Take a tour of an off-grid cabin in the woods I spent 2-nights alone in for $384. It wasn't creepy, but the rustic toilet situation did terrify me at first.

Maria NoyenSep 15, 2023, 00:04 IST

Insider's Maria Noyen booked a two-night tiny cabin stay with Unyoked.Maria Noyen/Insider

I recently stayed solo at a tiny off-grid cabin in the woods.
It sounds like a horror movie plot, but this cozy cabin was no nightmare.

This story starts with a twenty-something female journalist taking a drive out of the city to stay at a cabin in the woods – alone.

As I write that sentence I am acutely aware of how the premise sounds like the plot of a cheap horror movie. However, I can vouch for the fact that it isn't because I did recently spend two nights at an off-grid tiny cabin in the British countryside, and I lived to tell the tale.

Besides mistakenly booking the trip for an unseasonably warm week in September, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the cabin, which cost roughly $192 per night and is run by Unyoked, a company offering similar stays at cabins throughout the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

From its quaint kitchen and luxurious-looking bathroom, to its breathtaking views of a lush national park and huge comfy bed, the experience helped me put an end to the creepy cabin in the woods stereotype. Take a look.

I recently booked a two-night stay at a tiny cabin in the middle of the woods. The cabin is one of over 100 built and run by Unyoked, a company founded by two Australian brothers, that promises visitors an escape to the "busyness" of modern life.

The author drove nearly two hours to stay in an Unyoked cabin by herself in September.Maria Noyen/Insider

I recently booked a two-night stay at a tiny cabin in the middle of the woods. The cabin is one of over 100 built and run by Unyoked, a company founded by two Australian brothers, that promises visitors an escape to the "busyness" of modern life.

To reach the cabin, I drove nearly two hours away from the chaos of London to the peace and quiet of South Downs National Park, known for its rolling hills, river valleys, and ancient woodland.

The drive to the cabin took less than two hours.Google Maps, Maria Noyen/Insider

To reach the cabin, I drove nearly two hours away from the chaos of London to the peace and quiet of South Downs National Park, known for its rolling hills, river valleys, and ancient woodland.

After parking my car, I used a large wheelbarrow provided by Unyoked to carry my bags to the cabin. My on-foot journey from the car to the cabin was only 164 feet.

The author wheeled her belongings in a wheelbarrow to the cabin.Maria Noyen/Insider

The cabin I stayed in was called Josef. At the time of booking, a two-night stay in the 161-square-foot tiny home, built from locally sourced materials, cost £308, or around $384. It was sleek, modern-looking, and totally the opposite of the creepy image people usually associate with a cabin in the woods.

The cabin was booked for a two-night stay.Maria Noyen/Insider

The cabin I stayed in was called Josef. At the time of booking, a two-night stay in the 161-square-foot tiny home, built from locally sourced materials, cost £308, or around $384. It was sleek, modern-looking, and totally the opposite of the creepy image people usually associate with a cabin in the woods.

When I arrived, I stood out on the small deck in front to soak in the views of the national park. The lush greenery instantly made me feel like I'd been transported from England to a tropical country.

The porch came with a small wooden table and two chairs.Maria Noyen/Insider

When I arrived, I stood out on the small deck in front to soak in the views of the national park. The lush greenery instantly made me feel like I'd been transported from England to a tropical country.

Steps away from the cabin was a fire pit with three stools carved out of tree trunks, which did briefly make me think it would've been nice to bring another person to enjoy it with.

The fire pit.Maria Noyen/Insider

Steps away from the cabin was a fire pit with three stools carved out of tree trunks, which did briefly make me think it would've been nice to bring another person to enjoy it with.

Inside the cabin, the bed, dining area, and kitchen were all in one room. The interior was modest, but super cozy and idyllic.

The Unyoked cabin interior.Maria Noyen/Insider

The queen-sized bed, topped with an autumnal throw and hot water bottles, was surrounded by windows. I kept them open during the day for air circulation. But at night, I closed them and pulled down the blinds, which made me feel safe, and right at home.

The bed was next to windows that had blinds.Maria Noyen/Insider

The queen-sized bed, topped with an autumnal throw and hot water bottles, was surrounded by windows. I kept them open during the day for air circulation. But at night, I closed them and pulled down the blinds, which made me feel safe, and right at home.

In order to minimize clutter and create space, the cabin was creatively designed with a lot of the furniture built into the structure. The dining area, fit for two, was built into the wall and the bed frame. There was also plenty of space beneath the bed itself, where Unyoked provides two yoga mats and a small fan.

The seating area was efficiently built into the wall.Maria Noyen/Insider

In order to minimize clutter and create space, the cabin was creatively designed with a lot of the furniture built into the structure. The dining area, fit for two, was built into the wall and the bed frame. There was also plenty of space beneath the bed itself, where Unyoked provides two yoga mats and a small fan.

The kitchen was also fully stocked with essential cooking items, including a gas stove, a sink with running water, knives, olive oil, seasonings, coffee beans, a grinder, and a French press.

The kitchen was next to the bathroom.Maria Noyen/Insider

The kitchen was also fully stocked with essential cooking items, including a gas stove, a sink with running water, knives, olive oil, seasonings, coffee beans, a grinder, and a French press.

Drawers beneath the kitchen counter housed a mini fridge, sets of cookware, plates, bowls, cutlery, chopping boards – basically everything I needed to whip up several meals for two days.

Necessary cooking tools and a mini fridge were located in drawers under the kitchen counter.Maria Noyen/Insider

Drawers beneath the kitchen counter housed a mini fridge, sets of cookware, plates, bowls, cutlery, chopping boards – basically everything I needed to whip up several meals for two days.

Equipment used to cook over a fire outdoors, including a large cast iron stove and a barbecue rack, was stored in a semi-concealed crawl space beneath the cabin.

Outdoor cooking equipment was accessible below the cabin.Maria Noyen/Insider

My first impression of the bathroom, accessible behind a pocket sliding door, was that it was much more sleek and modern than I anticipated. It was also well stocked with clean towels, plenty of toilet paper, soap, and shower gel.

The bathroom was spacious and sleek.Maria Noyen/Insider

My first impression of the bathroom, accessible behind a pocket sliding door, was that it was much more sleek and modern than I anticipated. It was also well stocked with clean towels, plenty of toilet paper, soap, and shower gel.

The rain shower ran as hot as I like my regular shower temperature at home, and was right next to a window so I could wash with views of the countryside.

There was hot water.Maria Noyen/Insider

The only aspect that slightly terrified me was the toilet which didn't come with running water, and instead led to a pit where waste is turned into compost. Next to the toilet was a room spray and a bucket of wood chips to spoon into it. As a city girl, I was horrified initially, but in the end, it didn't bother me because there was no smell.

The bathroom had a composting toilet.Maria Noyen/Insider

The only aspect that slightly terrified me was the toilet which didn't come with running water, and instead led to a pit where waste is turned into compost. Next to the toilet was a room spray and a bucket of wood chips to spoon into it. As a city girl, I was horrified initially, but in the end, it didn't bother me because there was no smell.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up my toilet that has running water at home for anything. But the rustic aspects of my cabin stay ultimately proved to me that I am able to thrive in minimalistic spaces where less is more, and that a cabin in the woods isn't as creepy as you may think it is.

The author in front of the cabin.Maria Noyen/Insider

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up my toilet that has running water at home for anything. But the rustic aspects of my cabin stay ultimately proved to me that I am able to thrive in minimalistic spaces where less is more, and that a cabin in the woods isn't as creepy as you may think it is.

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Take a tour of an off-grid cabin in the woods I spent 2-nights alone in for $384. It wasn't creepy, but the rustic toilet situation did terrify me at first.

I recently booked a two-night stay at a tiny cabin in the middle of the woods. The cabin is one of over 100 built and run by Unyoked, a company founded by two Australian brothers, that promises visitors an escape to the "busyness" of modern life.

To reach the cabin, I drove nearly two hours away from the chaos of London to the peace and quiet of South Downs National Park, known for its rolling hills, river valleys, and ancient woodland.

After parking my car, I used a large wheelbarrow provided by Unyoked to carry my bags to the cabin. My on-foot journey from the car to the cabin was only 164 feet.

When I arrived, I stood out on the small deck in front to soak in the views of the national park. The lush greenery instantly made me feel like I'd been transported from England to a tropical country.

Steps away from the cabin was a fire pit with three stools carved out of tree trunks, which did briefly make me think it would've been nice to bring another person to enjoy it with.

Inside the cabin, the bed, dining area, and kitchen were all in one room. The interior was modest, but super cozy and idyllic.

The queen-sized bed, topped with an autumnal throw and hot water bottles, was surrounded by windows. I kept them open during the day for air circulation. But at night, I closed them and pulled down the blinds, which made me feel safe, and right at home.

The kitchen was also fully stocked with essential cooking items, including a gas stove, a sink with running water, knives, olive oil, seasonings, coffee beans, a grinder, and a French press.

Drawers beneath the kitchen counter housed a mini fridge, sets of cookware, plates, bowls, cutlery, chopping boards – basically everything I needed to whip up several meals for two days.

Equipment used to cook over a fire outdoors, including a large cast iron stove and a barbecue rack, was stored in a semi-concealed crawl space beneath the cabin.

My first impression of the bathroom, accessible behind a pocket sliding door, was that it was much more sleek and modern than I anticipated. It was also well stocked with clean towels, plenty of toilet paper, soap, and shower gel.

The rain shower ran as hot as I like my regular shower temperature at home, and was right next to a window so I could wash with views of the countryside.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up my toilet that has running water at home for anything. But the rustic aspects of my cabin stay ultimately proved to me that I am able to thrive in minimalistic spaces where less is more, and that a cabin in the woods isn't as creepy as you may think it is.