About Us
Our Story
Suffolk Hutmakers began in 2014 when founder Tom Wray (at the time a cabinet-maker and joiner) was offered an unmissable opportunity. The commission was to restore a traditional shepherd’s hut which was sadly a little worse for wear.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tom accepted. Such was his success and enjoyment of the project, he never looked back and has been making and restoring shepherd’s huts ever since!
These days Tom has a few more hutmakers in the team to keep up with demand and Suffolk Hutmakers have become synonymous with luxury living and shepherd’s huts of unrivalled quality.
Our premium shepherd’s huts can be found all over the UK in gardens, campsites and businesses. Meanwhile our sister company The Fine Loo Co. provide luxury facilities for weddings and events across Suffolk.
Our Team
Our tiny team has an impressive history of experience: From bespoke, site carpentry, building restoration and furniture making. Each of us has found our way to shepherd’s huts via practical woodworking experience, a love of making beautiful things and the drive for perfection.
We’re a tight-knit bunch and between us have the expertise needed for the highest quality shepherd’s hut build from beginning to end. Whether we’re designing, painting, building – or working out the mechanism for a particular request on folding furniture – we give your hut our complete dedication.
Even where we can’t make things in-house we choose to work with people who share our values and attention to detail. Our chassis are made by our favourite local metal-workers, our friend David does our electrics, ensuring that the huts are up to regulation and professional signed off; and Tom’s wife, Chelsea is in charge of the finances.
Why Choose Suffolk Hutmakers?
While there are lots of shepherd’s huts makers to choose from in the UK, you will struggle to find another company offering the same level of customisation, personal service and traditional design backed up with an experienced team of dedicated craftsmen.
A quick search-engine scroll will show you there are lots of sub-par shepherd’s huts out there! We’re proud to set ourselves apart with our focus on heritage design, combining form and function, and an unwavering dedication to quality.
From start to finish, we consult with you and listen to your needs for a completely tailor-made outcome. We’ve made over 100 shepherd’s huts and no two have ever been the same!
It's all in the detail:
At Suffolk Hutmakers, we’re very particular about details. Our huts are made on top of a fully functioning wheeled chassis. Just like traditional shepherd’s huts which could be moved from place to place, our wheels are not just for show!
We stick to traditional shepherd’s huts proportions as a nod to the agriculturalists and tradesmen who came before us. Plus, something that is often overlooked in shepherd’s huts: Our standard curved roof follows the correct, deep curve of huts of old.
Our huts are ergonomically designed, with practical, multi-use bespoke furniture being used to make the best possible use of the space available. Contemporary and creative comforts, teamed with traditional design and heritage paint colours ensures a luxurious yet practical space to call your own.
What to expect:
From the minute you first get in touch, the process of ordering your bespoke Shepherd’s hut from Suffolk Hutmakers could not be smoother.
Purpose
We can chat in person or over the phone to find out what you’re looking for and, after our initial consultation we put plans together so you can see exactly what your hut could look like.
Design
From there you choose layout, furniture, fixtures, fittings and paint colours while we slot you into our build-schedule. This way you’ll know exactly when your hut will be finished and delivered.
Build
During the build we’ll keep you updated and you can even visit the workshop to see your Shepherd’s hut taking shape.
Expert Advice
Along the way we can offer advice on everything from your hut, where to site it, how to get power to it, even down to making it successful glamping asset.
Delivery
On delivery day, our team will take care of everything – you just tell us where to put it & we’ll do the rest!
Shepherd's huts in history
Originating from the Victorian era, shepherd’s huts were first used by farmers during the lambing season as a basic portable shelter. As they grew more popular throughout Britain’s farming community they would have been a familiar site around the countryside including our home county of Suffolk.
Shepherd’s huts were traditionally made by agricultural engineers and farm workers and incorporated work from the traditional trades of the time such as blacksmiths and carpenters. At Suffolk Hutmakers our shepherd’s huts reflect many years of rural engineering. Our research, attention to detail and a particular affection for rural heritage has led us to what we produce today.
Suffolk Hut Makers Ltd's philosophy
Our philosophy at Suffolk Hutmakers is to offer individual, hand built shepherd huts that offer luxury living for modern times. We believe in the importance of building the huts not only to an exceptional standard, using locally sourced Eco friendly materials but staying true to tradition by replicating heritage hut designs and proportions whilst incorporating contemporary living comforts.
Why a shepherds hut.......?
A quirky, attractive and affordable alternative to an extension on your home, which rarely requires any planning permission as they are not a permanent fixture. Our uniquely built huts can be designed and crafted for a wide range of uses including garden offices, artist studios, holiday accommodation and much more…..
