Shepherds Hut

I think it depends on the price. Some shepherd huts on AirBnB are really punching! I wouldn’t choose one unless it was last minute and on a warm and sunny weekend because I’d want to sit outside in the countryside. It would have to be priced slightly above a tent pitch price as there is so little room. Not really fussed by a hot tub if it means I’d have to be a luxury price.

It would have to be in a National Park or AONB to attract me. And only then at a push. Or possibly on a long distance footpath (like Pennine Way) where people stay just a night before pushing on.

Yes I'm looking at booking one this year, and have stayed in similar.

1. Self-contained/private is a MUST - I don't really enjoy going away and "making awkward small talk" with owners and animals and children.

1. There's a lot of people with disposable income who want to do new stuff but don't or can't drive - London and Cambridge will be full of this type. Also able to take 2-3 days off but not weeks.

1. Possibly market as solitary retreat/writers retreat/yoga or meditation or solo retreat (google for an idea of what I'm suggesting). Advantage being you'll get less heavy drinkers and Sex People and they'll just sit round doing yoga and breathing. Although Sex People may still be drawn to the hot tub sitch.

1. Agree with pp keep decor nice but as plain and minimal as possible - no nicknacks or tat or specific "styles" as it tends to date and may put people off. Also don't get too attached to the venue and be "over present" Like many holidaymakers I have had the whole experience of someone doing the whole Tubbs "don't touch the PRECIOUS THINGS". Leave an instruction sheet and be available on WhatsApp.

1. If you go to airbnb I think there's a whole search field where you can put "cabins" which I THINK includes shepherd's huts. This could give an idea of price and decor.

It's a no from me, not because it's a shepherd's hut, but because it would be too close to someone's house. We booked an Airbnb which had a hot tub,, stunning views and lovely cabin, but unfortunately it wasn't advertised as being in someones private garden. It was very awkward. While enclosed, you could hear the kids playing outside, adults coming and going and chatting on the doorstep. Never again.

I have seen similar airbnbs listed (and reviewed). I think you'll be fine.

Absolutely love going somewhere with a pizza oven but you need to make sure there is somewhere nearby people can buy pizza bases or have space for people to make (and prove) their own dough.

You could make it an added on extra to have a stocked up pizza station ie bases, sauce, cheese, toppings etc.

If I stayed in a shepherd's hut, I'd want it to be remote, in the countryside, with views, like posh camping

If I wanted cooker, fridge freezer, microwave, coffee machine, hot tub, pizza oven etc, I'd want to stay in a proper house

Sorry not to be more enthusiastic, but I hope honest feedback is helpful

Ours has an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven which is very popular. From the responses here Mumsnet is not the demographic you are seeking!!!

We get mostly young couples, but we do get a lot of people in their 40's- 50's. Our current guests are in their 60's and have booked for a week!

Just googled and it is clear shepherds huts are going out of fashion. And those that are still for rent either tend to have amazing views or are offering lots of extras. Like this one in a village near Cambridge on a farm that offers a complimentary breakfast an a lounge in the farm you can use.

glampinghub.com/unitedkingdom/england/poundon/hut-rental-bicester-village-england/

I have a shepherds hut in my garden. People absolutely love it and we sell out all summer and half of winter. It is in a separate part of the garden- they can't see our house. It also looks out onto farmland.

A few things to bear in mind...

You need Change of Use of Land Planning Permission to let anything you put on your land commercially. Most people don't bother, but if a neighbour complains to the council you would have to apply retrospectively.

The market is completely saturated at the moment. When we started there were 11 shepherds huts within 10 miles. Now there are 56. People are struggling for bookings.

If I were you I would research your local area on Air BnB to see what the local competition is and how many bookings they are getting. Also look on the Planning Portalto see what your councils attitude to this type of thing.

Fire pit 100% and a covered area to cook / sit outside

and forget the hottub. In a small space people are likely to stay a short time, so the constant need to clean is going to be a right ballache

we run a glamping site on my PILs farm

shepherds huts and even those pod things are too small and quite claustrophobic

Cabins are all the rage now, thats whats popular. And our yurt is still pretty busy. but a right faff to clean/maintain, which is why we are switching gradually over to cabins.

If you are saying you are going to have a bathroom, then a cabin is your best option because for the price of a shephers hut that includes a bathroom, you could build a real swank cabin, especially if you know a friend in the trade.

You will definately need planning permission though, because it is self contained accommodation, and be aware that that is likely to attract business rates - you may be eligible for small business discount though. Either that or council tax. Buying more land and expanding may be harder, because will likely be a change of use, and they will see it as a step towards residential. Be aware that your neighbours are almost certainly going to object, and likely to petition against it - people dont like change.

Yes totally. Have done and would do again as long as has bathroom facilities in, a fridge and not too close to your property.

We like to use them as bases to explore local area as per your intention. As long as priced well and clean we only really use accommodation to sleep in. Wouldn't use hot tub though, although appreciate others enjoy them.

I mean, that's just not true is it.

Some working class people have them in their gardens. Some middle class people have them in their gardens.

Regardless of who has what in their garden, you tend to go and stay in lodges/huts etc to escape the every day. So visiting one with a hot tub when you don't have one at home can make it novel and fun. It doesn't morph you into a 'chav'.

I wouldn't bother with a hot tub , given that you say that there aren't views.

They're costly and that cost, with the ensuing maintenance would eat into your profits.

A fire pit and a simple barbecue would suffice with maybe a pretty covered outdoors seating area with a few large/dramatic plants to soften the area that could offer even more privacy.

Only if I specifically wanted to visit your area and the cost was competitive when compared with accommodation with facilities.
If I was looking for the shepherds hut/glamping experience I'd choose somewhere with a view.
However if you price it right you'll get takers if you're close to popular attractions or the sea.

have stayed in several, tbh the views and openness are for me what makes it, I wouldn't like being boxed in at all. And wouldn't want a hot tub either (space and a fire pit though)

@SliceOfCakeCupOfTea because working class people have them in their gardens. Dutchtubs where you have to heat them by firewood are acceptable because no one who has to do this regularly themselves is daft enough to get one for their garden.

I agree that a fire pit and bbq facilities will make it more appealing.
And hot tubs are attractive to most people

How is a hot tub 'Chavvy'?