Here's Your Prescription… a Tiny Cabin in the Woods

So if you can grab a pair of headphones and get comfortable , trust me , it'll make the adventure even more special . Alright , then , headphones on and let's get this adventure started . Join pilot and accidental adventurer Fernando Pinho as he takes you on captivating journeys to discover exciting destinations across the UK and Europe .

In this immersive podcast , you'll fly with him to find your next travel adventure , uncover off-the-beaten-path locales and elevate your travel plans . Travel Plans with Fernando Pinho is your ticket to exploring the world and its history . With a friend who navigates both the skies and the vibrant streets below .

You'll enrich your soul and make your friends and family say oh wow , thank you for bringing me here . In this episode , we're ditching the city and venturing deep into the wild heart of the Norfolk Forest . For three days we'll live completely off the grid no internet , no phone signal , just us and the elements . The best part .

We'll show you how you can experience this incredible adventure for yourself .

We are ditching the city and venturing into the heart of a peaceful forest in Norfolk , in the east of England . Imagine towering trees , sunlight filtering through the leaves and the sound of nature , all around a tiny wooden cabin . Now , for reasons I will share later in the episode , I can't reveal the exact location . I will tell you how you can find it too .

The people who own this cabin say it's a place that can melt away stress and anxiety , boost your mood and help you reconnect with yourself . But we are not just taking their word for it . So in this episode , you and I are embarking on a journey together to see if those promises hold true .

On a journey together to see if those promises hold true , we will experience firsthand how immersing ourselves in nature , even for just a few days , can impact our well-being and give us a fresh perspective on life . So are you ready to trade the city noise for the tranquility of the forest . Let's find out if nature holds the key for a calmer , happier Earth .

We'll be taking off in the next couple of minutes and I'll talk to you again before we reach our destination , but for now , sit back , relax and check out our newsletter , which is packed with photos and videos from this trip , plus all the details you need to experience it for yourself and even a discount code .

The website for the newsletter is travelplansPodcastcom . The link is in the episode's notes . November 262 , delta Bravo at Alpha and ready for departure .

They built nearly 50 of them here , and the brave airmen who flew from these bases were crucial in the war effort , helping to make D-Day a success . These days , only a few of these airfields are still active . Most were sold back to farmers , and that's what happened with RAF Great Massingham , where we will be landing today .

It's not an airfield anymore , but we spoke with the farmer who owns it now and he's letting us land on the old runways , which are now 70 years old . But before we land , let's enjoy some in-flight entertainment with our very own Nathan .

They were here to help the Allies of B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses , as massive aerial armadas took flight from a countryside so dotted with bomber bases that it earned the nickname Little America . The arrival of these North American servicemen profoundly impacted Norfolk's culture and landscape .

Hundreds of miles of concrete runway were laid in a matter of months , and there was the introduction to our rationed region of peanut butter , doughnuts , chewing gum , popcorn and Coca-Cola . All great news for dentists , no doubt .

Oh , and let's not forget the introduction of nylons , swing music and the jitterbug , Although , it seems , baseball never quite caught on with the locals . The Americans even brought their own pets , some more exotic than others . Tales abound of a grizzly bear and a monkey , causing quite a stir in the quiet Norfolk villages .

The 2nd and 3rd Bombardment Divisions of the mighty 8th America Air Force occupied no fewer than 17 bases throughout Norfolk . Their contribution to the war effort was immense , but so too was their sacrifice . Around 6,300 of them made the ultimate sacrifice in the relentless bombing campaign over Europe .

Recently , Apple TV launched a critically acclaimed series , produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks , honouring the heroic achievements and sacrifices made by these young men . Today , we will be landing at what was once RAF Great Massingham . This airfield was home to the Bristol Blenheim bomber and , for a short while , the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress .

Seventy years on , the region is a haven of natural beauty , boasting some of the most picturesque villages and landscapes in England . Among them is Sandringham , the much-loved country retreat of the British royal family . And now back to your pilot , Fernando .

Since this airfield is no longer in official use , there is no control tower or anyone to guide us in , it's just us and this grand old runway . And to add a bit of spice to the mix , my onboard computer doesn't even recognize the airfield .

It's going to be flashing all sorts of warnings and telling me to pull up , but don't worry , it's perfectly safe and we have permission to land here . But it does make our arrival somehow more adventurous . Alternatively , you can reach our destination by using a combination of train and taxi .

I'll give you all the details a bit later , but for now , sit back , relax and enjoy these final moments of our flight as we descend to the heart of Norfolk , november 260 , dr Bradford on lane for Great Massingham 192.2 .

Today , apart from the three runways and a lone hangar , it's mostly agriculture , equipment and fields as far as the eye can see Now . The reason we landed here is that Great Massingham Airfield is the closest one to the forest we are heading to From here . It's either a quick 10-minute taxi ride or a scenic two-hour walk .

Minute taxi ride or a scenic two-hour walk . Now I've got a small suitcase , a backpack , with me , so I think I will opt for the taxi . Thank you very much , but now I'm just going on a short walk because I need to find a shop . Great Massingham is considered one of the prettiest villages in Norfolk , renowned for its impressive village green .

You will notice several large ponds dotted around the village . Some of these actually date to the 11th century , originally serving as the fish ponds for an abbey . The village itself is thought to have roots stretching all the way back to the 5th century .

It is a vibrant community today , with a village shop , a few local businesses and an award-winning pub and restaurant that even offers bed and breakfast . Speaking of the shop , I'm rather glad it's here because I need to stock up on food for the next three days .

The cabin we are staying apparently has plenty of comforts , but you have to bring your own provisions and , wouldn't you know it , there's the shop right ahead .

So over the last few years , there's been this really cool trend popping up companies that are all about getting people to spend proper time in nature , and we are not talking about a quick walk in the park , but like full-on getaways for a few days or even longer . I guess it makes sense .

There is more and more research showing how good being in nature is for us . Plus , with all these new eco-friendly tech , they can build these amazing off-the-grid tiny cabins in the middle of nowhere . But perhaps the most compelling reason for this trend is simple those who tried it keep coming back for more .

One of the companies doing this in the UK is Unyoked . According to their website , they are all about helping us to de-stress , sink clearly and just generally slow down a bit . They say spending time in the wilderness is the key , and they want to make it as easy as possible for us to get out there and experience it . So how do they do it ?

First , they scout out the perfect spots all over the country , and you might ask what makes a spot perfect ? Well , unyog says that every site is handpicked for safety and seclusion . They want you to feel completely at ease , knowing you won't see or hear anyone else but the birds and the breeze .

The locations are accessible , but they do require a bit of efforts to reach . You might need to hop on a train , grab a taxi to the edge of the forest and then do a bit of hiking to reach your cabin . For most people it's about a 1-3 hour journey door to door , and don't worry , they will give you super detailed instructions once you book .

But hey , that's part of the adventure , right ? Anjog said , and I quote Sounds pretty tempting , doesn't it ? So far they've got cabins in Norfolk , suffolk , wales , shropshire , the South Dons , exmoor and loads of other places too . Over 25 locations and counting . They also have cabins in locations across Australia and New Zealand .

Now , when you get to your cabin , it's all about minimalism . They claim they've sort of everything , so all you need to worry about is bringing your own food . No people , no internet , barely any phone signal , if any , just you , nature , your thoughts and a whole lot of time to relax . Sounds pretty amazing , right ?

Well , let's head to our cabin and see if it lives up to the hype .

They even left a couple of wheelbarrows to help us transport our luggage the rest of the way From here . It's a 600 meter walk through the forest to reach our cabin . I can already see a signpost pointing the way , so let's grab a wheelbarrow and get this adventure started . So we are now leaving our drop off point and walking towards the middle of the forest .

There is a pass that will guide us , hopefully , to our cabin . So every annual cabin is named after a person , and this one is called Flint . All I can hear from here is the sound of the trees and the wind and some birds . It's very peaceful . The track now is much narrower than it was at the start . The forestation is becoming denser .

You feel somehow more secluded , more isolated than I was at the beginning . I can see another yellow harrow pointing to my right . It's absolutely beautiful here , far away in between the trees I can see some structure . I guess it's our cavern .

Occasionally I can hear some noises that I guess are from wildlife , but noises that I've never heard before , which makes me as curious as alert . It's a long walk , but yet it's almost like an introduction to what's to come , a welcome drink , let's say , to make you feel at ease with what is to come over the next few days . I belong here .

Wow , it's even better than in the pictures and if you want to see just how stunning it is , head over to our episodes newsletter . The link is right there in the episodes description . It's late september as I'm recording this , so autumn is in full swing . The whole place is bursting with these amazing colors .

We've got the warm browns mixed with these deep , vibrant greens and the sunlight filtering through the trees almost like a spotlight shining right on the cabin . Oh , and look at this , a couple of shares just waiting for us . Let me park the wheelbarrow here and take a seat Time to take it all in . It's so quiet here .

I can hear the wind through the trees and these trees are so tall . The birds Not much more . To be honest , the cabin itself has this sleek , modern look . It's rectangular , clad in dark wood with a matching black roof .

In one corner there are two massive windows that let in tons of natural light , and right in the center , a glass door leads out to the deck , with a cute little chimney peeking out from the roof . Speaking of the deck , there are a couple of wooden chairs , a small table and just enough space to soak up the surroundings .

A few meters in front , there is a fire pit , surrounded by large logs that double as seats . I can imagine a cozy evening there under the stars . Oh , and look at this . There is also a wood fire , pizza oven and a log splitter . Even though this cabin looks absolutely stunning from the outside , I have a feeling that the best surprises await us inside .

Let's go check it out , shall we ? Oh , wow , okay , now I get it . It's way bigger on the inside than it looks from out there . They've done such a great job with the design . All these wooden panels on the walls and ceiling gives it a really clean and modern feel , but it's still so warm and cosy . Remember those huge windows we saw from the outside ?

Well , from in here , they are like these massive picture frames showcasing the whole forest , and the best part is that the bed is right next to them . You could literally stargaze all night and wake up to the sunrise without even getting out of bed . Speaking of the bed . I'm just going to have a quick lie down and check it out . Oh , wow , it's so comfy .

I definitely wasn't expecting a bed like this in the middle of nowhere . This is a world apart from what you get when you are camping . Yes , I could definitely get used to this . Next to the bed there is a table with two stools to seat two people . Oh , and check this out even have charging usb ports and the cd player with some music .

Let's see what they have available here . So they have oh , bob dylan , beach boys , neil young these are all great albums and super trump . These are all great albums , and Supertramp . Now you might wonder how do they have electricity out here in the middle of nowhere ? Well , it turns out there is a high-tech solar panel very close to the cavern .

It can generate enough power for the lights , for the fridge , for charging your phone , for the CD player and for other appliances that are installed in the cabin . The system also has a battery that stores any extra energy , so nothing goes to waste . Over by the entrance there is a wood burner connected to that beautiful chimney we saw from the outside .

It's perfect for keeping the cabin toasty during the cold months . They even left us a complimentary bag of wood , and there is more stored in a cupboard outside if you need it .

Beside the bed you have a beautiful , small Scandinavian style kitchen and , honestly , if someone had told me about a kitchen in the middle of the woods , I would have pictured something basic , maybe a camping stove and a cooler . But this , this is something else .

There's a gas hob , shelves with mixing bowls and plates and lots of cutlery and spoons and knives Basically everything you need to cook coffee grinder , coffee beans , tea , teapot , olive oil well , the list goes on and , of course , there is a mini fridge to keep all the food I picked up at the shop in the village . So we've got the bed in one corner .

The kitchen is here in the middle and at the other end of the cabin there's the bathroom . So we've got the bed in one corner . The kitchen is here in the middle and at the other end of the cabin there's the bathroom and , just like the rest of the place , you can tell that a lot of salt went into this space . It's all wood with tiled floor .

There is a stone basin , shampoo , shower gel , towels . Oh , and check out this shower . It's a proper rain shower and you've got a view of the forest right from the stall . Why don't we turn this off Now ? This bathroom is packed with some pretty fancy sustainable technology . For example , the shower uses collected rainwater and is heated using the solar panels .

The toilet is a bit different too . It doesn't flush , but instead it uses composting technology to break down . Well , you know what I'm talking about . I'm not entirely sure how it works , but I'm happy to leave it at that for now .

So there you have it , a peek inside our cozy cabin , beautifully designed , well thought out and put together with such attention to detail . It has everything you need and nothing you don't . You have to see it . I'll be uploading photos and videos in our website to see it .

I'll be uploading photos and videos in our website , so please check the episode description for the link or go to wwwtravelplanspodcastcom . So the cabin itself , inside and out , is absolutely spot on . It's beautiful , it's functional , it's everything I could have asked for . But now comes the real test .

How will I adapt to life here in the middle of nowhere , surrounded by nothing but nature , completely cut off from the busy side of the world ?

Will it really help me to de-stress , think more clearly and find that sense of calm , will I feel recharged after a few days and can immersing ourselves in nature , even for a short time , truly have a lasting impact on our well-being and give us a fresh perspective ?

There is only one way to find out let's settle into this peaceful space and see what unfolds in the days ahead . Let's settle into this peaceful space and see what unfolds in the days ahead ?

And looking around the cabin , I noticed a small leaflet Agnjogd calls the infield guide , and up in the corner it says in small print your remedy for modern life . And then I opened the booklet and there was the question I've been asking myself now what the idea of these cabins in the middle of nowhere is , that you really disconnect and to .

To be fair , I can't imagine being more disconnected than this . I have no phone signal , no way to contact anyone . I haven't seen a soul and the nearest village it's an hour and 30 minute walk away , part of which is in the forest . Now , for someone who's always connected , I'm feeling a bit of a shock to the system .

It's like my head is saying something is wrong run . Fortunately , the field guide explains what's going on . It says you are in the middle of nowhere . Yes , I think I've noticed that . And they continue . You are on a nature-inspired self-discovery and you've already run out of things to do . You are not alone in this feeling . And they continue .

Dropping into an unyoked flow is not something that happens immediately . There are many ways to get there , but there is one we can guarantee works every time . Do nothing . That's what I'm doing , and it feels pretty uncomfortable . Oh wait , there's more . It says while humans become experts at attaching outcomes to everything we do , unyoked is about unstructured time .

It's about staring , daydreaming , walking , drawing , journaling . It's entire hours flying by , sitting in bed , watching other lights , dances across the trees , seeing sunsets and sunrises . No expectation , we call it good boredom . Your brain will be screaming at you , but soon enough all that stuff will melt away . Look up , look down , breathe in deeply .

This moment is just for you . Okay , I get it . I guess we expect outcomes from everything we do and comes from everything we do , and being here is all about not expecting anything . Just go with the flow .

The challenge is that usually I will land at the destination and tell you all about what there is to do , where to find the popular restaurants , the welcoming hotels , but here I can't do that , because I'm here to tell you how it feels to be in the middle of a forest , off the grid and basically doing nothing , and right now it feels cold .

So I guess it's time to use that wood burner . But before I have to cut some wood wood using the splitter to get some wood , I need some small pieces of wood . Some fire lighters very good and now let's just wait and see what happens . I can see a very bright fire , so hopefully it will work tonight . It feels crazy that I'm actually here .

It feels almost wrong . My head is telling me you should be working , you should be busy , and probably that's part of what's going on with us humans . We don't allow ourselves to stop , or maybe society doesn't allow us to stop , or maybe both .

Now I was planning to cook a meal on the fire pit outside the cabin , but has been raining non-stop and everything is very wet , so I'm putting this very functional kitchen to good use . Today's menu is salmon with greens and small potatoes , and voila , it's all ready . Bon Appetit .

I'm looking outside and imagining my family around that fire pit at night roasting marshmallows , singing out loud the Yellow Submarine from the Beatles , a family favourite . I guess that you can experience these cabins in a very different way depending on which season you visit or who is with you . Personally , I love autumn and winter .

I can see the full power of nature around me , but in the spring and summer you can do many more activities outside . You can build a den , explore the forest without mud to your knees . You can build a den , explore the forest without mud to your knees and you will probably enjoy more sunsets , sunrises and be able to stare at full moons and the stars .

Talking about families , bear in mind that each cabin accommodates two people only , so if you are a family of four , for example , you will need two cabins . Some locations do offer multiple cabins , but they are never side by side .

You will need to walk a short distance to get from one to the other , and in the winter that means that you might need a torch to navigate the forest . There's one in each cabin . The rain still hasn't stopped , so I've been exploring what's available in the cabin .

I've listened to Bob Dylan , made some progress with the book I've been reading , stared outside through these two massive windows . It's so soothing . It's now nearly 9 pm and something interesting is happening . It's pitch black outside . I can hear the rain . On these big windows and on the roof , the wood fire is warming the cabin .

Big windows and on the roof , the wood fire is warming the cabin . It's quiet , it's peaceful and my body is starting to tell me it wants to sleep . That's two hours ahead of my usual bedtime . It's almost like if you aren't exposed to your day-to-day routine , to your devices , to the internet and the news , your mind allows itself to relax .

I guess I'm already starting to feel the effects of being disconnected . My body wants to rest . It's saying , hey , I'm ready to sleep . And who am I to say ? No , I'll take it .

Waking up to this view , I'm so lucky I have this giant tree literally standing three meters beside me . Hello you , right time for a slow brewed coffee fruit coffee . I'm going to make a . I am now grinding my going to make my coffee .

I do accept that modern life or city life might not necessarily allow us to spend 30 minutes preparing a cup of coffee , but there is something so relaxing about it and I can see a pattern starting to reveal itself . Everything here is designed to slow you down . There is no coffee ready at the push of a button .

No , you have to grind the coffee , boil the it , wait .

If that's the intention , it's working out perfectly , because yesterday I was somehow anxious about this experiment , but today I'm so happy I'm here , and that's despite the fact that it's wet and windy outside , and I might even spend most of my day inside this cabin sitting by a warm fire , reading a book , listening to really good music and watching nothing but the

squirrels collecting the chestnuts from the ground . We all leave . The elephant parade . The elephant parade , the elephant parade .

Hello , mr and Mrs Squirrel Shall , we sing a song . Right here we go , the wheels on the bus go round and round , round and round round and round , round and round . I walked for two hours and it's fascinating because it's so isolated from everything else that I didn't see a village , didn't see a soul .

Before I came here , I wondered how vulnerable or fearful I would feel simply by being in the middle of a forest , far from civilisation , amongst the wildlife . I'll admit it , it crossed my mind that someone might appear in front of my cabin , hacks in hand . Or what if there was an emergency ?

Maybe I would burn the cabin down or break a leg tripping over a fallen tree . How quickly could I get help ? The truth is , for the most part , this anxiety is caused by my modern way of living . We aren't exposed to nature as much as we used to be , and that lets fear creep in . In reality , these cabins are very secure . They are located on private land .

Now , most likely you won't have phone signal , but in an emergency , 999 will use any network available . If you drive to the location , your car won't be that far away . On this particular occasion , I have encountered strong winds and heavy rain and I did feel vulnerable , but that's okay . We should feel vulnerable .

It means we are aware , focused and we understand that in life we can't always control everything . And that realization can be beautiful too and help us to accept life as it is . Oh , now that I'm back to my cabin , I am going to cut some wood and prepare for the evening . The steak is ready now . I'm just going to rest for a few minutes .

Oh no fire alarm , it's okay , it's okay . It's okay , oh alright , sorry , too much smoke . After a full day here , I've been thinking about who these experiences are geared towards . Three groups of people come to mind . The first one is those in need of hitting the pause button and taking time to get clarity or to relax or find a new perspective on life .

The second group would be the creatives . These caverns don't only let you disconnect from a busy and demanding world , but they also have the power to inspire busy and demanding world , but they also have the power to inspire . So I can imagine a writer here or a musician drafting lyrics and notes to a new song .

As I said before , by cutting off those things that we don't need , this space can help us focus more on what we want . And then the last group would be those looking for a new experience a group of friends , a family with children . This is an adventure like no other and fairly accessible At the time of recording .

A three-day , two-night break at one of these cabins would cost you around 350 pounds , and there is an extra cost if you want to bring your dog . Now I can also tell you who might find this experience more of a challenge . If you depend on a medical device like CPAP machines for sleep apnea , the power provided by the solar panels might not be enough .

Also , if you experience reduced mobility , the distance between the place where you leave your car and the cabin , combined with some challenging tracks through the forest , might make it difficult . I would recommend you contact Unyogued directly and discuss your requirements .

If you can't imagine yourself without a phone connection , then you need to select a location with good coverage , and Yogurt's website will help you with that too . And finally , if you tend to get scared in dark and secluded environments , I would suggest you come with a friend or a partner Talking about darkness . It's night time again .

Partner Talking about darkness , it's night time again . And after one of the most restful sleeps I've ever had , I confess I can't wait to go back to sleep . Hi there , good morning . I just woke up to a beautiful day , very different from the weather over the last couple of days .

Usually I end these episodes back at the airplane and about to take off and saying goodbye to the wonderful destination we've just visited , but not today . I confess .

When I arrived here a couple of days ago , I had many questions and some doubts , but in less than one day I adapted and embraced being disconnected from the world where often others dictate our schedules and rhythm .

I also didn't have access to a 24-7 stream of news coming at me in pop-up notifications , and I guess that was key to helping me start , unwind and feel calmer . For the first few hours a little voice in my head was telling me something was wrong , but it quietened down . Then I had two amazing night sleeps . Gosh , those were great .

The days were never rushed . Brewing a coffee was slow . I had to chop wood to keep the cabin warm , but all these tasks were so satisfying . I went on a very wet walk through the forest . I hugged a couple of trees , I had an imaginary chat with a couple of squirrels and just allowed my mind to wander around .

I'm not sure yet if these days will have a lasting impact on my well-being , but it absolutely did for the time I was here . Now you might ask do you need a secluded retreat to de-stress ? Probably not , but it would require a determination that isn't always so easy to achieve .

It's not easy to get off a train when it's moving fast , right , but here in the middle of nowhere , you have no option . Nature can slow you down and cut you off from the outside world . Now I wasn't fully disconnected over the past couple of days .

I was here to report back to you , so this time I'm extending my stay by one day and I'm going to disconnect the only device I kept on all the time , this microphone . I love it here and I hope one day you will too . I hope you enjoyed this episode and , if so , please share it with your friends .

If you want to see photos and videos of this trip and get a 15% discount code for unyolked cabins , you can subscribe to my newsletter at wwwtravelplantspodcastcom . You can find a link in this episode's notes . Right time to turn off this microphone . I'll be back next month to take you in another flight to an incredible destination , to an incredible destination .

A massive branch just fell from a tree on the roof of the house . Well , I'm safe . Talking about safety , it was a gust of wind that caused it .