A HOLIDAY hut has been installed at a smallholding in rural Northumberland.

Visitors can experience a unique stay in the new Shepherd's Hut at Hexhamshire Huts, based at Kingshaw Green, located in Warden near Hexham.

Gillian Turnbull, 37, and her husband James, 36, have lived at Kingshaw Green since 2020 when they relocated from Tynemouth for more space and to live more sustainably.

Hexham Courant: Inside the Shepherd's HutInside the Shepherd's Hut (Image: NQ)

Gillian said: "It's a uniquely built, bespoke Shepherd's Hut. It will give someone a resting weekend away.

"You've still got the appliances needed to make it a nice stay - there's an oven, wood-burning stove, kettle, toaster and en-suite so you're not completely off-grid with no facilities."

Hexham Courant: The living space in the Shepherd's HutThe living space in the Shepherd's Hut (Image: NQ)

The smallholding is next to Hadrian's Cycleway, known as Route 72, making it an ideal location for cyclists, walkers or horse riders to stay. The Boatside Inn is on the opposite side of the River Tyne.

"We wanted something compact but luxurious and bespoke, so we were drawn to the wood-burning oven and having facilities rather than a portaloo or compost bin.

Hexham Courant: The view from the Shepherd's HutThe view from the Shepherd's Hut (Image: NQ)

"A lot of love has gone into the making of this. It's something we would look for in a holiday as well - the comfort, the facilities and the location, you can go hiking and there's a pub on the doorstep."

Guests can also hire a transportable tent box from Hexhamshire Huts as a different form of accommodation to explore Northumberland.

Gillian and James will offer breakfast and barbecue hampers as part of their luxury hut experience.

Hexham Courant: The wood-burning stoveThe wood-burning stove (Image: NQ)

"Anything we purchase for breakfast hampers and barbecue hampers will be sourced from a local butcher's, so we're going to try and support local business in what we do here."

The pair own chickens, horses and rabbits and guests can enjoy fresh eggs or use the equine facilities on-site including the arena or stables. 

"What we've loved so far is all the nice comments from people and meeting them. We've had a lot of neighbours come down for a look and it's increased the engagement we've had with the people using the cycleway, which is lovely to know them better."

Bookings will open on Friday (September 22). "We welcome feedback as we want it to be the best it can be," Gillian added.

"We're looking forward to meeting whoever wants to stay here and make it even better."