LUXURY SHEPHERD HUTS BOOST COUPLE’S SELF-CATERING BUSINESS AT CHATSWORTH

COUPLE James and Sally Ashton have boosted their self-catering business on the beautiful Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire by adding five luxurious shepherd huts made near Bristol.

The team at Greendown Shepherd Huts have hand-built five shepherd huts over the last few months to support the self-catering business, Heathy Lea, run by Sally and James. They have just been installed on the estate. 

“We run our business on land leased from the Chatsworth Estate,” James said, “and until recently we were able to offer self-catering accommodation in three holiday cottages and a bed & breakfast. We came up with the idea of also offering stays in luxury shepherd’s huts as we felt they would fit in with the natural beauty of Chatsworth.

The couple pitched their idea to the Chatsworth management team and have worked closely with them to deliver the project as a joint venture. Located within the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth comprises a Grade I listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard and adventure playground, and one of Europe’s most significant private art collections.

Heathy Lea is located on the estate and anyone who stays or hosts their wedding with James and Sally has access to Chatsworth Park. 

“We carefully researched providers of shepherd huts and Greendown stood out from the rest. Their communication was excellent and their products are outstanding and sustainably produced with exceptional attention to detail. We were able to create five beautifully designed spaces for our guests.”

James and Sally are now updating their offer to include four self-catering cottages alongside the five shepherd huts creating a secluded retreat for visitors to Chatsworth and the Peak District, and those attending the Chatsworth International Horse Trials and the area's well known Christmas markets. 

Heathy Lea is also licensed for civil wedding ceremonies offering a perfect countryside backdrop for couples looking to make wonderful memories – like Sally and James who married here in April this year, having met during lockdown. 

Harry Long, MD of Greendown Shepherd Huts, based on the Zeal Green Business Park near Keynsham, Bristol, personally handled the build and installation of the huts. 

“We’re very proud to have worked so closely with James, Sally and the Chatsworth team. We were mindful throughout this process that our huts had to complement Chatsworth’s heritage, its landscape and its sustainable ethos.”

Greendown Shepherd Huts are in their seventh year and production is now projected to increase to two huts per week.  Their location provides a viewing space that showcases the full range of huts, including The Herdsman, Herdwick, The Double Hut and The Bespoke Hut. 

The team of 15 make shepherd huts mainly for the business-to-business market such as boutique hotels, holiday lets, glamping sites, farmers looking to diversify or other tourism enterprises. For more information visit https://www.greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk