The best architecture seems effortless and there's no better example than the two bespoke cabins at Under Starry Skies, five miles from the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Despite a footprint that's probably no larger than the average bedroom, these cleverly designed abodes feature all the essentials for living, with ample room to spare. It's ergonomic, economic and environmentally friendly design at its best, with a curved 'living roof' that offers insulation at the same time as harbouring wildflowers, and carefully though-out details, like the collapsable dining table and the wall hook for hanging the guitar. Yet, despite all these fine details, at their core, the cabins are still simple, rustic and wild. And that's before you've stepped outside and enjoyed the scenery of the meadow beyond.
Under Starry Skies takes its name from the deep, unpolluted skies this part of rural Wales affords. But, if they liked the say-what-you-see approach, Adam and Louise Bourns could equally have chosen to call the place 'blissful wildflower meadow' or 'beautiful orchids and wood anemones', given the abundance of eye-catching delights their 60-acre smallholding affords. Small streams cross the meadow, alive with butterflies and moths during the late spring and summer months, while, regardless of the season, you're sure to spot the couple's small herd of Exmoor ponies, too, who play a vital role in the land management here, helping build the site's biodiversity.
Each cabin has been hand built with sustainability in mind, crafted from locally sourced larch and each with a private compost loo nearby (though, if you prefer, you can also head up to the farmhouse to use the bathroom and hot shower there). Inside, there's a comfy mezzanine double bed above a sofa area, which can also double as another bed for two children. A wood burner offers heating and there's a compact kitchen space with a gas hob and everything you need to prepare your meals. Alternatively, you can try cooking on the BBQ or campfire outside. After all, in a location famed for its stars, spending some time toasting marshmallows and soaking up the night sky should certainly be on your To-Do list.
Down a long track in the beautiful Tywi Valley, Under Starry Skies is located between the small towns of Llandeilo and Llandovery. From your cabin you can walk around the wildflower meadows over a stream and out on the footpath to the tiny village of Llansadwrn, where you'll find The Sextons Arms pub, or hop in your car for the 10-minute drive to the boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park, where popular walks abound, not least taking on the main peaks of the Black Mountain.
