The Derw Wooden Cabin is a hillside cabin with mountain views and epic sunsets – this Quirky Stay in mid Wales offered space to rest, write, and roam.
Welcome back to my series of Quirky Stays, a personal project to find unusual places that offer more than just a change of scenery. These stays are part retreat, part experiment: spaces where I can sit quietly with my grief, and even gently step outside it. They’re chosen not just for their charm or oddity, but for their potential to hold me – to offer peace, perspective, and a different kind of belonging.
Nature has always been my therapy, my compass, my way back to myself. So why not now, when the need for grounding and gentle wonder feels more urgent than ever?
This time, I found myself in a modular wooden cabin called Derw at Celtic Woodland Holidays, just outside Builth Wells in mid Wales. Welsh for Oak, Derw is perched at the edge of woodland and gazes out toward the Cambrian Mountains. On one side it was part of a busy and popular camping and glamping site. But on the other, the cabin felt like a pause in the landscape – simple, self-contained, and gently held by trees and sky. It was the kind of place where birdsong was my morning soundtrack, and the rhythm of the day slowed to match the sway of the branches.
Quirky Stays 03 | Derw Wooden Cabin
Celtic Woodland Holidays is a camping and glamping site tucked into the hillside near Builth Wells, mid Wales. The cabins are lined up just a few metres apart along the edge of the woodland, each one peering out across the valley like a set of lookout posts.
Compared to the Honeydown truffle near Okehampton and the rooftop caravan in Bristol, this stay was lower on the eccentricity scale, but still charming in its own way. The cabin was beautifully crafted and appropriately functional – a space I could have happily moved into for a week or more. Well, if it had come with its own loo. Instead, I made the short walk to the communal ablutions block for showers and toilets, part of a site setup that offered everything you might need and more.
It was the perfect base for the kind of relaxation I was craving during this unusually hot British summer: writing in the sunshine, eating outdoors, and heading off on long hikes. I chose the Derw specifically – a four-berth, hand-built wooden hut that, on paper, was too big for just me. But I was drawn to the larger (and slightly more expensive) option by promises of mountain views and epic sunsets.
It was the right choice. I went to have a look at the two-berth, called the Bothi, and while it had cuteness in spades, it was nestled beside the communal fire pit where a large group had set up for the weekend. I’m sure they were lovely, but it would have been strange to be in amongst their party trying to have my little break from reality.
Most importantly, the cabin I chose was incredibly comfortable – and the sunsets delivered: fiery skies dancing gold across the valley.
Watch the Video…
If you fancy a more visual than written look at this Quirky Stay, I’ve put together a video to go with this article. It includes a full tour of the Derw cabin, plenty of chat, and a glimpse of the gorgeous day hike I took through the Welsh hills.
Videos are still an experiment for me, but they’re proving to be a playful way to give these Quirky Stays a different kind of purpose; part storytelling, part memory-making. Come along for the view, the ramble, and the fun of 48 hours spent outdoors.
The Derw Wooden Cabin in Words
As I’ve alluded to already, of all the Quirky Stays I’ve explored so far, the Derw cabin at Celtic Woodland Holidays probably sits closest to the ‘normal’ end of the spectrum. It was definitely more glamping pod than bespoke hideaway. I had planned to start here and build up the quirkiness through the summer, but availability just didn’t work out that way.
And even if it was less extraordinary in looks, Derw still ticked all the boxes: nestled in nature, a little curious to look at, and offering that out-of-the-ordinary kind of space where I could simply be. What made Derw feel so nice wasn’t just the craftsmanship or the setting, it was how easily I slipped into my own rhythm there. My aim was to rest, and the cabin offered exactly what I needed to make that happen.
Derw is one of several family-sized pods on site, sleeping up to four. As a solo traveller, it gave me room to spread out but certainly didn’t feel cavernous. The covered porch at the entrance was a practical touch, perfect for boots and coats, with bins and a large cool box tucked neatly on either side.
An Inside-Outside Life
Inside, the cabin is cleverly designed. Two sets of box seating doubled as storage and transformed into beds. I chose to bring my own bedding and made up the main booth area as my sleeping space (and then left it like that for the remainder of my stay!).
It was extremely comfortable, maybe surprisingly so. Honestly, I hadn’t slept that well in weeks. There’s something about stepping out of routine and into the quiet that lets your body and brain reset. And this was the whole point of being there. I should say that you were to make up both beds, floor space would vanish fast, but for me, the setup worked perfectly.
The cabin’s glazed French doors open onto a private rear deck area with seating and a barbecue. This was my favourite spot – spacious, peaceful, and framed by views of the Cambrian Mountains. Sheep grazed just beyond the fence, and the hills rolled off into the distance like a painted backdrop.
The sunsets were everything the website promised: golden, dramatic, and utterly absorbing. I filmed a timelapse on the first night, and even now it feels like watching time exhale. If I were to suggest one improvement, it’d be a lounge chair out there, something to sink into with a book or a cup of tea. But that’s a small thing in the grand scheme of things.
Off-Grid, But Well Equipped
Derw is off-grid, which means no electricity for charging, no TV, and no running water. But it’s thoughtfully kitted out making life in the cabin a simple but practical one. There’s a small kitchen area with a double gas hob, a sink with a grey water tank (so no need to carry washing-up elsewhere), and all the essentials: crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, a whistling kettle, even a teapot.
Off-grid didn’t mean things were difficult, thankfully. There was lighting. Water came via a large container, which I filled once a day. The cool box kept my supplies fresh, and I used the communal freezer up at the main block to swap out (provided) ice packs. And there was a wood burning stove sat ready with logs, though I didn’t need it – my summer duvet and the cabin’s insulation kept things plenty cosy enough.
Woodland Charm and Communal Buzz
Celtic Woodland Holidays is more than just cabins, it’s a full glamping and camping site, with all the facilities you might need and then some. The main block houses loos and showers (better than your average campsite), a large indoor lounge, communal kitchen, camp shop, playground, firepit areas, and even a wood-fired sauna available to hire. It’s a well-thought-out setup, and while I didn’t use the communal spaces much, choosing to keep myself to myself, it was nice to know they were there.
The site itself is genuinely lovely, with winding woodland paths lit by fairy lights at night, a circular trail around the edge, and a sense of being tucked into something quiet and green. That said, it was busy. I stayed during the first weekend of August, peak school holiday time, and the noise on the first night was noticeable. But I’d chosen a campsite, not a solitary cabin in private woodland, and I knew what I was signing up for. It was okay, really, and by the second night, things had settled.
Marshmallows, Minus the Fire
I’m not sure how many times I need to do something for it to become true tradition, but I’m calling it – after the truffles I bought to enjoy at Honeydown, every Quirky Stay now needs its own sweet treat. If you want confirmation of such, I can tell you I’m writing this blog enjoying the surroundings of Quirky Stay 5, munching on a most excellent choice.
For the Derw wooden cabin, I bought a bag of Mallow & Marsh chocolate-coated marshmallows. The choice felt fitting: a woodland campsite with firepits dotted around, practically begging for marshmallow toasting. But knowing full well I wouldn’t be staying up late enough to build and tend to a campfire solo, I opted for a version that didn’t need flames. They were absolutely delicious – soft, rich, and indulgent in all the right ways. I’d buy them again in a heartbeat.
It’s probably sad to admit, but seeking out these little treats has become one of my favourite parts of my Quirky Stay ritual – a sweet way to mark each mini adventure.
Where the Ferns Grow Tall
On Saturday, I laced up my boots and headed east of Builth Wells for a hike across Aberedw Hill and Wylfre Hill. I covered around 11.5 miles in five hours, with glorious weather – breezy, clear, and just cloudy enough to feel dramatic without threatening rain. It was the kind of day that makes you grateful for every step, every view, every quiet moment.
The initial climb was short and sharp, easing off near Aberedw Hill (451m), where I paused for tea and a snack. Most of the route was straightforward until I hit what might be the most overgrown path I’ve ever seen; ferns taller than me, bracken closing in, a jungle-like tangle that forced a detour. A good reminder of why map-reading matters, especially when the path vanishes beneath the undergrowth. I found a longer way around and carried on, feeling good about both the challenge and the solitude.
Wylfre Hill (410m) was windier, but the views from the top made the second summit worth it. The descent was steep – the kind that makes you lean back and focus on every step. I didn’t see another soul until I came off the hill and chatted briefly with a local waiting for a friend.
It was a satisfying hike: a bit strenuous at the start and finish, but in between was view after view, with rolling hills and quiet paths. I felt it the next day, but in that good, earned way. I really enjoyed being in this part of Wales, and I’ll be back. Blog coming soon with the full route and details.
Costs and Value
My stay in the Derw wooden cain cost £80 per night, so £160 all in for that Friday and Saturday in early August. This was, as I mention in the video, half the price of the truffle cabin, and much closer to what I’d expect to pay for a night away if I was in a hotel. And while I’ll always think accommodation is too expensive (because, well, it is), this felt like reasonable value for what I got: a beautiful setting, a well-equipped cabin, and the kind of space that lets you breathe.
And of course, I could have read, written, and rested anywhere. But part of the point is choosing somewhere new – somewhere that invites exploration and offers a different kind of presence.
I booked directly through the Celtic Woodland Holidays website, and the communication was excellent. I was met at check-in, shown around the cabin, and then left to my own devices until I wandered off on Sunday morning. It was all made very simple, just the way I like it.
Reflections on My Quirky Stay in the Derw Wooden Cabin
If I’d done this stay first, I think I’d have loved it even more. Coming to Derw after Honeydown meant inevitable comparisons, and while this cabin didn’t offer the same level of privacy or peace, it still held its own charm. Yes, it was busier, noisier, and more communal than my previous stays. But it was also genuinely lovely: thoughtfully set up, beautifully crafted, and nestled in a landscape that invites you to slow down.
The cabin had everything I needed and more – including a teapot, which felt like a quiet nod to comfort. The site itself was well run, welcoming, and full of small touches that made the experience smooth and easy. And while I only had two nights, they could easily have stretched into more. I found rest, I found rhythm, and I found myself scribbling away in the sunshine with sheep grazing nearby and the hills rolling off into the distance.
This stay reminded me that not every retreat needs to be wildly unusual to be meaningful. Sometimes, it just needs to be enough; enough space, enough quiet, enough sky. It held me gently, gave me space to breathe, and reminded me – again – that healing doesn’t always need grandeur. Sometimes, it just needs a simple wooden cabin.
Quirky Stay in the Derw Cabin: Fact File
Name: Derw Cabin, Celtic Woodland Holidays
Location: Near Builth Wells, mid Wales.
Type of Stay: Glamping cabin on a woodland hillside (modular wooden cabin).
Features: Woodland setting with mountain views, hand-built cabin, epic sunsets.
Facilities: Off-grid cabin with double gas hob, sink, crockery and cookware, cool box, indoor and outdoor seating, private barbecue area, communal ablutions block with showers and toilets, camp shop, indoor lounge, wood-fired sauna, firepit areas, playground.
Best For: Rest and reset, solo writing retreat, nature-based escape with space to roam.
Sleeps: Four (I stayed solo, with plenty of space).
Cost: From £70 per night (I paid £80 per night for a Friday to Sunday in early August 2025).
Booking: Hipcamp | Own Website
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