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About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

The shepherd's hut (or shepherd's wagon) was, since the 15th century and into the 20th century, used by shepherds during sheep raising and lambing, primarily in the United Kingdom and France. Shepherd's huts often had iron wheels and corrugated iron tops. Sometimes the sides were also made of corrugated iron.

Use of shepherd's huts by farmers reached a peak in the late 19th century and dwindled in the 20th century with the advent of mechanised farm machinery and electric power reaching even remote farms. Their use persisted in some northern counties in the United Kingdom, particularly Westmoreland and Northumberland, where the terrain of the uplands supports little else but sheep farming.

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There have been numerous different materials used to construct shepherd's huts and after World War I, when metal was in short supply the chassis were often built with wood and the sides built with interlocking planks of larch or spruce. Sometimes the roof covering would be constructed from felt and tar and insulated with lambs wool. Cast iron wheels were frequently recycled from other farm machinery. There are now very few examples of the later 20th century shepherd's huts in the county of Westmorland which became Cumbria in 1974.

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The shepherd's hut was a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, sitting room and storeroom all rolled into one. The designs vary but all were constructed to provide the shepherd with practical and durable accommodation. The old huts had a stove in one corner for warmth and cooking, and a window on each side so the shepherd could see the flock. A hinged stable door, which was always positioned away from the prevailing wind, enabled him to hear the flock, and strong axles with cast iron wheels were used to withstand the constant movement from field to field.

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Shepherds huts today are used primarily as glamping accommodation, or as an alternative to a summer house, shed or workshop.

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Our Story

Hello. my name is Phil. I am the owner of Atlantic shepherds huts. I first built a very large luxury shepherd hut for a client in the Brecon beacons in wales about 10 years ago, at the time it never really occurred to me that it would be a good business to bespoke build them to order, however we are on that road now. 

I have been a carpenter all my working life, I started my training when I was 15 years old and now have 20 years of experience behind me building all kinds of quirky and amazing buildings and furniture. the most amazing would defiantly have to be a two storey tree house in Lee bay, North Devon for the previous owners of Ravendere Retreats who are now very good friends of ours.

As I started to see more shepherd huts popping up I decided to build one in my workshop about 4 years ago and from there started to build Atlantic shepherds huts. 

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We are still in the early stages of the business with having covid put us on hold for nearly 2 years but we are slowly getting our name out there. 

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I strive for excellent quality craftsmanship to provide our clients with the best hut they could possibly imagine. its not all about the high end luxury huts either. we have a range of options to cater for all kinds of budgets. the one thing that never changes no matter what type of hut you buy is quality and attention to detail.

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Meet The Team

Our Clients

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