Sarah Willmott is the proud owner of Mill Farm Shepherds Hut close by the coast at Skipsea. She tells us here what inspired her to own one!
"A childhood of classic cars, vintage farm equipment and steam engines is how I came to own my own shepherds hut. Ever since I was small living on a farm we were surrounded by these things.
Taken to see the large traction engines on a demonstration day ploughing or thrashing corn, usually tucked away in the corner was a shepherds hut or road wagon which as a child for me became a fort or a hide out.
Eventually I grew up... but always in the back of my mind was the memory of the shepherds hut sitting in the corner of the field.
Then I found out about glamping and the realisation that I could have a shepherd’s hut of my very own, so long as I could persuade my parents to let me have some space on the campsite.
Research commenced and I found that the nearest maker of shepherd’s huts to me was The Yorkshire Hut Company in York.
A meeting was arranged, soon the Shepherds hut was ordered and designed to my specifications to be roomy with plenty of storage without wheels.
'What?' - you cry - 'No wheels?!' To be a shepherds hut it needs wheels otherwise it’s a... hut.
The thing is when you live on a farm you tend to put stuff aside in case you need it for something. We had cast iron wheels going spare along with other bits of steel for the chassis.
Soon the shepherds hut was being built and I was busy woodturning the timber from the farm for handles, pegs and ordering iron work for the front porch from the local blacksmith.
Then the day arrived for the shepherds hut to be delivered, all was looking good the weather was perfect, she came on a trailer pulled by a Landover.
Soon she was off the trailer balancing on some very large blocks of timber, my own shepherds hut to share with everyone.
We immediately started to find all the metal and wheels to make up the metal chassis. With some hard work, welding and plenty of grease we soon had it completed.
A lot of lifting and struggling, until finally we had it bolted in place under the shepherds hut and ready to be lowered to the ground, which was done gently a little bit at a time.
This then left me with some very large blocks of timber to play with, which were transformed to make the outside seating and table for the shepherds hut.
Then came the next fun bit - kitting her out. A mattress was needed; I spent a long time trying them out before one was found that was very comfortable.
Time was spent getting all the little bits and pieces that could possibly be needed, including entertainment - no TV's or DVD players, but there is a DAB radio.
The kitchenette area was tried out with a few recipes using the microwave and the available equipment.
The food was served to two hungry people, a few more pieces of equipment were purchased and she was ready to use.
Mill Farm Shepherds Hut has now been with me many years / welcoming customers on their adventures into luxury camping.
She has been a welcome shelter from the rain, a cosy bolt hole when it’s chilly, a birthday or anniversary surprise.
With fairy lights and bunting, a honeymoon stay, the family group gathering point, a place to unwind and relax.
For a few lucky children who came with their parent or grandparent; a castle, Pirate ship, the Tardis, a hide out from the bad guys, an adventure to stay in!
Once even a shepherds hut when the sheep from next door escaped!" - Sarah Wilmott, owner of Mill Farm Shepherds Hut.
If this story has inspired you, book a stay in one of QuirkyAccom's many shepherd's huts now!
