Looking for the perfect spot for family glamping East Sussex? The Vacationist Eco-Cabin in Halland offers a one-of-a-kind escape designed for families who want to reconnect away from screens and routines.
Hidden in its own meadow, this hand-built eco-cabin combines sustainable design, cosy off-grid comfort, and playful touches like a secret bunk bedroom and private wood-fired hot tub. It’s a family-friendly retreat where adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories come together.
Where Style Meets Story
Lovingly crafted from mixed timber, salvaged pallet wood, and authentic local touches, this off-grid retreat doesn’t just look good—it lives its values. Sustainability is stitched into every corner, from the use of sheep’s‑wool insulation and infrared underfloor heating powered by solar energy, to the clean-burning log stove that adds a glow to the evenings.
Even the kitchen tells a story. The colourful epoxy worktop, made from donated pencils in collaboration with the local school, is a playful, heartfelt detail that sparks conversation with every meal. The warm timber interior is both calming and characterful, designed to feel like a place with soul—where children’s can enjoy the cosy private den of their ‘secret’ bedroom and adults can stop and relax properly.
This is no ordinary getaway—it’s a space where everything has been considered for comfort, whimsy, and wonder.
" We had a great stay at the Vacationist in August! The children absolutely loved the bedroom hidden behind the bookcase and spent a lot of time in the hammock outside. The beds were comfy and the cabin was beautifully presented with everything we needed. Wonderful. "
NICOLA, AUGUST 2024
The Secret Bookcase and a Bedroom Built for Daydreams
There’s a moment every family remembers here: when the kids discover the hidden bookcase door and what lies behind it. Open it, and you’ll find a secret bunk room—designed especially for younger guests, and lovingly created by the hosts’ own children. Packed with delightful details and crafted to inspire imaginative play, this nook feels like something out of a favourite storybook.
" The cabin is so fun and comfortable with everything you need for a luxury glamping weekend. Our kids had a lot of fun and loved their secret room hidden behind the book case. " GENEVIEVE, SEPTEMBER 2025
The bunks aren’t just fun—they’re proper beds, suitable for kids or even small adults up to 6ft tall. It’s a den, a hideout, and a memory-maker in one. Meanwhile, the grown-ups sleep easy on the king-size bed, with views out onto the wildflower meadow and the gentle sounds of nature at night.
A Hot Tub on Wheels & Marshmallows by Firelight
Step outside and you’ll find something truly unique: a wood-fired hot tub, mounted on its own trailer, nestled privately in the field just for you. Here, evenings unfold slowly under the stars—warm soaks, glowing firelight, and toasted marshmallows shared on the field deck firepit.
The tub is heated using a thermodynamic coil, letting you enjoy the satisfying ritual of lighting the fire, watching the steam rise, and settling in for starlit peace.
Just like the rest of the experience at the cabin and it’s amazing outdoor facilities, the hot-tub is designed for go-slow. Take your time enjoying making and tending the fire to heat it; enjoy the surprise as you stir the water, feeling it steadily heating up….and the first delicious dunk into the hot water. It feels like a treat earned, and one you may well just want to spend hours enjoying fully, under the sun and the stars.
The Secret Woodland & Hammock Chill Zone
Wander just behind the cabin and you’ll enter The Secret Woodland, a sheltered glade framed by native trees. It’s a private space that feels a little wild, but totally safe—a perfect place to explore, snack, and tell stories.
Here you’ll find:
- A campfire cooking area, ideal for BBQ or telling tales over embers
- Beautiful seating and decks, positioned for gathering and conversation. You won’t believe these were made from recovered pallets. It was a lot of work, but achieved just the look we wanted: surprising and enchanting.
- A serene, tucked-away feel—perfect for daydreamers and explorers
And back out in the meadow? A field-side hammock awaits. Swing lazily after lunch, curl up with a book, or lie with your kids as dusk paints the sky. No agenda, no noise—just time. You’ll find yet another firepit here too. Just in case you want to enjoy the big skies above without the woodland canopy.
Thoughtful Design for Family Comfort
This is not camping, and it’s more than glamping—The Vacationist is a true eco-retreat, a cool stay built for real comfort and connection. Inside you’ll find:
- A well-equipped kitchen with gas hob, fridge, large sink, and dining/bar space
- Infrared underfloor heating for warmth, even on cool mornings
- A log-burning stove for cosy evenings
- Books, board games, and soft ambient lighting
- Power for your essentials, with charging points available
- A large sun deck perfect for breakfast or firelit dinners
Every detail is curated to make family life not just easier—but more joyful.
Local Family-Friendly Adventures (If You Want Them)
If you do want to venture out, you’re brilliantly located for family adventures that are fun, wholesome, and easy to reach:
- Bluebell Railway – Step back in time with heritage steam trains through the Sussex countryside
- Blackberry Farm – a fantastic kid-friendly farm full of activities, animals and ways to while away hours
- Sheffield Park & Garden (NT) – Stunning lakes, bridges, trees, and open spaces for play
- Seven Sisters walks and hikes – stunning and famous coastal cliffs and beaches as seen in films and on TV. Globally renowned for good reason.
- Knockhatch Adventure Park – Fun rides, animal encounters, soft play and more
- Lewes – A characterful town with cafés, quirky shops, a historic castle, and riverside walks
- South Downs National Park & High Weald AONB – Rolling hills, gentle hikes, picnic spots, and wildlife everywhere
But many families never leave the meadow. And that’s exactly the point.
“Venture out, or don’t! We’ve designed the cabin and the spaces to enjoy in your pricate field – the secret woodland, the hot-tub, the freedom – as a safe place you can just stay in and slow down.”
Evenings Made for Memory-Making
As night falls, the pace slows. Firelight flickers, hot tub steam rises, and the stars come out. Bedtime might mean a story told from the hammock, or a shared laugh in the woodland glade.With no TV, no Wi-Fi, and no digital distractions, you’ll rediscover just how rich the simple things can be. It’s not about doing more—it’s about being more together.
A Retreat They’ll Remember Forever
Long after your stay ends, your children may still talk about the secret door, the firepit dinners, and the time they spent outside from dawn till dusk. And you might remember the rare gift of true stillness, where everyone had space to just be.Whether you’re looking for a weekend reset or a longer school-holiday stay, The Vacationist Eco-Cabin offers a rare kind of break: one that combines sustainability with wonder, and simplicity with style.
What Other Families Say
" This was our most favourite cabin getaway yet. As a family, there was something niche and relaxing for all of us, including my 13 and 9 year olds, who loved the bookcase door and curling up by the log burner. We made S'mores on the open firepit in the cosy private woodland area. The cabin had everything we needed for an escape into nature and being eco-friendly whilst feeling like a real treat. The owner, Guy, checked in with us and made sure everything was as we hoped - and it was so much more. We will absolutely be back. A hidden gem, a stylish cabin, a proper retreat. "
CHARLIE, MARCH 2025
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Ready to Create Your Story in the Meadow?
The Vacationist Eco-Cabin is more than just a stay—it’s an experience woven with imagination, warmth, and memory-making magic.
If you’re ready to swap routine for peace, and ordinary for extraordinary, this is the escape you’ve been waiting for.👉 Check availability and book your family stay →
