I would like to introduce you to a new member of the Ling’s Meadow family. Last week we had the slightly scary task of moving a 2 tonne shepherd’s hut along the winding Norfolk roads to its final resting place at the farm (thank you MAP Recovery services). With our fondness for reusing and my love of historic objects (in a previous life I worked with Museum collections) it seemed like the perfect addition to the meadow when we spotted it for sale.
It has been lovingly restored by an enthusiast not too far down the road from us and was originally found in Ellingham in Norfolk. Only the frame had survived so it has been quite a long job. Huts like this were used by road mending teams as accommodation, or by crews travelling around local farms with steam traction engines and steam ploughs in the late 19th century.
It has been returned to its former glory in keeping with the original design and has its own cast iron stove and a stable door so that you can look out across the meadow whilst eating your breakfast.
We thought it would make a cosy hideaway for two for next year’s camping season! I will be spending this winter fitting out the interior to reflect its history in a typically Ling’s Meadow eco friendly, low impact way. We are waiting for the go ahead from our local planning team so we cannot take firm bookings at the moment. Do let us know if you are interested though. It will be kitted out in a similar way to the bell tents and will have its own sheltered seating area and fire pit.
All we need now is a name for our new addition. If you have any suggestions let us know on our Facebook page!