I’m always on the hunt for a new cabin stay in the British countryside. Having visited at least two a year since 2020, I’d now dub myself something of an expert. Living in East London, sometimes all I crave is solitude, and I find that a slightly rustic spot, kitted out with all the necessary amenities, can be more restorative than a jam-packed, buzzy hotel stay. I don’t drive (hey, I’m a Londoner), which can be a rather large obstacle when planning cabin stays.
But Liba Vineyard, a luxury glamping site made up of three pod-style homes in Porton, just a 15-minute taxi ride from Salisbury station, presents no such problem. The pods are all bookable on Airbnb, and I scooped up the Hawthorn Pod for a stay this autumn, eager to hunker down and work on writing my upcoming book. Door-to-door from London, I managed to reach it in two hours, armed with enough books and food to last two nights.
Once I’d settled into the Hawthorn Pod, I realized the Wi-Fi was excellent, and I wouldn’t need to leave at all during my stay. The pods are dotted along winding wood-chip paths, which branch off towards the three cabins: Hawthorn, Beech, and Elder. All sleep four people and have a wood-fired hot tub, although Hawthorn is slightly more snug than the other two and better suited to solo visitors and couples.
Beech is best for anyone traveling with children,
Beech is best for anyone traveling with children, while for larger groups, renting all three would be a fun way to celebrate a birthday. It’s a spot that can be both solitary and social, depending on what you’re after. Inside, the pods are neutral, bright, and cozy. Draped curtains add a sense of grandeur to the French doors, while the bathroom—the biggest test of any cabin—was a welcome sight.
A flushing toilet and strong water pressure are unsung luxuries, and things I’m always relieved to find in a cabin. The kitchen has everything you’d need, but there’s also an outdoor barbecue firepit, making cooking here a genuine joy. Nearby, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities, pubs, day trips, and activities: UNESCO World Heritage Site Stonehenge is just a 15-minute drive away, while Cranborne Chase National Landscape and the New Forest are both under a half-hour drive.
The property itself is full of life as well, with alpacas grazing, chickens clucking, and a muster of peacocks running between hedgerows. On Mondays and Wednesdays, you can join a yoga class in a studio above the winemaking barn. Each morning, I’d wake to the sound of peacocks, open the drapes to soft golden light trickling in, and breathe in the fresh air before lighting a fire to get breakfast started.
Since returning home, I’ve longed for the calm
Since returning home, I’ve longed for the calm of those mornings and the methodical mindfulness of cooking over a flame. The owners have big plans in the works. Soon, wine will be available from the vineyard, which is expected to produce up to 10,000 bottles a year over the next few years. Chris Reynolds, who owns the land with his wife, Louise Marshall, gives every pod guest a tour, something that will become an even bigger selling point once wine is available to taste.
Ahead of this, visitors can sponsor a vine through a subscription model in exchange for wine, pod stays, and events such as harvest parties. Liba is already certified organic and is working towards biodynamic certification within the next nine months. Next summer, the 10-acre farm will be bookable for weddings, while early discussions are underway about an on-site café and additional activities to complement the existing yoga studio.
What to pack for a cabin stay in the English countryside:
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
Source: www.cntraveler.com
