When Kate and Richard Hodgson decided to diversify their 330-acre dairy farm in 2004 it was converting the old agricultural barns that made most sense. The farm’s prime location between the North Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, made it an obvious destination for travellers and, after painstaking work, the farm’s disused, 19th-century granary was opened as a five-star lodging with much success. Roll on more than a decade and every inch of that same formula – the beautiful Tees Valley location, the heritage of the farm setting and, yes, the luxury, is now echoed in the brand new addition to their enterprise: A traditional shepherd’s hut, chock full of traditional decals and details but with a healthy dose of modern comforts.
Looking out across the valley, with excellent views from the windows and stable door, this single shepherd’s hut is a real masterpiece of design. Outside it has a wonderfully traditional appearance; the corrugated roof curves over the wood-panelled exterior, while smoke drifts from the small chimney spout that pokes from the roof, feeding down to the homely, cast-iron wood burner. Inside, however, while the details have a real farmhouse feel – prints of hares and Yorkshire rams adorn the walls – the place is a thoroughly modern affair. A frosted glass door leads through to the en suite bathroom (it has an excellent power shower), while the built-in king-sized bed is cocooned at one end of the hut with an HD television above and a circular, porthole window looking out across the farm.
In all, Kate and Richard have taken the style of their luxury, five-star cottages and compressed it into the cosily romantic confines of this shepherd’s hut. From the functional kitchen space to the private garden outside, there’s nothing more you could need. And from the doorstep, of course, the world of England’s North East is your oyster. Romp along the farm’s footpaths to The Raby Hunt, the region’s only two Michelin starred restaurant, just over a mile away, or hop in the car to visit the magnificent High Force Waterfall. If it rains there are the museums of Barnard Castle to occupy you and the grand interior of Durham Cathedral, a 35-minute drive away. Or you could simply stay put around the wood-burner, listing to the raindrops drumming on the rooftop and enjoying the simple pleasures of living in this shepherd’s home from home.