The most interesting conversations happen between old and new, between tradition and innovation, between what was and what will be. As urbanites seek respite from digital overwhelm, nature's embrace promises an opportunity to ground. These rural retreats invite guests to forage, dig, and reconnect with the terrain. A granary where Henry VIII once hunted welcomes family gatherings beneath its timber-vaulted roof, while a former gunpowder factory in Hampshire now draws people seeking tranquillity.
In these rural havens – some carved from agricultural bones, others built among ancient trees – contemporary design intertwines with rural heritage. Each dwelling continues its relationship with the land, writing new memories while holding dear the patterns of field and forest.
Valency Wood, Cornwall
Tucked into a secret fold of north Cornwall's coastline, this transformed carriage house displays handpicked artwork where harnesses once hung. Wild orchids dot meadows in painterly splashes while the Valency River guides explorers toward Boscastle's harbour. As mist lifts from the valley floor, revealing dew-jewelled spider webs among gorse, canine companions can roam freely across meadows that once echoed with the tempo of working horses.
Anthology Farm, Cotswolds
Three generations of agrarian craftsmanship remain visible in these transformed barns on Cheltenham's edge. Inside, the swimming pool's surface mirrors limestone walls worn satin-smooth by time and weather. Children disappear down fairy trails through gardens that have evolved from practical to playful, while the yoga studio occupies a space where horses once stood. Here, age-old elm beams oversee morning stretches bathed in dust-moted sunlight.
Tilda, Hampshire
Emerging boldly from Hampshire's woodland, this architectural cabin cuts a stark figure with its deep charcoal exterior. Inside, a monochrome palette unfolds – shadowed walls meet ivory floors while the River Allen flows past expansive windows. The glass frames capture nature's seasonal shifts: bluebells carpet the woodland understory in spring, wild garlic's white stars appear in summer shade, and when leaves begin to fall, crimson-capped fly agaric mushrooms dot the ground.
The Hop Store, Herefordshire
Where the Malvern Hills shoulder against the sky, this reimagined grain store flips rural living on its head, suspending social spaces in treetop territory while bedrooms settle below. The garden room, carved from what was once a root cellar, now hosts evening gatherings in place of soil-dusted vegetables. Outside, resident donkeys watch over hop bines that perfume the air with a distinct amber-spiced aroma as harvest approaches.
The Marlings, Cotswolds
What was once a repository for wheat and barley, this Cotswolds grainstore now vibrates with the energy of weekend wanderers. Swedish inspiration appears throughout; checkerboard rugs stretch across floors that used to collect chaff, while rhubarb hues bring warmth to rooms where farm labourers once tallied the day's yield. Beyond glass doors, the swimming pool reflects butter-gold stone, and alpacas share meadows with curly-coated mangalitza pigs, continuing the estate's farming legacy in style.
Ebony Wood, Snowdonia
Tucked between the silver threads of the River Conwy and dense pine forest, this cabin plays with contrasts. Rugged stone walls complement sheepskin throws and hand-loomed textiles, creating a secluded retreat amid untamed nature. Pathways border bilberry bushes with their indigo-tinted fruit, hart's-tongue ferns unfurl glossy fronds, and natural sculptures form as bracket fungi colonise fallen trunks. After a day exploring, the sauna and whirlpool transform adventure into mountain ritual beneath Wales' star-flecked darkness.
Forestkeepers, Hampshire
New Forest paths meander past ancient oaks to this century-old guardian, transformed into a haven for family adventure. A sculptural treehouse clings to a towering fir with its framework of timber and steel. Suspended ferns and botanical illustrations bring woodland elements indoors. When daylight fades, the cinema snug beckons with blanket-wrapped evenings of classic film marathons.
Fawn Wood, East Sussex
On the threshold of Ashdown Forest, where Henry VIII's hunting parties once gathered and A.A. Milne found inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood, this 1272 granary opens its lichen-flecked doors to fresh chapters. Time-mellowed flagstones retain heat underfoot through modern ingenuity, while the Cocoon Aeris fire rotates like a contemporary sundial beneath chestnut beams, filling the space with burnt caramel tones.
Kingfisher Farm, Dorset
The Cinders, Hampshire
From explosive past to tranquil present, this former gunpowder factory rests within the ancient hunting grounds of the New Forest. What was once filled with industrial machinery now invites people seeking calm rather than commotion; light pours into spaces lined with wool-draped seating and chandeliers hang from local timber beams. The private garden offers quiet moments among clusters of butter-yellow celandines, delicate wood sorrel, and violet foxgloves.
Roserai, East Sussex
Where English countryside meets French sensibility, this Grade-II listed oast house crowns East Sussex's verdant folds, its distinctive form painted rose gold at sunrise. The former tannery now cradles visitors within its curved walls, while crystal fixtures fragment evening light into kaleidoscopic patterns. Each doorway bears its own brass guardian – fox, owl, bee – overlooking rooms where Glyndebourne devotees linger after performances, the clink of glasses merging with the crackle of burning logs.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our wilderness stays, secret garden escapes and country house breaks.
