The fire pit is the heart of a stay at The Hamlet. When the light softens over the grounds of Samlesbury Hall and you have poured the last cup of tea of the afternoon, it becomes the place everyone drifts back to. With a little planning, an ordinary evening turns into the part of the break you remember most. Here is how to make one of it.
Cook something simple over the flames
Because the huts are built for a relaxed, sociable kind of stay, they do not have kitchens, and that is rather the point. Dinner happens outside, over the fire, at an unhurried pace. You can pre-order a BBQ pack so everything is ready when you arrive, which saves a supermarket run at the end of the journey. If you would rather bring your own food, pack a few basics: the huts provide bedding, towels and tea and coffee, but you will want your own plates, cutlery and a sharp knife for a barbecue.
If cooking is not on the agenda, the fire pit still earns its keep. Order in from one of the local takeaways, carry it back to your hut, and eat by the flames with the countryside going quiet around you.
Save room for s’mores
No fire pit evening is complete without s’mores. Toast the marshmallows slowly, let the chocolate soften, and accept that the first one will not survive the journey to your mouth. If you have booked the Starlit Stay, a s’mores kit is already part of the package, so there is nothing to remember on the way.
Pack for comfort after dark
Lancashire evenings cool quickly once the sun drops, even in summer. A warm layer, thick socks and a blanket make all the difference between heading indoors early and staying out to watch the sky. Bring a torch too. The grounds are dark and peaceful at night, which is lovely for stargazing and useful to remember on the short walk to and from your hut.
Let the evening slow right down
This is the moment the huts are made for. The fire settles into embers, the conversation loosens, and if you have brought the dog along to a dog-friendly hut, they will be curled at your feet before long. There is free WiFi if you need it, but most guests find this is the point in the day where the phone goes back in the hut and stays there.
When the fire has burned low and the stars are out over a 700-year-old hall, a shepherd’s hut is a very good place to be.
Ready to claim a fire pit of your own? Explore the shepherd’s huts or check availability for your dates.
