A little escapism is exactly what Londoners need right now to lower those bad news-induced cortisol levels. So it’s no wonder luxe cabin stays are having a moment.
Holing up off-grid has added appeal in Autumn too — nothing says cosy season like the opportunity to warm yourself around a campfire while overlooking russet landscapes and snacking on s’mores.
Set in the Dorset countryside 50 miles west of Bournemouth, Outbuildings has emerged as one of the UK’s most-sought after cabin stays. A family-run boutique retreat, it’s ideal for couples seeking a peaceful break.
“Ninety per cent of gift vouchers bought from us come with the message ‘Enjoy a night away from the kids,’” confirms Dom, the affable customer manager, when I visit for the weekend.
He joined the business during lockdown with husband Ed, whose parents took over the previously derelict dairy farm some 20 years ago. Together with Ed’s eye for design and the craftsmanship of his younger brother George, they have created a set of cabins which blend rustic design with eclectic furnishings and tasteful finishing touches.
Read more: The best glamping sites in the UK
Each of the eight rooms has a different standout feature, such as an indoor or outdoor hot tub. The centrepiece of the Pressing Room, where I stayed, is a luxurious deep bateau brass bath which calls your name for a long, hot soak. Though there’s also the bathroom's walk-in rainfall shower to luxuriate in.
The fragrant toiletries — such as lavender & eucalyptus body scrub and geranium & orange hand wash — are locally made for Outbuildings and can be purchased from the on-site shop.
Most rooms are dog-friendly and a few are suitable for a cot (though note, apart from any under-twos, this is a child-free establishment.) The Granary building can sleep four in what’s akin to a countryside apartment, but otherwise each building is cleverly designed with a couple’s stay in mind.
Choose from a menu of personal experiences to up the romance-factor on your stay: think an outdoor hot tub session for ‘bubbles in the woods’ (from £50), or a barn converted for a cosy cinema screening (from £70) with snacks and heated blankets provided. Though the focus here is very much on chilling out. Relaxing massages and treatments can also be arranged in the privacy of your room.
There are ample opportunities to explore beyond the site, with The Jurassic Coast, Bridport Market, and Furleigh Estate Winery all within around a 10-minute drive. A word of warning: if you’re relying on taxis, it’s important to book in advance for any excursions you have in mind, as there is limited availability in the area. (If travelling by train from London Waterloo to Crewkerne, expect to pay £35 for a taxi to Outbuildings.)
But if you want to hide away and escape the world as we did, fortunately Outbuildings has everything you could need. The Cart Shed serves breakfast and dinner, as well as drinks all day, and the menu is thoughtfully put together, with an emphasis on locally-sourced produce – some grown on the farm itself.
This month, Outbuildings expands its offering with four more cosy rooms, which promise the site’s best countryside vistas yet.
If it’s quality time away as a couple you’re looking for — and a quiet escape from the kids — Outbuildings is calling your name this Autumn.
Rooms start from £180 per night. outbuildingsdorset.com
Two more of the best cabin stays for an Autumn escape
Firesyde, Surrey
Just an hour from London, the fields of Firesyde are an enclave of calm that feels a million miles away from the city rush. Set on 300 acres, its five Scandi-look cabins are perfectly placed for a weekend of escapism, punctuated by forest walks, campfire cooking (order feasts ahead of time and they’ll be made in the farm-to-fork kitchen) and sauna sessions in the mini outdoor spa area.
Cleverly designed for privacy, so you can’t glimpse into another cabin from your own, each comes with a comfy bed, mini kitchen and dining area as well a deck overlooking the rolling hills and with its own outdoor bath tub. No detail is overlooked and much of the carpentry has been handmade to echo the woodlands that surrounds the stay. There’s also the option to book all of the cabins for the ultimate group getaway this autumn.
From £225 per night, kiphideaways.com
Crow’s Nest, Devon
Elsewhere in Devon to the East, Glebe House has just opened doors to two chicly designed cabins. They’re in plum position between the beloved guest house’s gardens and the woods.
A design collaboration with Akin Studio and Out of the Valley, the new additions feature colourful, country-core interiors and have their own kitchens, living spaces, wood burners, and a private deck with an all-important sunken outdoor bath which will overlook the Coly Valley. Bliss.
£310 per night. glebehousedevon.co.uk
