The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Bodger on July 01, 2013, 11:15:32 am

Title: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Bodger on July 01, 2013, 11:15:32 am
On our way down to Hereford on Friday, we came across this chap and his shepherds huts. He makes them to order and reckons that with a fair wind he can do one from scratch in around five weeks. I once wrote a little bit about shepherds huts and needless to say, its something thats been on my wish list for some time now. Oh how I wish.  :fc:
 

(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2377.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2377.jpg.html)
 

(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2382.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2382.jpg.html)
 

(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2379.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2379.jpg.html)
 

(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2380.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2380.jpg.html)
 

The dimensions of the completed hut are 12' x 7' with a further 4'x7' for the verandha. When the exterior has been finished, the interior is tongue and grooved, with insulation fitted between it and the corrugated sheeting. Then , you have a blank canvas and you're left to furnish and kit out your new shepherds hut as you please. IMO, a small woodburner in the corner would be a must, other wise, it just wouldn't be finished. :csmile:
Well girls, I was about to say that every man should have one of these but I quickly realised what a wide range of uses they could be put to. As well as mens dens, they'd could be used as extra accomodation for visitors, potting sheds or even as a sewing room, the list of uses for them is endless.
I'm sure that right now you're thinking " Well how much then?" Well the answer is £5000 with no Vat charged. Thats not a bad price you know? Especially when you consider the prices being asked for some very flimsey garden summer houses these days and believe you me these shepherds huts are extemely solid and built to last.
Now heres a question, apart from possibly keeping a stinky shepherd in it, what uses would you put your brand new shepherds hut too?  :idea:   
Here are some images of both the rough and the smooth. In the old days, the shepherd hut would have been wheeled out into the middle of nowhere to provide basic accomodation for the shepherd while he provide care for his sheep during lambing but in modern times, they would appear to have found new uses.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=shepherds+huts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Rh7RUcyaKoKLOcG1gZAC&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=953&bih=433 (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=shepherds+huts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Rh7RUcyaKoKLOcG1gZAC&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=953&bih=433)
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Fleecewife on July 01, 2013, 11:46:04 am
I love the original ones, but not those with uPVC doors and windows, and all chintzy inside - not me at all  ::)
 
I would use mine as a secret hideaway in the woods for charcoal burning  :tree: and spinning :spin: 8)
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 01, 2013, 12:15:44 pm
My lifelong wish is to have a proper gypsy vardo, like my great grandparents lived in. I know a few people are making and selling them as shepherds huts now or even childrens 'wendy houses'.   
We are on the lookout for one to go in our orchard  :)  That hut is a very good price considering its handmade and looks pretty sturdy! 
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Bionic on July 01, 2013, 01:12:55 pm
I saw an original shepherds hut yesterday in a local villagel. It was loaded on a transporter so I'm not sure if it was coming or going.
 
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on July 01, 2013, 02:17:19 pm
5k is pretty good for a shepherds hut, they can be up to 10 even not fitted out or anything
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: john and helen on July 01, 2013, 02:59:11 pm
Oh Plums, i wish i could get hold of my dear old mums photo album,
we use to have an old gypsy caravan, we used it as a holiday home down in Dawlish, my auntie had the plot next to us and she had a wooden railway carriage..... great memories, sadly the old caravan was scrapped
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: ellied on July 01, 2013, 03:09:05 pm
I've always said I'd like a log cabin up the top of my field looking down on the fields and house and across at the stupendous view their is up there.  It would be way easier in foaling time and to keep an eye on the stallion and his mares during breeding season, but also as an "office" for my writing - at the moment my desk/laptop peer out one west facing window across the hen run and into one corner of the front paddock but this would give me almost 3/4 of my land in one vista, especially with windows all round!

So as I imagine the council wouldn't be impressed with a cabin and it's in full view of a main A road (another benefit of being further back/up away from the road) one of these might do the job quite nicely as it's clearly temporary and can be moved like a mobile field shelter to avoid planning issues.

Problem would be finding £5k.. but it would need more windies  ;)
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on July 01, 2013, 04:54:45 pm
I've always said I'd like a log cabin up the top of my field looking down on the fields and house and across at the stupendous view their is up there.  It would be way easier in foaling time and to keep an eye on the stallion and his mares during breeding season, but also as an "office" for my writing - at the moment my desk/laptop peer out one west facing window across the hen run and into one corner of the front paddock but this would give me almost 3/4 of my land in one vista, especially with windows all round!

So as I imagine the council wouldn't be impressed with a cabin and it's in full view of a main A road (another benefit of being further back/up away from the road) one of these might do the job quite nicely as it's clearly temporary and can be moved like a mobile field shelter to avoid planning issues.

Problem would be finding £5k.. but it would need more windies  ;)


Yep would be fine re planning, and also, I think councils do prefer things like this, cos they look nice and don't jar on the eye.


They can't use that as a planning criteria, but I have found them a lot more generally receptive to slightly more adventurous planning suggestions if the rest of the time, one tries to make everything look as unobtrusive and in keeping as possible. Which these huts certainly would be, I think they are lovely, sort of cheery but plain and simple, just what I like!
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Padge on July 01, 2013, 05:52:57 pm
Ours would house a stinky shepherd........... :eyelashes:
 
I quite often say to him   'you stink.'...........'Oh ? What of ' says he.........'s**t'   says me ..... :eyelashes: . :sunshine:
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 01, 2013, 06:14:00 pm
Ours would house a stinky shepherd........... :eyelashes:
 
I quite often say to him   'you stink.'...........'Oh ? What of ' says he.........'s**t'   says me ..... :eyelashes: . :sunshine:

 ;D  My OH was surveying a pig farm today, he did prewarn me that he might come home with an aroma (can't say I've noticed it being much different to normal  :-J  )
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: shygirl on July 01, 2013, 06:26:07 pm
i love them, iv looked at a few websites when im in my "i want a campsite" mood. im always quite shocked at the price of some of them though. i love gypsy caravans and all things like that. the french do a version which has replaced the yurt fashion, i just cant mind the name. they are smart too.
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 01, 2013, 08:04:51 pm
I saw a website advertising one as a B&B venue. It had no water or facilities other than a bed and breakfast was served outside - fine if the weather isn't typical. I can't remember how much it was but it wasn't cheap.
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 07, 2013, 08:25:20 am
Another version of the Shepherds Hut can be seen Here: https://www.suppliesforfarmers.co.uk/shepherds-hut-p-11965.html (https://www.suppliesforfarmers.co.uk/shepherds-hut-p-11965.html)
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: AndynJ on July 07, 2013, 08:33:03 am
We asked our council if we were allowed a shephards hut they said we would need planning permission
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Ina on July 07, 2013, 08:39:48 am
We asked our council if we were allowed a shephards hut they said we would need planning permission

Do they know what a shepherd's hut is - that it is actually a movable object?
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: sabrina on July 07, 2013, 08:49:35 am
Knowing the council I bet they had no idea. Would be great as a spare room for us. I would give the family the cottage and have the shepherd hut.
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: shygirl on July 07, 2013, 10:43:31 am
Another version of the Shepherds Hut can be seen Here: https://www.suppliesforfarmers.co.uk/shepherds-hut-p-11965.html (https://www.suppliesforfarmers.co.uk/shepherds-hut-p-11965.html)

i didnt know you can another website, il have a look on there later.
how much are the huts please?
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: funkyfish on July 07, 2013, 07:50:32 pm
I love these! If we cold dejunk most of our stuff, I'd love to live on our field in one these- could build a cob shower block/utility room or something and woud have all we need.
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: stufe35 on July 07, 2013, 08:51:31 pm
We thought asking the council was the right thing to do when looking at putting up a Poly tunnel.  We were led a right merry dance, next time i want advice it will be a planning consultant go to.
Title: Re: Shepherds Huts?
Post by: Bodger on July 08, 2013, 07:04:54 am
We live in a holiday area and its common practice for the council to allow a static caravan as overflow for the family. The only proviso is that it must be positioned within the curtlidge of the garden. This means that although you may own a few acres of fields, your caravan has still got to be in the garden. Quite a few folk locally have a static, so that they can move out of their house for the summer so that they can do holiday lets through the summer. Having a shepherds hut in the garden wouldn't be a problem and of course, one of these to go out infront of it would be absolutely ESSENTIAL. :farmer: