Chichester Shepherds Hut

Chichester Shepherds Hut is a single hut set in its own enclosed garden in the fields outside Chichester, near Oving, and it works best as a two-person base for exploring the West Sussex coast and the South Downs. The hut is separate from the owners' house and has its own entrance round the side, so guests come and go without passing through anyone else's space.

The enclosed garden is the reason dog owners keep booking it. It is fully walled and private to the hut, which means a dog can be let out without a lead and without a second thought, and guests arriving with dachshunds, single dogs and pairs alike describe sitting out in it as the best part of the stay. The hut overlooks open fields and the setting is properly quiet.

There are real caveats, and they are worth reading before booking. The garden is small - fine for pottering, not for a dog that needs to burn off energy on site - and views on the immediate walking split, with most guests finding good walks straight from the door and one account finding nothing usable nearby. The owners also keep several dogs of their own on the property. Most guests never come into contact with them, but one account describes the hosts' dogs as unfriendly enough to limit how much their own dog could use the private garden, so anyone with a reactive or nervous dog should raise it in advance. A per-day charge for dogs has been reported as well, and described as not clearly explained at the point of booking, so confirm the current amount with the property directly rather than assuming it is included.

Two practical notes: the steps up into a shepherd's hut are a stretch for short-legged breeds, and the hosts ask to be told about a dog in advance. Best suited to one or two settled dogs whose owners want quiet, privacy and a secure patch of garden, and are happy to drive to their walks.