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The Kicking Horse River flows past Canada’s Cathedral Mountain Lodge and its namesake peak
Little Bear
WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND
WHERE AM I HEADING?
Amid the woods and meadows of the western Weald, Little Bear is a cabin comfortably big enough for two, and far enough from city lights that its namesake constellation should be a familiar presence on cloudless nights. There is no drive-up road to the property, and guests use a wheelbarrow to take their bags on the short woodland walk from the nearest parking. The result is a feeling of true seclusion that’s rare in England’s southeast.
WHAT WILL I FIND THERE?
Under the tin roof is an open-plan, wood-beamed space containing a king-size bed, kitchen, sofa, gas woodburner and a dining table for two built on an old sewing machine treadle.The shower room is more boutique hotel than lumberjackstandard, and a ladder leads up to a snug with furry beanbags under the eaves. Just outside is a cedar-wood hot-tub with overhanging bamboo for a Japanese touch, and wooden benches circling a fire-pit (inset). Guests get a welcome hamper on arrival, containing both essentials and luxuries: milk, eggs, paté, prosecco and more.
WHAT’S OUTSIDE?
The exact location is kept a secret until booking is confirmed, but the woods around are especially fine for yomps in autumn and in bluebell season. (from £895 for a three-night weekend stay or four-night weekday stay;uniquehomestays.com)
PHOTOGRAPHS: PREVIOUS PAGE COURTESY OF CATHEDRAL MOUNTAIN LODGE, MARK WATTS © UNIQUE HOMESTAYS/UNIQUEHOMESTAYS.COM, PURESLEBEN/GUENTERSTANDL.DE, DANIEL FARÒ
Stadl in Altenbach
STYRIA, AUSTRIA
WHERE AM I HEADING?
On the very southern edge of Austria, within yodelling distance of the Slovenian border, Stadl in Altenbach is an inventive architectural hybrid perched on a hillside with wide-reaching views. It’s one of a handful of houses in the area belonging to the PuresLEBEN collection.