Collaboration with Shacks – all thoughts, opinions, and photos in this post are entirely my own and reflect my experience.

It’s often difficult to imagine a world where you can truly switch off. The constant notifications often create an air of FOMO if we’re without technology for more than a few hours, or minutes in some cases. That’s where companies like Shacks come in. Unplugging becomes easier when you have life’s little luxuries to enjoy, and somewhere spectacular to immerse yourself in.

Booking this type of escape couldn’t be simpler either. And to complement the online booking process, the information and communication from Shacks upon confirmation were an integral part of how stress-free and simple staying off-grid can be.

But there is something slightly strange about arriving somewhere and realising there is nowhere to traditionally plug in. No television to switch on, no Wi-Fi to check and, for once, no reason to reach for your phone. Our stay in this off-grid cabin in Wales offered something increasingly difficult to find: genuine time away from screens, with plenty to fill the hours instead.

The cabin: First impressions of Altair

Without a typical address to head to, what3words is your new friend when locating an off-grid stay at Altair. As a guide, this off-grid cabin is near Holywell, and a short drive from the town of Mold, where you can stock up on essentials. These details are all provided before you arrive, and while the spot was relatively remote, we found it without any issues. Private and secure parking also offered additional peace of mind.

The approach to Altair from the car is on a slight incline and about a 250-metre walk. So if you have heavy bags, we spotted a wheelbarrow near the parking spot where you could haul your luggage up if needed. On muddy days, there are also wellies to hand.

The beauty of your surroundings as you approach the cabin is unmistakable. The scenery is spectacular, and the immediate sense of calm and quiet takes over.

The cabin itself is perched overlooking the rolling hills of the Clwydian Range and is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And then there’s its design. Altair is crafted in sustainable materials to complement its beautiful setting, and its large windows allow you to immerse yourself wholly in this off-grid experience.

Inside, it is equally considered from the king-size bed draped in cosy linens to the small trinkets of home comfort, such as a coffee grinder and olive oil for your homemade meals. A wood burner also completes the cosy living vibe, especially for those chilly evenings.

The bathroom also offered a relaxing shower experience with views out into nature and surprisingly great water pressure. Some toiletries are also provided, and the hand wash fragrance beautifully complemented its luxury setting. As with many off-grid stays, Altair has a compostable toilet, but its modern design is integrated into the space much like a traditional unit.

Outside, where there’s plenty of space to spend a lot of time, sits a picnic bench and fire pit with four wooden seats. Another special touch includes the outdoor bath. We didn’t get time to use it, but I can imagine this truly creates a unique experience, especially on a clear night watching the stars.

Altair, similar to other cabins in the Shacks collection, is ideal for couples or friends looking for a secluded and unique getaway. However, unlike some of the other destinations, Altair, alongside its king-size bed, has two single bunk beds for children to enjoy a screen-free environment too.

What off-grid really means

We’re always surrounded by modern conveniences, so staying off-grid may seem slightly off-the-wall. However, that feeling of escape routinely sounds appealing when life gets busy. But what does off-grid mean when you stay at Altair?

While you’re set in a remote spot, it doesn’t mean you’re completely cut off, making it ideal for easing yourself into this experience. The cabin is connected to solar power, so there’s hot water when you need it and electricity for charging devices. Mobile signal at Altair is good too, but of course, there’s no Wi-Fi.

This lends itself to a naturally screen-free environment, and for those looking to switch off from the outside world, you can disconnect with the kip app. Just tap the device in the cabin and decide which apps you want to mute during your stay.

A few days without a plan

Not having a set itinerary is quite disconcerting. Life is filled with plans, so turning that mode off makes it hard to ‘go with the flow’. But Altair’s aura brings you a sense of calm and, quite literally, a chance to slow down.

We didn’t make solid plans before our stay either, as it was the perfect chance to set the right intentions before we headed to Wales. Of course, with a little one, there’s some element of preparedness, but books, games and the outdoors were a haven for activities during this escape.

Exploring the Welsh landscape

With a four hour journey from home on the cards, we decided to use the travel day as an opportunity to explore a little on the way. This started with some Welsh history.

Chirk Castle

Just outside of Wrexham, Chirk Castle offered a lovely lunchtime break on our road trip. This medieval fortress in the Welsh Marches is part of the National Trust so we made good use of our membership to stretch our legs. The estate is spectacular and once at the entrance of the castle, you can see just how extensive this spot is.

Inside showcased the history and grandeur of its past including a 17th century Long Gallery, 18th-century State Rooms, unique tapestries, paintings and furnishings, all fit for High Society. The gardens were a particular favourite of the visit. Exquisitely manicured lawns alongside a beautiful wooded pleasure ground were a joy to the eye. All this was topped off with some delightful Welsh ice cream overlooking the garden views.

During our getaway, we also ventured to:

Talacre Beach

With a mix of sunshine and showers (standard for Great British weather!), we made some time to head to Talacre Beach. Despite the unpredictable weather, this spot was very popular and beautifully sandy. However, due to strong tidal currents, signposted information points advise against swimming in the water. Parking charges were reasonable, and a walk through the dunes, a part of which is a boardwalk, immerses you in -this protected nature area, home to rare species such as the natterjack toad. A highlight of this visit is the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. Dating back to 1776, this now decommissioned lighthouse stands proudly on the shoreline and at low tide, you can reach it by foot.

Dyserth Waterfall

Another pretty spot in the area is the village of Dyserth. Here, the River Ffyddion falls around 70 feet on its way to meet the River Clwyd and is a beautiful location for a walk or to grab a coffee and watch the tumbling waters. There’s a small charge to enter (currently £1, at the time of writing), and this is via an honesty box so be sure to have some change spare

Would we stay again?

It’s certainly a resounding yes! Altair creates a unique off-grid experience and as much of a screen-free environment as you’d like. The setting, the simplicity and its touch of luxury are a breath of fresh air (pun intended!) compared to a traditional getaway.

One of the pleasures of staying somewhere like Altair is that doing very little can become part of the itinerary. You’ll find a selection of books, a few games for a little ones and some for the adults too. Of course, the outdoors creates its own opportunities to wile away the hours.

All in all, Shacks really have considered the details in these cabins, and the spectacular destinations offer a unique way to immerse yourself in nature and Britain’s glorious landscapes.

Final thoughts

We arrived thinking the biggest challenge would be keeping our little one entertained without screens. Instead, it was us adults who took a little longer to adjust. Once the phones were forgotten, the cabin offered something remarkably simple: time to talk, time to explore and time to do very little at all. In a world where switching off usually means turning something else on, perhaps that is the real luxury.

Visit / SHACKS