjoy herbal tea should bring their own as they are not in stock in the shed, but otherwise they are difficult to take responsibility.
Self-check-in time at 3pm and self-check-out time at 11am will allow you to travel as you wish. That said, we are happy to assist with the Cornish Arms staff with any questions.
The pub is open daily from 12pm to 11pm and offers a fun menu for lunch and hearty dinners.
When it comes to coastal retreats, Stein Shepherds' sheds are quiet and charming. Like Padstow, the breathtaking Cornish proximity to the coastline is an extra bonus. For those who want to explore Rick Stein's best Cornish empire, the shed has put you in the heart of his best eateries.