Following The Cable Hut’s recent appearance on Channel 4’s newest show for travel and design lovers, Britain’s Best Beach Huts, we take a look at some of our favourite coastal and countryside cabins to rent in the UK.
The Cable Hut, Pembrokeshire
Coming out on top as the duo’s favourite cabin in episode two of the new series, The Cable Hut is an unassuming yet unmissable black-tinted shack overlooking the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. Inside the cabin, white-washed wooden planks unite with vibrant pops of red from handmade cushions and blinds, made from authentic Welsh wool from the nearby Melin Tregwynt (Tregwynt Mill). Outside, the real star of the show is The Cable Hut’s glass-fronted summerhouse; clad with reclaimed timber, with walls adorned with a collection of coastal paraphernalia and a log burner to ensure cosy days whatever the weather. However, the real wow factor of this snug addition comes from the glorious panoramic views of the Pembrokeshire coast, just 400 metres from the door.
Suki, Cornwall
Overhanging Cornwall’s Whitsand Bay, this pared-back cliffside cabin is about as frontline as it gets, enjoying uninterrupted views of the golden sand and azure water beneath. One of a new generation of beach houses, this cabin is the antithesis of the traditional coastal beach hut; replacing nautical stripes with chic modernism and a soothing, feminine palette of blush pink, offset with jet black accents. A celebration of the best of Japandi design, minimalism and organic materials feature throughout, with picture windows and a retractable pocket door in the kitchen-diner-living-room flooding the cabin with magical Cornish light. The in-room bathtub and outdoor hot tub promise one of the best seaside vistas in the county too.
Pepper Shack, Hampshire
Over in Hampshire, the liquorice-hued Pepper Shack resides in a best-of-both-worlds location between the New Forest and coastal town of Lymington. With striking, soot-black walls that create an unmistakably cosy and romantic feel, Pepper Shack’s Soho Home-inspired interiors fuse plush velvets with industrial touches such as exposed brick and brass; creating a cool, textured and multi-faceted space. Luxury additions (there's a William Holland copper tub that resides outside) sit alongside one-off, hand-crafted creations. A real labour of love, the owners designed and built the cabin by hand, with every detail carefully constructed - from the kitchen to the statement, metal four-poster bed.
Romany, Kent
Nestled on the fringes of Romney Marsh in Kent, Romany is a bright and light-filled cabin, reminiscent of those in America’s deep south. Repurposing and reusing materials, where possible, was integral to the design of this petite shack; with the bedroom floor salvaged from a local Victorian outbuilding, Crittal windows claimed from a disused factory, and kitchen worktops made from a piece of fortuitously discovered marble. The aesthetic here is one of vintage glamour - note the antique blue plates that decorate the kitchen wall, the chandelier that hangs from the bedroom ceiling and the disco ball that glitters from a tree in the garden.
Walden Lakehouse, Ireland
This lakeside cabin brings a taste of Canada to Ireland’s County Westmeath; tucked away amongst woodland on the shores of Lough Ree. You can picture it now; days spent kayaking across the glassy waters, before returning home for a barbecue and an evening spent licking fingers from toasting marshmallows on the fire. Considerate of its natural setting, the dark cabin blends into the surrounding trees yet, inside, a rainbow of colours from mustard yellow to cherry red to pea green await, bringing vibrancy and joy. Whitewashed planks and beams afford a fresh aesthetic, whilst tree-framed lake views ensure an immersed-in-nature essence to this Irish hideaway.
Firefly, Cornwall
With a rustic, woodcutter’s lodge aesthetic, Firefly in Cornwall is the epitome of the "cabin in the woods” from your favourite fairytale. Inside, warm, honeyed wood makes the space instantly feel welcoming - a real sanctuary in which to unwind in. With reclaimed, reused and repurposed materials at the forefront of the design, there’s an organic edge to the scheme in which natural linens are layered and handcrafted willow artwork peppers the walls. Exuding authentic ranch-style vibes (note the sheepskin furs and decorative antlers), many a cosy eve can be spent here beside the open fire, whisky in hand. A homestay of two halves; in the bathroom, corrugated tin forms the wall whilst, outside on the deck, a bubbling hot tub brings a touch of luxury.
Britain's Best Beach Huts is available to watch now on channel4.com.
