The honey hued ham stone village of Kingsbury Episcopi sits in the South Somerset Levels and Moors and is the very heart of ciderland. It’s an area imbued with folklore and ancient rural traditions and now the home to Craftsman’s Cabin, a cosy 2 bedroom wooden cabin entirely hand built using traditional methods and local skilled craftsmen. It has been carefully filled with a collection of new and old arts and craft from makers, craftspeople and artisans that call Somerset home.
Nestled in its own patch of meadow with far reaching views over Westmoor, the cabin was born out of the imagination of owner and designer Decca Lang and largely built by her husband Alex Head, with help from local carpenters and friends. The couple who live at Home Farm, which was once a large fruit-growing farm, wanted to make the most of the spectacular position of uninterrupted views across the willow-lined rhynes and lush green meadows that span over 1000 acres. In the summer months this part of the patchwork of the Somerset Levels is grazed with cattle and in winter is flooded for weeks at a time, returning to its ancient wetland state and it becomes haven for visiting wetlands birds.
Decca not only wanted to share this magical spot that has a special stillness and sense of peace but wanted to it to be a showcase of the talented local makers, craftspeople and artists that Somerset has a rich history of. Somerset’s artisanal roots run deep; for centuries, the area has been a hotbed for weavers, potters, stonemason, artists and woodworkers, whose necessary skills have been passed down through generations. Today, Craftsman’s Cabin carries this legacy forward, drawing on the region’s natural beauty and historic ties to slow living and intentional craftsmanship. Each piece included here tells a story of the maker, the materials, and the land itself.
In the cabin, every element has a purpose and nothing unnecessary is included, it’s just enough to be more than cosy but not “luxury”, a word bandied about all too often nowadays. The goal was to create a timeless space with soul and authenticity, avoiding anything that feels overly contrived or forced. The cabin is deeply connected to its surroundings, built with natural, local materials and crafted by local artisans. If something wasn’t custom-made for the cabin it was likely discovered at a market or charity shop, breathing new life into old treasures, giving them a fresh purpose in a new setting.
Decca says that filling it with beautiful things, lovingly made was easy. From wonderful stone carvings by master stone carver Tom Clark to the fire pit made my Nick Ostroumoff, an artisanal blacksmith in the neighbouring village. It’s the “farm to fork” of interiors and is meant to shine a light on the wealth of talent that Somerset is so abundant in. The pottery in the cabin is from the illustrious Muchelney Pottery and Origo House, also based in her studio in Muchelney. Using hand build techniques and rich colours to create perfectly imperfect handmade ceramics from pedestal bowls which always have some fresh local eggs in for cabin guests, to wall scones and plates. Art from Frances Watts and Amy Shuckburgh of Somerset landscapes will the pine clad walls, and are all avaible to buy, as are the willow lampshades and pieces of pottery.
The kitchen and the outdoor furniture were made especially for Craftsman’s Cabin by carpenter Bertie Clark, whose traditional methods and attention to detail are very special. The field maple and oak timber was sourced from Decca’s family farm that is the other side of the moor in Curry Rivel. The Langs started as brewers, wine merchants and cider makers in 1790 and still farm there today.
Being on the very edge of the moor gives guests the opportunity to learn about this area of Somerset and feel a connection to its rural traditions that shape the way of life. The skies are huge, and you can’t help but notice every little change in the weather. Decca wants guest to share in the excitement of hearing the first cuckoos who seem to return to the same spot every year and the first swallows arriving and dancing and swooping over the grassland in the summer. The thrill of the first blackberries ripening in late August and the sweet appley smell of the orchards when they are ready to harvest. There’s such a richness in wildlife, nature and produce from all the agriculture enterprises nearby. Visitors are strongly encouraged to visit the local pub, The Wyndham Arms, to sample an impressive array of locally made ciders (and the irresistible warm pork scratchings).
The cabin is a love letter to Somerset and an ode to all that makes it what it is, celebrating its independent and creative spirit that is firmly rooted in its heritage. It’s a lovely to place to rest your head and explore all that this cider county has to offer, or just sit on the veranda or in the outdoor bath and let the clouds rolls by and wait for a magical sunset to appear.
