I subscribe to Kip Hideaways, who curate boutique cabins and tiny houses for you, and one of their selections – The Bide – immediately jumped off the screen at me! The images of a futuristic cabin against the green hill stood out and I just had to favourite it for a future visit.

Staying at the Bide isn’t your typical tiny house experience. I am glad to report back from my enjoyable stay and fill you in on the things you need to know.

Where is The Bide Cabin Located?

It’s located in Milton Abbas, near Moreton (Dorset) train station. The train from London Waterloo takes you there in 2 hours and 36 minutes – if you have an easier connection to Clapham Junction you can get on there too. The taxi from the station takes around 20 minutes.

What’s Inside The Bide Cabin?

Here is everything you’ll find in the cabin: The interior can easily rival that of some hotels I’ve stayed in before.

A comfy seat with a table and a stool. On the table is also the Google Hub that you use to control the cabin’s lights and heating with. You’ll also find storage space underneath the seat as well as local guidebooks, games, and the fold-up projector screen.

The very Instagram-friendly kitchen has a two-ring induction hob, and there is a small oven and fridge. The fridge is tiny, so don’t bring too much. I had to play Tetris to make the food I bought for 2 days + the breakfast items all fit in!

The kitchen is stocked with all the essentials: plates, cutlery, and pans. There is also a bottle opener, bowls and even a rolling pin.

Basic ingredients such as olive oil, salt, pepper, and sugar are in the cupboards. There are also a lot of cookbooks you can go through for inspiration.

For a coffee fix, you can grind the provided beans with the manual grinder and make a fresh pot with the french press. There is also a selection of herbs and spices as well as some fresh ones that can be harvested outside.

On to the ensuite bathroom! There is a Scandi Loo, which is a composting toilet. The showerhead is another stand-out item in the cabin, the Nebia showerhead is designed to use 40% less water compared to a standard shower, but don’t worry, you won’t notice it as the pressure is just perfect. Towels & bathrobes are provided as are shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. And there is also a hair dryer, in case you need to use that.

Above the bathroom, there is a double loft bed with the most comfortable mattress and pillows. The loft bed is only accessible by a tall, but very sturdy ladder.

There is also a bookcase with a fine selection of curated books that you can purchase, including ones by Thomas Hardy, a Dorset local.

Outside the cabin, you’ll find a terrace with two chairs, a table, and a parasol. There are also some herbs and of course the hot tub!

You’ll also find a swing chair and a fire pit and BBQ.

What To Pack For The Bide Cabin?

The cabin comes equipped with most of the essentials, so aside from the usual thing things you’d bring with you I can also recommend you bring:

Slippers – it’s an outdoor take-off shoes when entering the cabin type of place so having slippers you can quickly put on when walking outside is essential. Plus great for getting between the cabin and the hot tub.

A book or two… – there is a selection of books you can buy, but if you want to read something, bring your own.

Things to Do Around & Near The Bide

There is a printed guide inside the cabin with tips on local walking trails, pubs, and restaurants. Some of the things you can do are:

Walks & Hikes
You’ll find a set-out walk to the village. Where you can see the village, church and pub. You can walk further up to an abbey and the farmer’s shop. There is also an outdoor cafe that serves coffee / tea and savoury bites.

Watch A Movie
As mentioned there is a projector and screen and access. You can login to your own streaming service or use their MUBI subscription – which is always full of fantastic arthouse films.

Do Nothing!
Go on! Forget about those commitments of the outside world, detox, both your mind and your body (in the hot tub, of course)!

Anything else you need to know?

If you are going there by train and you need a taxi try to go outside school drop hours as taxis in both Moreton and Wareham are part of the council-organised mega school drop. Better call ahead of time and when you can book. I called at least 15 taxis before I found one that could drop me off at the station.

There are no supermarkets in Moreton. If you come by train I suggest you bring food for the stay. There is a Londis about 25 minutes from the cabin, you’ll walk on the main road (no pavement) with a lot of cars so it’s not entirely a relaxing walk. There is also a farm shop in Milton Abbas, which is about 30 – 40 minutes from the cabin. You can pre-order a breakfast kit, and there is also a vegetarian option possible.

The cabin is set in a very peaceful place, but it does not give you a completely off-grid feel! You can still see the road and cars from far away. There is also a tipi during the Summer season, you can’t see it from the cabin, but you do pass it on your walk up there.

How Long Should I Stay?

Two nights is the minimum – and some moments in the high season are three nights, so make sure to check their site. From experience, I’ve learned that 3 nights is the perfect number to disconnect and not feel too rushed.