2011
A garage in Somerset
Will builds the very first shepherd hut in his garage with his cousin George — one hut, two pairs of hands and a lot of learning.
Our Story
From a garage in Somerset
We started from humble beginnings in Will's garage and we wouldn't be here without our skilled, dedicated team and our customers — so a very big public thank you to you all.
2011 — today
The Blackdown timeline
One hut in a garage, then another, and another. Fifteen years on, the story is still being written.
The early years
2011
Word travels
A second hut is commissioned, and Blackdown Shepherd Huts is born on the edge of the Blackdown Hills.
2012
Out of the garage
The garage is outgrown. We move into our first proper workshop and take on our first craftsmen.
2013
Wheels and chassis
Cast iron wheels and a hand-riveted chassis become the Blackdown signature — built to last generations.
2014
Fully fitted
The first fully-fitted huts leave the workshop, complete with wood burners, en-suites and bespoke joinery.
2015
The show garden opens
Visitors can walk through a finished hut at Shrubbery Farm before a single board of their own is cut.
2016
Huts head out
Glamping businesses come knocking. Huts start appearing in fields, orchards and clifftops across the UK.
2017
We deliver, always
Every hut is delivered by our own team — Will still rides along on the lorry, and he still does today.
2018
The team doubles
Joiners, painters, upholsterers and welders, all under one Somerset roof.
The latter years
2019
Hospitality calls
Soho House, Lympstone Manor and Another Place choose Blackdown huts for their guests.
2020
Gardens become sanctuaries
The world stays home, and huts become offices, studios and boltholes at the bottom of the garden.
2021
The Brace arrives
Two huts joined as one, giving complete luxury living in a single, generous space.
2022
Blackdown Wellbeing
Saunas, treatment rooms and quiet spaces, built to exactly the same standard as our huts.
2023
The Turnkey launches
A fully finished hut, delivered ready to live in from the very first day.
2024
Our own paint range
Field, Moor, Sky and Wood — colours curated over the years and named after the lanes and villages around us.
2025
Cabins join the range
Blackdown Cabins arrive and the workshop expands again to keep pace.
The story continues…
The team is growing all the time, but we thought we'd introduce you to some of the voices you might hear on the phone or the faces you could meet when you come along to our workshops here in Somerset.
Meet the team
In the office
WV
Will Vickery
Founder
Will completed a carpentry apprenticeship straight from school and spent 20 years in the building trade before a customer asked him to build a shepherd's hut. Captivated by the heritage and possibility of the space, he and his cousin George founded Blackdown in 2011. Today Will oversees the workshop and every build.
E
Emma
The sensible one
Our 'Captain' who keeps our feet on the ground. With years of experience as an entrepreneur, director and business mentor, Emma is one of the backbones of Blackdown — always ready with good advice, business savvy or a calm word when we get over-excited.
B
Bridie
The font of all knowledge
Bridie joined after completing her law degree and we are never going to let her go. Her organisational skills are second to none, and her unflappable nature shines whenever there is a problem to solve. She will move heaven and earth to make sure no customer is let down.
J
Jamie
The never-stops one
Jamie joined in the early days, bringing an engineering background and strong metal- and wood-working skills. His knowledge of Blackdown makes him the go-to person for organising the workshop, providing direction and keeping standards high.
G
Glyn
The people-joiner
Glyn began with us as a skilled joiner but quickly became the person responsible for making sure the Blackdown team keeps its family feel. His enthusiasm and commitment lift everyone around him.
M
Megan
The one who knows where the keys are
Megan is our front-of-office voice — the friendly person you hear on the phone or meet when you arrive at Shrubbery Farm. She usually knows where everyone is, where the 'lost' things went, and the latest progress on your order.
S
Steve
The techy-drawing one
Steve turns your unique ideas into 3D form so you can visualise your dream hut before we build it. He loves a biscuit and a cup of coffee — oh, and did we mention he likes coffee?
Meet the team
The delivery team
T
Tim
The delivery guru
Tim has been part of the team for many years and is the one you are most likely to meet when your hut or cabin is delivered. He never stops smiling and has a fantastic knack for inch-perfect deliveries — whether at the wheel or outside guiding Will's Land Rover.
G
George
The quiet one
George is Will's son, busy learning every aspect of the business from the ground up. You will often see him on the delivery team in the rain, snow or blistering heat alongside Tim and Will.
Meet the team
The four-legged ones
F&
Frank & Pam
The two shadows of Will
This pair will happily wait for your crumbs under the table. They are dab hands at getting you to let them out… and then straight back in again.
B
Bella
The happy one
Bella, a pooly x pug, is our customer-service representative. She makes sure every visitor is instantly greeted and made to feel welcome.
Come and see us
The workshop is at the heart of everything.
If you'd like to meet the team, see how we build and talk through your own hut ideas, get in touch and arrange a visit to Shrubbery Farm.