Out of the gates….and into a horsebox

Getting away from everyday life for the weekend

Birdsong. Just birdsong. No other sound, but the wind in the long grasses that surround where I am sitting and the fluttering of wings. I have actually found somewhere silent, in the Derbyshire countryside, all within the luxury setting of ‘Jennings’, a converted horsebox, lovingly renovated by its owner, Robin, of Trent Adventures, whose family have farmed the land the horsebox sits on at Poplars Farm since 1887.

After over a year of spending the majority of my life living, working, relaxing, eating and sleeping in my house alone – I needed a change of scenery to spend some time alone! Canopy and Stars, have a huge amount of unusual but comfortable places to stay, that let you reconnect with nature as well as support owners who build and live sustainably – making your stay low impact and supportive of environmental causes. Roundhouses, cabins, shepherds’ huts, treehouses and in this case, a converted horsebox.

This is ‘Jennings’ – a horsebox built in 1962 to transport up to 4 horses, by a coach building business that sadly no longer trades, called Jennings. In May 2019, Robin began lovingly renovating the former horsebox to what you see today, so I was one of just a few people who have been lucky enough to stay there over the last year….

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WOW! And I am lucky enough to be staying here for 2 nights.

Check in was at 4pm and I had my own parking space, just a walk across a field from Jennings. Robin, the owner arrived on his tractor to welcome me, but had sent some short videos in advance to make sure I knew how everything worked and what to do when I arrived – helpful, friendly and welcoming – a great start to my stay.

As soon as I had settled my bags down (taken some photos and done a little jig of excitement at having found and arrived at such a special place) I started to look around and found that, as promised in the videos, I could find everything I needed to make myself comfortable.

Fully equipped kitchen with gas oven and hobs, a small fridge and all the crockery and cutlery I could need. Including a cafetiere and coffee (very rare to be given decent ways to make coffee at self-catering places) and KETCHUP! Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a big win! Alongside this, tea, sugar, instant coffee, salt, pepper, oil and some lovely treats – fresh bread, milk, eggs, butter and homemade brownies – a brilliant welcome. And space to put away the few bits I had bought with me.

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After a quick look around, I figured out how to use the composting toilet (really easy and clean) found USB charging points and the hot water dial for the fully sized shower, plus a handy hot water bottle in case I felt the cold, even with a thick duvet and fleece cover provided.

There was also a lovely log burner, and all logs, matches and firelighters were provided, but the horsebox wasn’t cold at all, so I didn’t need to use them. Quite sad about that actually, so will have to return later in the year so I can!

I cracked open a cider (did a quick stop at Tesco on the way to buy provisions) and sat on one of two private decking areas that surrounded the horsebox next, to take in the atmosphere. Surrounded by fields on one side and the River Trent on the other. (There is another horsebox on the site, but ‘Jennings’ isn’t overlooked at all).

May is not being kind to us weather wise this year, but a handy blanket in the horsebox laid across my knees and my coat on, made me as comfortable as needed to enjoy my first moments of peace.

The River Trent is about 100 metres in front of me and an English scene of cows crunching the grass on the bank opposite or taking a drink from the water is playing out ahead. A pheasant is crowing in the background and the wind is lightly blowing across the decking. There is so much wildlife around here – geese flying overhead in pairs, Wagtails flying backwards and forwards, landing softly beside me curiously, perching on the side of the decking and dipping its tail at me. Graceful swans gliding along the fast-flowing river before building up momentum to take flight by noisily flapping their elegant white wings – an amazing feat of nature as they heave their enormous bodies out of the water and up towards the sky. Breath in, breath out – clear your mind and relax.

Simple dinner tonight, with a glass of wine and soft music playing in the background followed by a 20-minute walk along the river, as recommended by Robin. As I walked among hooting geese and quacking ducks, the river rushes alongside me as I spot in the distance some strange looking caves on the other side of the river and the tower of what appears to be a big house. Using the binoculars left for visitors to the horsebox, I figured out what it might be…..walk planned for tomorrow! The sun was setting, and the deck was the perfect place to enjoy this before turning in to read for a while on the sofa, perfectly placed to enjoy the view in the warm, before climbing up on to the bed – and sleeping like a log!

Saturday morning and time to rise from a very warm bed and set myself up for the day with a good breakfast. I’m able to do something I don’t do at home, put food waste into a small bin to add to the bigger compost bin outside the horsebox. There are also recycling boxes too – so it really makes you think about your use of plastic and paper. Plus, the water isn’t connected to the mains, neither is the electricity, so taps on and off quickly and electricity used only when needed – with lots of options inside so you are never in the dark, including battery operated lanterns and candles, and USB charging points of your phone and kindle.  

Its time to walk! Covid guidelines are due to change on Monday, with museums opening and National Trust houses back up and running, but until then – I walk! I managed to find a walk that looks like it will take in the caves I spotted last night as well as the building I spotted, so set off in my car for a 10 min drive to Inglby where the walk starts. Parked up safely on the side of the road, hat and waterproof jacket on to protect me from the May showers and I managed to gate crash a group of horse riders who were riding along the same route in a timed event – lots of ducking out of the way for me as horses raced up behind me. I am a bit scared of horses, so this didn’t do much for my intended relaxed state of mind! They were all very grateful when I moved aside as they galloped up behind me – good job I could hear them coming!

Walked into Heath Woods to an avalanche of bluebells in what is the only known Viking crematorium cemetery in England, containing 60 burial mounds, dating back to the late 9^th century.

Next, I came across the building I had spotted last night. Foremark Hall, formerly a private home of the Burdett family and built in 1755 and now Repton Prep School with a lovely church within its grounds. It must have been a visiting day for parents (it’s a boarding school) as I was passed by a lot of very nice cars (Porsche, Range Rovers, Bentleys, Aston Martins, as well as the odd BMW and Audi). Next stop – the caves I saw last night….

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Found out that what I had seen is known as ‘Anchor Church’, mentioned as far back as 1648 and carved out by the river and by hand. One legend is that St Harduplh used to live and pray here in the 6^th century and persecuted Christians came here to pray to God when this wasn’t allowed. The caves were also a haunt for Sir Francis Burdett (the owner of the house, now school) who fitted a door and used it as a summer dining room to entertain his friends in! Waked back alongside the river to my car where I headed back to the horsebox for cake lovingly made and provided by my Mum!

The 5 miles I had walked this morning, didn’t seem enough, so I planned my next walk over the cake and set off directly from ‘Jennings’ towards the Trent and Mersey Canal. Had a lovely meander along, helping out at a lock (not as easy as it looks!), enjoying the wildlife and stopping at a pub for a refreshing drink. Carried on to the new Mercia Marina with shops and restaurants, had a quick rest and then turned back the way I came. All in all, the little ‘extra’ walk was 9 miles long!

By the time I got back, and after walking a total of 14 miles over the day, I was ready for a hot shower and dinner! I watched a film this evening, whilst enjoying the view from the sofa and after listening to the soft rain on the roof, I settled down to sleep.

The sun was streaming in on Sunday morning, so I enjoyed a coffee and breakfast wrapped up on the decking before tidying up for the 10am check-out. Just wished I had more time here. I will be back again, as so much more to see around the area, and the museums and houses etc will be open and there will be even more to do. Plus, I want to use the log-burner! For now, I will head home and rest my weary feet, re-charged and determined to enjoy more of life this year, as restrictions are eased. For anyone who wants to get away, but not travel too far – go and stay in Jennings, but book now before everyone finds out about it!