thecabin@greensleeves

Bang on the Dorset-Devon border, close to both the seaside town of Lyme Regis and the Devon town of Axminster, thecabin@greensleeves couldn't feel more secluded – situated at the bottom of a farm track with open fields on one side and a stream on the other. It's the creation of Steve Whiting and his family, who all live locally and who built this wooden retreat from scratch on a field opposite their house and surrounded by mature trees. They did a great job: it would be hard to find a more tranquil place to stay, yet you are only  3 miles from Lyme Regis and the coast, and a short hop from a main line railway station at Axminster (there are taxis or pick-ups can be arranged in advanced). There's loads to see and do nearby, and in the evening you can return to your secret cabin deep in the valley and sit on your verandah and gaze at the stars accompanied only by the hoots of hungry owls.

The cabin sleeps four people in comfort, so is perfect for a family or a group of friends looking for a country retreat and a place from which to explore the east Devon and Dorset coasts. You can choose between a ground floor bedroom, which has a kingsize double bed that can also serve as two singles, and the mezzanine floor which has another kingside double. The open-plan ground floor space is home to a well-appointed kitchen and living space, with a dining table and chairs, squishy sofas and a wood-burning stove, and a well-appointed modern bathroom with powerful shower. The kitchen has a hob and double oven, microwave, fridge and icebox and there's a washing machine in the bathroom. Outside theres a gas barbecue for al fresco suppers, while a Freeview TV, DAB radio with bluetooth and decent wifi are on hand in case the weather misbehaves. There's also a good pub, the Hunter's Lodge, within walking distance if you fancy eating out.

All things considered, it's a perfect spot – the Southwest Coast Path is just a couple of miles away, and there are numerous walks you can do from the property itself, scaling the slopes of the Axe and Marshwood valleys and visiting local Iron-Age forts . You can go fossil-hunting on the beach in nearby Charmouth, explore the Undercliff in Lyme Regis or walk the Jurassic Coast from West Bay; you can also do wonderful fishing trips, either in Lyme Regis or in West Bay).  And you won't go hungry either: the cabin is a stone's throw from both River Cottage HQ and their kitchen and deli in Axminster, and the Hix Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis.  It's a country and coastal retreat for softies - which is just how we like it!