The best hideaways for a mindful getaway

Best hideaway for practising ‘Blue Mind’

Whether soaking in a hot bath, a cool river, or watching the sunset over the ocean, embracing 'Blue Mind' is a great way to find peace by the water. 'Blue Mind' is described as having ‘a mildly meditative state characterised by calm, peace, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment’, all accomplished as a result of simply being close to an open body of water. Our top pick for a hideaway that invites you to embrace 'Blue Mind' is Captain Blake’s Retreat at Whitsand Bay in North Cornwall. Sitting on a clifftop, the vista of the ocean is unbeatable. You can even admire the sea views from where you rest your head at night, so get ready to watch the ocean ebb and flow throughout the day, leaving you feeling peaceful and truly relaxed.  

For more inspiration, read all about our wild winter getaway to Captain Blake’s Retreat. And take a look at our full collection of hideaways with sea views.

Best hideaway for stargazing 

There’s nothing more humbling than looking into the depths of the sky at night. Stargazing is a mindful activity that helps us to be more present, as when we’re absorbed in the enchantment of the cosmos, it’s hard to draw our attention away to focus on anything else. Take a look at Matilda, our handcrafted cabin in Sussex, where mornings begin with the sun trickling through the skylight above the bed and nights draw to a close as you watch the stars sparkle from where you rest your head. Be sure to pack your binoculars, so before you retreat to bed, you can curl up under a blanket on the decking, hot chocolate in hand and gaze into the inky night sky, star spotting with the one you love most by your side. 

Take a look at all our favourite hideaways with stargazing windows. 

Best hideaways for a spa experience 

There's nothing like a trip to the spa to put a busy mind at ease, but what if we could spend time in nature while also soaking up the goodness of spa facilities? So many of our heavenly hideouts have the added feature of a hot tub. From bubbling jacuzzis to wood-fired love tubs and even alfresco baths, having this extra facility where you can simply soak away your worries under the moonlight adds an extra sense of well-being to your time in nature. As well as outdoor bathing, we have an ever-growing collection of hideaways with saunas and cold plunges. One of our favourite retreats with spa facilities is  Shepherd's View, our gorgeous hut in Staffordshire with a private Hikki Swedish bath, plus access to the on-site countryside spa. This is where peace, privacy and nature come together to help you truly unwind in the wilds. With use of the sauna, cold plunge, fire pit, relaxation lounge and yoga studio, a spa trip in nature doesn’t get much better than this. Bookings for private sessions can be made directly with the owner. 

Read all about our relaxing stay at Shepherd’s View. 

Looking to get away with friends? There are two other hideaways on-site. Take a look at The Woodsman and The Potting Shed. All hideaways offer privacy, outdoor bathing, and access to the on-site spa. 

Best hideaway for a solo adventure 

Looking for the ultimate way to recharge and refresh? Why not treat yourself to a solo adventure? Pack your journal, yoga leggings and essential oils for a few days away, simply reconnecting with you! With no distractions and space and time to live exactly how you wish for a little while, we think a solo escape should be on everyone's bucket list. Our top pick for a solo getaway has to be Ffion, a dog-friendly shepherd’s hut in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. With our four-legged friend in tow, it’s a magical spot to embrace slow mornings with a leisurely lie-in before exploring the rugged landscape of Ceredigion and retreating to your mountain escape for an evening of cooking and stargazing around the fire pit. 

Best hideaway for forest bathing 

The forest invites you to do so much more than simply pass through. With open arms, it welcomes and cocoons you with safe, bellowing trees and a comforting earthy blanket beneath. Forest bathing, or ‘shinrin-yoku’, is a practice that emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a form of ecotherapy to relax both the body and mind. Really, forest bathing is a simple concept: take time out in nature and engage all the senses as you walk or sit, with an aim to reach a new level of calm and quiet amongst the trees. Get swept away by the magic of the forest with a stay at Wildwood Hideaway. Encompassed by woodland, this cosy cabin is perfect for some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy moments of reading in the hammock or beside the fire, with nothing but the sweet sound of the trees swaying as the theme tune to your mindful getaway. 

Best hideaway for wild swimming 

Wild swimming is the perfect way to practise mindfulness in nature. Whether you are a sea swimmer, a lake dipper, or prefer to float down the river, immersing yourself in natural bodies of water is so good for our overall well-being. For us, there’s nowhere better to experience the true magic of wild swimming than the Lake District. Nestled just a stone's throw from the national park is where you will find The Wrens Nest, a gorgeous cabin with a wood-fired hot tub. Close to Penrith, this handcrafted hideaway is perfectly located to some incredible wild swimming spots, such as Glenridding Beck, a tucked-away rocky lagoon that's nestled amongst trees and fed by a small waterfall. Upon arrival, you feel as if you’ve stepped into the pages of a storybook. The temperature is bracing, but the crystal-clear water is too inviting to resist a dip. 

Discover our back-to-nature retreat to The Wren’s Nest.

Best hideaways for alfresco cooking

Cooking in nature is a mindful activity that allows you to engage all your senses while slowing down and enjoying the overall process of creating something delicious to eat. Why not start by foraging for ingredients, such as mushrooms, then begin prepping a delicious supper for someone special? Many of our hideaways have pizza ovens, which help to spark creativity with cooking. The Crook in Somerset is our top pick for the best hideaway with outdoor cooking facilities, as the DeliVita wood-fired pizza oven is such a special feature. Spend time kneading your pizza dough before topping it with local delights collected from a nearby farm shop and, of course, anything you’ve safely foraged from the wilds. Watch as your handcrafted Italian feast bubbles away over flickering flames, then pour yourself a glass of something sparkling and tuck in together while relaxing to the sweet sound of nature.

By prior arrangement, the owners are happy to provide pizza dough or local barbecue packs during your stay. Speak with our team to find out more. 

You'll also find The Whistle on-site. Both hideaways have the same amazing facilities, such as the pizza oven, hot tub and wood burner, and promise plenty of privacy from one another.

Best hideaway for getting creative 

Learning a new skill is a great way to practice mindfulness, as you can take time to truly focus on the project at hand without any distractions. Working with wood is a natural way to embrace your artistic streak, and we have the perfect hideaway for you to retreat to and experience a one-to-one woodwork course. Nestled in the Welsh hills is Caban Tarren, a wonderfully rustic cabin with so much soul. Handcrafted by the owner from reclaimed and upcycled materials, every detail tells a story, adding warmth and charm to this unique space. Full and half-day courses are available to book with the owner in the on-site workshop. These include creating your own serving tray with Hazel Handle, or taking a guided walk through meadows and woodland to then return to the workshop to carve, shape and whittle your own walking stick. Sounds like something you’d be interested in? For more information, contact our team. 

Whatever season you choose to venture off the road less travelled, we have the perfect hideaway for you to experience a wellness retreat encompassed by nature. Take a look at our full collection of hideaways and start planning a getaway that’s good for your mind, body and soul.