Established in 2011 in Somerset, from humble roots Blackdown Shepherd Huts have become one of the leading shepherd hut manufacturers in the country, building bespoke and high-end luxury living spaces. From Artisan Self-Build Huts for the craftsman, through to opulent fully fitted Brace Huts for hotels and glampsites, Blackdown huts offer the potential of a high return on investment yielded by a relatively small portion of your land becoming an irresistible glamping getaway or an opulent venue solution. They work with you every step of the way to help you shape your dream.
At The Glamping Show this year, will be showcasing their latest signature Turnkey hut in their synonymous Heritage Oak Cladding and paired with a Covered Deck area, creating a versatile space for outdoor dining, cooking, relaxing and simply enjoying the surroundings, whatever the weather. The Turnkey hut provides an en-suite bathroom, kitchen area, flexible seating, and an accompanying coffee table that transforms into a dining table. Guests will be able to watch the stars as they drift off to sleep in Blackdown’s signature wall-bed cleverly dropping down in the seating area, revealing a cosy bed for heavy heads to land underneath their signature Stargazing Roof Light. The covered chassis deck attached to their Turnkey is about more than adding extra space. It changes how a hut is experienced. It gives guests somewhere to sit with a morning coffee, gather together in the evening, step outside between sauna sessions or simply pause and take in the view. Whether overlooking open countryside, woodland or water, a well-designed deck helps bring the outdoors into the experience and gives guests another reason to slow down, stay a little longer and enjoy where they are.
From this covered deck a beautifully crafted oak bridge will lead you across to the Blackdown Sauna Vista hut, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can connect different elements of a glamping or wellness experience. Blackdown’s Sauna offerings are built to exacting Finnish sauna standards and deliver a space that seamlessly blends health and style. The Sauna Vista you’ll see at the show expertly merges fire and ice, offering a 4-6 person capacity sauna with the addition of a covered deck right outside the doors. The deck has been designed to offer the option of an ice bath, wood-burner, seating area or, can of course be left completely free.
For those who like to get hands-on, Blackdown will be showcasing its Tasker Self Build kit. Visitors can see the individual components that make up the kit and get a clear understanding of what’s included and how it all comes together. It’s a way to create a Blackdown shepherd hut from the ground up, with the satisfaction of building it yourself.
Blackdown has a number of shepherd huts across the country including Dimpsey Glamping in Somerset, Huts in the Hills in Northumberland, The Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds, Lympstone Manor down in Exmouth and Another Place along the shores of the Lake District, along with many more from start-up businesses to established hotels. They’ve even shipped abroad for safari lodges and wine tasting rooms. Feedback from those who have invested in glamping as a business has found that payback on the hut purchase is around 18 months to two years, with marketing activity being a key differentiator.
Blackdown builds huts that last and the materials they choose matter to them. With the huts being built at their workshop in Somerset, Blackdown aim to buy local materials whenever possible and make purchasing decisions that balance their manufacturing needs whilst reducing their impact on the earth.
One thing you can be sure of when buying a Blackdown hut is top quality and sustainable workmanship, backed up by a solid guarantee, a very friendly welcome, and outstanding service.
If you like what you see at this years Glamping Show, Blackdown would love to welcome you to Somerset for a tour of their show garden and workshop. As you take a walk around you can view their range of huts and cabins, the differences between them all and how the space inside could work for you and your guests.
Highlights of the garden include their magnificent Fusion Brace, two huts joined perpendicular to each other by a beautiful glass walkway, creating stylish sleeping and lounging modules; and not forgetting Blackdown’s Meridan, your answer to the ideal home office tucked away in the garden.
When visiting Blackdown’s show garden, you can take as much time as you need to wander the garden with their personable team, and tour the Workshop to see the huts being made. They have years of experience in advising hospitality customers and are more than happy to discuss any questions or ideas you may have for your glamping venture.
