The Rusty Hut.

The Rusty Hut sleeps two and, with a nod to a more traditional past, the lodge is tongue and groove panelled in soft earthy colours. The double height gable end is clad in salvaged teak boards that used to line the famous pier at Southport where Charlie Chaplin once strutted. There is a wood-burning stove for cosy winter nights and the sofa can be made up into a double bed for you if you would prefer to stay on one level.

The Rusty Hut has a fully fitted kitchen with electric oven, induction hob and fridge freezer. There is a full set of pans, crockery and utensils and anything else you need, just ask and we can probably dig it out for you.

A library ladder leads up to a mezzanine area with king size bed and Emma mattress (you can't beat a good night's sleep), and a skylight looks out over the bay and up to the stars.

There's also a shower room with toilet, sink and shower and a large cupboard for storing your belongings.

The lodge has its own private, enclosed garden space, sheltered by trees. The patio doors look south over the old pond towards Corran Sands across Small Isles Bay. We love watching the birds around here and they are abundant - bird food is provided to keep the bird feeder topped up if you could keep our feathered friends fed. We hope you enjoy watching them as much as we do.

There is a wood fired hot tub and fairy lights for the evening, whether you're lazing with a book and coffee, enjoying supper or lying back and letting the aches of a Pap climb or walk around the bay seep out of your muscles. Switch off the lights and watch the sun go down and the stars come out.

The Rusty Hut was where we learned that each property should have its own character, not a copy. The corten steel was a risk — people don't expect rust-coloured buildings — but it's become the most photographed thing on site. The Southport teak was a lucky find and gives the gable end a warmth that balances the rawness of the steel. Of all the properties, this one gets the most "it was better than I imagined" reviews, and that's exactly what we hoped for.