Shepherd's huts, with their curved roofs and cast iron wheels, were traditionally used, as the name pertains, as store rooms and shelters for shepherds and the occasional lamb. The shepherd's huts of today, not only look somewhat more polished and elegant, but are an ingenious solution for anyone with limited space, seamlessly fitting into their environment, be it country or city.

1. A holiday rental – With the rise in popularity of the UK’s 'Glamping' market, and increasingly small and shared housing, shepherd's huts are a great way to utilise available outdoor areas and even generate an income. A fully insulated shepherd’s hut, in the right location, can create a year round income of anything up to and beyond £18,000. Nightly rental rates range from £50 to £200, and occupancy rates of 200+ days a year are not unusual.

2. A spare room – Wow your visitors with a beautifully crafted shepherd’s hut they can stay in. As shepherd's huts are moveable structures, they generally don’t require planning permission, but it’s always worth checking with your local planning authority first.

3. A home office – A shepherd’s hut in your garden can minimise your commute to the office, while allowing you to escape the many distractions of having an office within the house, providing a better work / home divide. Shepherd huts can come complete with work desks, bespoke filing cabinets, and Internet and phone ports.

4. A studio - Do you have a passion for art, writing, knitting or something that may require your own uniquely crafted creative space? Shepherd huts allow you to escape to your very own bolthole and express your creativity in comfort and tranquillity.

5. A Teenagers/Children’s hideaway- Shepherd’s huts make ideal play areas for children, as well as the perfect place for teenagers to play games, relax and hangout.

Affordable, profitable, bespoke and innovative, a shepherd’s hut can be tailor-made to suit your budget, needs and style, both the interior and exterior. Mike and Byron, from Pumphrey and Weston Shepherd Huts, are happy to discuss your site to assist with key questions, such as: ‘What would be the best position for a shepherd’s hut?’ / ‘What would be most suitable; mains or off-grid solar?’ / ‘What would be the best plumbing solution; a compost toilet perhaps?’ and much more.

Byron Weston: Pumphrey and Weston Shepherd’s Huts: www.pumphreyandweston.co.uk