Do Shepherd’s Huts Make Good Airbnbs?

The rise of Airbnb doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, and with that comes opportunity. Shepherd’s huts are incredibly popular holiday rentals, with people flocking to these traditional structures with a modern-day twist. 

Are you looking to take advantage of the Airbnb boom? It’s a great direction to head in, but don’t settle for less when it comes to the rental you choose.

Houses are expensive and require a large amount of upkeep to ensure guest satisfaction, not to mention how difficult they are to find in areas guests want to holiday in. With a bespoke shepherd’s hut, you are saving a huge amount of money and time while offering guests a glamping experience that can’t be achieved with any other structure.

In this post, we’ll discuss the draw and profitability of shepherd’s huts, along with what you should consider when planning the addition of an Airbnb shepherd’s hut to your land.

Why are shepherd’s huts popular?

People are more and more drawn to simpler things. With the speed of technological advancement and the constant bombardment of social media, television, and other distractions, it seems that we’re seeking a more classic style of relaxation. This is where the shepherd’s hut comes in.

These beautiful structures draw inspiration from old shepherd’s huts, which once offered shelter for shepherds during lambing season. Now, these rustic wooden home-away-from-homes still capture that traditional look while being perfectly suited for the present day.

Guests love the cosiness and connection to nature a well-placed shepherd’s huts bring while still having full access to modern, private comforts and facilities. Tucked away in the countryside with a plush bed, beautiful furnishings, a stunning bathroom with running hot water, and a place to cook – what more could you want from a relaxing holiday? People crave this type of getaway, and through shepherd’s huts, you can give it to them.

Are shepherd’s huts profitable?

Yes, depending on how much you charge for a stay, they can be very profitable when rented out for holiday stays.

A quick search on Airbnb for a stay in a shepherd’s hut ranges from £80 to £500 for one night. A lot of factors contribute to creating this range: whether there are private bathroom facilities, if those facilities are in the hut, how connected the location is, the size of the hut, and the available extras.

Worth noting is that many hosts offer slightly reduced rates the more nights you stay; for example, the average for a three-night, long weekend stay currently sits at around £400.

Our most affordable shepherd hut is £22,999. If you rented the hut out for £400 for multi-night stays and had one of these stays happen once a week, you’d earn back your investment in just over a year. Our huts are built to last, so you’ll see a return on investment year after year. 

Do you need planning permission to Airbnb a shepherd’s hut?

If you’re placing a shepherd’s hut on your land and listing it on Airbnb or listing your existing shepherd’s hut, then there are some legal and regulatory requirements you have to consider. Here’s a breakdown of the different licences and permissions you might need:

Planning permission

Local Planning Authority (LPA)

As you’ll be using your shepherd’s hut for commercial purposes, you will likely need planning permission from your local council if you’re placing it new to rent out.

Temporary structures

Even though a shepherd’s hut might be considered a temporary structure, its use as a commercial rental can trigger planning regulations. Contact your local LPA to confirm if your project needs planning permission.

Change of use

If the land is currently designated for agricultural or personal use, changing its use to commercial (for renting out the hut) may require planning approval.

Licences and permits

Short-Term Rental License

Check with your council, as some local authorities in the UK require you to obtain a licence to operate short-term rentals.

Holiday let registration

In some regions of the UK, you may need to register the shepherd’s hut as a holiday let with your local authority.

Land use restrictions

Zoning laws

Zoning restrictions can affect your ability to place a shepherd’s hut and use it for commercial purposes, so check with your local council if this applies to your area.

Protected Areas

If your land is in a designated area, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or a National Park, check for additional restrictions. Obtaining permission could be more difficult.

Other elements need to be considered, like insurance, taxes, and safety regulations, so our advice is to look everything up before you begin. We are happy to help you with this if you need a bit of guidance, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need more information on what might be required of you.

The perfect Airbnb shepherd’s huts

With our spacious yet cosy and comfortable designs, beautiful finishes, and private in-hut facilities, our luxury shepherd’s huts make the best Airbnb holiday rentals. Guests will love the stunning craftsmanship that goes into every single hut, created by hand by our expert team here in our Norfolk workshop.

You have the choice to customise your hut to make it truly your own, and then you can style it however you see fit for your guests. We can offer interior design advice to help you along, experienced as we are in creating the perfect holiday rentals.

If you’re interested in starting your career as an Airbnb owner, give us a call today on 07789 778699 and speak to the professionals, or make an enquiry using our simple online form you can find in the footer of our website.