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Barley Hill Pod, Chard

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Barley Hill Pod is a deceptively spacious glamping pod for two in Somerset. This adults-only retreat sits in its own private field surrounded by magnificent oak trees. The private hot tub runs from April to October. You'll find complete privacy here with no signs of civilisation except the occasional tractor.

The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies just 10 minutes away. The Dorset Jurassic Coast is 30 minutes south. Somerset's coast is easily accessible to the north. This is proper countryside with woodpeckers and kingfishers visiting regularly.

Inside you'll find one double bedroom with a 4ft 6in bed. The open-plan living space includes a kitchen with electric cooker and microwave. A super comfy corner sofa provides relaxation space.

About Barley Hill Pod

Barley Hill Pod is a deceptively spacious glamping pod for two in Somerset. This adults-only retreat sits in its own private field surrounded by magnificent oak trees. The private hot tub runs from April to October. You'll find complete privacy here with no signs of civilisation except the occasional tractor.

The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies just 10 minutes away. The Dorset Jurassic Coast is 30 minutes south. Somerset's coast is easily accessible to the north. This is proper countryside with woodpeckers and kingfishers visiting regularly.

Inside you'll find one double bedroom with a 4ft 6in bed. The open-plan living space includes a kitchen with electric cooker and microwave. A super comfy corner sofa provides relaxation space. The shower room has a cubicle shower and heated towel rail. Electric underfloor heating keeps things cosy year-round.

The Blackdown Hills offer walking trails right on your doorstep. Lyme Regis beach sits 12 miles away (25 minutes). Forde Abbey gardens are 4 miles distant (10 minutes). Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park is 3 miles away (8 minutes).

Barley Hill Pod works perfectly for couples wanting total seclusion. The terraced wood deck with barbecue and garden furniture creates an outdoor living room. Book here for peace and proper countryside.

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Need To Know

More Glamping With Hot Tubs You May Like

Local Insights: Barley Hill Pod

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Chard, Somerset

Weather & Local Conditions

11°C

Clear sky

Updated: 22 Aug 2026, 2:50am

🌡️
10.70°C
Temperature
💨
6 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
81%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever August throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for long days out, gardens and BBQs
  • October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A cosy glamping stay comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film beats a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Barley Hill Pod sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Property

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share of an evening.

Location & Elevation

110m

(361 feet above sea level)

Barley Hill Pod sits in a peaceful Somerset setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a glamping escape.

🏔️
110m
Elevation
📍
Chard
Nearest Village
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Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
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Driving Note: The roads to Chard are typical Somerset lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.9122370° N | Longitude: 2.974996° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Chard (Saturday, 22 August 2026):

5:08am

Sunrise

6:21pm

Golden Hour

7:21pm

Sunset

🌅
5:08am
Sunrise
🌇
7:21pm
Sunset
📸
6:21pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
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Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (6:21pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

August Daylight

This month in Chard, you have approximately 14.21 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the property.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Barley Hill Pod.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

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Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

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Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Somerset. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 22 Aug 2026 | Location: 50.9122370, -2.9749960

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their stay at Barley Hill Pod

Private Hot Tub Setting

The hot tub sits on your own terraced deck overlooking oak trees with complete privacy and no neighbouring properties in sight.

Total Seclusion

Your own private field surrounded by ancient oaks means zero neighbours and just birdsong plus the occasional passing tractor.

Wildlife Watching

Woodpeckers, nuthatches and kingfishers visit regularly while you relax on the deck or soak in the hot tub.

Outdoor Living Space

The terraced wood deck comes with garden furniture, picnic bench and barbecue for proper outdoor dining and relaxation.

Cosy Pod Interior

Electric underfloor heating and a super comfy corner sofa create a warm base after days exploring the countryside.

Blackdown Hills Access

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty starts just 10 minutes away with walking trails through ancient woodland and rolling hills.

Getting To Barley Hill Pod

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Barley Hill Pod by car, follow the A303 and exit towards Chard. The pod is located in the Somerset countryside near the Dorset border with private parking for one car on site.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Crewkerne, approximately 6 miles away. From there, a taxi will take you through the countryside to your private field retreat.

Private parking for one car on site
Crewkerne station (6 miles)
Accessible from A303 near Chard

Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff to see & do on your glamping break!

Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park
Distance: 3 miles
TA20 4DD
Forde Abbey and Gardens
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 4LU
Lyme Regis Beach
Distance: 12 miles
DT7 3JF
Blackdown Hills AONB
Distance: 2 miles
TA20 3HJ
River Axe Walk
Distance: 5 miles
TA20 2AX
Wellington Monument
Distance: 15 miles
TA21 9PB
Chard Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 1JR
Axminster Carpets Factory Shop
Distance: 7 miles
EX13 5PQ
Crewkerne Farmers Market
Distance: 6 miles
TA18 7AB
Crewkerne Railway Station
Distance: 6 miles
TA18 7AE
Chard Bus Station
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 1JR
Taunton (larger town)
Distance: 18 miles
TA1 1JR
Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park
Distance: 3 miles
TA20 4DD
Forde Abbey and Gardens
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 4LU
Lyme Regis Beach
Distance: 12 miles
DT7 3JF
Blackdown Hills AONB
Distance: 2 miles
TA20 3HJ
River Axe Walk
Distance: 5 miles
TA20 2AX
Wellington Monument
Distance: 15 miles
TA21 9PB
Chard Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 1JR
Axminster Carpets Factory Shop
Distance: 7 miles
EX13 5PQ
Crewkerne Farmers Market
Distance: 6 miles
TA18 7AB
Crewkerne Railway Station
Distance: 6 miles
TA18 7AE
Chard Bus Station
Distance: 4 miles
TA20 1JR
Taunton (larger town)
Distance: 18 miles
TA1 1JR

Is Barley Hill Pod Right For You?

Is this hot tub glamping retreat best suited to couples or families? What standout glamping features and private hot tub can you look forward to? And is it a dog-friendly getaway? Discover if this short break is the right for you.

For Families
Barley Hill Pod is not suitable for children as this is an adults-only property. The accommodation is designed exclusively for romantic couples' getaways with a maximum occupancy of two adults. The private field setting and facilities are tailored for adult relaxation rather than family holidays. There are no child-friendly amenities or safety features for younger guests.
Glamping Features
The terraced wood deck creates a proper outdoor living room with table, chairs and picnic bench for alfresco dining. A barbecue lets you cook outside while watching woodpeckers in the oak trees. The private hot tub operates April to October on the deck with complete seclusion. Electric underfloor heating keeps the brilliantly insulated pod warm year-round. The enclosed garden offers total privacy in your own field.
Pet Friendly
Barley Hill Pod does not accept pets. The owners maintain a pet-free environment to accommodate guests with allergies and to protect the wildlife that visits the site regularly. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and kingfishers frequent the area and the owners want to preserve this natural habitat. If you're travelling with a dog, you'll need to find alternative accommodation in the Somerset area.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Barley Hill Pod

The Tytherleigh Arms

Located 2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: TA20 3JN

The Ilminster Arms Hotel

Located 8 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: TA19 0AP

The George Hotel Crewkerne

Located 6 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: TA18 7PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Barley Hill Pod

Is Barley Hill Pod pet friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property. The owners maintain a pet-free environment to accommodate guests with allergies and preserve the wildlife-friendly setting.
What are the hot tub operating times?
The private hot tub is available from 1st April through 31st October each year. Guests have exclusive use throughout their stay during these months with complete privacy on the terraced deck.
Can children stay at Barley Hill Pod?
No, this is an adults-only property designed specifically for romantic couples' getaways. The accommodation sleeps two adults maximum with one double bedroom.
What cooking facilities are provided?
The open-plan kitchen includes an electric cooker, microwave and fridge for self-catering. Guests should bring charcoal and food for the outdoor barbecue on the terraced deck.
How is the pod heated?
Electric underfloor heating runs throughout the pod with additional electrical heaters available if needed. The pod is brilliantly insulated to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round with electricity costs included.
What's included in the booking?
Bed linen and towels are provided for your stay. Electricity for heating and cooking is included along with private parking for one car on site.
Is there mobile phone signal?
The property sits in deep countryside so mobile signal may be limited or absent. This adds to the peaceful atmosphere but guests should plan accordingly for connectivity needs.
What bathroom facilities are available?
The pod has one shower room with a cubicle shower, heated towel rail and toilet. Hot water is available throughout your stay for comfortable showering after outdoor activities.

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