Makers of Fine Huts and Cabins
Co-founders Richard and Jane in the Plankbridge workshop
Introduction
Guided by a passion for heritage craftsmanship, our founders, Richard Lee and Jane Dennison, have led the shepherd’s hut revival for more than two decades. From fledgling start-up advice from the Prince’s Youth Business Trust in the 1990s to unveiling new designs to an appreciative King and Queen at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, they have remained committed to honouring tradition whilst embracing innovation.
Step into the Plankbridge workshop in the heart of rural Dorset and you will find our skilled artisans employing many of the same techniques used in centuries gone by – fitting corrugated iron cladding to the huts; shaping the wooden roof beams; oiling the oak on the stable doors; and hand-crafting tanned leather straps to mount on ironwork forged by our very own blacksmith. You will also find our skilled team of creatives putting the finishing touches to designs for beautifully bespoke contemporary huts and cabins with tiled bathrooms and handmade kitchens befitting of a luxury interiors magazine.
The story of our craft and tradition is brought to life over the following pages. We hope it inspires you to make a Plankbridge hut truly your own.
Photographs by Pete Helme, Katharine Davies, Eva Nemeth, Cameron Reed, Jake Eastham and Joss Barratt
Illustrations by Richard Lee
The iconic Plankbridge shepherd’s hut wheel, as seen at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Sustainability
Sustainability is the golden thread that runs through everything we do at Plankbridge. We are deeply committed to sourcing materials that honour the natural world, from fully certified timbers, including homegrown oak and sweet chestnut, to eco-friendly paints and sheep’s wool insulation.
The only shepherd’s hut company to be endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, we are also proud members of Woodland Heritage, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the Dorset Wildlife Trust, with our founders Richard and Jane actively nurturing biodiversity in a small wetland nature reserve at the original Plankbridge HQ.
Hutmaker Rikki with hut plans
Experience
Every hut that leaves our workshop is a testament to the skill, craftsmanship and attention to detail of our experienced artisans. From the first sketch to the final fitting, each detail is thoughtfully considered, from the patina of a window stay, designed to grow richer with age, to the carefully curated time capsule secreted beneath the oak floor. That is the reason our huts are frequently featured in the national press, from Gardens Illustrated and House & Gardens to The Times and Country Life, and why we work alongside leading architects and designers to create bespoke huts and cabins for discerning commercial clients, such as THE PIG Hotel group and Elmley Nature Reserve in Kent.
Wagon at THE PIGin
the South Downs
Accommodation
Our customers often say they have had the best night’s sleep in years in a Plankbridge hut, and we want your guests to experience that very same feeling of rejuvenation when they wake up in the morning. Whether you envision it as a spare room for when friends and family come to stay or a premium glamping retreat for paying guests, you will find our en-suite Weekender and Guest House accommodation huts offer the same level of comfort as a luxury hotel room.
The Guest House
Accommodation hut with our Watermill interior finish
Bespoke kitchen with tiles by Fired Earth
shepherd’s
in Wisconsin, USA
Snug
huts
The RHS Bothy as seen at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
® The Royal Horticultural Society. Trade marks of The RHS (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) used under licence from RHS Enterprises Ltd.
Workspace
A Plankbridge hut is more than just an office; it’s an inspiring space in which to unlock your creative potential. Over the years we have created serene spaces to pursue a range of hobbies and interests, from a bucolic fly-fisherman’s retreat beside a lake to a watercolour artist’s studio with easel views of the garden. Unlike a home extension or renovation, our huts usually require no planning permission, so they can be delivered, installed and ready to start using in your favourite spot in the garden almost immediately.
The Studio
Wellness
We believe that wellness starts at home with a Plankbridge hut. Soothe away the aches and pains of the day in our rejuvenating Sauna Snug, beautifully handcrafted in Nordic aspen and designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Drift off in the calm cosy interior of our handcrafted Treatment Hut, which can be equipped for massage therapy, yoga and meditation. The perfect sanctuary just steps away from your front door.
The Garden Privy
Bespoke en-suite
The Sauna Snug
Pitched roof hut at Aller Dorset
Your bespoke design
While we are known for our traditional shepherd’s huts at Plankbridge, we also build far beyond that, transforming our customers’ ideas into lasting, bespoke structures that not only mirror their personal style but are a joy to use. Examples of exceptional huts we have built in the past include cleverly camouflaged bird hides, cedar-clad beach houses and one-of-a-kind accommodation huts with verandas, outdoor copper baths and star-gazing rooflights. No project is too large, small or ambitious for our design team, who will rise to any creative challenge to make your dream hut a reality.
Hut with fully-glazed end at Elmley Nature Reserve
Pitched roof hut with fully-glazed end at Elmley Nature Reserve
Bespoke en-suite at Aller Dorset
Your project
We are always delighted to discuss your hut ideas, answer any questions you may have and guide you through the design process. We welcome visits to our workshop in Dorset, where you will have a chance to observe the craftsmanship that goes into every hut build. Do send us an email or speak to a member of our friendly team.
enquiries@plankbridge.com | plankbridge.com | 01300 348414
Interior of THE PIG - at Home Wagon
A Plankbridge standard kitchen
You can tell when it’s a Plankbridge