Hide at St Donats

12
4

Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff, Wales

From £140/night

An adults only, secret coastal spot with 4 unique hideaways and incredible peace, 2.5 hours from London (each sleeps 2 or 4)

Beauty/wellness treatments

Close to a beach

Eco conscious

EV charging

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

All who come here are bewitched by the calm and peace of the Vale of Glamorgan. An easy 25 mins from Cardiff, this secret pocket of Wales overlooks a stunning Heritage shoreline that runs for miles in either direction. Hide at St Donats sits in a golden meadow in the middle of it all, right on the Welsh Coast Path, so you can walk straight out to Nash Point Lighthouse, rocky coves for swimming, and bigger sandy beaches like Dunraven and Ogmore. Inland, tiny villages are awash with history, culture and foodie pubs – you’re a mile from Llantwit Major. But many who come here go nowhere at all, content to just be. Adults only, this is a pure retreat and the perfect antidote to city life. Heaven, too, for a solo escape.

The owners’ ethos is “simple living amongst nature”, shaped by their travels and a love of Welsh heritage and transcendental poetry. Each of their hideaways reflects this, tucked into 7.5 acres of woodland, with a handcrafted Welsh-Americana style, showcasing local textiles and characterful artwork. Caban Merios is a nod to the mining huts once common in the area, with wide sea views and a kitchenette set among wildflowers, while 2 Lodges look all the way over to the Quantock Hills. There’s also a shepherd’s hut hidden deep in the arboretum, its forest-green interiors blending quietly into the landscape. You’ll soon see why this Welsh countryside inspired some of our finest romantic poets.

Getting here: drive, or train from London/Bristol (see FAQ)

Book this hideaway.

Accommodation prices shown on the calendar are for up to 2 guests; for any additional guests there’s a charge of £25 per night per guest.

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Tom used to design and make Welsh ‘cabans’ (mini cabins) for a range of clients, whilst Paula had a varied career in the arts before retraining as a Pilates teacher when they moved here. The combination of their talents created this unique Welsh retreat and every aspect of the site has a little story to tell.

“Hide is more than a retreat; it is a curated experience of Welsh artistry. Throughout the buildings and grounds, the work of master artisans and sculptors creates a living narrative. This is most evident in the Walden Lodge, which echoes the architectural heritage of the late 17thC Welsh diaspora. Its design mirrors the simple, primitive dwellings built by Welsh immigrants in Pennsylvania, grounding the lodge in a unique history of movement and craftsmanship. The other accommodations embody ‘cwtch’, the lovely Welsh word for an affectionate hug. There’s no literal English translation, but its nearest equivalent is safe place.”

My Kip favourites

They love
“The fabulous views across the site to the sea, and watching wildlife from your bed. At night, sitting out beside your firepit and watching the light disappear across the channel is such a lovely thing to do. Being here is true escapism.”

We love
The rainbow of gorgeous textiles, all made at Welsh mills.

You may not love
No children under 12. No noise after 10pm; this is a peaceful place. Sorry, no dogs.

  • "We stayed at The Hide for 5 days and had a wonderful break. The location is peaceful and secluded, and Walden Lodge felt very private. Communication with the hosts, Tom and Paula, was great. Paula met us on arrival and helped with the trolley (to transport luggage) and gave us a crash course in log burner etiquette and provided helpful information about the property as well as great sightseeing suggestions. Walden Lodge is a charming, modern property that was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. The attention to detail in the design of the lodge is noticeable. The wood burner made it cosy, and the large bathroom was a lovely bonus. We did a lot of walking and exploring during our stay. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast was a highlight for us, with Nash Point a close second. We also loved the views of nature from the kitchen window and front door. Highly recommended - we would happily stay again."

    Althea, March
  • "A lovely weekend with an artistic and modern feel to it. The balance between glamping and ‘camping’ was just right and the location is ideal with regards to nearby towns and walks."

    C Moore
  • "Would highly recommend for a restful and replenishing time. We spend our time breakfasting on the porch, watching the sea from the coastline and reading by the fire. The use of local arts to decorate and really bring to life the spaces were a pleasure to be surrounded by. Thoroughly appreciate your hospitality."

    Dr Hart
  • "Our second stay, this time in the Cabin, which was was absolutely beautiful. So comfortable and cosy. Set in stunning grounds, surrounded by beautiful countryside and the sea just a small walk away it couldn’t be better. The owners could not have been more helpful and full of local knowledge for walks and local places to visit. Highly recommend, in fact we have already booked for next year. Thanks for a fantastic stay, yet again."

    Alison, July
  • "The perfect retreat, we were blown away with the beauty of the Hut. Paula was the perfect host, a lovely warm and welcoming person. The hut was so warm and cosy and the attention to detail amazing. The area is great, lots of pubs nearby, places to eat and the coastal footpath is stunning and unspoilt. We already starting planning our return during our stay. Cannot recommend this hidden treasure enough."

    Dr E Davis
  • "The time, love and effort that has clearly gone into this place is just wonderful. It is a perfect little oasis of tranquillity and beauty – thank you."

    K Blackburn

Sustainability.

The owners manage their 7.5 acres of woodland and meadow as a nature reserve, encouraging as much biodiversity as possible. All accommodation is designed to tread lightly in this natural setting and to be super energy efficient. Renewable power across the site is generated by solar panels and timber is locally sourced.

Surrounds.

  • St Donats Coastline
    St Donats Coastline
  • Tresilian Bay
    Tresilian Bay
  • Explore 14 miles of coastal paths along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, with its plunging blue-lias cliffs and uninterrupted views. Keep your eyes sharp for Jurassic fossils, many have been found here.
  • Walk into Llantwit Major, the nearest town (1 mile), for your all grocery needs and a reliably good butcher. There’s a slew of good pubs for lunch, including the Old Swan Inn, with its oak beams and roaring fire.
  •  There are 2 beautiful coastline walks from Hide to 14thC pubs. One is a mile and a half away, the other is 3 miles along the Welsh Coast path. You can then catch the 303 bus back here!
  • See an extraordinary series of medieval wall paintings at the little Church of St Cadoc, Llancarfan. We particularly liked ‘George and the Dragon’.
  • Swim or surf at Dunraven Bay, known locally as Southerndown: it’s nicely secluded at its half-sand, half-pebble end and gets some decent waves (be mindful of the tides, though). Take a hike along the coastal path from the car park, past the magnificent ruins of Dunraven Castle, then refresh with a pint at the Three Golden Cups pub.
  • Visit Cowbridge, a lovely little market town lined with independent shops, cafes, a walled physic garden and Saturday farmers’ market.
  • Day trip to Cardiff (25 minutes by car) to stroll around the castle, or shop at the swish St Davids centre.

Details.

  • Unique retreats nestled amongst 7.5 acres of arboretum, overlooking a meadow
  • Caban Merios (sleeps 2): open-plan layout warmed by a woodburner; double bed, separate bathroom with shower, separate kitchenette (fridge, mini electric oven and hob) and BBQ
  • Shepherd’s Hut (sleeps 2): open-plan layout warmed by a woodburner; double bed, shower bathroom, kitchen annexe (fridge, mini electric oven and hob), terrace and BBQ
  • Walden Lodge (sleeps 2-4):Double bed downstairs + double and single bunk upstairs; bathroom with walk-in shower, o>pen-plan living area warmed by a woodburner, full kitchen and dining table, terrace and BBQ
  • Pavilion Cabin (sleeps 2-4): Superkingsize/twin beds + 2 single beds, bathroom with walk-in shower, open-plan living area warmed by a woodburner, full kitchen and dining table
  • All units have firepits, books, cards, candles, binoculars, a torch, a hairdryer and basic supplies
  • Wood and charcoal BBQ available for use (extra cost)
  • Morning croissants are delivered at a time of your choosing (extra cost, see FAQ)
  • No children under 12
  • Sorry, no pets
  • WiFi and 5G
  • Massages on offer in a treatment room
  • Yoga and Pilates classes. Nordic Walking is also on offer for groups
  • Car park, with luggage trolley and EV charger (see FAQ)
  • The owners live on-site
  • Walk to a pub and shops (1 mile), drive to restaurants
  • Booking conditions: minimum stays are detailed on the live calendars; underlined dates are check in days
  • Note you’ll need to pay a security deposit (see FAQ)
  • Remember to pack: beach towels and wellies/walking boots

Strict

30% deposit on booking, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 12+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £40 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 12 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts & Cs

FAQs.

In 3.30pm / out 10.30am

It may be possible to check in earlier and this will be confirmed 24 hours before your stay.

£8, for 4 croissants and marmalade, to be delivered at a time of your choosing. Can be requested the night before.

Yes. Take a mainline train to Cardiff (direct from London or Bristol), then change to get to Llantwit Major. From here the owners can collect you for a £5 charge.

They all sit in a line along the edge of an arboretum, approx 50m apart, but none are overlooked or overlook anything. Walden Lodge is the most private as it’s on the end and slightly set back.

Unfortunately not; there’s a 2-night minimum. Check in/out days are detailed on the live calendars.

Yes. You’ll need a connection for standard square pinsocket. Otherwise there is a charging point nearby in St Donats.

It is metred, and you will be charged the standard current UK rate for using it.

 

£150, charged separately by the owners after booking. This will be returned/released within 48 hours of your stay, assuming no costs are incurred.

If the accommodation is left such that extra cleaning is required, a charge of £60-100 will be deducted from the deposit.

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