Cabü by the Sea in St Margarets, Kent, is a luxury coastal cabin staycation for city dwellers seeking coastal charm without a long journey – and it’s less than two hours’ drive away
Pretty perfect: the pool is ideal for a dip on warm summer days(Image: Cabü)
At Cabü by the Sea, baby rabbits hop playfully across the grass. “They’re quite used to us,” our host explains as she guides us towards our cabin.
“But they dig everywhere, so do watch out for burrows.”
It’s a fitting welcome to our time at this wonderfully wholesome retreat. Cabü consists of a grassy expanse dotted with luxurious one, two and three-bedroom cabins, nestled against the sea wall in St Margarets, one of those tranquil coastal villages in Kent’s overlooked corner, where Dungeness extends a languid arm into the English Channel.
Uncomplicated and serene, the atmosphere washes over you the moment you arrive, reports OK!.
Discovering the ideal seaside cabin
This spot is defined by thoughtful touches. The log burner is already stacked and primed to ignite with just one match.
Plush, generously soft towels hang in the bathroom, with striped versions on the upper shelf – designated for beach and pool. In the kitchen, there’s a picnic hamper ready should you wish to prepare something for the shore.
If you’d rather not have to do it yourself, simply order from the onsite shop.
Each designer lodge resembles something plucked straight from the pages of a cabin lifestyle book (I know, because they’ve left a copy beside the kingsize bed). It’s difficult not to instantly embrace the notion that owning a modest cabin of your own could be the solution to life’s pressures. It certainly seems that way while you’re here.
Making the most of your time at Cabü
Cabü is a spot where simple pleasures take centre stage, with a handful of added treats thrown in. There’s a pool (fenced off, so you needn’t fret about little ones wandering), and alongside it sits the sitooerie – a space blending indoors and out, where families can bond over the pizza oven and toast marshmallows side by side.
Without children in tow, we hired our own barbecue, grilled burgers on the decking, and gazed at the stars instead.
There’s also the spa facilities you can reserve by the hour – generous wooden hot tubs, a sauna and an icy plunge pool complete with a bracing bucket shower. Steel yourself and give them all a go – it’s absolutely brilliant.
What to explore in the surrounding area
We left the car untouched throughout our visit, opting instead to borrow bikes for the seven-mile ride to Dungeness (the Fish Roll at the Dungeness Snack Shack is essential), where the 21st Century seems to dissolve amid the stark, post-apocalyptic stretch of shingle and weathered boat hulls. Head the opposite way and Dymchurch (3 miles) offers classic seaside charm with fairground rides, fish and chips and ice cream, plus superb meals at Coffee Lounge.
Can’t manage the distance? Fear not, because there’s an authentic miniature steam railway covering the entire route, with a station just a 10-minute stroll away.
How to book your own cabin getaway
Prices start at £375 for a 2-night break in a studio cabin. Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins are on offer, including dog-friendly choices and one featuring a private hot tub.
Visit cabu.co.uk or ring 01303 669033.