Tucked into woodland at Great Park Farm in Catsfield, East Sussex, Yogi’s Cabin is a self-catering yoga retreat for two, built around a single idea: that restorative practice, not luxury amenities, should shape every part of a stay. Designed by UK studio Built Works for Architects Holiday, the cabin sits at the edge of a private pond, with a yoga studio built into its very centre.
The building takes its form from the gable-end barns found across the Sussex countryside, reinterpreted through a Japanese lens. Larch cladding is hand-charred using the traditional Shou Sugi Ban technique, giving the exterior its deep, blackened finish, while a wraparound veranda inspired by the Japanese engawa extends the cabin’s usable space in every direction. Inside, walls and fittings are lined entirely in Douglas fir, broken only by stainless steel in the kitchen and bathroom.
At the heart of the cabin is a tatami-matted yoga studio with sliding glass walls on two sides — one opening toward the pond, the other into alder woodland, tracking natural light from morning to evening. Mats, blocks, a bolster and meditation cushions are provided, along with a wall-mounted iPad preloaded with guided sessions, enough to build a self-led retreat, with in-person or virtual classes also available.
Step off the studio onto a private platform with a ladder into the pond for wild swimming, and a firepit close by. An outdoor bath and shower sit just off the bedroom, screened by surrounding trees, in a setting where deer, herons and rabbits are regularly spotted. Inside, a fully equipped kitchen, king-size bed and luxury shower room round out the stay, with breakfast included and access to the neighbouring Drying Shed Sauna.
