Our best cabins near Hay-on-Wye

Plas Bach eco cabin is a convenient 20-minute meander from Hay-on-Wye, so you can enjoy a few local ales and leave the car keys at home. The cabin more than lives up to its name (Little Palace) with a gorgeous blend of vintage charm and modern luxury, but the jewel in the crown of this space is the romantic box garden that looks like it's sprouted from the pages of a glossy magazine. It's a tranquil place to unwind, along with the orchard, wood, stream and wildlife pond that are also part of the grounds. Owner Pete, who lives in the main house, recommends a visit to iconic Booth's Bookshop by day to browse the new, second-hand and antiquarian titles, and Booth's cinema by night which has "the best seats in town".

A curvaceous pod with a hot tub outside, Holly Cabin is only a ten-minute drive from Hay-on-Wye, but as you gaze out over the rolling meadows through the floor-to-ceiling window, it feels a long way from civilization. This sophisticated pad has underfloor heating, a floating king size bed, rainfall shower and a sleek ensuite bathroom. There's space to bring one child, but when the surroundings are this peaceful and the stargazing this awe-inspiring, you might be tempted not to. Owners Lorna and Steve recommend visiting Hay Castle in the middle of the town, it's one of the great medieval defence structures on the border of England and Wales that's still standing.

Placed at almost 1000ft above sea level, it’s no wonder that Wilding Wagon comes with great views. Owners Lis and Adam have carefully restored the old railway carriage and felt that the secluded spot on a high hillside, away from other buildings and people, was the perfect place for its final stop. Now you can sit at the breakfast bar or soak (together if you like) in the huge wood-fired outdoor oak and aluminium bath and look down the valley as the morning mist rises or the sun goes down.  

You’ll see nature thriving all around you, because Lis and Adam have also been restoring the land. Tree planting and rewilding has seen biodiversity boom, so keep an eye out for birds of prey, foxes and perhaps even the odd weasel or polecat. If you’re feeling energetic there’s great hiking in the area, as well as various pubs and dining options are available in nearby villages and bookish Hay-on-Wye.

The Wye River is a big draw in Herefordshire, but at Cobnut Cabin you've got your own miniature version in the form of Escley Brook. Lounge in the hammock on the banks and watch the water drift past or slide in from the jetty and swim by the waterfall. If you'd rather not get wet, there's a raft and a small rowing boat you can use to explore. The spacious cabin, with a huge covered deck and a hot tub, sits peacefully in a wildflower meadow with a wooden swing, firepit and picnic yurt hidden among the trees. You can buy homemade food from the farm or if you fancy a real treat, head to Under the Nut Tree, an atmospheric supper club experience run by an Aussie BBQ chef. It's a 25-minute drive to Hay-on-Wye where the owners recommend visiting all the unique independent bookshops.

Owned by two artists and less than half-an-hour’s drive from the cultural hub of Hay-on-Wye, The Nook is somewhere to get the creative juices flowing inspired by soaring views. Owners Emily and Malik’s artwork is displayed on the walls of the cabin and there’s an acoustic guitar, foraging card deck and books provided. Relaxation is given equal billing with a double bathtub and a fairy lit hot tub to soak in, as well as the option to book massages, Reflexology, Reiki and private yoga classes. From the cabin door you can walk up the hill to the peak of the Cat's Back Ridge which marks the entry point to the Brecon Beacons National Park. The park is a Dark Sky Reserve, so the stargazing is out of this world. If you can tear yourself away, Emily and Malik recommend enjoying sumptuous treats at the great coffee shops and restaurants of Hay-on-Wye.