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Shacks Off-Grid Stays – Handbuilt Retreats Across the UK

From treehouses to tiny homes, Shacks is all about building imaginative spaces that bring people closer to nature. What began as a childhood love of creating and a passion for craftsmanship has grown into a company offering unique, off-grid retreats across the UK. Each stay is designed to help guests slow down, embrace the outdoors and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Our journey started on a family farm in Cheshire, where the first off-grid shack came to life. It wasn’t easy squeezing a composting toilet, solar power and all the essentials into a compact design, but the challenge of creating something sustainable, comfortable and different was exactly what inspired us. That first project proved that small spaces can deliver big experiences.

Fate played a part in shaping our story. A chance meeting with holiday cottage pioneer Clive Sykes revealed the true potential of what we were building. With his insight and the guidance of his partner, Miles Hill, Shacks was born. What began as a workshop experiment soon became a shared vision to unlock incredible off-grid stays for adventurers across the UK.

Every one of our cabins is handbuilt in our dedicated workshop. With the skills of our small team and a commitment to sustainable practices, we carefully craft each design. From solar panels to clever composting systems, we think through every detail to reduce impact on the planet while ensuring a comfortable and memorable guest experience. These are not mass-produced structures, but havens shaped by care and creativity.

Our work goes beyond building. We collaborate with farmers across the country, helping them diversify their land and create new opportunities. By hosting our shacks on their farms, they can share their landscapes with visitors while guests gain a deeper appreciation for the vital role farmers play. This partnership allows us to bring off-grid stays to extraordinary places, rooted in the character of local communities.

Guests at Shacks can expect simplicity, comfort and a chance to truly switch off. Whether it’s a woodland retreat, a hillside cabin or a meadow hideaway, every stay offers a chance to reconnect with nature. No two shacks are the same, but each carries the same spirit: thoughtful design, a low footprint and the promise of time well spent away from the everyday rush.

Wild Sauna
A wood-fired escape in the Welsh hills – yours for three hours of deep calm. Hidden in the woods and powered by fire, our off-grid sauna is a stripped-back sensory retreat. With no electricity or distractions, it’s simply heat, steam and stillness. Step into the cool air or refresh under the outdoor shower for the full reset. Guests staying in our nearby shacks in Llangollen enjoy an exclusive £30 discount on sauna bookings, with private sessions available daily at three convenient times.