The Vacationist Eco Cabin

• Sleeps: 4
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

Deftly combining the carefree joy of a camping holiday with the cosy comfort of a luxury cabin, The Vacationist is a super-stylish retreat that won’t compromise your green credentials.

Lovingly hand-built from recovered oak and larch, the off-grid cabin is inspired by the A-frame hideaways of rural America… there’s even a huge triangular picture window that mimics their iconic A-shape to perfection.

You’ll find The Vacationist secluded in its very own East Sussex meadow, for long and lovely days spent in the fresh embrace of the Great Outdoors. Yet if the weather turns chilly, toasty sheep’s wool insulation and a log burning stove – not to mention built-in infrared heating – will keep you warm and snuggly inside.

Charming and characterful, stand-out design elements include super-stylish herringbone flooring, and the recycled wooden headboard that graces the kingsize master bed, skilfully created by owners Guy and Ruth from their sofa-offcuts.

A wholehearted family and community effort, Guy and Ruth’s children were responsible for the design of the cabin’s hidden bookcase bunk-room (so your kids are bound to love it!) while their local school helped assemble the gleaming ‘coloured-pencil’ kitchen counter.

Speaking of kitchens, you can whip up family feasts galore on the double burner gas-stove top, and there’s plenty of preparation space. You’ll have a fridge and a large sink too, plus a spacious dining and bar area to help you enjoy the fruits of your culinary labour.

Oh, and just in case you thought off-grid meant compromising on swish bathroom facilities, think again! The fully-tiled shower comes with plenty of piping-hot water, and there’s a top-of-the-range (read: non-smelly!) composting toilet that keeps water-waste to a minimum.

At a glance

• An inventive hand-built cabin, soothingly off-grid and set in its own private meadow in Halland, East Sussex
• There is a master kingsize bedroom and a hidden bunk room that’s ideal for adventurous kids!
• Facilities include a spacious, well-equipped kitchen and a walk-in shower.
• Filled with character, there are plenty of luxurious touches throughout, along with eco-tech that includes solar power, infra-red heating, and a log burning stove.
• Sit out on the elevated sun deck with morning coffee, then take your pick of places to explore in the South Downs National Park or High Weald AONB. There are plenty of activities and pubs to try close by, too.

Features

• Family Friendly
• Off-Grid

More information

What next? Start each morning with coffee and chat on the elevated sun deck – set an early alarm and you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful sunrise over the fields – before planning the rest of your day.

If all you feel like doing is opening a good book or taking a snooze in the softly-swaying hammock, no problem… that’s what it’s there for! But if you’re heading out to explore, you’ll have a choice of the South Downs National Park and the High Weald AONB – both perfectly set in-between the cabin site.

Of course, you’ll want to sample the excellent local produce, and there are plenty of wonderful pubs and restaurants in the local area for you to do just that. The closest, The Blacksmiths Arms, is a mere mile away – the perfect distance for working up an appetite with a breezy country walk!

There’s plenty of scope for adventure, too, with friendly farm parks, paragliding, steam train rides, and supreme mountain-biking all easily found in the local area.

Whatever you choose to do, lighting the firepit for storytelling and marshmallow-toasting will be the loveliest way to end another incredible day at The Vacationist.

Things to note

Minimum 2-night stay. The bunk room is suitable for children and adults up to 6ft. Pets are not permitted.