Forest cabins, secluded shepherds huts and quirky yurts are among some of the unique getaways I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing here in the UK. More than just a dreamy place to rest your head, they are each nestled in nature, which lends itself the perfect excuse to get outside and explore. Here are some of the very best hideaways in the UK!
CYNEFIN RETREATS, THE WELSH BORDERS
Beating the January blues, my friend Emily and I took a trip to Cynefin Retreats. Set amongst woodlands and lush meadows, Cynefin’s pods and lodges offer luxurious outdoor-indoor getaways. Set on the Welsh borders, with the nearest town of Hay-On-Wye, Cynefin is heaven for fellow countyside-seekers. We chose to stay in a luxe pod called Hazel which had everything we needed for a unique stay. We spent our days going for wintery walks and mooching around Hay before retreating back to our hideaway for hot-tub dips and marshmallow toasting. Book your stay at Cynefin Retreats here.
KIP & NOOK, YORKSHIRE
Kip & Nook is a little patch of heaven nestled in the Yorkshire countryside and is the ultimate hideaway. Kip & Nook has a collection of unique and quirky places to stay from cosy containers and off-grid hideaways to a barn big enough for 8 guests. There is a stay for everyone in mind. We opted to stay in Big Bro, the newest addition to the Kip and Nook family and had everything we needed for a couple nights of relaxation. Whichever accommodation you opt for, a peaceful break away from the hustle and bustle of daily life is guaranteed. What’s more, the hideaway is completely surrounded by nature. We couldn’t have opted for a more perfect spot to celebrate Key turning 30. Find out more about our stay here.
THE DRAGON’S REST, HEREFORDSHIRE
Perfectly perched on the hill of a farm is The Dragon’s Rest, three luxury cabins overlooking the Monnow Valley and the Black Mountains in the distance. Each cabin has a king-sized bed, a seating area, a chaise, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom, yet still all remain unique in their own way. We stayed in The Cat’s Back, named after the mountain on the horizon, and enjoyed three nights of luxurious glamping. With a fire pit and outdoor bath on the balcony overlooking stunning hill views and incredible walking trails right from the doorstep, we had everything we could possibly need to enjoy the great outdoors. See more from our stay here.
MEDLEY MEADOW SAFARI TENTS, MONMOUTHSHIRE
We stumbled across Medley Meadow online and booked our own safari tent stay. Set in the 11 acres of organic meadows sit three luxury safari tent cabins. We booked to stay in Cherry, which has a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, an open living room/dining room and kitchen area. There is also a lovely en-suite bathroom and hot shower. The tent was so luxurious that you barely noticed you were even in a tent! We spent a lot of time on the private decking area, toasting marshmallows over the chiminea and enjoying the locally-made iron firepit. There is also a log-burning fire inside that kept us toasty all weekend. With the Brecon Beacons on your doorstep, lace up those hiking boots and set off for a day of appreciating the natural beauty this area has to offer. Alternatively, jump in a car and spend a day town-hopping, stopping at nearby gems such as Abergavenny or Crickhowell. Find out more about our stay here.
THE LLETHRAU, MID-WALES
The Llethrau is situated in a private, hidden valley in Powys just a few minutes from the Shropshire border and is surrounded by nature, rolling hills and little else. The Llethrau is made up of self-catering shepherds huts, yurts and cottages that are each unique and special. We stayed in Nadine, the green shepherds hut for two nights. We enjoyed breakfast on the decking nestled in the woodland surroundings and woke each morning to the beautiful view of the hand painted ceiling. It is the little touches here that make all the difference. We loved our stay so much that we booked an extra two nights at the shepherds hut next door, Shanti, and enjoyed the added log burner included here. Choose to take one of the many trails from The Llethrau for an outdoorsy day gawping at the Welsh countryside or road trip around the market towns and villages such as Hay-on-Wye or Shrewsbury.
REST & WILD, SHROPSHIRE
Surrounded by woodland and green rolling hills, Rest + Wild in Shropshire is the perfect place to unwind and reset. Situated in Downton Estate, Rest + Wild have crafted four cosy cabins, each secluded from the other, to encourage a luxurious and restful stay. We recently spent two nights here and it was the perfect place for a relaxing getaway. We left feeling wonderfully restored after spending a couple of days reconnecting with nature. We stayed in Sparrow, tucked away within the woodland, with a fire pit and copper bath tub sat among the tall pine trees. Find out more about our stay here.
LITTLE MENHERION, CORNWALL
We have stayed at Log Jam cabin in Cornwall twice now, once in Spring and a second time in the Autumn. This log cabin combined our love for being in the wild but with all luxuries includes. We were charmed by the inside, with a log burner, cosy sofa, fully equipped kitchen waiting for us and the dreamiest bedroom set-up. Surrounded by trees and wildlife, we spent much of our time outside on the deck or down by the fire pit soaking up all the good things being outdoors provides. Read more about our stay here.
THE GREY GOOSE, HEREFORDSHIRE
When I think of staycations, shepherds huts instantly spring to mind. The Grey Goose on Midland Farm in Herefordshire is the perfect place to unwind. I stayed here for a girls trip last Spring, when daffodils lined the path to the hut and the evenings were just about warm enough to dine outside and enjoy the views of the surrounding farmland. What’s more, there is a wood-burning hot-tub which just added that extra bit of magic to our glamping experience.
COME BY, POWYS, WALES
If you are looking for the perfect summer escape to the country, then look no further than Come By, in Powys, Wales. Come by features a super cosy shepherd’s hut, a hot outdoor shower, and a little cooking shack full of everything you could possibly need for a glorious glamping experience. My friend and I stayed in August last year and it was the perfect summer getaway. We basically felt like we had an entire campsite to ourselves. We spent all our time outside, cooking food over the fire, reading and relaxing in the surroundings. Book your own stay at Come By here.
THE LAZY DUCK, SCOTLAND
In the ancient pine forests in the Cairngorms National Park, within Nethy Bridge, you will find The Lazy Duck, a six acre family homestead. They have created cosy, sustainable places to stay and relax whilst admiring the natural beauty of Scotland. They have a snuggly lookout bunkhouse, rustic eco-huts and a quirky safari-tent that all have gentle, slow-living in mind. We stayed in The Woodman's Hut, which is a self-catering, completely off-grid eco-cabin which sits within the trees. We had the most amazing stay in our own winter wonderland. We spent our days out exploring the stunning national park before returning to unwind and warm up by the fire. If you are after a truly unforgettable experience, then The Lazy Duck offers an off-grid experience like no other. Book your stay here.
I hope this round-up of UK getaways has inspired you to book a trip of your own. There are so many amazing places to explore in the UK and staying somewhere unique that showcases the landscape makes a trip away all the more special.
