The UK's 10 best shepherds' huts

From luxury lodgings in Somerset to vintage vibes on a nature reserve, check in to the perfect rural retreat

Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping, Somerset

Dimpsey Shepherd’s Hut Glamping
Chard, Somerset

Luxury meets the great outdoors at these charming huts in Somerset, with fairy lights, comfortable beds, a wood-burning stove and a barbecue for cooking amid stunning scenery. The location is a farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walk or cycle straight out of the farm and you’ve plenty to do, including scouring for fossils along the Jurassic Coast.
From £125; sleeps two.

Secret Meadows Gypsy’s Rest
Woodbridge, Suffolk

Delve deep into the heart of rural Suffolk and you’ll find a shepherd’s hut and gypsy caravan, which are hired out together. The hut is home to the main living space and includes an antique dining table, a plush sofa and a sleek country kitchen with wood-fired range and running water. One bedroom can also be found here, while the main double is in the gypsy caravan. The bustling market towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham are within driving distance, along with the picturesque Suffolk coast. From £105; sleeps four.

Bodger Shepherd's Hut
Holditch, West Dorset

Tucked away in tranquil woodland, Bodger is reached by a wooden walkway that winds through the trees. Guests who stay here can expect peace and quiet and a great opportunity to get close to nature; keep an eye out for the deer and pheasant that call the woodland home. Inside the hut you will find a comfy double bed and a wood burner. Outside, there's a private decked area with seating and a table for two, on which to savour pizzas you have cooked in the outdoor pizza oven. All guests have access to a communal sauna and the option to take part in woodworking courses. From £126; sleeps two.

Elmley Nature Reserve
Isle of Sheppey, Kent

Wildlife-lovers and bird-watchers will love Elmley Nature Reserve, the UK reserve on which you can stay. Located on the Isle of Sheppey, an hour from London, it has three vintage shepherds’ huts. Raised off the floor by authentic cast iron wheels, each of the huts has a wood or gas stove, along with a modern en-suite shower room and an eco-friendly loo. A communal barbecue can also be found in the farmhouse garden, or you can choose for homemade meals to be delivered. Keep an eye out - you might spot hares, owls, seals and birds of prey around the 3,000 acre reserve. From £75; sleeps two.

Rhossili Shepherd Huts
Rhossili, Gower Peninsula

These quirky little huts on Rhossili Bay offer sea views and a country backdrop. The largest have room for up to five people, though smaller options are also available. Elegantly furnished and with a chic, homely style, all huts come with kitchens and cold running water; if you want your own indoor bathroom, check into the Super Grand Shepherd Hut Ocean, which sleeps four. Beyond the huts you can picnic on the cliffs or build sandcastles on the beach before heading out into the surf. From £50 a night for a hut sleeping two; larger sizes available.

Withywood Shepherd's Hut
Bines Green, West Sussex

This custom-built shepherd’s hut sits on a working dairy farm close to South Downs National Park, between the villages of Ashurst and Partridge Green. It sleeps two adults and two children, and there is a separate cabin with a kitchen and bathroom. Outside, there is plenty of space to build dens and enjoy a camp fire (marshmallows provided), and there are beautiful walks, both from the door and further afield. From £75 a night (minimum two nights); sleeps four.

The Shepherd's Hut Retreat
Crewkerne, Somerset

Hidden by a picturesque pond and within the lush fields of South Somerset, these huts have a view of wildlife in its natural habitat; deer, badgers and ducks are regular visitors. The four wooden huts each have their own private area with a hammock, barbecue and open-pit fire. Each has been styled with a vintage-chic design, with whitewashed walls and solid wood floors. From £70; sleeps two.

Knepp Shepherd's Huts
Dial Post, near Horsham, West Sussex

The Knepp Estate in West Sussex is home to a rewilding project on a scale you won’t find anywhere else in the UK. With 3,500 acres to explore, bird and animal-lovers should check in to one of Knepp Safaris’ three shepherds’ huts. Each is unique, from the rusty red Tamworth, to Longhorn, a repurposed corrugated tin hut, and Exmoor, on the edge of the woodlands. They all come with candle lanterns, woollen blankets and beautiful verandas. Guided safari tours are offered, on which you’ll see cattle, pigs, deer, horses, ponies and more. From £95; sleeps six.

The Nut Plat Retreat
Tonbridge,Kent

Set in the Garden of England, in the hamlet of Roughway, Nut Plat’s huts come with fold-up double beds, stained glass windows and floral furnishings. Outside each is an additional little wagon that has a safari kitchen and basic bathroom. A village pub can be found just down the lane, while Sevenoaks and West Malling are less than half an hour away. At night, you can sit out and play board games by the fire or simply stargaze. From £85; sleeps two.

Llangennith Shepherd Huts
Llangennith, Gower Peninsula

Set on the outskirts of Llangennith village, on a working farm, these huts come with panoramic views of the Welsh countryside and elegant interiors, with a double bed and two fold-down singles. Each has a kitchen well-equipped for family meals, with a gas cooker, running water and a table-top fridge. Bathrooms are shared and can be found a short walk away from your peaceful paddock. From £50; sleeps four.

Claire Wills is international editor at CoolStays.com, an online travel brand for finding extraordinary properties including treehouses, windmills, cool cottages, B&Bs and hotels in the UK and abroad