Kathryn Armstrong enjoys the highs of glamping in North Yorkshire
Staycations are all about heading to the hills, trying not to scroll the phone, lacing up the walking boots and resting awhile.
Peace and quiet in open space maketh a restful break, for me anyway. Loads of fresh air to make cheeks rosy and the comfort of grand Yorkshire views helps too.
On the getaway tick list might be a place to wrap yourself in a blanket to enjoy your latest book or just survey the scenery and wildlife with some binoculars.
The Apex Cabins at West Cawthorne near Pickering are a great discovery and as well as giving you all the above, you can also take the plunge in an alfresco bathtub with endless views.
I found myself doing just that when we ventured to their home, West Cawthorne in late January. Not the typical time to camp, glamp, call it what you will. These A-frame cabins with that outdoor bathing opportunity and big deck are at their best on the long summer days and nights you’d suppose.
But think again. Their eco building credentials meant the happy hut was way toastier than my more conventional gas boiler-heated home might have been those same frosty nights.
The pair of triangle-shaped cabins look striking from outside, and as you arrive on a winding road from the village of Wrelton (there’s a fish and chip van parked up on the main street on a Friday night for the peckish traveller) they offer a warm welcome with their nightlights beckoning from the top of the hill.
West Cawthorne Farm is their site, where Rich and Sophie Vermont bid you a warm welcome.
The couple are developing the farm and its buildings to create stylish staycation accommodation. They have paths marked around the farm and its fields to potter during your stay.
The cabins sleep two and are definitely an example of being creative with space, and stylish too.
The bed is on a platform in the apex of the cabin, so be prepared to zip up and down a ladder. The walls are bare wood and the bathroom and kitchen make clever use of space to offer everything you need for your stay.
The kitchen has an oven/microwave that does everything, there’s a neat hob and a good-sized fridge.
A lovely welcome hamper makes you excited for breakfast with farm eggs, mushrooms and local bread as well as apple juice and snacky treats such as Yorkshire crisps, Bothams of Whitby biscuits and Lottie Shaw’s fudge.
The ‘lounge’ has a small sofa, footstool and smart TV. Yes, we all know that the Wi-Fi password is the first thing we head for – despite that intent to clear off phone/social media. But it means you can settle down with a glass of wine and a movie to relax.
The cabin is also equipped with piles of wool throws that you can take to the deck to enjoy the views – or in our case the bright stars on a frosty night – while you stoke up the firepit and really feel like you’re away from it all.
And once the chills set in you can head back to the super-warm cabin with its luxurious underfloor heating and amazing insulation and gaze out from its floor to ceiling windows.
On our lovely sunny weekend, we wrapped up warm and walked to the nearby village of Cropton in the morning. By lunchtime, thanks to an unexpectedly warming sun, I was in the outdoor bathtub taking in views of the Vale of Pickering with beautiful bubbles of the soapy variety.
On the morning we left, we woke to mist settling over the vale which felt very moody in our isolated spot. Off we popped to Helmsley for a hearty breakfast and a mooch before heading home – our journey back quite gentle one, refreshed and revived after seeing familiar places from a different point of view.
Apex Cabins are £120-210 a night and sleep 2. Book through kiphideaways.com
