Cabins for a great night's sleep

Bedtime is an event in itself at The Lodge at The Old Mill in Somerset. Climb into the hanging bed, suspended by thick ropes from the ceiling and let yourself be gently lulled to sleep in rhythm with the swaying leaves outside. Leave the curtain open and you can drift off to the sight of fairy lights and lanterns illuminating the winding garden path over the stream. Rest and relaxation are top of the bill at this supremely well-appointed cabin in the trees. There’s a spacious lounge area, tons of storage, a modern kitchen and comfy seats on the deck but the real highlight is the full wall of glass at the front giving views over the woods where you can spot squirrels and woodpeckers. The picturesque, historic village of Norton St Philip is on the doorstep and you’re only seven miles from the bustling streets of Bath.

Life at The River Lodge in Yorkshire is centred around the huge king size bed, strewn with pillows, blankets and sheepskin rugs. It’s a shrine to the importance of a good night’s sleep. The stunning views of the trees will keep you cuddled up beneath the covers for even longer and if you throw open the doors, the sounds of the babbling water below might lull you back into a slumber. Once you emerge from your luxurious den, fully rested, there’s the vast expanse of the North York Moors to explore from this secluded spot. Hike the coast-to-coast path, swim in the river, try your hand at fly fishing or explore the nearby village of Grosmont and the beaches of Runswick Bay and Robin Hood’s Bay. The North York Moors railway runs nearby if you fancy a steam train ride with Pullman dining and special events all year round.

The huge circular window at the foot of the king-size bed at The Nest in Devon has been designed for stunningly scenic lie-ins. Draw the curtain after you wake and gaze out over the hills and fields that stretch all the way to Exmoor. Or keep the curtain open all night and drift off to the awe-inspiring sight of a vast blanket of stars. If you need a bit of extra help to unwind, owner Claire runs one-to-one yoga sessions in the open air, or if even that sounds too strenuous, take a long soak in the wood-fired tub until any lingering stress drifts away with the steam. Don’t just take our word for how relaxing it is. One guest had such a good sleep, he was moved to poetry (we aim to inspire). We’ll let Tony sum up the Tardis-like proportions of The Nest with the immortal words; “A king size bed, so comfy and so wide, for taller folks like me, it’s just the right size”. Enough said.

Get ready to hibernate in a pre-feathered nest at The Bird Box in Devon. It’s a tactile slumber sanctuary resplendent with fur deer skins, plump cushions and warm wool carpets. The icing on the cake is the view through the trees from the sliding doors at the foot of the bed. Equally good is the lack of wifi so there’s no possibility of checking work emails (or the family WhatsApp chat). When you’re not catching up on sleep, head out along the old tramway through meadows to the river and then up onto the Dartmoor for a soul-nourishing stomp. A hearty feast at the Sawday’s recommended Dartmoor Inn, followed by a long soak in the cedarwood hot tub makes the perfect wind down routine before you skip back up to bed again.

A waterfall flows right underneath Falling Water in Yorkshire so you’ll drift off to gently rippling background music. Then wake to the morning sun streaming through the stained-glass door and wrap-around windows that surround the double bed. Once you’ve yawned, stretched and padded a few paces from your pillows, you can dip your toes straight into water. Take a few deep breaths, gaze out at the trees and you’re experiencing forest bathing at its finest. The colourful cabin is a calm, light-filled oasis – a sanctuary to unwind in after a day exploring Bronte country, Hebden Bridge and the Pennine Way. After a deep, dreamless sleep the owners can bring you a breakfast hamper or you can join other B&B guests at Ponden Mill.