Shepherd Huts by Plankbridge

These tiny huts — comprised of a kitchen, bedroom, storeroom and always a stove for warmth and cooking — were originally used by shepherds who lived and traveled alongside their flock of sheep. One small operation in Plankbridge (UK) is recreating and restoring these fabled Shepherd Huts using refurbished materials and inspiring designs...

Plankbridge has been making and restoring shepherd huts since 1994. A small team of craftsmen and artisans work together to re-create these tiny homes with care for the environment and historical accuracy. Owner Richard Lee studied British forest products, design and manufacturing and has been in the craft since 1994. They also have on staff Jane Dennison, in charge of quality furnishings and traditional paint; Jake Reilly, an experienced furniture maker and timber frame house builder; and Andrew Lee, an artisan blacksmith.

Plankbridge's huts are traditional tiny homes complete with insulation and a mobile design. The frame is made from Dorset grown durable Douglas fir and assembled using timber frame house techniques. The entire house is insulated with either standard mineral wool or Thermafleece sheep's wool (a great environmentally-friendly insulator). The floor is solid French oak naturally finished with linseed oil. A single double glazed FSC-certified window is installed and the stable door is made in house from kiln dried Douglas fir.

Price:

The popular Plankbridge hut starts at £8500 (~$14,000 USD) and can be delivered within the UK using a LandRover trailer or low loader.
Unfortunately, due to the "high build quality of our huts we do not usually offer flat pack versions for assembly on site."
The Dorset downland (built to more basic specifications) starts at £5643 (~$9,400 USD). It has exposed Douglas Fir timber with no wall insulation (roof is fully insulated).

See more at Plankbridge Shepherds Huts, and at Shepherds Huts, a website dedicated to this unique history.

Comments (4)

I want one - so cute, look like little old fashioned gypsy wagons.

:D Are you willing to live in it??

To save space, try a radiant floor or flush-to-the-wall propane heater.

For full underbed access, remove the extra interior wall.
Store items in pull-out baskets under the bed:
Store a weekly wardrobe, stackable pans, dry goods and utensil basket.

Rather than tables and desks, use your lap while sitting on the daybed.
Store extra blankets in decorative pillowcases on the daybed.

Try a cutting board over the sink, an under-counter appliance or in your lap.
Try a folding cutting board at the edge of a kitchen counter.

Store a portable stovetop vertically under the kitchen sink.
Try a collection of one-pot recipes.

Stand decorative plates and glasses vertically on open narrow shelving.
Rather than a dish rack, dry dishes on a towel.
Dry wet towels on hooks under the kitchen sink.

Try small, spring-loaded curtain rods - they fit “inside” a window frame.