Eco-Cabin glamping Sussex
Our boutique Sussex eco-log cabin for glamping, at one with the woodland and fields.
The inside? Distinctly different.
Escape, without compromising on comfort, location or eco credentials. Off-grid, year-round.
The vacationist eco-CABIN: your next break?
The Vacationist has been carefully designed to balance luxury, freedom and sustainable glamping benefits in a modern take on the log cabin.
We want our guests to experience the joy of a luxury eco-cabin holiday in the beautiful East Sussex countryside, where the kids can run around fields and climb trees and the adults can sit around the fire relaxing and watching the stars. But, instead of compromising on comfort and standards with a tent, you have a luxury boutique cabin at your disposal.
The Vacationist is also full of eco-technology so you can fully enjoy your time away without worrying about the climate impact of your holiday choices.
What’s more, we are always ready, as an ideal digital detox cabin, to be your home for a digital detox escape to help you fully reset and recharge.
Inspired design
Inspired by the A-frame cabins found across America, the cabin interior is full of design features that reflect the triangle motif. A huge triangular picture window draws light into the bedroom, inviting relaxing mornings gazing at the trees and nature. The angled shapes of our dining area and feature wall blend seamlessly into the dark and light contrast of our engineered herringbone floor. We even inverted that triangle in naming the cabin in the ‘V’ of Vacationist.
For couples, our eco-cabin is especially popular – you can read more in our romantic off-grid glamping blog that focuses on slow evenings, the hot tub and the surrounding countryside.
outdoor
spaces
in abundance!
FOUR outdoor areas, plus a field!
Your private hot tub experience awaits in a sunny south-facing spot right next to the cabin. Wood-fired and with a beautiful design for those who want to hang out, chill out, or warm up, this new addition for 2025 might be the final reason never to leave your field!
THE SECRET WOODLAND is hidden just behind the Vacationist, in the woods, by the stream. Come here to cook on the fire grill and tripod, get closer to the woodland wildlife (owls, stoats, wandering deer), and relax in the dappling sun through the trees. For a screen-free cabin stay, it’s spots like this magical woodland clearing that help you to breathe deeply and slow down properly.
HAMMOCK & FIELD FIREPIT – at the ‘triangle’ end of the cabin, this is where you snooze with a book and swing away an hour or two in the sun, or on a clear night enjoy a roaring fire and watch for shooting stars.
THE LARGE RAISED FIELD DECK – straight out from the bifold doors from the cabin is a large raised sunny deck perched over your field. A perfect place for morning coffees and sundowner drinks, or eating alfresco straight out from the kitchen.
sustainable glamping
Sussex Cabin Glamping Holiday, made sustainable
Using repurposed and sustainable materials was important to us. There is nothing ‘off the shelf’ in our cabin. Each area has been lovingly hand-built, using a mixture of plywood, an environmentally-friendly material, or recovered wood such as oak and larch. Nothing went to waste – instead it was transformed into something new. Who would have thought the offcuts from our sofa could make such a beautiful, distinctive and personal headboard for our master bed.
comfort & cosiness
We have worked hard to transform this space in the most sensitive way we can, choosing materials that are environmentally-friendly. It’s fully insulated with sheep’s wool, incorporates water-saving technology and runs off of solar panels. It also has a bio-ethanol burner – better for the environment than a log burner but with the same cosy feel. We’ve also built in infrared heating that runs off of our solar set up. There will be no chilly toes at this eco cabin!
The Kids are alright
Glamping with kids – add to the fun!
We wanted the cabin to be a fun, quirky place for all ages. It’s perfect both for 2 adults or 2 parents with 2 kids. Look out for our painstakingly-assembled (with the help of our local school) ‘coloured-pencil’ epoxy kitchen counter and our hidden bookcase room, designed by our kids for your kids. While they look amazing, each is a reminder of what we do with our waste – so we made a secret cabin bookcase door! Who will recycle old pencils that may have glue in them?
Behind that secret bookcase door? The beautifully designed, hand-built kids bunks and reading nook, with its own cosy cabin vibes.
WHAT YOU GET IN YOUR COUNTRY CABIN ECO RETREAT
- Master bedroom with a king-sized bed with storage for bags and a huge triangle picture window.
- Sun deck raised above the fields – perfect for morning coffees and late nights stargazing.
- Hidden bunkbed room behind The Secret Bookcase door for 2 children or adults
- Full kitchen with a double burner gas-stove top, fridge, large sink and plenty of storage and surface space.
- Dining / bar area with seating for 4.
- Bathroom with showerwall surround and a top-of-the-range composting toilet (no smells and no wasted water, helping you reduce the impact of your weekend away on the natural environment).
- Cosy lounge with a real log burning stove and two comfy sofas
- Plenty of USB electrical points – we have 2400W of solar power (plenty to charge your gadgets).
- Outside deck area with seating
- Hammock stand for lazy days swinging in the breeze
- Outdoor firepit for toasted marshmallows of course!
- The Secret Woodland chill out and fire cooking area
- A cosy rural hideaway for all seasons and all weathers.
Find the bunk bedroom for kids small and big, behind the hidden bookcase door. Peek through the picture to check on them!
What's in a name? Where does 'Vacationist' come from?
A ‘vacationist’ is simply ‘someone on holiday, away from home’. It is an American term and looking into it we felt it evoked a sophisticated way of travelling, an appreciation for the finer and deeper experiences that travel gives us. Staying with us as a vacationist yourself, you’ll enjoy a premium cabin glamping experience, a true travel experience. There’s nothing mass-market about staying in this countryside log cabin!
The name’s American heritage fits with the cabin’s provenance too. On our design story page, read about the triangular A-Frame cabin we glimpsed through the trees in Georgia, USA, that started the journey to this build. It’s the completion of a mini-dream born in America in 2020 for us which also began as the germ of our American School Bus glamping site www.skooliestays.co.uk was also forming!
The inspirations for two unusual glamping accommodations in the English countryside, both dreamt up in America. One in Georgia, one from a year on the road in a bus. You can also find out about the American road trip that started it all here. our
Eco + Design : 'An English Eccentric'
The eye-catching design of The Vacationist Log Cabin has been recognised in a few places. We are particularly happy to have the design noticed by those with an eye on sustainability. Our ‘modern log cabin’ may be clad in recycled pallet wood, and have eco-credentials running through its inner workings, but no corner is untouched by thoughtful design touches.
Eco Design Magazine called us An English Eccentric (which we rather like!) in their focus article on us. They said: “
“Located in the middle of a verdant meadow in the UK’s West Sussex countryside, this ecological wood cabin used to be a hay bale trailer. It combines sustainability, luxury and relaxation.
And it also provides a lot of home decor inspiration! Particularly its use of sustainable wood throughout the structure.”
Hike or bike the chalky hills of the South Downs Way; explore the woods with a stomp through Ashdown Forest, discover quintessentially English villages like Firle or Lewes; enjoy a day trip to Brighton’s bustling Laines or Eastbourne’s promenade or take a dip in the sea.
Tucked in a glorious, private meadow in East Sussex, The Vacationist eco-cabin looks out over lush green grass. It backs onto woodland, which the kids love to explore and is close to festival site – Crockstead Fields. It is the perfect spot to unwind, get back to nature and hang out with your favourite people.
