The Bide

• Sleeps: 2
• Bedroom: 1
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 2-3 nights

The result of a lockdown-inspired labour of love, The Bide was designed, styled, and hand-built by its friendly owners, Scott and Caroline.

This was no amateur project, however, as Scott is one half of a thriving architecture duo, and Caroline works with high-end interior design brands. So, as you might expect, no attention to detail has been spared.

Created from sustainable, low carbon materials, and to eco-friendly building practices, the contemporary cubed retreat is perfectly positioned for you to savour Dorset nature at its most spectacular.

Meanwhile, the interiors have been expertly styled for a refreshing and comforting stay, with sleek facilities that introduce new sustainable technologies.

These include a super-stylish Nebia vaporised water shower from California and an organic, chemical-free superking mattress handmade in Devon by Naturalmat (whose mattresses are used in the world’s finest hotels, no less!)

With a full suite of cosy Naturalmat bedding to snuggle up in too, you may find the lure of the lazy lie-in hard to resist… particularly since the mezzanine level bed is positioned by a scenery-showcasing window.

There are cooking facilities inside, but when the sun is out you may prefer cooking on the firepit, instead. Whichever you choose, you’ll find local supplies fresh and plentiful, from mouth-watering boxes from the neighbouring farmer, to fresh fish, award-winning sparkling wine, and a selection of chef-devised one-pot recipes for sumptuous cooking inspiration.

At a glance

• An architect-designed, expertly styled couples’ retreat, sustainably hand-built by its owners and secluded on a working farm in a Dorset AONB, close to the village of Milton Abbas.
• Cutting-edge facilities feature new sustainable technologies, including a vaporised water shower.
• Meanwhile, the locally handmade Naturalmat mattress and bedding all but guarantee a sound night’s sleep!
• There are cooking facilities inside and out, with a wood-fired hot tub that’s perfect for stargazing.
• Carefully curated in-house entertainment include a hand-picked bookshelf, a sound system with Spotify playlists, and a huge cinema screen with a library of films from MUBI.
• The village is home to friendly pubs, and there’s a wealth of country walks to take, including the Jubilee Trail which runs through the farm. The World Heritage Jurassic Coast is just over 30 minutes away by car.

Features

• Hot Tubs

More information

After supper, linger outside awhile with your glass of wine, watching the neighbouring cows graze in the meadow, then why not welcome the emergence of the stars with a soak in the wood-fired hot tub?

Meanwhile, there’s plenty to entertain you on chilly evenings in, with a hand-picked ‘Bookshop at The Bide’, a huge in-house cinema screen (just choose your favourite from the MUBI account), and a sound system with curated Spotify playlists, to help you set the perfect mood.

If you really must leave, there’s endless an supply of stunning country walks to explore, with the scenic Jubilee Trail running directly through the farm.

The chocolate-box village of Milton Abbas is 45 minutes away, across a footpath through charming fields, while the sweeping World Heritage Jurassic Coast is just over half an hour away by car.

Scott and Caroline are also on hand with suggestions to help you while away your time, and with everything about your stay so perfectly put-together, The Bide is sure to become a cherished and much-loved favourite retreat.

Things to note

Fresh local produce hampers are available to order on booking.  Babies up to 2 years can be accommodated, with a Bugaboo ‘Stardust’ travel cot available on request. The walk to the cabin is along a 200m long footpath from the parking area. Bed on the mezzanine is accessed by a ladder.

Images credit: Jake Balston