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About Canopy & Stars
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You know that urge, a little too late after the last payday, and a little too far from the next, to disappear to the wild for a few days? Well, we might have an answer to that. We’ve rounded up our spaces that are under £150 a night, for those mid-month getaways, the ‘it’s almost payday celebrations’ and the ‘thank goodness it’s payday reward’. Treat yourself to a little something – and spend a weekend amongst the trees.
With a basin made from a river boulder and beams from the surrounding woods, it’s fair to say that Halvana is in harmony with its environment. The bed, lounge and kitchen area are all in the open-plan space downstairs, kitted out in rich natural colours that give the place the feel of a frontier lodge. You could also head out to the hammock and hear the full symphony of song as you drift off for a nap or there’s always the swing.
There are massive rambles through Bodmin’s dramatic scenery, and it’s only a short drive to the coastal path for windblown hikes. The King’s Head is a pleasant 1.5 miles away from Halvana and rewards you with a great pint or, if you time it right, a superb roast. Even a long, lazy lunch would have you back in plenty of time to light the firebowl and watch the stars come out.
Foodies will love serving up delicious dishes in the Box’s kitted out kitchen before relaxing under the stars and ‘candlelit’ trees with a bubbly soak in the open-use Canadian cedarwood hot tub shared with your nearby neighbours in Moonbeam Yurt, Humble Bee and the self-catering property.
The morning sun is your wake-up call, filtering in through the Bird Box’s shutters and french door windows. Head downstairs and step out onto the veranda to enjoy your morning coffee alongside beautiful views of the park and the river way down below. If you’re looking to fly the coop for the day, wind down with an afternoon cream tea in the pretty and eclectic town of Okehampton or comb the very different north and south Devon coast lines to discover hidden gems and rugged and natural surfers' paradises, both within an hour’s reach of The Bird Box.
The Lookout is pitched at the top of a quiet valley, overlooking the wildlife pond and the other huts. The grassy exteriors aren't the only thing Nordic here - the cabins are simple and cosy inside too and the flexible layout make them a perfect fit for families and couples. There is a double bed, two singles and a pull-out bed which you can also use as a sofa in the day. Tucked underneath the single bed is another bed which will be pulled out for a fourth guest to sleep on. As night falls, you can sit around the campfire on log stools enjoying the stars, the moon and the sounds of country life.
The hot showers and flushing loo are a minute walk from the den (each cabin has a private shower and loo). With beaches and mountains both nearby, it’s a perfect base for fishing, walking and horse riding.
On the site of a 140-acre farm, in the foothills of the Clwydian Range, you’ll spot the canary yellow chairs by the table out front, waiting for that evening’s al fresco dining. Or indeed the large outdoor bath that sits in the corner of the decking. Indoors you’re transported from the cottagecore surroundings of the local area, and thrust into a stunning curated space. Take to the back decking, and make use of the barbeque to grill the locally sourced meats or vegetables.
Just an hour from Liverpool, 40 minutes from the beach, and an hour from Snowdonia National Park, you’re not far from any adventure of your choosing, but closer to home, you’ll find plenty to do but also the perfect setting for doing nothing. You’re also able to take a farm tour to see the less wild, but still beloved animals, like Elvis the Cockerel or Alma the Shetland Pony.
Ursa rests quietly at the border of the land, with a small table for meals, a comfy little grey sofa adorned with two plump golden cushions, and a king-size bed next to a wood burner, you’ve enough comfort to question leaving the cabin at all.
If you do, take the 11-minute drive out to Seaton junction for winery tours at the Cellar Door, Lyme Bay Winery’s shop. Stock up at Complete Meats, locally renowned butcher and deli – for treats to take home, and either craft a beautiful meal in the fully stocked kitchen or on the tripod cooking grill for the firepit outside. End the day with a soak in the outdoor bath on the deck, and watch the stars twinkle as you let the stress ride away on the bubbles.
You can embrace nature on a magical scale here. It’s a chance to forget the humdrum, cook outdoors on a fire if you choose, shower in the handmade willow enclosure, sing, dance, love and immerse yourselves in nature. There are a myriad of little trails and footpaths through the estate, seasonal stuff to forage, and you’ll discover the waterfalls with its plunge pool, perfect for a wild dip. If you remember to fire up the hot tub before you venture out it’ll be ready to simmer you when you get back.
A beautiful 18th-century pub, The Ffynone Arms, is a short mile over the fields or along a small lane. Here you can sip a pint of local real ale, grab something from the classic pub grub menu, or on some nights they do take away wood-fired pizza. Get back in time to watch the stars come out one by one, from your decking.
Orion is in the midst of the wild, overlooking the small patch of woodland at the edge of the site. Orion is off grid, and you’ll enjoy sipping your evening drink with the wildlife for company in the wildflower meadow. With the sun beginning to dip, consider dinner, for which you’ve the choice of the gas rings inside, or the BBQ feature on the firepit for al fresco dining. Then debate between the stunning indoor shower, and the bathtub perched outside on the deck.
If taking it easy for a few days spotting the deer that race through the woodland is too slow a pace of life, the coast is just half an hour away by car, so a coastal stroll is well within a day’s activities. Take a bottle or two out to Beer Beach, and enjoy its namesake surrounded by limestone cliff.