Review: A Cornish escape to Rick Stein’s redesigned Shepherd’s Hut | UK | Travel

Padstow in Cornwall is known for Rick and Jill Stein, who debuted in 1974 with The Great Western Nightclub. Although their first venture was short-lived, they rapidly expanded their portfolio to include a flagship seafood restaurant, cafe, patisserie, deli, and fish and chip shop before acquiring The Cornish Arms pub in 2009.

Before that, it was a well-known local pub situated in the beautiful coastal village of St. Merryn. And now, it’s a true jewel of the North Cornish coast, and home to Rick Stein’s Shepherd’s Huts. Set on the same grounds as the Cornish Arms, the huts are so tucked away you wouldn’t know they were there. But one of them really stands out.

Adorned in green with earthy wood and black details, the ‘Nook’ hut has been reimagined with Designers Guild to celebrate The Seafood Restaurant’s 50th anniversary.

This exceptional accommodation isn’t just a place to rest your head – it’s a beautifully designed sanctuary that captures the best of Cornwall: great food, stunning coastline, and laid-back luxury.

The Shepherd’s Hut

Six wooden huts sit on a very private slice of the pub lot, each with its own unique name and a designated parking space.

The revamped ‘Nook’ shepherd’s hut provides a tranquil countryside retreat. Expertly redesigned by Jill Stein OBE and Tricia Guild OBE, this area merges style with practicality. 

Nook is thoughtfully positioned to offer seclusion from the five other huts nearby, and mature trees tower around it. Though very soundproof, if you open the doors and windows, tuneful bird song makes for easy listening in the morning.

Come dusk, you might spot wild rabbits hopping around in the long green grass nearby.

Gentle lighting and well-placed outdoor seating create a magical, cosy atmosphere perfect for catching a golden Cornish sunset through the branches in your own private outdoor seating area. 

However, the outdoor seating area lacks the soft furnishings pictured, consisting only of two wooden loungers and a table, though they are comfortable for a short sitting nonetheless.

At night, you could easily sleep with the shutters slightly open and still enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. The hut feels surprisingly tucked away and private, thanks to a tall curved wall surrounding one side and the lowered plot where the huts sit adjacent to the car park and pub.

Inside, the raised hut’s clever design maximises its compact space. The layout makes the bed, kitchen area, and bathroom feel thoughtfully segmented.

Although petite, the bathroom is impressively equipped—it has everything you need without compromising comfort. Design-wise, the interiors beautifully reflect the collaboration: elegant, bold, and undeniably calming.

Wooden shutters offer both privacy and soft light control, and the quality finishes throughout make it feel far more indulgent than your average hut stay.

The bed is supremely comfortable, easily fitting two people with room to relax. While WiFi and mobile service inside the hut were patchy, it only added to the charm of being slightly off-grid. Staying here is like doing a digital detox with modern comforts at your fingertips.

You can soak up the best of British summertime by opening the shutters in the morning to let the sun stream through. Its warmth and brightness illuminate the precise details in the hut’s design—best enjoyed while sipping on a cup of coffee after you wake.

From easy self-check-in to little luxuries like robes, slippers, a hairdryer, and designated parking, the experience is smooth, thoughtful, and decidedly premium.

Amenities

The amenities are generous: a fridge stocked with water and fresh milk, a few cooking essentials, and a Nespresso coffee machine with pods set you up for quiet mornings. A well-stocked hamper of snacks—olives, crisps, local beers, and soft drinks is available at an extra cost.

On arrival, you’ll find complimentary chilled still and sparkling water, plus a couple of Korev Cornish beers—a nice touch that adds to the sense of considered hospitality. The hut also includes books and binoculars for those interested in exploring local wildlife.

The kitchenette area includes a small fridge, a sink, a microwave and crockery and cutlery for two people. Nook, and the five standard huts are all equipped with a hair dryer, electronic safe, WiFi, a Roberts radio, an iron/ironing board and underfloor heating.

All huts have a small wardrobe with hanging space as well as under-bed storage.

Jill Stein’s collection of toiletries—Porthdune shampoo, conditioner, hand and body wash—is featured in the bathroom, and the huts are cleaned to a high standard before 3pm on every full day of your stay. 

It wouldn’t be a Stein getaway without some stellar cuisine, and one of the highlights is breakfast at The Cornish Arms. The pub is open for breakfast from 9am to 10.30am, then re-opens its bar and restaurant to the public from 12pm. 

Location and things to do

Though the Nook hut and the five other huts lack a sea view, their address is inherently coastal. It’s a four-minute drive to Constantine Bay, known for its sweeping arc of gently shelving, soft, pale sands. The beach is a popular surfing and bodyboarding spot located next to Booby’s Bay. 

Lifeguards patrol the beach on weekends until 6pm, and the clear sea is primed for swimming. Plenty of parking, some free and other spaces paid, can be found right next to the beach, though the free spots are about a 10-minute walk down to the bay.

Visitors can use a small beach cafe, a shower, and toilets on site. There is also an ice cream van and a coffee van selling hot and cold drinks made to order.

For those who enjoy walking, the incredible south west coastal path stretches from Porthcothan to Treyarnon, Constantine, Mother Iveys, and Harlyn Bays. It boasts beautiful scenery and is relatively easy terrain for able-bodied walkers.

All of the beaches have their own perks; some are quieter for bathers and swimmers, and others are dog-friendly year-round (like Constantine). It happens to be my favourite beach of the bunch, with impressive sand dunes that back the beach, rockpools, and a gorgeous headland that straddles the coast.

Constantine is the ultimate sunset spot, too, and if you stay late enough, you might just be spoiled with unspoiled starry-night scenery above you. 

Padstow is an eight-minute drive from The Cornish Arms, and the village is dominated by Rick and Jill Stein’s businesses. There are also several pasty shops to peruse, including The Cornish Bakery, which sells a delightful rhubarb, apple, and custard-flavoured pasty – it’s not to be missed.

In Padstow, you’ll find a Stein gift shop, a deli, a coffee shop, a fish and chip shop, and Rick’s iconic Seafood Restaurant. They’re all worth a visit. In the hut, guests will find a discount voucher for use in the Stein deli and gift shop.

You can spend a whole day wandering around the vibrant harbour, visiting the National Lobster Hatchery, cycling the Camel Trail, and enjoying the beaches in Padstow. You can also take a boat trip, visit the Padstow Museum and galleries.

The food

Guests of the huts can enjoy breakfast at The Cornish Arms if they book in advance. Diners are treated to a small but considered continental spread of the most deliciously soft, flaky pastries, fresh fruit and yoghurt, local sourdough bread, honey, cheeses, ham, juices, and made-to-order dishes.

You can order British classics, such as bacon or sausage sandwiches, creamy omelettes, or eggs with smoked salmon—all delivered warmly by a friendly, attentive team.

Dinner at The Cornish Arms is equally satisfying. The menu leans toward Rick Stein’s signature love of seafood, with standout dishes like perfectly cooked sole and a fragrant fish curry. Crispy cockles make for a great appetiser to accompany a cocktail. I enjoyed the gin highball made with Stein gin, and the Negroni was just as refreshing.

Jack Stein’s scotch egg starter is not to be missed, and the main menu includes a range of other classics, including a Cornish beef burger and fish and chips. 

The relaxed setting and high-quality food make it a destination in its own right, meaning you don’t necessarily need to head into Padstow to enjoy Stein’s renowned cuisine. 

However, if you’ve never been, a visit to The Seafood Restaurant is recommended. The suave setting in Padstow Harbour captures true Cornish charm, and it’s ideal for marking a special occasion.

Stein’s sashimi platter and hot seafood platter were standout dishes at The Seafood Restaurant, perfect with yet another cocktail, this time a Coastal Caipirinha. It’s tempting on the tastebuds with a combination of Silver Abelha Cachaca, lemongrass, sea vegetables, sugar cane syrup, and burnt and fresh lime. 

Knowledgeable staff are happy to recommend wine pairings for your chosen dishes and assist in choosing delicious appetisers, starters, mains and desserts from the extensive menu.

It’s just a short drive to Padstow (approximately eight minutes from the shepherd’s huts), though it could prove tricky to secure a taxi if you don’t have a car. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid missing out on lifts as public transport is hard to come by.

Verdict

A delightfully curated countryside escape, the green-themed hut is the perfect home-from-home for foodies, coastal adventurers, or anyone seeking a little off-grid stay.

Prices start from £170 per night, and the hut sleeps a maximum of two people.

If you’re headed there yourself, pack light and enjoy the well-stocked huts, which boast all the essentials. Bringing your own beach gear is essential, but everything you need for a comfortable stay can be found in the huts.

Those who enjoy herbal tea should bring their own as it is not stocked in the huts, but otherwise, they are hard to fault.

A 3pm self-check-in time and 11 am self-check-out time make it easy to come and go as you wish, and not a single soul will disturb you during your stay. That said, staff at the Cornish Arms and happy to help with any queries.

The pub is open from 12pm to 11pm every day and offers a delightful menu for lunch or a hearty dinner.

As far as coastal retreats go, Stein Shepherd’s Huts are tranquil and inviting. Their proximity to the breathtaking Cornish coastline, as is Padstow, is an added bonus. For anyone looking to explore the best of Rick Stein’s Cornish empire, the huts put you at the heart of some of his best eateries.