“Oh, the countryside is stunning” is often the first thing we hear when visitors arrive at our workshop, having meandered down narrow country lanes and past patchworks of fields and the picture-postcard village of Piddlehinton (often spotting a magical hare through a field gate or a kestrel hovering overhead along the way). By the time they reach us, there’s often been something of a build-up – many have followed our journey for years or admired our huts on Instagram – so when we ask if they’d prefer a tour or a cup of coffee first, the answer is almost always: “Let’s have a look around first.” They can’t wait to get started!
Although we’ve grown used to the space, what surprises people most is the scale of the workshop. Many expect a small, rustic operation – perhaps just a handful of artisans working away with chisels and hand saws – but instead, they walk into a bustling hub of activity where skilled craftsmen, from master hutmakers and joiners to furniture makers, CAD designers and paint finishers, can each be found working their magic on an aspect of the build. It’s not uncommon for some visitors to be moved to tears (in a good way!). Nothing beats experiencing the atmosphere in the workshop and the beauty of the craftsmanship first hand – the pleasing click of the Suffolk latch, the effortless glide of a well-fitted drawer, the way each slotted screw is lined up on a perfectly set hinge. It’s the kind of quality that visitors will be able to feel, see and appreciate.
We begin our tour in the warmest room in the house, Mike’s prep room, before moving clockwise around the main workshop to view huts at every stage of construction. From walls going up on the framing bench to roofs going on and the final finishing touches being applied, the whole journey of a build unfolds right before their eyes.
People often comment on how friendly the team is and the energy in the workshop – the hum of saws, the tap of hammers, and the rich scent of freshly sawn wood. Whilst you don’t have to visit in person (we’ve successfully delivered huts to customers as far away as New York and New Zealand) we promise that if you do make the journey, it’s well worth the trip. And there’ll be a pot of fresh coffee waiting for you once you’ve had a good look around!
We are open for workshop tours up until Christmas Eve and after the New Year. Do drop us line to reserve a time at [email protected]
Why not combine your visit with a delicious lunch at The Thimble Inn in Piddlehinton, a three-minute drive from the Plankbridge workshop.
