Your Hosts at Shepherds Lodge
We're Joanne and Robin Bainbridge, and we've been farming here in Cockfield for years. A couple of years ago, we decided to share what we love most about this place: the peace, the views, and the simple pleasure of switching off from the everyday.
From Farmers to Hosts
We're farmers first, and that's always been our life. This land, these sheep, the rhythm of the seasons - it's what we know. For years, we'd looked at shepherd's huts and thought how perfectly one would suit our farm. Not as a business venture, but because we could see exactly where it would sit, overlooking the valley with the pond in front.
When farming meetings started encouraging diversification, we finally took the plunge. We weren't trying to create something fancy or commercial. We just wanted to build a space that felt honest, where people could experience what we get to see every day: the peace, the views, the wildlife.
Robin did most of the practical work, and I focused on making sure every detail inside was right. We wanted it to feel like a proper retreat, not just somewhere to sleep. Warm, comfortable, with everything in its place.
Creating Shepherds Lodge
Every choice we made for the hut was deliberate. Space is limited, so everything has to earn its place. We fitted underfloor heating because we know how cold it gets up here in winter. We added gas heating and hot water so you're never left uncomfortable. The double bed faces the doors, so you can lie there in the morning, open them up, and look straight down the valley.
People have told us they love the finishing touches, the way the space is used, how clean and tidy everything is. That matters to us. We're not interested in cutting corners or doing things half-heartedly. If we're going to share this place, it needs to be right.
We reinstated the pond this year specifically with the hut in mind. It had been filled in years ago, but we dug it back out to give guests a proper view. Now the ducks nest there, the heron visits, and in summer the swallows swoop low across the water. It's become a real focal point.
What Makes Us Different
We're not running a holiday business in the traditional sense. We're farmers who happen to have a beautiful spot to share. That means what you get is genuine, not manufactured. The sheep grazing nearby aren't there for show - they're part of our working farm. The peace and quiet isn't staged - it's just how it is here.
Guests have mentioned in their reviews that they appreciate how welcoming we are, even after they've had long journeys. One couple said we were "two of the nicest hosts you could ever meet," which was lovely to hear. We're just ourselves, really. No put-on hospitality act, no corporate script. Just a warm welcome and a genuine hope that you'll enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy this place.
Why We Love What We Do
The best part of hosting has been the conversations. People arrive from cities, from busy lives, and within an hour they're sitting outside with a cup of tea, watching the world slow down. They tell us about spotting the wildlife, hearing nothing but birdsong, sleeping better than they have in months.
One lady from Chester booked on the morning she arrived. Just rang up, asked if we had space, and came straight over. She said it was exactly the escape she needed. Another couple from Glasgow came for a walking weekend and asked if we were open all year because they wanted to return. Those moments remind us why we did this.
We're proud of what we've created here. It's simple, it's honest, and it works. Every guest so far has left a five-star review, which tells us we're doing something right.
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What guests say
