This Minimalist Retreat Is Rewilding Nearby Nature With Each Stay

In the countryside of England, the unique 800-sq-ft Holly Water Cabin can host two for a relaxing, lux getaway, complete with an outdoor bathtub and treehouse. And all the outdoor access one could ask for.

Created for a private client by emerging UK cabin-focused design and build group Out of the Valley, Holly Water is located in southwest England just an hour outside the stunning Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. The cabin itself sits in the corner of a cornfield, amidst the client’s farmland—an idyllic property. As a rental property with a purpose, revenue from bookings (starting at $222/night) go towards the rewilding of the surrounding acres, in part to diversify plant and animal species.

A mono pitched roof, reminiscent of vernacular architecture in the area, provides spacious eaves which help to protect the main structure from the elements and create shaded, cool areas to rest under. The veranda underneath hosts an outdoor copper soaking tub, a table and a cozy seating area, and an outdoor grill.

The exterior is clad in a warm cedar-wood with large picture windows—two that slide open and one in the bed nook that overlooks Holly Water stream, the property’s namesake. The cabin is raised on pier foundations to avoid the use of a concrete foundation and reduce site impact upon building.

The interior layout is a simple open-floor studio space, with custom made furniture from local timber. The back wall hosts an oak kitchen that faces a small living area with a loveseat, wood stove, and small dining table. A custom built platform bed tucks neatly into the far corner.

Clay render, a natural alternative to plaster, covers the interior walls. The coating is a breathable material, which helps regulate temperature and humidity. Inside the walls, a plant-based insulation also helps to keep the structure healthy, durable, and long-lasting (and cozy during long, wet winters).

If the cabin wasn’t enough, cross a wooden bridge nearby to reach a small cookout area, and beyond that, an old wooden treehouse perfect for birdwatching, or hanging out under the stars.

As summer rolls out, and vaccination numbers continue to climb, this looks like the perfect spot to slowly re-emerge into the world.

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