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I hate it when people call things a hidden gem, but for The Quirky Barn, it feels like a label that genuinely fits. The Dragon’s Hut is rustic in all the right ways, but with a proper bed, an en suite and a wood burner, it’s warm, cosy and comfortable too.

I’m trying really hard to spot the signs of burnout before it’s too late to do anything about them. This year has thrown one thing after another at me, and it’s been relentless. Getting to this point in the year without entirely losing my shit is a minor miracle, so when I felt the telltale signs of a dysregulated nervous system making themselves known, I decided to take some time out.

My criteria were simple: no long drive, no faffing around pitching a tent, plenty of peace and quiet, and somewhere close to the stables where I’ve spent most of my weekends lately.

A 1am Google search led me to The Dragon’s Hut at The Quirky Barn. It ticked every box and was exceptional value too, so I booked it, and a few days later my car was loaded with outdoor and riding gear, my Kindle and iPad, and I was on my way across the border to Wrexham.

Inside the shepherd’s hut

The hut is rustic and relatively basic, and whilst it’s not the most aesthetically perfect shepherd’s hut I’ve stayed in, it does have heaps of personality, from dragons here, there and everywhere to the irreverent humour running through everything from the signage to the guest information folder.

You’ll find a kitchen area with a microwave and fridge, a little en suite (with a sparkly loo seat), a super comfy double bed and, of course, the all-important log burner. Do be sure to bring kiln-dried logs with you, or contact your host, John, ahead of your stay to arrange some for a small additional cost.

Outside, the hut has its own little garden with seating and a barbecue, and you can wander the mown paths through the meadows up to a pond with its own tiny island. Guests have the run of several acres, and it’s lovely land to potter around. The views stretch for miles over rolling border countryside, and with no other guests in sight, it felt like having the whole valley to myself.

I managed to catch the sunrise on both mornings of my stay, which is rare for me as a night owl. There can surely be no more grounding way to start the day than watching mist rise from the valley as the sky gently lightens to the soundtrack of the dawn chorus.

I usually talk about what’s out and about in the local area, but on this occasion, I’m proud to say I did very little, which was exactly what I’d intended! Living fairly close by in Cheshire, I know this part of Wales well, so I didn’t feel my usual urge to fill every minute with things to do. The one exception was horse riding, the only thing that could tempt me out of my peaceful cocoon.

On Saturday afternoon, I had another hack booked with Penycoed Riding Stables, a half-hour drive from where I was staying. This time I was paired with Delilah, a giant mare with a few quirks! I’m used to riding big horses, but at a whopping 18hh, she’s definitely the biggest horse I’ve ever ridden, leading one friend to ask if I needed a trampoline to mount her. That said, she was absolutely lovely and a pleasure to ride.

The relaxed hack and glorious weather only added to the sense of joyful relaxation I took from the weekend, and sitting outside in the sunshine after my ride was a wonderful way to end a perfect Saturday.

Post-ride and tummy rumbling, the small kitchen meant I could rustle up a bowl of soup with some crusty bread, and after a hot shower, I snuggled up with a podcast and some evening snacky-snacks. Before bed, I wrapped up in my heated blanket and sat outside, making the most of the clear sky and lack of light pollution for some quiet, contemplative stargazing.

Like most glamping accommodations, check-out is 10am, which usually means no lazy late start to your last day. For a small extra fee, though, I was offered a late check-out, and of course I jumped at it. It meant I had a slow, relaxed final morning, and it made such a difference!

You might spot a hot tub in some of my photos, which is an optional extra, at an additional cost and subject to availability. It wasn’t in use during my stay, so if a soak under the stars is high on your list, check with John when you book. The same goes for the sauna, and the heated pool that’s open between June and August.

I can’t really do the peace and tranquillity of this place justice. Some places are lovely because of the views, others are wonderful thanks to their amenities, but at The Dragon’s Hut, it felt like the land itself was magical. There’s a special energy here, and if you’re attuned to that sort of thing, you won’t fail to pick up on it. This is one glamping hut that I’ll absolutely be returning to next time I need to switch off and spend some quality time with myself.

About my stay

I stayed for 2 nights, which cost me £136 at the time of booking, via Booking.com. Electricity in the hut runs on a coin meter that takes £1 and £2 coins, so make sure you bring a few with you. I popped in £3, which was more than enough for my stay. You can find out more at thequirkybarn.co.uk.