Up^ Review A Stay In The Wye Valley Wales

Up^ Cabin Review A Stay In The Wye Valley Wales

Up^ Review Wye Valley Wales

You know when you feel like you just need to get away from it all? As someone who is pretty much constantly plugged in, after all, my profession is digital marketing, it feels amazing to escape to nature for a few days. After several hours spent scouring Canopy & Stars, I came across Up^ in The Wye Valley, Wales. It ticked all the boxes – secluded, aesthetically pleasing, spacious and it had a fancy outdoor bath tub. Sold! Here’s my review.

The Location

One of main reasons I chose to book Up^ (aside from wanting to explore more of Wales) was the convenient location, situated just 30 minutes from the M4/M5 interchange. It took us around 3 hours from our home in Cambridgeshire, which flew by with a good playlist and a few road trip sweets. You’ll find the cabin nestled in the heart of the Wye Valley, surrounded by nature. It’s secluded but not too far away from the local pub, and around 30 minute drive to a Tesco and other villages/towns. It was perfect, but the only thing I’d say is be warned that the final 30 minutes of the drive are on a very narrow single-track road. Something I wasn’t aware of (my own poor research) Charlie was less than thrilled that we had decided to take his big work van! Oops!

The Style

My checklist when looking for a rural getaway was basically; clean, spacious, neutral decor…and maybe the opportunity for an Instagram shot. Up^ delivered on all of these counts, and the size/layout/design is perfect for a couple looking to getaway and spend some quality time together. The living space is pretty open plan with a kitchen overlooking the valley, a cosy sofa area with a log fire (heaven in the colder months!), a baby grand piano (had way too much fun with this) and a dining table to enjoy all of those home cooked meals. I thought the pans on the wall and the shelves of herbs in the living space were a nice touch. A modern twist on rustic!

The Facilities

Up^ is a self-catered cabin, but there’s everything you could need in the kitchen to cook up a storm. Shortly after we arrived, we did a big Tesco food shop to last the 3 nights. We cooked up a delicious vegan curry on our first night and enjoyed a variety of interesting spices that were on offer too guests in the kitchen. A quick rundown of everything you will find at Up^

Gas central heating and log burner
Electric lighting
Organic cotton bed linen
Plug sockets and USB charger sockets
LPG 4 ring gas hob and electric oven
Small fridge
Fit pit and barbecue
Mini grand piano in living room
Cards and board games
TV and DVD player with a selection of DVDs
Small library of books
Record player with selection of LPs
Telescope with 26x – 195x magnification
Wi-Fi
Shower in bedroom
Outdoor bath tub
Sink for washing up with hot water
Dishwasher
Flushing toilet

Things to Do

When I booked our stay at Up^ I didn’t have any intention of exploring too further afield, this weekend was a chance to escape and wind down after an insanely busy year. We spent most of the time lazing around the cabin, watching movies, playing games, cooking, drinking and just chilling out. As neither of us are too good at sitting still, we did decide to head out in the Wye Valley (and brave the single track roads) to a few of the nearby villages for a wander/drink. One of my favourite villages was Tintern, definitely worth visiting if you happen to come to the Wye Valley. Boasting beautiful surroundings, you can’t miss the historic Tintern Abbey – known as one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. We stopped for a roast dinner at The Anchor Inn which is adjacent to the Abbey, and surprisingly, they did offer a vegan option!