New Garden Office Ideas from British company

Garden Office Ideas

British agency Archipod developed a new garden office, an easily movable structure, in which you can pleasantly to work and enjoy your garden. I think kids will especially love this garden office idea.

It's surely feels like you are in spaceship in this modern garden office!

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Outdoor decorating ideas

Outdoor decorating ideas

Having beautiful garden gives you lots of inspiration decorating ideas. Look at our outdoor decorating ideas for new ideas. Create relaxing area in your garden.

Nice decorating ideas on outdoor resting areas.

One of the easiest outdoor decorating ideas is using a hammock with lot of pillows and fabric throws.

Create a romantic tea setting around your lavender bushes.

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Small garden design ideas and plants

Small garden design

Find here lots of small garden design ideas. This enclosed courtyard garden bursting with annuals, perennials and climbers shows you don’t have to sacrifice flower power to have a successful small space.

Small garden design

At Weavers House, Barrie and Maggie Thorpe have created a small but densely planted garden, which satisfies their dual needs of little work but maximum plant pleasure. When the couple moved to Weavers
more than 18 years ago, the 12sq m garden was completely grassed over, and the uninspiring view from the house was of a down-at-heel, corrugated iron garage, with a lean-to aviary attached to it.

For someone with Maggie’s gardening credentials - she worked at Bressinghams in Dorney near Windsor, owned and ran a garden tour company, and has lectured on gardening - this was destined to be a shortlived
outlook. The size and scale of the space, though, was perfect for this pair, as they were then newly retired. Barrie was adamant that he no longer wished to mow lawns, shape edges and cut hedges, but Maggie knew that she wanted to continue to grow bulbs, roses, clematis, shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants.

small garden design, small garden

Small garden design

The canvas was essentially bare, so it was simple to start from ground level. They also wanted to reduce the daily maintenance of their small garden. So they measured out four 2sq m beds, two raised beds and a number of smaller planting areas that fit snugly against walls. Then they put in place an underground
watering system, with snakes of black leaky hoses laid into the main beds. Next came the paving - millstone flags - linking beds and forming paths wide enough in places to be used as terracing. All of it was designed
to do away with edges and lawns.

The eyesore of the original garage with its corrugated iron walls and roof, and leanto aviary appendage, is transformed. Now its refaced creamy-white clapboard walls and terracotta-tiled roof are the backdrop
for a more attractive view from the house, particularly from the Gothic-style windows of the conservatory.

Small garden plants

Now climbers including Rosa Iceberg and Graham Thomas, and clematis such as ‘Duchess of Albany’ and
‘Markham’s Pink’ clothe a new trellis here all summer. Auriculas thrive in pots under the shelter of a smart verandah, and a birdcage on the table pays homage to the former inhabitants of this area, when it was an aviary. Also making a nod to the avian past is the statue of Papageno, the bird seller in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which sits in a swathe of Rosa ‘Ballerina’ in one of the beds.

Maggie uses for her small garden design lavender rather than box to edge the beds, as it attracts bees. In a small garden, she feels, it’s essential to bring in wildlife such as bees and birds, as they offer extra dimensions of movement and sound, as well as visual delights.

Small garden plants: Rosa Pomponella; Rosa Graham Thomas

Small garden plants:long-flowering Alstroemeria ‘Red Beauty’ makes a great cut flower; large-bloomed Clematis ‘Jackmanii Superba’

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is her lavender of choice because of its dense, deep colour and compact height. Its size and scale make it a perfect wrap-around to complement the plantings that rise and fall inside these beds throughout the seasons. Maggie trims the lavenders back twice a year and often has to replace individual plants due to wear and tear from herbaceous plants that lean on them.

Shrub roses such as Bonica are the mainstay of the beds, with herbaceous plants of all sorts adding to the display in their turn. Density of planting allows her to use layers of plants to provide shape, texture, colour and fragrance in the beds.

In her small but very well-appointed greenhouse, Maggie sows annuals such as colourful cosmos and corncockle (Agrostemma githago ‘Ocean Pearl’), which she uses to fill any spaces and provide a
floaty, willowy feel. Many seed companies offer small or low-growing versions of popular annuals, but Maggie feels that these just emphasise the smallness of a space. She prefers growing tall plants that offer colour and in many cases fragrance. Larkspurs and sweet peas are among her favourites. ‘I like to dot annuals about in the garden each year… it stops the space from looking solid and full. Delphiniums and verbascums look permanent, but with the addition of annuals the garden has an airy, light look.’

Small garden plants: wonderfully scented honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum ‘Belgica’; Eryngium giganteum pops out above pink roses; small star-shaped flowers in neon pink make Clematis ‘Princess of
Wales’ stand out.


As the small garden is so densely planted, it is important to feed the plants. Beyond the small garden gate, Maggie has space for three compost bins into which she delightedly adds grass clippings from her neighbours. She uses the compost as a mulch in winter, and whenever there are new plants to go into the ground.

In a small garden, everything is available to view at once, unless you are able to use plants to conceal. For Maggie, the pivotal plant in the garden is a holly, an Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata Pendula’,
which is home to the garden’s resident robin. As it is evergreen and beautifully variegated, it provides colour and shape all year round. Hollies are slow-growing, and Maggie keeps this specimen under control by clipping it back in winter. Then she uses the cut foliage for indoor decorations at Christmas time.

She uses pots for additional growing space. In one, there’s a Cornus controversa, which Maggie admits isn’t ideal, but where space is restricted and some plants have to be had, this is the only solution. So Barrie’s wishes for a low-maintenance garden are fulfilled; and Maggie has skilfully planted so densely that her plot offers as much pleasure as a garden double its size.

Small English garden:

Weavers House, 37 Swan St, Boxford, Suffolk
CO10 5NZ. Open for Boxford Open Gardens
on Sun 2 June. Turn to pg 80 for Maggie and
Barrie’s advice on small cottage gardens.

PHOTOGRAPHS MARCUS HARPUR | WORDS BARBARA SEGALL

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4 Bright Spring Garden Plans

Bright Spring Garden Plan

Yellow daffodils, red tulips, purple grape hyacinths, and white hyacinths spring garden plan bring to this rock garden new life!

Bright Spring Garden Plan

PLANT LIST

A. 5 Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis): Zones 4–8
B. 50 Grape hyacinth (10 groups of 5 each) (Muscari armeniacum): Zones 3–8
C. 70 Daffodil (14 groups of 5 each) (Narcissus ‘King Alfred’): Zones 3–10
D. 40 Darwin hybrid tulip (8 groups of 5 each) (Tulipa ‘Red Apeldoorn’): Zones 4–8

Spring Garden Plan #2

1. Forsythia ovata.
2. Corydalis bracteata.
3. Narcissus х hybridus 'Goblet'.
4. Corydalis solida.

Spring Garden Plan #3

Spring Garden Plan

1. Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'.
2. Pinus mugo 'Hesse1.
3. Narcissus x hybridus 'Goblet'.
4. Corydalis buschii.
5. Muscari armeniacum.

Spring Garden Plan #4

Spring Garden Plan #3

1.   Forsythia ovata.
2.   Picea abics 'Nidiformis'.
3.   Corydalis bracteata.
4.    Corydalis ambigua.
5.   Narcissus х hybridus 'Goblet'.
6.   Vaccinium vitis-idaea.

Read more:http://myenglishgarden.ucoz.ru/publ/vesennie_cvety_i_vesennij_cvetnik/7-1-0-44

Tips for Installing Your Garden

Before You Begin

Preparation is the key to creating a garden that will offer a lifetime of pleasure. Before you head to the

nursery, review all garden plan materials. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have a suitable spot for this plan? The layout diagram shows the dimensions for

the plan. In general, you can enlarge or reduce the size of the garden by adding or eliminating plants,

although the character of the garden may change if you alter the size dramatically.

• Do I have the right growing conditions? Check the plant list to see if the plan will do

best in sun, part shade, or full shade. Be sure the plants are suited to your USDA Zone.

• Do I need to amend my soil? Most plants thrive in moist but well-drained soil. If you have soil

with lots of sand or clay, amend it liberally with lots of organic matter, such as compost.

• Is my soil’s pH and fertility okay? If you’re unsure, inquire about testing at your county’s

extension service office. Follow the recommendations that come with your test results if you need to

correct the soil’s pH (how acid or alkaline the soil is) or fertility.

Edging

Beds and borders are easier to maintain if they’re edged to keep surrounding grass or weeds from

growing in. Choose plastic, metal, stone, or brick—whatever you prefer. If you have lawn around your bed,

consider adding a 6- to 12 inch-wide swath of masonry or stone set even with the surrounding soil to act as a mowing strip.

Mulching

Mulch your garden after planting. Mulch conserves moisture, cools the soil, and protects against water runoff

and erosion. Organic mulches such as shredded bark need to be topped off every couple of years as the mulch decays. Mulches such as crushed stone are more permanent, but they do not improve your soil over time.

Aftercare

The first season of growth is the most critical. Water thoroughly every other day for the first two weeks, then give your garden about an inch of water a week for the rest of the season. The following year, you can let nature take its course, supplementing dry periods with deep watering.

You also should be diligent about weeding your bed during the first year. As the plants mature and fill in, there will be fewer opportunities for weeds to grow. A thick layer of mulch will also help keep weeds in check.

Ongoing Maintenance

Most plants will thrive with minimal care. If you need to prune trees or shrubs to maintain their shape or

size, do it in late winter before growth has started. The exception to this general rule is spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs that should be pruned immediately after flowering.

Spring Garden Plan. Create the Bed

To lay out your bed, use a garden hose to mark the outline. (Sprinkle flour along the hose for a temporary

mark.). Using a sharp spade, dig along the marked line to set the edge of your bed.

If the spot is currently covered by lawn, remove the sod using a straight-edged shovel or sod cutter. To make this easier, wet the area thoroughly, then use the shovel to cut the lawn into strips that are the width of the shovel and about 3 feet long. (Sharpen the edge of your shovel frequently with a file.) Use the shovel to pry up and roll back the strips of sod. Once the sod is removed, loosen the underlying soil with a shovel or a

power tiller.

Regardless of how you prepare your bed, use this opportunity to mix in organic matter (such as compost,

peat moss, or rotted manure) and loosen the soil at least 6 inches deep. Don’t mix in fertilizer unless your

soil test shows a need; in general, excessive amounts of fertilizer will do more harm than good.

After your bed is prepared, water it thoroughly and wait a week. This will allow weed seeds to germinate. Pull these seedlings or dig them back into the soil. Or spray them with an herbicide. Follow the instructions on the packaging, including the time to wait after application before planting.

Spring Garden Plan & Planting

If you have all of your plants on hand, keep them in their pots and set them out on the planting bed. This will

give you a preview of how the bed will look, and allow you to make adjustments before digging any holes.

When you are satisfied with the placement, plant your garden from largest to smallest container (usually

trees first, then shrubs, perennials, and annuals).

• Tree-Planting Gardening Tips: Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the pot or root ball but no deeper. If the

tree is potted, loosen the soil slightly around the roots, then place the tree into the planting hole. For

balled-and-burlapped trees, loosen the burlap after the tree is in the hole. Cut away as much of the

burlap as possible. When the tree is in place and straight, fill the hole one-third with soil, tap firmly to

make good contact between roots and soil, then water. Repeat twice more until the hole is filled. Water

the tree thoroughly by letting a hose run slowly for 30 minutes.

• Shrub-Planting Gardenin Tips. Plant shrubs in a hole that’s about twice the diameter of the root ball. The

top of the root ball should be slightly above the surrounding soil level. Backfill with garden soil, taping

firmly to ensure contact between soil and roots. Water immediately by slowly running a hose at the

shrub’s base for about 20 minutes.

• Perennial- and Annual-Planting Gardeing Tips. Set these plants in soil at the same level they were

growing in the pot. Firm the soil around each plant with your hands, then water thoroughly.

Source: http://www.bhg.com

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Backyard swimming pond and natural pool design

NATURAL SWIM PONDS ND POOL DESIGN

Would you consider a natural swimming pond in your garden? Vicky Kingsbury finds out what makes

them interesting, how they work, and gets advice from those who have already taken the plunge

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design
Swim ponds are inspired by nature and blend well into country settings.

Imagine the scene - enjoying the summer sun with friends and family in your back garden, with the

added bonus of being able to swim in the clear, fresh waters of a natural swimming pond, with absolutely

no chemicals. Think of the incredible sense of peace and tranquillity you would feel bobbing about in the water, knowing that while you are relaxing you are also being good to the environment and kind to your skin.

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design

Inspired by nature, the natural backyard swimming pond was first introduced to the UK at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 2001. Although still a relatively new idea in this country, it is well known and extremely popular in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria, and is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional swimming pool. Today, the huge success of swimming ponds has spread around the world, with many now found in gardens in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

There is no fundamental difference between a swimming pool and a natural swimming pond; they are technically the same, and offer exactly the same possibilities when it comes to swimming. However, a swimming pond has the benefits of looking more natural because it’s surrounded by aquatic plants, while a swimming pool brings a more traditionally luxurious feature to the garden.

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design

Natural pool design

If a swimming pond is something you have been considering, then you might be pleased to hear that only

basic maintenance is required, as the pond’s filtration system does almost all of the work. The skimmer or

filter system will need emptying every now and then, and any leaves or pond weed on the surface water

will need to be collected, but this is no different to a normal swimming pool.

A pond like this is made up of two main components: the swimming area and the regeneration zone, separated by an internal wall. The regeneration zone contains plants that help purify the water, and also add nutrients and minerals, which after a swim leave your skin feeling clean, silky and smooth - unlike after a chlorinated swim.

Plants for natural pool design

The right choice of aquatic plants for your pond is essential, not only for the pond but to also suit the theme

of your garden. Good examples include a variety of water lilies, Phalaris arundinacea var. picta ‘Feesey’, Gunnera manicata, Caltha palustris and Pontederia cordata. It’s important to cut and remove any faded foliage in the autumn to avoid the plant material rotting down in the water and unbalancing nutrients levels the following spring.

A natural swimming pond is an excellent leisure spot but can also provide a home for wildlife such as frogs,

toads, beetles, newts and dragonflies - but don’t worry, they will have left the pond by the time the water heats up and you want to dip your toes in. Birds come close to the water to drink, while at night local bats find rich sources of food in the insects that live around the edge.

If you already have a backyard  swimming pool, pond or lake, you can easily convert it into a natural swimming pond. All ponds are individually designed and have low maintenance costs. There are no attached health risks, they are educational for children and are an attractive feature all year, as they don’t need cover in the winter. So what’s stopping you? Get planning now for super summer swims!

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design

Natural pool construction
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

• Write down any inspirations or ideas you might have for your swimming pond.
• Organise a consultation with a professional swimming pond company - see our list, opposite.
• Site appraisal - the company will look at factors such as boundaries, surrounding landscape, soil type, existing structures and views from the house.
• A plan will be drawn up to assess the opportunities. Design and technical proposal - this includes planting plans and specifications for the project.
• The swimming pond is constructed.
• A guide to maintenance will be given.

NATURAL POOL CONSTRUCTION CASE STUDY #1:
HAMPSHIRE -WOODHOUSE NATURAL POOLS

The Bell family live in a Georgian house with about an acre of garden.

Their garden had no real water feature and was a classic 19th-century

rectory garden with a parterre designed in 1868, leading to a long walk

with views over the neighbour’s estate. One area of the garden had been

infested with long-standing honey fungus, and needed to be dealt with, so

it was suggested a natural swimming pond would suit the Mediterranean

theme of the house and garden combined (below).

‘We use the pond mainly between April and September, and we were

advised that we couldn’t have fish in a natural swimming pond,’ says Mr Bell.

‘Although the pond isn’t heated by anything but the sun, it’s amazing how

warm it can get - reaching around 21ºC, even during the past two very wet

summer seasons,’ he explains.

‘The trickiest task is to feed the water lilies, which requires pushing the

food pellet into the rootball - I normally wait until the summer to do this.

Apart from that we enjoy the pond to its full potential.’

NATURAL POOL CONSTRUCTION CASE STUDY #2:

HERTFORDSHIRE - GARTENART

Sacha Cole’s garden is unfinished and her pond is still new (below), but she

has no doubts about her decision to install one. ‘I first saw the concept in

a lifestyle magazine, in an article that gave the case for natural swimming

pond against conventional swimming pools. For me, there really was

no contest,’ she says.

‘We have an old 15th-century barn, which is listed, so we were limited in

what we could do. I wanted to be able to sit and look out from the garden

and see nothing unnatural. I also wanted the pond to be part of the view that

flowed seamlessly from the garden to the countryside beyond.’

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design

Sacha was particularly enthusiastic about swimming with plants, although

a few of her friends thought she was mad, to say the least. ‘They said it

would be freezing cold and would cost a lot to keep clean and maintain, but

it doesn’t. Even my husband was worried to start with, but he loves it now

and my children absolutely adore it. Temperature is not an issue - they just jump

in, and so do I. The joy of swimming without chemicals is so refreshing.’

NATURAL POOL CONSTRUCTION CASE STUDY #3:

SUFFOLK -THE SWIMMING POND COMPANY

Tim and Chris first became keen on swimming ponds when a friend cut some articles out of a
magazine explaining the benefits of swimming in fresh, chemical-free water. Although they instantly
warmed to the idea, they were unsure how a feature would fit into their garden. It offers
stunning views of the Deben Valley in the far distance, which needed to be considered in the
design. They also wanted to place the swimming pond in an area of the garden where it was going
to receive a great deal of sunshine, but also have a degree of shelter from the east coast sea breeze.

After realising that the swimming pond wasn’t going to sit well or look natural due to the garden
sloping considerably away from the house, they decided to connect the house and garden together.
The garden is now approached via steps from a raised terrace and along a boardwalk that visually
divides the swimming pond in two.

Backyard swimming pond, natural pool construction, natural pool design

‘The first time I swam in it was on Christmas day, which was a bit cold, but last summer we swam on
hot and not so hot days.We also spent a lot of time with coffee or wine just quietly sitting and watching
dragonflies skim the water,’ says Chris. ‘I wish we had put in a swimming pond years ago.We recently visited my parents, who have a swimming pool, and it was not nearly as nice to swim in.The chemicals irritated and it was dull compared to the swimming pond, where you are surrounded by plants.Watching all the plants grow for the first time and seeing little creatures arrive is very exciting.’

CONTACTS

NATURAL SWIMMING PONDS

Anglo Swimming Ponds Strayfield
Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9JE.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8363 8548.

www.angloswimmingponds.co.uk

GartenART Unit 7 Block C, ImperialWorks,
Perren St, London NW5 3ED. Tel: +44 (0)20 7183
3333. www.gartenart.co.uk

The Swimming Pond Company Carpe
Diem, Common Road, Bressingham Diss,
Norfolk IP22 2BD. Tel: +44 (0)1379 688000.
www.theswimmingpondcompany.co.uk

Woodhouse Natural Pools Manna Ash House,
74 Common Road,Weston Colville, Cambridge
CB1 5NS. Tel: +44 (0)1223 290029.
www.naturalswimmingpools.com

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Shepherd’s hut in the garden design

HILLSIDE HAVEN SHEPHERDS HUT

The picturesque shepherd’s hut has become quite as coveted a possession as the seaside beach-hut or the garden summerhouse, but this charming home from home also represents an essential emblem of our bygone rural heritage

shepherd’s hut design

There can be fewer more romantic images in English literature than that of the shepherd, Gabriel Oak, playing his flute on a crisp winter’s night in his cosy shepherd’s hut beneath a canopy of stars in Thomas
Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd. In Hardy’s day, the sight of a shepherd’s hut nestling on a hillside
dotted with contentedly grazing sheep must have been commonplace; many farms kept several hundred
head of sheep, and would have required perhaps two or three shepherds to move the flock from meadow to
meadow, attend to the ewes during the lambing season and keep them safe from predators.

SHEPHERDS HUT ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES

Over the past few years, shepherds’ huts have gained hugely in popularity. For some, these delightfully
portable, romantic hideways represent a useful garden office, an artist’s studio or an occasional spare room.
Others still may envisage a quiet place to sit and read on a summer’s evening, an Enid Blytonesque
playroom room for childhood make-believe games, a teenage den… the possibilities are almost endless.
Until fairly recently it had been thought that the shepherd’s hut with its characteristic rounded roof and swivel-axled wheels to enable it to be trundled about the countryside pulled by a horse, was an eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century invention.

However, Ian McDonald, a shepherd’s hut enthusiast from Norfolk who has set up an online archive and
runs a hut restoration advice service, has come across a volume from as far back as 1596, which describes
how ‘the Shepheard hath his cabin going upon a wheele for to remove here and there at his pleasure’.

A PRACTICAL PAST

Such cabins would have been simple, yet cosy affairs – a real home from home for the shepherd who led
a somewhat nomadic existence, following his flock from pasture to pasture, from season to season for
periods of two or three months at a time. Inside you might have found a small table and perhaps a stool,
a removable chest to store essential tools, a medicine cabinet, a lambing rack or cage where orphaned
or sickly lambs would be kept until they were sufficiently sturdy to join the flock outside, and a simple straw mattress atop this. The fortunate shepherd may also have had the benefit of a small wood-fired stove where he could boil a kettle and warm his hands on chilly nights, although, the hut being largely of wooden construction, this could just as equally have been a hazard as the frequent scorch marks in many restored huts bear stern testament.

Shepherd’s hut in the garden design

“These shepherds huts are part of our industrial heritage,” McDonald explains. Less than a century ago, the
English countryside thronged with sheep, which played an important and integral part in the agricultural cycle. Not only were the animals kept for their wool and meat, but just as important was a practice known as “folding” where large flocks were used to fertilise the land for growing crops. “In many downland farms, some fields would always have been inaccessible to the farm manure cart, so during the crop rotation process, the shepherd would drive his flock on to the land, which had been planted with a forage crop and, starting at the top of the field, the shepherd would fence a section off with hurdles, and over a period of time, as the sheep ate the forage crop, the shepherd would move the hurdles until the sheep had covered the entire field. Afterwards, horsedrawn teams with the ploughs would move in and plough in the droppings.”

SHEPHERDS HUT YEARS OF CHANGE

The advent of the first world war, however, changed this itinerant way of life forever. The realisation dawned that the large-scale production of ammonium nitrate used to make explosives could also be used as a cost-effective and more immediately efficient alternative to fertilise the land. With this came the widespread introduction of the mechanical tractor, along with the use of refrigerated transport bringing cheaper meat from abroad, thus sounding the death knell for all but the largest and most efficiently run sheep farms.

Since there was no longer any requirement for large flocks to be moved around the countryside, many shepherds drifted into other lines of work, whilst some, no doubt, lost their lives along with so many other poor souls in the trenches. While some shepherds’ huts experienced a temporary new lease of life during the second world war when they provided convenient and portable accommodation for land girls and the many prisoners of war enlisted to “dig for victory”, others were either commandeered for farm storage or simply abandoned to quiet decay in woodlands and hedgerows where they would eventually be forgotten, their former pastures having been put to the plough in a bid for wartime self-sufficiency.

Interior decorating of the shepherd’s hut

Mcdonald estimates that there may be somewhere in the region of 2,000 historic shepherd’s huts in existence around the country. “We have records of over 350 shepherds huts that have already been recovered,
however, large estates and farms would have had up to four shepherds’ huts. I regularly receive
telephone calls about huts that have been discovered in hedges, in old barns and in woodlands where they
have been perhaps used by gamekeepers for storage.”

SHEPHERDS HUT RESTORATION POTENTIAL

Many of the huts that McDonald encounters date from the 1890s and, despite languishing in the hedgerows for decades, few of these relics are totally beyond redemption. “One of the many things we have to thank the Victorians for is galvanised iron, which prevents the roofs from rusting and the walls from decaying,” he explains. “Before that, everything including the wheels would have been made from wood and canvas, both of which will eventually rot away.”

“One of the main reasons why so many of these huts survived,” he adds, “is that they were so versatile and portable.” Indeed it is that very simplicity of design and versatility that is the essence of their quintessential charm. For those with a yearning to experience a taste of this very English rural idyll without the cost and
commitment that scouring the hedgerows for the genuine article might entail, there are happily many
opportunities at hand for enjoying the romance that the shepherd’s hut embodies. A number of companies
now make modern reproductions endowed with all the charm of the original, plus the convenience of running water combined with modern cooking facilities – while others offer short breaks, holidays or hire facilities for a glimpse of a simpler, more innocent life – and one that is perhaps not so very far from the madding crowd after all.

BUYING A SHEPHERD’S HUT

Choose from a restored original, a newly built traditional hut or a design that has been adapted for modern living. Whatever your preference, you will need to consider the practicalities of access and delivery and think about services such as loos and cooking facilities. Planning permission does not usually apply to shepherd’s huts, as these are technically classed as portable agricultural buildings, however once you start installing services such as electrical power and  water, the boundaries of  what is permissible begin to blur so check with your local planning authority before going ahead.

NEW, RESTORED & BESPOKE HUTS

There are a number of companies that build and sell shepherd’s huts ranging from those producing authentic designs, to modern interpretations complete with electricity and en-suite bathroom facilities. Jane Dennison of Plankbridge Hutmakers suggests that although some contemporary huts are timber-clad, corrugated iron

is more practical and hardwearing: “An original hut would not have been insulated, however insisting on an insulated wall cavity will ensure a contemporary hut remains warm in winter.

On soft ground some form of hard standing is necessary; railway sleepers or paving stones set flush in the

ground are ideal.” The Plankbridge Writer’s Hut costs £9,450, plus VAT.

BLACKDOWN SHEPHERDS HUTS

Tel 01460 929774

blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk

COURT & HUNT

Tel 01304 617282

courtandhunt.co.uk

HOLLOW ASH HUTS

Tel 01989 770057

hollowash.co.uk

THE IRON WHEEL

COMPANY

Tel 01798 860824

theironwheel.co.uk

PLAIN HUTS

Tel 07903 313922

plainhuts.co.uk

PLANKBRIDGE HUTMAKERS

Tel 01300 348414

plankbridge.com

RIVERSIDE SHEPHERD HUTS

Tel 01527 821848

riversideshepherdhuts.co.uk

THE SHEPHERD’S HUT COMPANY

Tel 01822 612 720

shepherd-hut.co.uk

THE SHEPHERD’S REST

Tel 01749 860066

theshepherdsrest.net

SOUTH DOWN

SHEPHERDS HUTS

Tel 01420 487425

southdownshepherdshuts.co.uk

TITHE BARN SHEPHERD HUTS

Tel 01788 510507

shepherd-huts.com

RESTORATION AND RECLAMATION

There is quite a demand for original huts. According to Ian McDonald, one can expect to pay £500-£1,000

for an original hut that may have been found in a hedge requiring a substantial amount of restoration work.

A clean hut on its original cast-iron wheels in need of some refurbishment will set you back between £3,500

and £7,000, while a fully restored hut could cost up to around £12,000. For more general advice on restoration visit shepherdhuts.co.uk

Although this hut remains untouched for 60 years, few relics are beyond redemption.

A wood-fired stove creates a cosy haven in this cosy hut from Mountain Lodge Holidays.

Many huts have survived the years due to strong, simple build quality and the versatility of uses.

THURGARTON IRON WORKS

Casting and restoration of axels, wheels and drawbars and complete restoration.

Tel 01263 768077

thurgartonironworks.co.uk

BRIDPORT FOUNDRY

Reproduction and restoration of cast-ironwork, axels and wheels.

Tel 01308 459040

bridportfoundry.com

FRANSHAM FORGE

New and original huts; full restoration as well as blacksmithing courses.

Tel 01362 687116

artist-blacksmith.co.uk

BUTTERFIELD IRONWORK

Restoration and reproduction of authentic nineteenthcentury huts using traditional craftsmanship and a

steam-driven sawmill.

Tel 01929 471277

butterfieldironwork.co.uk

An air of simplicity is evoked with a few nostalgic touches in this well built hut by Plankbridge.

Enjoy a nostalgic shepherd’s hut break in this beautifully fitted hut by Wriggly Tin in Hampshire.

TRY FOR SIZE ON A HOLIDAY

Rosalind Douglas of Butley Shepherd’s Huts bought two former shepherd’s huts at auction around thirty

years ago and, having renovated and decorated them, they are now available for delightfully simple and

romantic short stays and holidays. Gemma Woolnough of Best of Suffolk advises that, whilst you may not need planning permission to install a shepherd’s hut in a private garden, particularly if it is within the curtilage of the house, if you were thinking of using it to offer holiday lettings, planning permission may well be required as this would potentially be a change of use. Your local planning authority will be able advise both on this, and safety issues for holiday lettings.

SUFFOLK BUTLEY SHEPHERD’S HUTS

Pet-friendly stays of two or more nights in delightfully restored nineteenth-century shepherds huts in a

secluded Suffolk hideaway.

Tel 01728 638962

bestofsuffolk.co.uk/

butleyshepherdhuts.asp

CUMBRIA HERDY HUTS

Traditional-style “glamping” in a Lakeland setting.

Tel 01539 422 381

herdyhuts.co.uk

CORNWALL SHEPHERD CHIC

Luxuriously appointed traditional huts complete with antique and vintage fixtures and fittings.

Tel 01326 340627

shepherdchic.co.uk

HAMPSHIRE WRIGGLY TIN SHEPHERD’S HUT HOLIDAYS

Beautifully fitted-out huts built to an authentic nineteenth-century design set in a secluded meadow.

Tel 02392 632990

wrigglytinhuts.co.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT GODSHILL PARK FARM

Family and pet-friendly farm holidays in a beautifully secluded setting beside the Secret Pond.

Tel 01983 840781

godshillparkfarm.net

NORTH WALES MOUNTAIN LODGE

Delightful short breaks in an idyllic, hillside location.

Tel 01745 832242

shepherds-hut-holidays .co.uk

OXFORDSHIRE SHEPHERD HUT HOLIDAYS

Short breaks and holidays in a romantic, secluded setting on the banks of the River Cherwell.

Tel 07772 397999

simplyshepherdshuts.co.uk

WILTSHIRE CHURCH FARM

Stay in a beautifully restored hut set in an ancient wildflower meadow. A romantic setting for a country wedding – available for short stays, too.

Tel 01249 758444

churchfarmuk.co.uk

FEATURE JILL SHEARER PHOTOGRAPHS CHARLOTTE COWARD WILLIAMS; MOUNTAIN LODGE SHEPHERDS HUT HOLIDAYS; ANNE KNIGHTS; IAN MCDONALD

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Garden decor ideas

Garden decor ideas

Very interesting garden decor ideas for your English or cottage garden.

Don't throw food cans! As you see on this picture, you can make a great use of them in your garden decor.

Creating this garden decor idea can be very fun project for the kids!

Very beautiful garden decor idea. Create a little secret garden for the garden elves!

garden decor design

Very interesting garden decor ideas: make a water garden from canoe. 

Find a new life for old tea pots in your garden decor.

garden decor English garden

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