Traditional Huts Trending On a Hill Near You
Traditional Huts Trending On a Hill Near You
This summer visitors of all ages to Northumberland are guaranteed to have a truly memorable holiday. At Wooler Youth Hostel and Shepherds’ Hut, they can stay in their very own traditional Northumbrian Shepherd’s Hut. Built by local craftsmen to the exact design of an original found in the Cheviot Hills, the huts are completely unique to the region and cannot be found anywhere else in the country.
Similar to a Romany caravan, with a curved roof and cast iron wheels, they mimic the mobile huts that once dotted the Northumbrian Hills from the mid 18th-19th century. The four brand new huts, part of a recent £86,000 refurbishment has undoubtedly added a little romance to the hostel. They were built by carpenter Albert Fairnington and metal worker Mick Fairnington, both from Wooler. The design and exact measurements were taken from an abandoned hut found in the Cheviot Hills so it is a completely authentic replica of the huts that once provided shelter for Northumbrian shepherds.
Set in the heart of the wild and vast Northumberland National Park, Wooler’s very own Shepherds’ Huts still provide the perfect location for those keen to explore the hills, castles and coastline of Northumberland. Northumberland National Park, St Cuthbert’s Way and National Cycle Route 68 and the Wooler Cycle Hub are all on the doorstep. And at only £32 per hut per night this is a country break that won’t break the bank. Neil Wilson of Glendale Gateway Trust (GGT), which owns and manages the youth hostel as part of the YHA Enterprise Scheme explains:
“We wanted to offer visitors an alternative to a hotel or B&B to make their holiday in Northumberland even more memorable. After a day exploring the Cheviots what could be better than coming back to your own cosy hideout in the hills? Whether you are looking for cosy accommodation for two or where parents, grandparents and children can all have their own space, the huts are ideal.”
From the mid 18th to 19th centuries, Shepherds’ Huts were a common site in the countryside providing shelter as flocks were moved over upland pastures. They were kitchen, living room and bedroom in one with a stove for cooking and heating. Windows on both sides and a hinged door meant shepherds could always see and hear their flocks. The axled wheels meant the huts could withstand the hill winds and today’s huts are just as cosy but definitely come with a few more home comforts.
Each of the fully insulated huts sleeps two in twin bunks and all have electric light, heating and cosy duvets. Located in the spacious hostel gardens, those staying in the huts can use all of its facilities. There is a spacious self catering kitchen or they can take advantage of its fully catered hearty meals. They can relax in the common room complete with free wi-fi and take advantage of the all important modern bathrooms! And unlike shepherds of old, after a day in the hills they can use its specialist laundry and drying facilities.
Shepherds’ Huts are becoming more popular in the UK but due to the extensive research by those involved in the project, the Wooler huts are unique to their region. Quite simply Shepherd’s Huts are fun as Adrian Tierney-Jones recently said in The Telegraph, “There’s something about a shepherd’s hut; something transcendental, some Proustian tug to the past. Once seen, never forgotten and eternally desired.” And everyone from holidaymakers from celebrities is keen to stay in a hut; television presenter Kate Humble has them on her own farm. The trend is spreading fast and Wooler is looking forward to welcoming those who want to try out a Shepherd’s for themselves.
The huts are part of an £86,000 refurbishment of the youth hostel which was funded by the Northumberland Uplands Leader programme through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union. Facilities in the main hostel have also been brought up to date four en-suite rooms (sleeping two, four and six people) and additional accommodation in dormitories.
For more information on Wooler Youth Hostel and Shepherds’ Huts please visit www.wooler.org.uk/hostel or Tel. 01668 281365.
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Barbara Huddart Glendale PR
Tel. 01668 283044 Mobile. 07980 850394
Email. [email protected]
Editor’s Notes
The Glendale Gateway Trust is a local development Trust which was set up in 1996 to promote, improve, maintain, encourage and advance the benefit of the inhabitants of Glendale.
In the past 13 years it has restored and brought back into use a number of empty or rundown buildings in Wooler including The Cheviot Centre, several shops, flats above the shops and an area behind the High Street now used for social housing. It has also taken on the ownership and management of Wooler Youth Hostel and has been contracted by Northumberland County Council to house the library service for Glendale in the Cheviot Centre alongside the Tourist Information Centre. It is currently renovating another two flats for social housing.
