Disclaimer: I visited Sammi’s Freight Train for a photography job for Unique Hideaways

The first thing that struck me when I arrived at my latest UK cabin stay was how innovative its design is. As someone who has stayed in her fair share of shepherd’s huts, I was delighted with the idea of transforming an old railway carriage into a cosy hideaway for two (or three, as our dog, Evie was welcomed to join us).

Sammi’s Freight Train, is a property available on Unique Hideaways, a bespoke collection of wild and wonderful unique places to stay scattered across the UK. The cabin is located close to Richmond in North Yorkshire, on a farm placed conveniently just off the main road, but tucked away so that you don’t hear any noisy traffic. Guests can park right next to the cabin (always a bonus, especially if you’re like me and always overpack), but the double glass doors face out to a sprawling open field, leaving you in complete privacy during your stay.

Outside, the cabin is literally a rustic railway carriage, complete with railway signage. There’s tons of outdoor space to take advantage of if you’re visiting in sunnier weather than I was, including a huge picnic table, wood-fired hot tub and fire pit area. Double glass doors allow plenty of light to flood the interiors, although the wood cladding keeps things cosy. Compared to shepherd’s huts, it feels much more spacious and less like you’re constantly treading on each other’s toes. A comfy double bed is sat to the right of the door with space underneath for storage - I also loved how there was extra room at the foot of the bed for extra storage space and my boyfriend’s long legs. To the left sits the kitchenette, equipped with everything you need to cater your stay, with a shower room and toilet tucked away behind. There’s even space for two armchairs and a folding table for lazy breakfasts and late night suppers.

Train paraphernalia is dotted around indoors, adding to the theme without ever feeling overdone. I loved the vintage signage and posters adorning the walls - the ‘no snoring’ sleeper carriage sign was repeatedly pointed out to both my boyfriend and dog! Curled up on the bed with a book, I really felt transported away on a far-flung journey. Imagine if train carriages really were this cosy?

We arrived on Monday evening, taking out time with the relatively short drive up from West to North Yorkshire as I had planned a stop en route to stretch all of our legs. Hackfall, a beautiful Victorian woodland gardens, is situated just 35 minutes south of Sammi’s Freight Train, making it one of many options for a day out in the area. There are four different routes to explore the forest and its many follies; we opted for the second-longest path which took in waterfalls, ruins and a sandy beach down by the river. After an uphill climb back to the car, we were ready for the final stretch of our journey.

I’d be quite content to just cosy up in the cabin and spend a few days reading, relaxing and soaking in the hot tub, but our visit coincided with my boyfriend’s birthday so my stay was slightly less slow than usual. After settling in and checking the fire for the hot tub was roaring, we delighted at the realisation that there was a huge choice of local pubs to choose from. We decided on the Brownlow Arms, due to its extensive menu options and that it was only a ten minute drive away. As we headed up the driveway to the main road, we saw movement on the fields and stopped the car - over the following five minutes, around ten hares leapt and ran right in front of us, chasing each other around the fields and over the lane. I’d only ever seen hares on their own before, and couldn’t believe my eyes that so many were in just one field. Apparently there is also a badger set close to the cabin - we weren’t lucky this time but keep your eyes peeled if you are visiting.

Bellies full, we returned back to a steaming hot tub for a late night soak before bed. The next morning, I cooked a two course breakfast (sauteed mushrooms, leeks and chard on toast, followed by granola, yoghurt and berries) before we set off for the seaside. Saltburn-by-the-Sea is an hour’s drive, but neither of us had been beside the sea since last summer so we decided to make the trip. The wind roared, but that created the perfect conditions for us to park on the front and scoff fish and chips while watching surfers take on the waves. Before heading back to the cabin, we took Evie for a run on her favourite place in the world: the beach.

Back at our home from home, the remainder of the day was also about taking things slow. Two soaks in the hot tub - one during the glow of golden hour and the other beneath a velvet night sky -, working my way through my book nestled on the bed, and cooking a Mexican feast of fajitas and nachos for dinner. The remainder of the local pubs were calling our name, and I was also tempted by Middleton Lodge’s two acclaimed restaurants (just a 12 minute drive away) but a cosy night in was much needed.

We checked out the following morning, sad to be leaving our cosy cabin but with a long list of places to visit for another stay in the future. We popped into Masham on the way home (half an hour drive south) to browse two shops I’d been longing to visit (The Curious Merchant and Masham Gallery) but I wished I’d had time to wander around Richmond and Barnard Castle - not to mention all the other nearby places (the Yorkshire Dales are also just a short drive away). I’m already planning a return trip to discover more of the area!

Find out more about Unique Hideaways and Sammi’s Freight Train, and discover more of my Slow Stays.