My stay was a gifted press trip: any review or content was non-obligatory and at my own discretion.

Most people think of New Year's Eve as a time to party, celebrate and be somewhere that’s full of life. That’s never been me. I’ve spent my New Year's Eve at home for the last eight years, and I’ve loved it. Usually, I’m even asleep way before midnight. I thought I’d change it for the 2024 celebrations, but I didn’t decide to join the masses in central London. Instead, I travelled an hour out of London to spend three nights in a Recabin in the Hertfordshire countryside, and I think I’ve started a new tradition…

Getting There:

To be specific on location, the cabin is in St Albans, which is about an hour’s drive from London or 23 minutes by train from Kings Cross station. We had planned to get the train, but my fiance’s sciatic nerve and a heavy suitcase full of food changed our plans at the last minute. The train tickets would cost approximately £45 return for two adults, and the uber (yes, uber goes out of London!) cost £50 each way from West London. If you decide to get the train, you can get a local taxi or Uber from St Albans City station to the cabin, which will take you about 15 minutes. This works the other way, too, and 4G service is available all around the cabin. Other nearby stations are Harpenden and Welwyn Garden City.

Arriving:

When you arrive (or are dropped off), you will see some houses around, albeit huge and very detached. You even have stables nearby, so the neighbours you’re most likely to see are horsey ones. It’s a very quiet area, with few cars driving by. To get to the cabin, You have to unlock a gate to drive/walkthrough and the key lock box on the cabin's front door. Signs attached to the gates remind you to put your mind at ease for what lies ahead. “Take a Deep Breath, Relax, You’ve Made It”. A second gate comes after you have parked in the car parking area. The cabin is on a slight hill, but you are provided with a trolley to place your bags into. The gate needs to be locked behind you, and I’d recommend changing into wellies or boots at this point because it does get muddy! Check-in is from 3 pm, and if you’re going in the winter months, it may be a little dark, but the cabin is illuminated on arrival - a glowing rectangular haven in the distance that is easy to follow. Though if your eyesight is really bad, there’s a torch in the box next to the trolley.

Sleeping & Cooking:

The cabin was bigger than I expected, but the cosy vibes started immediately. You’re drawn to the king-size bed with two full windows at the foot and to the side, giving you gorgeous sunrise views as you lay in what might be the softest pillows you’ll sleep on. Hot water bottles and eye masks are left for you for extra comfort. There are no blinds or curtains, but Recabins told me these will be fitted soon. I slept with a mask on, which allowed me to sleep until 10 am on both mornings. There’s a kitchen with gas stovetops, a fridge with a freezer tray, cutlery, knives, a kettle, mugs, and cups. You’ll also find three different types of tea (plus teapot), coffee beans and grinder, with a caffetiere and stovetop maker, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper. The water is like what you get from your own taps at home, so is perfectly drinkable. The cabin is designed to house only two people, but you won’t be on top of each other. A log fire keeps the cabin warmed, which I was weirdly very excited about (it even doubles as a pizza oven!). The team have set up your first fire for you in case you’re unfamiliar; all you need to do is light it. They leave instructions and tips on little cards for running the fireplace and for many other things in the cabin. They leave you plenty of wood, with extra under the cushioned bench in a clever cubby hole (as well as outside in storage). There’s a dining table and lots of light with different switches to change the ambience easily.

The Bathroom:

The toilet situation is probably everyone’s concern when considering a cabin stay. In my mind, I was having flashbacks to my festival trips in the summer and the fly-ridden showers & compostable toilets that really tested my fight or flight response. Luckily, I was not subjected to the same trauma. The cabin is sustainably run, so you may have to be a little open-minded about what I will say next, but I’d like to add a disclaimer that my fiance has IBS and will confirm that the waterless toilet was really no big deal. What the heck is a waterless toilet, I hear you ask. Well, it looks and acts like a regular toilet, but there is no water, and the bowl has two sections. When you sit on the toilet seat for a number one, your pee goes down a little drain: section one. If you sit all the way back on the seat, section two opens for…well your number twos. The section closes once you stand up. The waste drops into a bag, but you can’t really see anything, and of course, it is changed between guests. I was wary of smells because the waste doesn’t technically leave the cabin, but much to both our amazement, there was nothing! They do keep Aesop’s post-poo drops, incense and a candle in the bathroom if you are paranoid, though - plus a window for good measure. Don’t worry; toilet paper can be thrown in there, too -they provide plenty of ‘Who Gives a Crap’ paper: I did say they run the cabin sustainably! The bathroom is small but does have a fully functioning shower with two showerheads, including a waterfall one. The water is hot, though it was a mental battle to get out of the steamy shower and into the cabin's main part because the air gets chilly. I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to bathroom products provided by hotels and the like, and usually, I never use them because they’re not vegan, good quality or sustainable. Recabins might be the first place to win me over. Seeing bottles of Kankan shower gel, Malin & Goetz haircare, and body moisturizer made me clap with glee. They provide the fluffiest towels for drying yourself, plus one spare, which we used to ensure there was no overspill from the shower. The flooring throughout the cabin is made from cork, which is water resistant but not waterproof, so mopping up spills is something to be mindful of.

The Cabin:

We spent much time in bed, drinking hot chocolate, napping, talking, bird watching and reading. They have a cute little section of books to read whilst you’re there if you forget your own; the Cabin Porn book was a favourite of mine after I decided on day two that I needed my own cabin. Time moves blissfully slowly in the cabin despite winter's few hours of sunlight. I was so aware of sunrise and the end of the day that it made the day feel full of potential, even when I had decided to do nothing at all. The anxiety of London life and the pressures of feeling the need to do something was left at the gate; I must’ve unconsciously decided not to bring it up the hill with me in the trolley. The cabin retains heat well, and we kept the fire going for most of the day and night. It’s insulated very well, and there was not a single draught from the gale-force winds whipping around us. The sounds of wind and rain only added to the ambience if I’m honest, and only made more perfect when I played the ‘Duvet Day’ Spotify playlist on the portable speaker they provide. The power comes from solar panels on the roof. They ask that you be mindful of power consumption, but I was able to use the hairdryer (which they provide) and charge my iPhone and an Apple watch. There’s a 3-pin plug with USB-A and C ports. There is no wifi, but i was able to use 4G very easily, and I even hotspotted my MacBook to my phone to be able to stream videos.

Digital Detox:

I made plans to put my digital devices in some phone jail when I got to the cabin. As someone who spends a painful amount of time on their phone and social media, I thought this would be a struggle, but leaving my phone alone was automatic. I don’t think i’ve experienced the level of quietness I did in the cabin before. i almost felt that i was hypnotised by it’s aura or something. I found my breaths and thoughts becoming deeper and slower, which is quite something for someone with ADHD who didn’t take any medication during their stay. I didn’t stay off my phone completely but only picked it up to respond to family or edit some photos. One of my favourite things provided in the cabin is the games drawer. It’s under the bench, and it is filled with games that are of a slower pace; chess and puzzles. However, the one that gave me the most joy was a game i’d never heard of before; ‘We’re Not Really Strangers’. It’s a question-based game, and they had packs for different guests; friends, family, couples including additional breakup and forgiveness editions. There was even a self-love pack, for any solo guests wishing to spend their cabin time reflecting and realligning themselves. Konrad and I played it whilst I made breakfast, and it gave us so many laughs answering each others questions about the last 8 years. It also encouraged us to say things to each other we definitely don’t say often enough, and revelling in that made our stay even more contented. Althought the weather didn’t allow it, I wish I was able to take advantage of the yoga mats provided for a little sunrise salutation on the deck outside - maybe next time!

What To Do & Where To Go:

I preferred to stay in the cabin most of the time but there are definitely places to explore if you get, ahem, cabin fever. You can turn left or right out of the gate to visit local pubs such as The Wicked Lady or Nomansland Common and Heartwood Forest. Don’t worry if you don’t have a car, it’s all within walking distance. We went for a walk in the common and forest on our second day, and it was nothing short of refreshing. We didn’t get a chance to go but one spot on Recabins guide looked very cute: West End Barn Cafe. A farm cafe that supplies local teas, coffee and produce. It’s an open-air barn setting and would be such a treat in the spring and summer. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my two favourite things are watching birds and looking at the stars. Both were a treat, as I saw plenty of pheasants, what I think was a Kite, and the clearest night sky, giving me a perfect view of Jupiter. Download apps Merlin Bird ID and Sky Guide to see whats around you.

Eating In or Out?:

As mentioned previously, we didn’t quite pack lightly regarding food. We often get hungry, so we knew snacks were very necessary for our three-night stay. Whilst there are restaurants nearby and you can even order in via Deliveroo, i wanted to take advantage of cooking in the cabin because there’s nothing better than comfort food in front of a fire as it pours with rain outside. I picked recipes with a crossover to minimise how many fresh ingredients I would need to take. I made pesto pasta for the first night, so I pre-made the sauce the night before we left and put it in an air-tight container. The pasta was, of course, easy to pack, as well as breadcrumbs. The next night, we had a BBQ mushroom rice bowl, and our last meal was vegan chicken fried rice with a satay spinach side. Whilst cooking rice from scratch would’ve been more sustainable, I did opt for boil-in-the-bag sachets to save on space as it offered me exactly four portions. Breakfast was bagels with tempeh and porridge with cherry jam. Naturally, I forgot some things, so we had to go to the supermarket to grab some bits. A 5-minute drive or half an hour walk, a Tesco Express store is nearby. The only thing I really regret forgetting was marshmallows, which would’ve been fun to roast on the fire pit outside! If you’re wondering what basics you should bring, I suggest milk, juice, butter, hot chocolate, pastries, porridge, jam, and bread or bagels. We brought crisps, chocolate biscuits, noodle pots, doughnuts, and some candy for snacks. Nearby food places include cafes such as The Potting Shed, restaurants such as Nonno’s Pizza, The Golden Elephant, and L’Olivo, and various pubs offering roast dinners. They have a map on their website and in a guide inside the cabin.

What Should I Bring With Me?:

I feel i pretty much nailed my packing list as someone who really cannot pack lightly to save her life (I’m working on it). The only silly thing I did was forget to change my shoes before I got in the uber so i arrived wearing my Balenciaga trainers, it was like an advertisement for a movie about a London girl who visits the countryside for the first time. I did bring some boots with me as I couldn't find my old Hunter wellies anywhere. They were gifted from Merry People, and come in a gorgeous array of colours. They were so comfortable and warm that I should’ve worn them from the start and not bothered bringing any extra shoes. If they get muddy, there are boot brushes on the outside porch of the cabin, as well as an external tap with captured rain water to rinse them off. There’s a strict no-shoe policy inside the cabin, so slippers or thick socks are a must. I have Ugg boots that are only for indoors, and as someone with crappy circulation in my extremities, it was the best decision. As it’s winter, and this is England - you have to expect rain. I took a fleece, plus a water-resistant jacket (waterproof is best, of course), and plenty of thermals. They have hot water bottles which were a delicious treat when you’re wrapped up in bed. A tote bag or rucksack is ideal to take with you on any strolls/picnics/adventures and last minute I added a beanie hat which was genius because the wind really likes to whip into your ears, and i hate that stingy feeling! A reusable water bottle is never a bad idea, but they do have them in the cabin if you forget. If I had gone on longer walks, I would’ve packed a flask to keep some hot tea in. I took a thick jumper, cardigan, two pairs of pants, and leggings. One of the trousers doubled as my sleeping/lounging pants as my trackies didn’t dry in time for the trip - oops. Most toiletries are taken care of so you only need to bring your own skincare (i just took cleanser and moisturiser/SPF), plus toothpaste, some hair product, earbuds and a pack of Natracare biodegradable moist toilet wipes. Make up felt completely unnecessary, but I took some mascara, concealer and blusher just in case i felt like it. I took a book to read, and I had my nose in it plenty of times. A journal or notebook could also be a good idea! I also took my headphones, and my MacBook as we knew we wanted to watch a few of shows during our stay, we only ended up watching one show in total!

Safety First:

My main worry about staying in a cabin before i went was safety and privacy. I know that the whole point is that they’re off grid, but that can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to safety. The cabin's location is very private, but there are nearby residents including the local support team for Recabins. No one can or will access the 8-acre meadow the cabin is situated in. The code for the lock on the gate and to access the key lock box is changed between guests; the only people who will have this code are Recabins and yourselves as they send it to you via email before your arrival. The door to the cabin and the windows lock independently inside, too. The actual landowner of where the cabin is lives next door, and they’ll be on hand for emergencies, but you won’t see them unless you reach out. None of the nearby properties are high enough to be able to look into the meadow or cabin, nor are there any gaps for passing cars to peer in. As seen by this reel I posted on Instagram, I was running around the meadow in boots and my knickers with no fear of being watched (apart from by thousands of people on the internet). I never felt that privacy was an issue, and I walked out of the bathroom post-shower completely naked with zero concern about being seen. The telephone numbers for all emergency contacts are in a guide in the cabin. You shouldn’t run out of anything whilst you’re there, but you can text or call them if you have any issues. When we went for walks, we hardly saw people other than those out for walks with their dogs and the occasional few on horseback in the distance.

How Do I Book & Much Does It Cost?:

The cabin in St Albans is their first, but they are expanding with more cabins very quickly, and plan on making some additions to the existing Reconnect cabin this summer. You can book via their website using their live booking system. The check-in dates are set (Mon, Wed, and Fri), and it’s a minimum two-night stay, but you can contact them if you wish to stay longer. A two-night stay in their Reconnect cabin is £350. No pets are allowed at the moment, but this is something they are working on (I would love to take Lalka!). Guests must be 18+; as mentioned before, it sleeps two people. An infant can also fit, but there is no cot; you should get in touch if you wish to bring them. Check is from 3 pm, and check out is 11 am - both are handled digitally via email. Recabins has kindly given me a code to offer my lovely readers 15% off their booking; use DEMICOLLEEN15 at checkout! It’s limited to 100 uses so be quick - I might have to use it myself as I’d love to stay in the summer months.