Hillside Huts and Cabins

Luxury Shepherds huts in Northumberland

Hillside Huts and cabins in Northumberland are the brain child of Philip Gregory and his wife Fiona. Shepherd’s huts were a common sight in the English countryside during the eighteenth century. A small wheeled ‘roulette,’ it provided some shelter for the shepherd, but was hardly a luxury option.

A world away from their basic ancestors, the very gorgeous Hillside huts and cabins are a secluded set of three (soon to be four) charming, individually designed and luxuriously appointed cabins. They are in an idyllic rural setting on Earsdon farm in Northumberland, and they all have stunning views across the countryside to the coast.

Cars must stay up in the car park, and so we wheeled our supplies down the track in the wheelbarrows provided. The huts magically appear in the middle of a clearing in the trees.

The Huts – a sustainable option

Hillside Huts are all built by hand by local craftsmen, from purely sustainable materials. Reclaimed wood from an old Cheshire Mill is used for the main construction, and the electricity is produced by the farm’s own wind turbine. We stayed at Saba’s hut which sleeps four. All mod cons are provided and there is a wood fired hot tub, an inside shower, and an outside rain shower made from an old tin kettle!

The walls are insulated with a mixture of sheep’s wool and hemp and they have no large foundations and so, if moved, would leave no lasting footprint.

A king size bed with Egyptian cotton sheets has its own window out to view the countryside, and above it, is a star gazing roof. Next door full size bunk beds are ideal for additional family or friends. All the huts have central heating provided by reclaimed sawdust compressed logs. This makes them really cozy and a great option for a stay even outside our short summer season.

A hut with a hot tub

The outside sun shower is great fun and there is plenty of hot water on tap. We also have our very own outdoor hot tub! Our hot tub, fired up before our arrival is already really warm, and it’s not long before we jump right in. We spent time soaking, chatting, and happily looking out across the stunning landscape with a gin and tonic in hand.

Later we discover the supply of parlour games and a domino drive ensues. Sitting around the wood fired stove in the evening is just delightful.

Hillside Huts – Lottie’s cabin

Lottie’s cabin looks like something out of a fairytale. It’s striking two story design is inspired by a pioneer’s cabin Philip and Fiona stayed in while travelling in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Lottie’s cabin is named after the family’s black flat coated retriever. Lottie is Saba’s mum (of Saba’s Hut) and they are like two peas in a pod.

A second floor on a Shepherd’s hut is a unique feature, which both surprises and delights the visitor. The gorgeous interior features some beautiful Ercol arm chairs, a sink made from an old jam pan and even a roll top bath!

Hillside Huts – can I bring my dog?

There is a dog friendly shepherd’s hut at Hillside Huts and cabins. Tilly’s hut is suitable for two, as it is similar to Saba’s hut, but without the extra bunk beds. You can bring your dog to this hut, provided he or she is well behaved. It’s best to keep dogs on a lead here, because of the wild life. All of the huts have private outside seating. If you want to bring some other people, a bell tent can be erected in the woods next to the huts for extra capacity.

Food glorious food

There is a welcome pack of fresh local eggs and milk provided for you, together with Pilgrim coffee from nearby Holy Island. A homemade chocolate cake is a welcome find. Todburn goat milk soaps are a nice touch too, from the nearby Todburn farm. Courtesy of Dandelion, Marigold and Hyacinth, their resident goats.

There are some lovely pubs and coffee shops nearby including the fabulous Running Fox at Felton where we sampled their delicious cakes while overlooking the lovely river Coquet.

That evening we decide to make use of the fire pit and rustle up our own sausages and fried Halloumi cheese combo. Food always tastes better when you can dine al fresco under the stars. Lottie the dog is lured in by the smell, but her behaviour is exemplary. She didn’t steal a single sausage!

Philip and Fiona

The huts only opened this year, and their existence is thanks to the vision of Philip Gregory and his wife Fiona. The farm needed to diversify and Hillside Huts and cabins is the happy result.

Having spent over twenty years organising safaris to Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, Philip brings the couple’s love of the environment, wildlife and the outdoors to this exceptional venture. Fiona is the interior design expert and I absolutely love her style. I am a complete sucker for a treacle tin and a Robert’s radio.

The Farm

The farm has been in the family for 70 years and has been managed on ecological lines for many of them. It retains its hedgerows, woodland and wildflower meadows. It is bustling with birds and other wildlife.

While it is still a working arable farm, there are plenty of walks around to explore and you must visit the new wildflower meadow just below the huts. It features thousands of vibrant native plants including yellow rattle, ribwort plantain, clover, orchids, cow parsley and birds-foot-trefoil. The bees and butterflies love it. Philip plans to plant another 4,000 deciduous trees on the farm. An already established ancient oak woodland grows by a pond close by.

If you are lucky you may even see some resident Roe Deer.

Hillside Huts – wild swimming at Druridge Bay.

There’s a whole host of things to see and do along this part of the breathtaking Northumberland coast. Holy Island, Lindisfarne. Bamburgh and Warkworth castle are nearby. Seahouses, the Farne islands and the market town of Alnwick with its famous castle and bookshop Barter Books, aren’t far either. Dunstanburgh castle and Craster, home of the local kipper are only a short drive away.

The picturesque Druridge bay is ideal for sea swimming as it’s quite shallow at high tide. I actually went in this time after having talked about it for a couple of years or so. I’m no Wim Hoff, but at least I gave it a go!

Hillside hideaway

This spectacular collection of Northumberland Shepherd’s huts allows you to get closer to nature. They give you the chance to restore your health and wellbeing. The beneficial effects of being close to nature are well understood. There are plans to offer daily yoga on the farm too.

These Shepherd’s huts on the Northumberland coast make eco conscious choices a real pleasure. There’s nothing quite like spending the evening sitting on your deck watching the sun go down. There is a TV but I doubt if anyone will want to watch it, as the surroundings are so lovely.

If you are looking for a back to nature luxury shepherd’s hut holiday in the North, then Hillside Huts and Cabins is exactly where you want to be.

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