Mira, Bala, North Wales
Small but perfectly formed, Mira sits at the foot of a waterfall surrounded by Welsh farmland a short drive from Bala Lake. The tiny, off-grid timber shack has panoramic vistas out over the rolling countryside. The open-plan living area is topped with a mezzanine sleeping level for up to two guests, resulting in a light, roomy interior uninterrupted by walls or partitions. A large, timber-clad external bathtub built directly into the North Wales landscape alongside hulking expanses of rock adds to the drama. Mira is the perfect spot for birdwatching, stargazing or enjoying a cup of coffee with sounds from the waterfall in the background. It’s a simple, stylish getaway for soothing the soul and reconnecting with the natural world.
Dazzle Treehouse, Dorset
Distinctive though it may look, this treehouse in the woods has been designed to blend right in. With an exterior inspired by the same razzle-dazzle patterns used to conceal warships, Dazzle is a masterclass in camouflage. Mallison’s Woodland Retreat founder Guy Mallison built the one-bedroom hideaway in 2020 with Keith Brownlie of architecture practice BEAM and a team of wood craftsmen. Hoisted off the ground on a series of angled wooden stilts and accessed via a gangway, it has al fresco living firmly in mind: the rear deck has a hot tub, cargo-net daybed, ceramic wood-burning stove and wood-fire pizza oven. The interior showcases timber slats, intricate cabinetry and yacht deck-inspired floors, with the odd optical illusion to match the unique architecture.
Shingle House, Dungeness
Face spring showers in the cosy confines of this one-of-a-kind contemporary beach house. Designed by Scottish architects NORD, Shingle House punctuates the vast, dramatic landscape of Dungeness, one of the UK’s most unusual coastlines. Overlooked by a looming decommissioned nuclear power station, the desert-like shingle beach is home to upturned boats and abandoned train carriages. Then there’s the cabin itself, which sleeps eight people in four bedrooms. The three separate volumes, linked by glazed corridors, were conceived to match the size and shape of the dilapidated house and outbuildings they replaced. They reference the old, tarred sheds of shoreline fisherman’s huts in black stained cedar shingles and timber cladding and boast expansive views of the sea and surrounding nature reserve with two large folding windows that can open fully for maximum exposure. The interior, dominated by white stained wood and concrete, is bright and airy in contrast.
Black Shed, Isle of Skye
The epitome of striking minimalism, the Black Shed has been described as ‘a contemporary bolthole at the end of the track’. Built on the side of the Macleod’s Tables hillside with Loch Dunvegan rippling below, the barn conversion boasts pine-clad walls, concrete floors and huge windows opening out into unbroken views. A wrought-iron king-size bed, underfloor heating and wood-burner all add to the cosy, tucked-away feel of the space, where you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The shed sleeps two with room for one or two more on a daybed in the study, and in lighter, brighter weather guests can make use of the large decked terrace or amble into the hills. The owners also run the Dunvegan, a restaurant and deli three miles away, and cabin guests get a 10% discount on evening meals.
Cabin X, East Sussex
Light streams through the windows at this small, outside-in cabin in East Sussex. ‘A portal to the great outdoors’, Cabin X is all about celebrating the simple things in life. A down-to-earth retreat for two, it’s comfortable and calm but not over-engineered. In fact you won’t find a TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning or a washing machine; luxury comes from the serenity of the surrounding forest and panoramic views of the woodland. A large double bed is positioned in front of a wall of windows for nature-gazing in maximum comfort and the bathroom features a walk-in shower with dual-aspect views for immersive bathing. Outside, guests find garden furniture and a BBQ for al fresco cooking — recommended following a visit to the nearby Great Park farm shop. There’s also an on-site sauna.
