Shepherds Hut

[Tigger83]

We're thinking of setting up a shepherds hut as an air bnb next to our house, it won't have views but will have a hot tub and a beautiful enclosed sun trap courtyard garden. There are walks to open countryside all around us and we live in a beautiful village with a lovely pub. We're an hour from London and 30mins from Cambridge.... would you rent a shepherds hut with beautiful garden, fairly lights, hot tub but no view....

I wouldn't stay in a shepherds hut personally, but the hot tub and enclosed garden would be fine with me - not bothered about views at the accommodation if there is loads around 😊

Op, I like a shepherds hut and hot tub stay. I’d book if:
•not overlooked
•a list of interesting places to visit/walk on foot was provided on the website - enough to fill a rainy day
•there were decent places to eat/drink within walking distance. A good quality country pub for example. This should also be listed on the website.
•you offers two night stays. Lots are three nights minimum but in some locations two nights is often enough.

Price? £130-£170 per night depending on season/day of week.

Can I book in for NYE?

I can't imagine most people staying more than a night or 2 in the set up you describe. Have you factored in cleaning/refilling the hot tub in between stays?

Actually, I'd knock the hot tub on the head. More hassle/faff than it's worth.

Woohoo first booking lol

I’m one of the PP’s who said I wouldn’t stay in a Shepards Hut, it’s the Shepherd’s Hut part I wouldn’t like too cramped for space. We stayed in a pod last year it was lovely, previously stayed in lodges, caravans etc so really open to most things. Even have stayed in a gorgeous property (was separate though) next door to the owner without any problems and also converted farm building near to the owners again no problem.

Glamping properties with hot tubs book much better than those without, and those that take dogs see a 25% increase on bookings.

The price can be influenced by what’s around you, how easy it is to walk places etc. A simple she’d can book for £35 per night. Always go for two nights min to mitigate cleaning costs.

• shed not she’d

We will explore the pod idea.... a good excuse to go and stay in one for 'market research'

Definitely @Tigger83 although initial costs are £££ if you want to dip a toe in, you can buy really decent bell or safari tents second hand. Decorate it really well, provide BBQ for cooking and sink etc. and enough room for four people (one double bed and two camp beds for kids). Have you considered toilet and shower options? Pods have these included so that’s all taken care of although getting them plumbed in can be a mission.

Probably not. It sounds claustrophobic- small, too close to the landlord’s house, enclosed courtyard not garden.
I’s stay in something like that as simple accommodation on a farm with lots of open space, in the Peak District, Lake District etc. Not close to the landlord’s house in a village.

A shed with a sex pond in someone's back garden will be a hard sell!

What about planning permission. Will you have to get approved from the council ?

I would if dog can come. Finding dog friendly places is tricky. Even if hotels allow them they are hard work. Defo covered outside area you could sit regardless of weather. Hot tub not overlooked would be a yes from me

Yup we'd need to get planning but we're working through that as an option. Showers and toilet would be fine we can connect.

Was waiting for a sex pond comment.... they do sell rentals!

Yes I would! So many of these places are never close to a train station - I would love to be able to nip out on a train from the city for a break away!

I think if it was done up really nicely it would be worth it.

Is the hot tub completely within the private area and for sole use of the hut occupants or shared with the family? The latter would not be a runner for me.

I echo some of the previous comments - shepherd's huts are often too small and too cluttered for comfort if the weather turns bad (definitely echo the drying space issue) and hard to heat in Winter.

The "luxury" end with proper bathrooms and insulation usually cost as much as a holiday cottage and certainly more than the insulated and well equipped huts with tubs on offer at many forestry sites for short stays. I would have thought those forestry site style huts are your competition if you want occupancy for most of the year. For me shepherds huts were a bit gimmicky and fell between better options value wise.

It doesn’t appeal to me at all. £100s for cramped accommodation. I’d rather camp for a fraction of the cost. I choose accommodation for beautiful scenery if countryside break or convenient location for city breaks. There must be a market though judging by what people charge on Air B&B.

What does "no view" mean?

What can you see from the hut?

Also, I’ve seen plenty of glamping properties on people’s property - one was so close they would use the land lords shower and bathroom - and it always does very well. As long as you make it clear, people can make their own judgement as to whether it’s too close but it’s definitely not an issue.

I wouldn't stay in a Shepard's Hut in the same grounds as your home. But I'd stay in one in a more secluded private area.

Would have to be on the very budget-friendly end of the pricing, I imagine, because it's already not ideal to be in someone's garden (how big is your garden?), and the basic-ness of a shepherd's hut us usually "offset" by being out in the middle of nowhere and having access to lots of nature and walks.

Personally, when I book on airbnb, I never choose a place that's in someone's garden or shares any of their facilities. Seems a huge risk to me, not in an alarmist way (although what a shit holiday it would be if I happened to choose to stay in a serial killer's garden), but just in terms of what if I don't get along with the hosts, or they want to spend time together chatting or whatever.

It could work, I suppose, for people just wanting a place to spend a couple of nights while in your locale. Cheap pricing is what would make this work, I imagine.

Op, I stayed at a place with a Dutchtub which was great. Guests fill and empty it themselves as needed and it’s heated by firewood. Means you don’t need to worry about the cleaning of the hottub water between guests. https://www.hotboxstoves.co.uk/product/wood-fired-hot-tub-dutchtub/

As long as the lack of view was reflected in the price and the hot tub and hut interior were really nice then yes, definitely.

Hmm probably this. But given the location I think it will rent out if priced correctly.

No. I don't want to sleep in a shack on wheels when I could have a comfortable room or cottage, and I say this as a previous hippy caravan dweller in my 20s!