Joan's Hut
Reminiscing about a rustic hut, hidden away in a Worcestershire orchard
In August 2021 when Covid was still rippling across the UK, and we were still social distancing, I booked a weekend away in a little hut, hidden in the depths of Worcestershire orchards, near Stourport-on-Severn.
Joan’s Hut sits in an idyllic setting, in a romantically overgrown orchard, surrounded by wildlife and fruit on the trees with a babbling brook running past. It is peaceful, save for the odd hum of a combine harvester, working away out of sight in the distance. The birds are your only company, flying from tree to tree and chirping loudly, probably cross that they have to share their orchard with us!
The hut, with its rusty wriggly tin exterior, has everything you need, and a short walk away, there’s a lovely bathroom with a roll top bath. There’s a little wood burning stove, games to play and books to read, and a small kitchen with all the essentials you could possibly want. It’s beautifully crafted, and I found myself fancifully day dreaming about living there to write in solitude!
We picked damsons from the tree next to the hut and made a sweet sticky jam in a pan. Then made some damper bread, twisting around sticks and cooking it on the open fire, dipping it the sticky jam to eat.
Sadly I only managed one night’s stay at Joan’s Hole as I was working for the circus at that time, and having managed to avoid getting Covid for 18 months, it was this weekend that a cast member tested positive and the whole circus had to be shut down! I can remember racing home on the M5, drafting apology emails to customers in my head, and receiving panicked calls from colleagues. It all worked out ok and the circus got back on the road after ten days in isolation, although I never did get my second night away!
For more information about Joan’s Hut visit Canopy & Stars.
Disclosure: This isn’t an advert and the stay was paid in full by the author.