Norfolk shepherd huts sold to Shaun the Sheep Land in Sweden

Black Sheep Shepherd Huts builds modern versions of the traditional field shelters at its factory in Kimberley, near Wymondham.

Driven by a pandemic boost for staycations and glamping, the company has seen impressive growth in the last two years, and its huts can be found across the UK.

But now it is starting to attract a flock of overseas buyers - including the managers of Shaun the Sheep Land, a family attraction in Sweden inspired by the agricultural antics of the much-loved animated character.

Mick Lowe, left, managing director of Black Sheep Shepherds Huts, with sales manager Ian Anderson at their factory in Kimberley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mick Lowe, owner and managing director of Black Sheep Shepherd Huts, said: "Prior to this, I was not aware there so many Shaun the Sheep theme parks - they are even in Japan and Australia. It is a huge franchise across the world.

"It [the customer] is a very big company, and for them to have faith and confidence in us is a good bit of kudos for us.

"The original order was for two huts as a sample, but there is an order for 36 huts up for grabs - that's 12 per year for three years.

"Once the samples are in we will start discussions on moving forward, and I am confident we will get a good share of the main order."

A traditional hut built by Black Sheep Shepherds Huts in Kimberley, near Wymondham (Image: Black Sheep Shepherds Huts)

Mr Lowe founded the company in a small workshop at Wicklewood, near Wymondham, in 2016, and sold six huts that year.

After moving to a new purpose-built factory in Kimberley last March, the expanding firm now expects to complete 45 huts in 2023, and hopes to break the £1m turnover barrier this year.

The move also paved the way for more efficient woodworking machines, and it has seen the workforce expand to eight staff, including six full-time employees. 

The company expanded its range, which now has three different hut sizes and an "off-grid" model with solar panels, wood-burner heating and a composting toilet.

Mr Lowe said the firm prides itself on using local suppliers and workers - and the affordability of its huts, which start at about £22,000, rising to about £30,000 for a top-spec model.

As well as Scandinavia, the company's order book for 2023 also has export enquiries and bookings from France and Ireland.

Mick Lowe, left, managing director of Black Sheep Shepherds Huts, with his team at Kimberley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Shaun the Sheep is a popular animated character who has inspired a franchise of theme parks (Image: BBC Pictures)