Hi, it’s Zoe here.
Something rather lovely has been happening at Bailey Huts lately. My little honesty shop is becoming a bit of a treasure trove.
I’ve recently added a new fridge, and I’ve been having great fun sourcing some healthy, interesting and slightly different drinks for my guests to enjoy during their stay. Alongside those, I’ve been adding more homemade treats, new handmade pottery pieces and a few things that I think will make lovely Christmas gifts.
It’s becoming a place where you can find those little extras that make a stay feel that bit more special, and perhaps find something lovely to take home too.
And there’s another reason October feels a little different this year. I have two completely separate bookings during the October school holidays from mums coming to stay with their little ones, which has got me thinking about another side of Bailey Huts: having some really precious time together.
So this month, I thought I’d share a little more about what’s new in the honesty shop, the people behind some of the things I stock, and why Bailey Huts isn’t only about romantic escapes.
The Honesty Shop Is Growing
I get some lovely feedback from guests about my honesty shop. Some guests hardly venture anywhere during their stay, particularly when they’re here for two or three nights, so having a little shop right here can be really useful.
I recently had one couple who really made the most of it during their stay, picking up drinks, pizzas, ice creams, chocolates and a few other treats. It made me realise just how much the shop has become part of the Bailey Huts experience.
I’ve recently added a new fridge, and I’ve been having great fun sourcing some healthy, interesting and slightly different drinks for guests to enjoy. I’m always looking for things that I think guests will love, rather than simply stocking the usual choices.
My homemade chocolates have become particularly popular too. My original chocolate praline has been such a hit that I’ve now started making boxes of homemade chocolates with three different varieties:
- Milk chocolate with digestive biscuit and sultanas
- White chocolate with cranberries and dates
- Dark chocolate with cherries and orange
They’re all made in small batches, and I love being able to add another homemade treat to the honesty shop.
I love being able to keep adding little things to the shop that make a stay at Bailey Huts feel even more special.
From the Potter’s Wheel to Bailey Huts
I recently went to visit Lizi, who makes my Bailey Huts pottery, and I’ve commissioned her to make some new pieces for the honesty shop.
This time I’ve asked her to make candles and little matchstick pots, which I’m really excited about. I’m going to package them beautifully, and I think they’ll make lovely Christmas presents, or a little something to take home as a memory of your stay at Bailey Huts.
I took some photographs while I was there, including Lizi working on the pottery wheel, and I love being able to see the process behind the things I stock. There’s something rather special about knowing who has made something and seeing it being created by hand.
I’m always drawn to handmade things, and I think they fit so naturally with Bailey Huts. They’re useful, beautiful and a little bit different, and I hope guests will love them as much as I do.
I’m also looking at bringing some beautiful blankets and hot water bottles into the honesty shop. I’d love to stock more good-quality, locally made and thoughtfully chosen things from makers and businesses a little closer to home.
Time Together, Whatever Your Age
When you think of Bailey Huts, you might immediately picture a couple escaping for a few nights, but I’m starting to realise that it can be so much more than that.
This October half-term, I have two completely separate bookings from mums coming to stay with their little ones. I love this because it’s another side of Bailey Huts that I hadn’t really thought about when I first created it.
There’s something rather special about having a few days away together, just the two of you. Time to enjoy each other’s company, explore the countryside, cook together and make some memories.
And I know from my guests that it works.
One of my recent guests, Amy, came for a mother-daughter stay and described Bailey Huts as feeling “luxurious but still really relaxed and homely.” She said they loved having “some proper quality time together.”
Another guest, Lucy, has now stayed twice, and on her most recent visit she brought her little boy Charlie. She told me that Charlie “absolutely loved it” and that they would definitely be back.
I think that’s one of the loveliest things about Bailey Huts. It doesn’t really matter who you come with. It’s about having a beautiful little space in the Ribble Valley where you can spend some proper time together.
The Little Things That Make an Autumn Stay
One of my favourite things about Bailey Huts is seeing how guests make the most of their time here.
Some will head out for a walk and spend the afternoon exploring the Ribble Valley, while others are perfectly happy staying here, enjoying the hot tub, sauna, fire pit and the peace and privacy of the garden.
There’s no set way to enjoy a stay. That’s probably what I like most.
The garden, the hot tub cabin, the sauna, the cold plunge, the fire pit and all those little details I’ve added over time are there for guests to make the experience their own.
And perhaps that’s why I’m enjoying seeing the honesty shop evolve too. It’s becoming another little part of the experience, whether that’s picking up a homemade chocolate, a cold drink, something for dinner or a handmade piece to take home.
I’ll be continuing to look at what my guests would like me to stock, particularly when it comes to food. I’ve already had one October guest ask if I can make homemade soup and bread for their stay. They’ve booked a cream tea for their arrival, followed by a Bailey Huts Arrival Board for that first evening, then two soups and bread for their lunches and my Rustic Supper for their second night.
They’ve actually arranged food for their whole stay, which means they can arrive, settle in and enjoy Bailey Huts without needing to go out for meals. As she said to me, “It’s going to be great because I don’t have to get dressed up to go out!”
And honestly, I think that sums it up rather perfectly.
I love that guests are starting to tell me what they’d like to see in the honesty shop and the food I offer. It gives me lots of ideas for where I can take it next.
A Little More of Bailey Huts
It’s funny how Bailey Huts keeps evolving.
What started as a luxury shepherd’s hut in my garden has grown into so much more than just somewhere to stay. There’s the private garden, the wood-fired hot tub, sauna and cold plunge, homemade treats, the honesty shop, the little extras and now even more things being made by local makers.
And I think that’s what I love most about it. I’m still creating it, listening to my guests and finding new ways to make their time here feel special.
Whether you’re coming for a romantic countryside escape, a few days with your mum or little one, or simply because you fancy having everything you need right here, Bailey Huts is a place to make your own.
Zoe x
