Xanadu

An idyllic, TV-featured geodesic retreat with bespoke hand-made elements, secluded on its own lake-island within a 20-acre site in rural Devon, complete with a fully-licensed pub.

Featured on the popular BBC TV show, My Unique B&B, Xanadu is a mesmerising geodesic hideaway with an enormous sunrise-facing deck, and beautiful hand-made elements throughout.

Secluded on its own sparkling lake-island at Reforge Retreat, you'll be surrounded by soothing meadows, woodlands, and gardens that characterise rural North Devon at its finest.  

And if that wasn't enough, there's even a fully-licensed medieval pub - the Reforge Inn - and a sumptuous Mediterranean courtyard right on site, to help you while away lazy summer afternoons in style.

‘Xanadu' is a metaphor for a mythical, magical place, and you'll certainly feel as though you've arrived somewhere blissfully other-worldly as you make your way over the bridge. Coloured windows and hand-made copper roof tiling create a striking first impression, to help you feel immediately welcome.

The geodesic building itself is close to owner Faith's heart, as it's based around a 50- year-old structure originally created by her late father, a hugely innovative engineer and designer. Its design was adapted and enhanced to create not one but three domes, and an interconnected hub by British designer and master builder Jerome Malone.

With help from the expert My Unique B&B team, Faith and her friends worked hard on transforming the beloved structure into a relaxed open-plan haven, with different sections based around enchanting celestial themes.  

As such, many of the furnishings and accessories you'll discover here are completely unique. A bespoke-crafted headboard, featuring the moon in its different phases, was created for the lunar-themed kingsize bedroom, while a shining, intricately-patterned copper platter features as flooring in the light-filled ‘sun' area facing the deck.

Add some quirky hand-made terracotta pots, upcycled copper tables, and a gorgeous kitchen worktop, crafted from a slab of organic oak by My Unique B&B presenter Simon Parfett... and you won't know which wonder to feast your eyes upon first!

Laze on your deck with a glass of wine and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Who knows whom you'll spot, since the site is teeming with wildlife: dragonflies, woodpeckers, owls, and grazing deer to name just a few.

Stay on site and indulge in a retro boardgame, an art and crafts workshop (see the owner's website for details) or a spot of yoga in the dedicated bell tent. You can also take a romantic boat trip on the lake or go wild swimming, if you should feel so inclined!

But if you're in the mood to explore, there's plenty to see and do off-site, too. You're just half a mile away from the Ruby Way cycle path, while both Dartmoor and the sweeping coasts of North Devon and Cornwall are just 20 minutes away...

...all ideal ways to spend your time before returning to Xanadu, lighting the wood-burning stove, and getting deliriously lost in the magic.

Things to note

There is a range of accommodation options available on site, and whole site-hire is available on request. Pets are not permitted.