Lucker Mill Shepherds Huts

Your walking boots are sandy, your cheeks are rosy and your toes are warming nicely by the fire. After a long walk on Northumberland’s vast sandy beaches and a hearty meal at the nearby pub, the simplicity of candle-lit Lucker Mill Shepherd’s Hut feels just right. With this wholesome level of satisfaction, it probably won’t be long before you doze off. When you wake, in the full light of morning, the enchantment of the night before may feel like a dream until you open the door to find a little more of it. A basket of breakfast goodies has magically appeared on the veranda of your hut.

As far as we know there are no fairies at Lucker Mill Shepherd’s Hut – but there is a very good host; Laura, who has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. In 2020 she decided to site a simple shepherd’s hut in the spacious garden of her B&B on the edge of the village of Lucker, as a place for people to get away from it all. Like the rooms in her B&B, it has a made-up bed, towels and even white fluffy robes, but out in the hut you’re further from the temptations of technology. It is off grid with no TV, no plug for your phone and no lights (save for tea-light candles, torches and the glow from the fire). It’s a deliberately simple space; a sleeping hut for two that’s closer to a traditional shepherd’s hut than some, with natural wood and whitewashed interiors. But, of course, this is a holiday and not the lonely sheep fields of yesteryear, so there are mod cons and facilities a short walk away. There’s an immaculate toilet, a shower and a kitchen with fridge, kettle, microwave (and the chance to charge your phone – should you choose to).

The kitchen is useful for tea, coffee, snacks and packed lunches but there’s really no need to cook here as you can walk, in less than five minutes, to local pub, The Apple Inn. It’s the easiest option if, like most people who come, you are out exploring all day. And with so much to do here, who could blame you? There’s proper walking if you head inland to the hills; The Cheviots, in the Northumberland National Park. They vie for attention as the main attraction but it’s the stunning Northumberland coast that most people come for: the vast beaches, the Farne Islands full of breeding seabirds and seals, and the brooding Borderland castles overlooking it all. Bamburgh is just three miles away and magnificent Alnwick, almost as well known for its part in the Harry Potter films as for its 1,000-year history, is 10 miles further. Lindisfarne Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and even Edinburgh are all day trips from here – places to inspire conversation under the Northumberland stars later and dreams while you doze by the fire.