Shepherd huts offer Lancashire farmers a 'dream' diversification business

Wells Shepherd Huts has grown from a simple idea inspired by the historic late 1800s English Victorian shepherd’s hut, where shepherds tended to their flocks of sheep, into a 21st Century glamping business

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Joanne and Ian Wells opened the doors to Wells Shepherd Huts in 2019, and they have not looked back since.
Image:

Joanne and Ian Wells opened the doors to Wells Shepherd Huts in 2019, and they have not looked back since.

For generations, Ian's family has worked the land on their 140-acre beef and sheep farm in Lancashire. But like many small farms, it was a labour of love rather than a lucrative enterprise. With...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Diversification

Suckler cows and speedboats – how a watersports diversification has helped an organic beef enterprise to thrive

Suckler cows and speedboats – how a watersports diversification has helped an organic beef enterprise to thrive

Few beef farmers can claim that skippering a speedboat is part of the working day, but the Scott-Park family's lochside location has provided opportunities to supplement the income from their organic suckler herd

Wendy Short
clock 06 August 2026 • 7 min read
The country wedding venues Taylor and Travis should have picked instead

The country wedding venues Taylor and Travis should have picked instead

With all eyes on Madison Square Garden for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's hotly anticipated wedding, we take a look at the country wedding venues the couple would be hard pressed to beat

Lois Pearson
clock 03 July 2026 • 3 min read
Clarkson's Farm highlights 'hidden legal issues' of diversification

Clarkson's Farm highlights 'hidden legal issues' of diversification

Pepperells Solicitors said many farmers are leaving it ‘too late' to seek legal advice before signing potentially unfair contracts for solar energy

Rachael Brown
clock 25 June 2026 • 3 min read