I’ve become quite partial to a cabin stay in the UK countryside, during which I try to unfurl and reconnect with myself. When cabin stays first rose in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, they occupied a space somewhere between camping and an Airbnb: basic amenities, pared-back interiors and lockboxes for phones. But as the market has grown, so too have the offerings. This is where Alcoves comes in, with its extra touches of luxury and thoughtful design. So, when I heard about these new cabins, of which there are currently two – The Green Cabin and The Blue Cabin – I was eager to escape my London life for the weekend and become the first guest to check in. I’ve been having a pretty full-on 2026 so far, and both my body and mind were aching for fresh air, no to-do list and 48 hours of uninterrupted calm.
It’s the creation of husband-and-wife duo Tom and Emma Evetts, with Tom’s family having farmed this land for generations. His father, who cheerily greeted us from a field one morning, still manages the Jersey herd started in 1930 by Tom’s great-grandfather. What immediately made these cabins stand out from the four I’ve stayed in previously was the styling, the thoughtfulness, and, to be frank, the refreshing lack of beige and charcoal colour palettes. I often feel many interiors today have become somewhat hegemonic: all neutrals and pared-back minimalism. They certainly have their place, but as a maximalist, I’m always craving colour, personality and a little fun. Tom’s background as an artist is evident throughout the cabins, with the interiors informed by the same impressionistic sensibility that characterises his paintings.
Stepping from the porch, complete with a sunken bath (which I asked to be set ice-cold), a long dining table and chairs, and a Bonfeu wood burner, into the cabin itself, you’re greeted by a perfectly balanced design scheme of rich greens, deep reds and small touches of pastel pink. Tom’s own artwork hangs throughout the striking red kitchen, alongside prints sourced from the UK, France, Italy and Australia. The kitchen is stocked thoughtfully, intentionally and, importantly, deliciously, with tea from Spill, coffee from Ritual Coffee Roasters, sourdough from Otis & Belle, local eggs, milk from the farm and butter from Netherend Farm. Guests can also arrange pastry deliveries in advance with Tom, which made waking up all the sweeter as a basket of almond croissants and fresh French bread appeared on a nearby tree stump each morning.
