Barkhill Shepherd's Huts

View prices & book 9.8 5 reviews
Welcome to Sunny Jim !
Welcome to Sunny Jim !
Blue shepherd's hut with wooden steps
Evening time at the hut
Seating area
Complimentary bottle of wine
Seating area in the adjoining paddock
Tea with a view
Dusk firelight
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Blue shepherd's hut with wooden steps
Evening time at the hut
Seating area

  • Adults-only shepherd's hut site in the Blackmore Vale
  • A 10-minute drive to Sturminster Newton's craft shops, cafés and pubs
  • Country hikes nearby; half an hour's walk to the village pub and shop
What a spot Barkhill Shepherd’s Huts has, in four acres of paddocks and surrounded by open Dorset farmland. Each hut has its very own outdoor space, and being spaced approximately 25 metres apart, they have plenty of privacy. They are screened with hazel hurdle fences and decorated with solar lighting and seasonal garden plants. That’s not to mention the far-reaching views towards Hambledon Hill, Compton Abbas and King Alfred's Tower. Inside each hut, the beds are freshly made with 100% cotton duvets and linen. There's a radio, a Bluetooth speaker and binoculars so that guests can check out the local wildlife, which includes the likes of hares, deer, hedgehogs, barn owls, bats, sparrow hawks, kestrels and buzzards. There’s a logburner to keep the place toasty and a handy ensuite shower (with shampoo, shower gel and hand wash provided), toilet and basin. Kitchen facilities are also internal and they include a small gas hob, fridge and a cluster of kitchen utensils. Ground coffee, tea, herbal tea, a pint of milk and a bottle of wine are provided. The outside space is pretty ace too. You’ll be set to soak up plenty of fresh country air around the open firepit, gas or charcoal barbecue and firewood facilities provided. There’s a seating area by the firepit and barbecue so you can get settled for any alfresco meals. Guests are welcome to pick their own apples and pears in the small orchard. If you feel like eating out, just roll on over to Sturminster Newton (10 minutes’ drive), which has a few pubs and eateries (including one which was in the Good Food Guide every year for 40 years). There are also two small supermarkets less than 10 minutes drive away if you need to stock up on supplies.

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 2
Open now
Opens 1 March
Please note

Admission

  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.

Occupancy

  • Group bookings of 2 or more units travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Reception

  • There is no reception on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sun 1 Mar to

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Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
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2 adults
0 children
0 dogs
Shepherd's hut

Reviews

9.8

Overall rating from 5 Pitchup.com customers

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Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

Guests praise the well-equipped huts, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms. The peaceful setting, stunning views of fields and hills, and opportunities for stargazing and enjoying sunsets are frequently highlighted. Many reviewers appreciated the warm welcome, thoughtful gifts like wine, and the ample firewood for fire pits. The hosts are described as accommodating and attentive. The location offers access to local attractions and walking routes. No significant dislikes were reported.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 15/09/2026

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Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

A perfect getaway.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
 Chrissie D. 1 review

Sunny Jim shepherd's hut

Liked The location and the stunning views. The hut is so pretty, neat, cosy and sparklingly clean. We spent two nights in Sunny Jim and it was blissful and oh so peaceful. Lovely hot shower and a comfy double bed. BBQs, beautiful sunsets and star gazing. What more could you ask?

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

I’d go back!

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 No rating
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
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Cleanliness
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Wifi
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Anonymous

Bluebird shepherd's hut

Liked The views are even more gorgeous than any photo can do justice - over to the hills to the east (the hillfort on Hambledon Hill particularly) and far views to the north/northwest.

The field was full of butterflies in July and the sunsets to our left were lovely every night. There was a nice mown path around the field too.

Lots to see in the local area - the cottages are gorgeous in nearby Okeford Fitzpaine. Down the hill there’s a mill and river at Sturminster Newton and lots of other close by towns full of history - eg Sherborne and Shaftesbury (which has gorgeous views). Or you can go up the hills just to the south for even better views. Cerne Abbas was great.

I liked that it wasn’t a touristy spot and plenty of locals were up for a chat.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Met de compleet uitgeruste hut…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 4
 Sander R. 1 review

Bluebird shepherd's hut

Liked Met de compleet uitgeruste hut

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful, relaxing and great hosts

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Julie S. 1 review

Bluebird shepherd's hut

Liked Beautiful location and the most accommodating hosts. Nothing was too much trouble and they went out of their way to make our stay as relaxing as possible. Would highly recommend.

Disliked N/A

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stay if you want peace and a chill out

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Bluebird shepherd's hut

Liked Greeted by our lovely hosts john and Jane who made us very welcome stayed in the bluebird hut which is amazing has everything you need just need to bring yourselves good food for the bbq and a tipple of your liking thanks for the thoughtful gift of a bottle of wine when we arrived
Lovely peaceful setting surrounded by a lovely wild flower meadow and a visit from a pheasant ,partridge and a kestral, but sadly no hares on this occasion
Enjoyed breakfast outside and cosy evenings around the fire pit ( wood supplied )with a nice bottle of wine watching the lovely sunsets and nature at its best thank you john and Jane for an enjoyable first time to Dorset looking forward to coming back June and richie

Disliked Nothing to dislike was amazing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and thank you very much for taking the time to leave a great review. It would be wonderful to see you back again.
Best wishes
John & Jane

Features

No dogs allowed

Adults only

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Adults only Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed No pets allowed

Themes

Peaceful Spectacular scenery Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Shop nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycling nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Barkhill Shepherd's Huts

Barkhill Farmhouse

Okeford Fitzpaine

Blandford Forum

Dorset

England

DT11 0RT

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.89931°N
2.30553°W

Nearest transport

Coach
6.9 mi Virginia Ash
6.9 mi Virginia Ash
8.2 mi Queens Head
Rail
8.6 mi Templecombe Rail Station
9.4 mi Gillingham (Dorset) Rail Station
9.6 mi Sherborne Rail Station
Ferry
19 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
19.1 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
21.1 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
Airport
22.4 mi Bournemouth International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Attractions and activities nearby include: - Okeford Hill (stunning views, walks and a mountain biking park): 10 minutes' drive - Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill (National Trust site with an Iron Age hillfort): 15 minutes - Blandford Forum (historic Georgian market town with brewery tours available): 20 minutes - Compton Abbas Airfield (experience flights): 25 minutes - Shaftesbury (market town with famed Gold Hill): 25 minutes - Sherborne (medieval town): 25 minutes - King Alfred's Tower (historic folly): 40 minutes.
(within 6.2 mi)
Castle, Aquarium, Theme park and Zoo (within 10 mi)

Food and drink

  • Plumber Manor Country House Restaurant 1 mi
  • The Royal Oak Pub 1.3 mi
  • The Bull Pub 1.5 mi
  • The Fiddleford Inn Pub 1.7 mi
  • Swan Inn Pub 1.9 mi
  • The Ibberton Pub 2.1 mi
  • Old Ox Inn Pub 2.6 mi
  • The Antelope Inn Pub 2.9 mi
  • Fellini Restaurant & Pizzeria 3 mi
  • The Saxon Inn Pub 3.1 mi

Groceries

  • Co-op Food 2 mi
  • Shillingstone Co-op 2.3 mi
  • Dike & Son 5.2 mi

Parks and play

  • Stalbridge Recreation Area Play Park 5.3 mi
  • Stalbridge Recreation Area 5.3 mi
  • Jubilee Orchard 5.7 mi
  • Millennium Green 5.7 mi

Family days out

  • Sturminster Castle 1.5 mi
  • Gartell Light Railway Theme park 7.8 mi
  • Sherborne Castle 9.1 mi
  • Sherborne Old Castle 9.2 mi

Public transport

  • Car Park 1.9 mi
  • The High School 2.3 mi
  • The Deer Park Inn 3 mi
  • The Old School 5.5 mi
  • Little Nutford 5.7 mi
  • Nutford Farm 6.1 mi
  • Crown Hill 6.2 mi

Other nearby

  • Milton Abbey Golf Course 5.6 mi
  • Todber Manor Fishery Fishing 5.7 mi

Local services

  • Boots Pharmacy 1.9 mi
  • Texaco Fuel station 2.4 mi
  • Gulf Fuel station 3.8 mi
  • Marnhull Pharmacy 4.9 mi
  • G&A Cook Fuel station 5 mi
  • Murco Fuel station 5 mi
  • Windridge Pharmacy 5.3 mi
  • Milton Abbas and Milborne St Andrew Surgery Doctors 5.7 mi
  • Murco Fuel station 6 mi

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Hardy's Birthplace 12.3 mi

Kingston Lacy House and Gardens 13.2 mi

The Tank Museum 14.4 mi

Stourhead House and Garden 14.4 mi

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre 14.5 mi

National Trust

Hardy's Cottage 12.3 mi

White Mill 12.5 mi

Clouds Hill 12.8 mi

Kingston Lacy 13.4 mi

Max Gate 14.1 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Fiddleford Manor - Hammoon - Child Okeford - Fiddleford 1.8 mi

Fiddleford Mill - Sturminster Newton - Fiddleford 1.8 mi

Sturminster Newton - Cutt Mill - Stour Valley Way 2.3 mi

Ibberton Hill – Coombe Bottom – Ibberton Hill 2.6 mi

Child Okeford - Wessex Ridgeway - Shillingstone 3.2 mi

Local events

  • Glastonbury Festival (Wednesday, 23 June 2027 – Wednesday, 23 June 2027)

    Glastonbury, Somerset 21.7 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Barkhill Shepherd's Huts have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Barkhill Shepherd's Huts dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Barkhill Shepherd's Huts? Attractions and activities nearby include: - Okeford Hill (stunning views, walks and a mountain biking park): 10 minutes' drive - Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill (National Trust site with an Iron Age … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Barkhill Shepherd's Huts?
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Barkhill Shepherd's Huts? From £190 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.