As seen on BBC Countryfile

Welcome to the Plankbridge hutmakers website.  We realised, twelve years ago, that the classic Victorian shepherd's hut on wheels could be built as an insulated extra space, useful for a whole range of uses from spare room to glamping accommodation.   We have been busy building and restoring them ever since, including three for The National Trust.  They are more affordable than an extension, lucrative as a holiday let and sit well anywhere, usually without the need for planning permission. We have discovered original Lott and Walne blueprints of shepherds huts, and have unrivalled knowledge of how to build properly proportioned huts that will stand the test of time.

Shepherds' huts were originally made by rural Victorian foundries and blacksmith's forges.   The huts were dragged out onto the fields, by horse or steam engine, for lambing and folding the sheep - containing them with handmade hazel hurdles -  which were moved across the unfenced downland of Wessex (Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire) and beyond .     Do get in touch if you would like any further information.  We have delivered huts far and wide from Cornwall to Suffolk, Devon, the Cotswolds, Herefordshire, Wales and up into Scotland.  Some have gone abroad, to the French Alps and Switzerland.  We may have a hut near you that can be viewed.

The shepherds' huts are made and restored in the heart of Dorset by a small team of experienced makers.  Founder Richard Lee studied at Hooke Park College / Bournemouth University in Dorset, gaining an MSc. in Forest products (design and manufacture). He has been a self employed craftsman since 1994. Co-founder Jane Dennison uses her experience and eye for the traditional to paint and furnish the huts to a high standard.

Within our workshop we have four hut making areas, Frome, Cerne, Piddle and Stour, all named after Dorset rivers.  Senior hutmaker Jake Reilly from Dorchester joined Plankbridge in 2009 with a wealth of experience in woodwork, from furniture making to timber frame house building. He leads Frome team. James Martin from Wareham is a very skilled Plankbridge hutmaker and is in charge of Piddle team.  Rikki Lane, from Wool, is in his third year apprenticeship, linked with Weymouth college.  Andrew Lee, an artisan blacksmith, creates the metal and forge work, and sorts out deliveries.  Johnno  Farrar, from the Cerne valley and a highly experienced craftsman, works mainly on the restorations and some new builds.  Ben Loder joined us in 2011, having worked previously for a leading furniture workshop, and is a talented leather worker too.   Philip Taylor is an experienced carpenter, and heads Stour team.  Gary Crewe makes our doors, joinery and furniture items in our new well equiped joinery shop.  We take pride in our friendly, 'family firm' approach and we all strive to work to the highest level of craftsmanship, which is often lacking in the modern world.