Sometimes the best way to reset is simply to get away from the everyday. A change of scenery, a slower pace and more time spent outdoors can make even a short break feel restorative. From secluded woodland cabins and characterful countryside stays to beautifully designed spaces that bring you closer to nature, there are countless ways to relax and recharge.
The perfect escape looks different for everyone. It might mean soaking beneath the stars after a countryside walk, waking to uninterrupted rural views, enjoying a quiet weekend for two or gathering family and friends somewhere with plenty of space to unwind. Increasingly, the places we choose to stay are becoming part of the experience too, with thoughtful design, private outdoor spaces and unusual accommodation turning a simple break into something memorable.
Our Relax & Recharge collection brings together five distinctive options, each offering its own approach to escaping the routine and enjoying a little more peace, comfort and connection with the natural world.
Kerry’s Gate Cabin – A Secluded Herefordshire Hideaway
Hidden away on a peaceful working farm in the Herefordshire countryside, Kerry’s Gate Cabin is made for two. Surrounded by rolling countryside and ancient woodland, the off-grid cabin offers privacy and seclusion without sacrificing comfort.
Inside, there’s a luxurious king-size bed, fully equipped kitchen, wood burner and central heating, while solar power helps create a more sustainable countryside stay. Outside is where the setting really comes into its own. A spacious deck looks across the surrounding landscape, with an outdoor copper bath providing the perfect place to unwind. There’s also a firepit BBQ for evenings beneath Herefordshire’s dark skies.
For those who want to explore, Hay-on-Wye and its famous bookshops are around 20 minutes away, while the Black Mountains can be reached in approximately half an hour. It makes Kerry’s Gate Cabin equally suited to days spent discovering the area or simply staying put and enjoying the tranquillity.
Three Little Pigs – Discover North Cornwall
Just outside Bude, close to the border between North Cornwall and Devon, Three Little Pigs is a family-run self-catering barn conversion hosted by Jenny and Tony.
The accommodation sleeps two in a king-size bedroom, with a sofa bed in the open-plan living space providing room for one or two additional guests. A well-equipped kitchen, Freeview TV, WiFi and wet room provide the essentials for a comfortable stay, while guests also have exclusive use of the garden, private parking and a lawned area.
Nearby Kilkhampton has pubs, takeaways and shops, while Tamar Lakes opens up plenty of possibilities for getting outdoors, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, cycling and fishing. After a day exploring North Cornwall’s countryside or coastline, Three Little Pigs provides a comfortable base to return to.
Applebarn Holidays – A Somerset Countryside Escape
Set at East Street Farm in the peaceful Somerset village of West Pennard, Applebarn Holidays combines rural surroundings with plenty of home comforts, all just minutes from Glastonbury.
Guests can choose between four holiday properties – the Farmhouse, Applebarn, The Dairy and The Bungalow – as well as three bell tents, two of which are fully furnished. There are also on-site wellness shepherd’s huts offering seasonal massage and reiki treatments.
Each property has its own private hot tub and welcomes up to three dogs, while guests share access to a tennis court. Additional touches vary between properties, including fireplaces and pool tables, with accessibility aids available on request at The Bungalow.
With views towards Glastonbury Tor and Somerset’s villages, attractions and walking routes waiting to be explored, Applebarn Holidays works equally well for an active countryside break, family celebration or a few peaceful days away.
Sycamore & Stars – Off-Grid Escapes with Character
Sycamore & Stars offers two very different places to switch off, both tucked into woodland on a working farm.
The Old Haycart began life as a 1910 Lincolnshire hay cart and has been carefully transformed into an off-grid retreat for two. Sitting within its own six acres of woodland, it includes a private ofuro hot tub, BBQ area, central heating and decking overlooking the surrounding fields. Separate nearby huts house a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom.
The Badger Sett offers another take on woodland living. This handcrafted shepherd’s hut was created using reclaimed materials from the farm and combines quirky character with contemporary comforts, including a king-size bed, private bathroom with hot shower and a kitchenette with a fridge and two-ring gas stove.
With woodland surrounding both retreats, Sycamore & Stars is an opportunity to swap busy schedules for a quieter pace and spend a little more time immersed in nature.
Avrame UK – Create Your Own Place to Recharge
For some, the ultimate escape isn’t somewhere you book – it’s somewhere you create.
Avrame UK specialises in distinctive A-frame kit homes designed for year-round living. Their adaptable designs can be used for everything from countryside retreats and garden annexes to family homes and holiday rentals, combining dramatic architecture with open-plan interiors and large expanses of glazing.
The precision-engineered kits are designed to make construction more predictable, with detailed installation instructions and ongoing project support. Avrame says more than 400 homes have been sold across over 25 countries, supported by a network of more than 35 partners.
Built using sustainable materials and available with worldwide delivery, the homes provide an interesting option for anyone looking to create a space that feels closely connected to its surroundings. Kit prices advertised in the feature start from £19,900, excluding VAT, delivery and foundation works.
Find Your Way to Relax & Recharge
From an outdoor copper bath hidden among the Herefordshire countryside to a converted hay cart surrounded by woodland, these five choices show just how varied a relaxing escape can be. Whether you’re looking for a weekend away, a longer countryside holiday or even inspiration for creating a retreat of your own, the common thread is simple: slowing down, changing your surroundings and making time for the things that everyday life can sometimes push aside.
