The Chickenshed - Self-catering cabin in Monmouthshire

The name Chickenshed doesn't suggest award-winnning architecture, which makes arriving at the red cedar, glass and stainless steel structure that won a 2017 RIBA all the more amazing. Put your shoes in the boot room and pad barefoot across the heated polished concrete floor. Owner Sue will show you round and explain how some of the space-age kitchen gadgets work. This is the place to truly enjoy cooking a feast (though be prepared to look at your own kitchen with a touch of disappointment when you return home!).

The floor to ceiling glass across the expansive open plan living area creates a constant dramatic connection to the beautiful Wye Valley. It’s all very impressive, but homely too. The cabin’s agricultural roots, like the corrugated roof, and chunky wooden cladding, are kept soft and modern with striking greens, asymmetrical windows, and lights which appear to the float around the glulam beams. 

Outside there are two private acres where the kids, big or small, can play safely, and a wood to wander through and gaze up at canopies of ancient trees. When you're sitting around the crackling flames of fire pit on the paved terrace with the bats flapping above, and some sizzling steaks cooking – you'll see you don’t have to do much to make days or evenings here perfectly atmospheric.