Accessible self-catering holiday cottage in Northumberland
Situated at Bingfield near Hexham Northumberland
How we built our Hytte
Empty Hytte field
In the autumn of 2004 we were offered the opportunity to purchase 1.35 acres of field next to our house.
Leveling ground works
We cut a gap through our Cyprus hedge to create the access.
The whole site was on a slight slope so we levelled it.
The foundations going in
In early May 2005 the foundations went in.
First wall up
By July 2005 Simon had completed the first side, each section was constructed by hand on the ground and then our friend Clifford would kindly call on his way home from work and help Simon to lift the sections into place.
The framework taking shape
7th August 2005, the framework is taking shape.
Lifting the beams
6th September 2005, friend and local farmer Ken used a loadall to delicately lift the beams with Simon and Clifford steering them into place with the aid of ropes, credit to them for a job well done, as none of the beams were at all damaged.
The beams in
September 10th beams insitu; we now had to rush to get them covered, before we had any rain.
The roof half installed
17th September we now had half a roof.
The Hytte all boarded
10th October 2005 the whole of the Hytte is boarded, I have decided I really don't like it, as it resembles a huge garden shed.
The rock wall
The raw earth was landscaped recycling rocks uncovered during excavation of the foundations and built up by hand; larger rocks were carefully lifted into place using a mini digger.
The Hytte's breathable membrane
25th October 2005 the Hytte is covered in a breathable membrane.
The external timbers start to get fixed into place.
The soil in the flowerbed is a mixture of subsoil and clay, so a ton of farmyard manure is incorporated.
Turfing the roof
5th November 2005 Hytte continues to have external timbers fixed into place and waterproof membrane applied to roof along with edging boards to stop the turf sliding off!
Turfing the roof
5th November 2005. We started laying the turf on the roof.
The turf is permanent pasture and has come from Ken's farm 2 miles away.
It was cut to 1½", much thicker than lawn turf and laid in tree layers, the first two are laid grass side down and the last grass side up taking care to cross all joints.
Turfing finished
23rd October 2005 the turf is all laid and looks like a bowling green.
The external timbers are treated with a water-based stain.
Paving finished
Paving and ramps being installed
22nd February 2006 the surrounding grounds are paved and ramps constructed for easy access. The hot tub arrived today, hurrah!! Only we are hectic and have no time to try it out.
I have decided I like it now! It's starting to look nice.
Underfloor heating being installed
December 2006 the under floor insulation and heating are laid.
The internal walls and ceiling are filled with 6" of kingspan insulation.
Fireplace being installed
13th March 2006 the internal walls are taking shape.
Norwegian fireplace partially installed.
Interior works
29th March 2006, our first guests are arriving in two weeks, we still have all the floors to lay, walls to finish and varnish, kitchen and bathrooms to install as well as all the electrics to wire up. Furniture to put together beds to make and curtains to hang.
We are both really panicking now!
Varnishing
11th April 2006 (4 days to go) it's Simon's birthday today; we celebrated by varnishing until 3am (like every night).
Desperation was setting in; we now called on every friend and relative we could, they all rallied and thanks to them "we did it".
I was sweeping the last of the dust out of the kitchen when our first guests arrived at 4pm.
Completed May 2006
May 2006 The Hytte is starting to settle in and we have started to plant up the flowerbeds.
June 2006 the grass is growing, guests are coming and we can smile at last.
Sonja and Simon
The Hytte 2009
The Hytte 2009
Please contact us if you would like further information regarding the construction of the Hytte.
