Bringing timeless British craftsmanship to your doorstep…
Whether it’s the snow-covered mountains of Vermont or the heat of a Californian summer, our beautifully handcrafted huts are designed for year-round comfort
One of the most exciting developments at Plankbridge in recent years has been seeing our huts quietly making their way across the Pond. As we wave one off, watching it set sail across the open seas – navigating ports, docks and shipping lanes – there’s a real sense of adventure. And a few weeks later, when it arrives at its new home in the States, it feels like a little piece of Thomas Hardy’s Dorset has gone out into the world.
While many of our American customers first discover us through Instagram or through our website, some find us in more unexpected ways – like watching Escape to the Country (Episode 18 which is streaming on BritBox, if you’re curious!). However they find us, some become so excited that they hop on a plane and make the journey to our workshop in Dorset to see us. It’s always a pleasure to welcome visitors from across the Atlantic, giving them a chance to meet the team, explore design options and take one of Richard’s famous workshop tours. There’s nothing quite like stepping inside a finished hut to get a true feel for the craftsmanship, the attention to detail and just how perfectly it could fit into your life.
But if you can’t make the trip, don’t worry – it works just as smoothly remotely. We guide customers through the design process over video calls, showing different options, answering questions, and keeping them updated as their hut progresses through the workshop. Wherever you are in the world, we make the process as personal and enjoyable as possible.
We’ve had some fantastic huts settle into life in the US in recent years. Our first huts to cross the Atlantic went to the beautiful rolling countryside of Wisconsin. We’ve also built huts for delivery in upstate New York, Vermont and, Washington State, where our lovely customers requested a window at dog height in one of the huts, so their four-legged friend could sit and enjoy the breathtaking mountain views from the comfort of their basket.
Of course, ordering a hut from overseas raises a few big questions. The first is always, How does shipping work? Many customers are surprised to hear just how straightforward the process is. We guide every customer through the logistics, from shipping to final delivery at their property. Once built, each hut is carefully wrapped in marine-grade protective material before being shipped in a container, on a flat rack or simply rolled-on and rolled-off. Huts bound for the East Coast typically arrive via ports like New York, while West Coast-bound huts take the scenic route – crossing the Atlantic, passing through the Panama Canal, and making their way up to ports like Los Angeles or Seattle. We love knowing our huts are travelling these historic routes, following in the wake of centuries of transatlantic craftsmanship.
Another common question is, Will it work with my climate? The answer is yes. Our huts are built to withstand the elements, with sustainable sheep’s wool insulation, durable materials, double-glazed oak windows and air conditioning. Whether it’s the snow-covered mountains of Vermont or the heat of a Californian summer, our huts are designed for year-round comfort.
What we hear time and again from our US customers is how much they love the build quality of our huts and the craftsmanship that goes into them. The fact that each hut is handcrafted in England, using traditional techniques and sustainable materials is a huge part of their appeal. After all, there’s nothing quite like a Plankbridge.
If you’re in the US and dream of owning a Plankbridge hut, we’d love to hear from you. Email enquiries@plankbridge.com to arrange a chat with a member of our friendly team
