Our most sustainable shepherd’s huts

The simple, homely style of Old Orchard shepherd’s hut perfectly suits its location on a community farm near Exeter. Owner Andy was an early convert to organic farming and in his capable hands West Town Farm has become a thriving organic beef and pig farm, sustainably producing high-quality meat. Stock up in the farm shop for a mouth-watering BBQ over the firepit. Andy is passionate about encouraging people to experience farm life and has put together a lively itinerary of guided weekend walks, live theatre events, art workshops and barn dances throughout the year. You can throw yourself into all this pastoral action as much as you fancy, or sneak off to the secluded privacy of your shepherd’s hut among the apple trees.

Blencathra Shepherd’s Hut is set high (really high, we’re talking 1,000 feet above sea level) in the Lake District mountains, on a working farm. Utterly remote and completely self-contained, the camp has a kitchen, bathroom shelter and compost loo as well as the shepherd’s hut itself. Blencathra is part of The Scales Plantation, a thirteen-acre area of woodland that has been left to naturally regenerate, becoming a haven for wildlife. Owners Tab and Rob have laid hedgerows, planted hardwoods, and created ponds and wetlands in their mission to preserve this beautiful landscape and share it responsibly with visitors. You’ll spend exhilarating days exploring the wild landscape before retreating to the cosy comfort of your handcrafted hut to bask in the glow of the wood burner.

Toller Hut in Dorset has the whole package – a conservation ethos at its heart, access to coast and countryside and some serious glamping luxuries. There’s the obligatory wood fired bath but also a sleek outdoor kitchen, king sized bed and – if you like that sort of thing – a cold outdoor shower to get the blood pumping and the endorphins flowing. The eco-conscious owners of Lake Farm, Gemma and James, use environmentally friendly cleaning products and provide guests with 100% natural toiletries and recycled loo roll. On the site, they practise low input farming and are planting hedges to create wildlife corridors that will preserve and enhance the local woodland. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a birdwatcher’s paradise so pack your binoculars and see if you can spot birds of prey, heron, owls and kingfishers from the comfort of your hut.

Taking forest bathing to a whole new level, Orchard Wagon in Devon has evolved from the owners’ deep love of the woods. Through Matt’s expertise as a tree surgeon and Amanda’s conversation work, they’ve created a private, sustainable woodland hideaway with a shepherd’s hut, field kitchen, compost loo and bathing hut. They’ve used as many local and recycled products as they could get their hands on, including carving the bed from chestnut coppiced in their own woodland. Once you’ve settled in, heat up the bath and settle in for a long, relaxing soak with incredible views over wildflower meadows and Haldon Forest. You might spot wandering deer and soaring buzzards in the distance as you luxuriate in the water with a glass of wine.

Off-grid, bunting-clad and modern vintage in style, arriving at Jester’s is a bit like wandering into an idyllic village fayre. Particularly when owners Angela and Simon greet you with tea and homemade cakes. There are no maypole-dancing crowds here though, the shepherd’s hut is in a secluded part of the farm with a solar lit path to an ingenious eco-loo and a firepit for barbecuing Hill Farm lamb chops. For most guests, the highlight of any getaway at Jester’s is a leisurely dip in the twin baths on the deck that practically demand a bottle of fizz to be popped and placed in between them on a starry night. The owners are building a more sustainable future for the farm with a quarter of the site under an environmental stewardship scheme and new trees recently planted to encourage more species of wildlife.

Scorlinch is a cosy eco-hut powered by a mini wind/solar-power station and bursting with locally made design features, from the wool insulation to the sheep print curtains. The owners’ organic farm is abundant with wildlife so keep your eyes peeled for the odd peregrine falcon or stoat, as well as an array of friendly farm animals. Spend adventurous days exploring the 20-acre farm, ‘walk the plank’ for a shortcut across the river or head to Ashclyst Forest which has fantastic trails known for butterflies. There is very little light pollution so stargazing is magical on a clear night, and for a little added luxury, you can book a session in the private sauna and spa, housed in a converted milking parlour.