The hidden gem West Midlands staycation spot you’ll want to keep secret (but can’t stop raving about)

Okay, who gave Riverside Cabins permission to be this dreamy?

I booked a weekend here with the vague hope of “recharging” (read: escaping my email inbox and pretending I’m the kind of person who goes on wholesome walks), and oh wow – it delivered.

This place isn’t just a cabin getaway; it’s a peaceful, perfectly-designed hug from nature, and I am now a full-blown cabin enthusiast.

Riverside Cabins is the brainchild of Managing Director Anthony Prince, who took the leap and left his job to bring this dream to life four years ago—and honestly, what a move.

Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, growing into the kind of place people book once and instantly start planning their return. You can feel the passion behind it, and it shows in every little detail.

Let’s start with the setting. It’s tucked away in Shropshire, right by the river. Think trees, gentle water sounds, and the kind of quiet that makes your brain stop doing that constant to-do list scroll. The cabins are cleverly spaced so you’re not breathing down your neighbour’s BBQ smoke – it actually feels private.

The cabin itself? Gorgeous. Spotless. Super cosy without being twee. The interiors are modern but warm. And it works. The kitchen’s fully kitted out, the beds are ridiculously comfy, and there’s underfloor heating. Yes, UNDERFLOOR HEATING. My feet are still emotionally attached.

Oh, and the hot tub. Honestly, it’s a personality now. Morning coffee? Hot tub. Post-hike soak? Hot tub. Star-gazing with a glass of wine? You guessed it – hot tub. I may never bathe indoors again.

Extra love for the dog-friendly vibes – No need to do that awkward pet-sitter scramble. There’s plenty of space for a good sniff-and-explore, and she was basically living her best country life.

Oh, and can we talk about the help-yourself kayak and paddleboard setup? Absolute genius. You just sign a quick disclaimer, and then it’s yours to roam the river like some serene, outdoorsy legend. No faff, no waiting—just grab a paddle and go. It’s giving freedom, it’s giving adventure, it’s giving “I might actually be sporty now.”

A few quick shout-outs:

• The contactless check-in was smooth.
• There’s Wi-Fi, but honestly, I didn’t touch it. I was too busy watching ducks and being at peace.
• The welcome touches were spot-on. Thoughtful but not over the top.

Final verdict: Riverside Cabins is the kind of place you want to tell everyone about… and also gatekeep forever so it doesn’t get too booked up. Ideal for a romantic escape, a digital detox, or just a “get me out of the group chat” weekend. 10/10, would move in tomorrow if they let me.

The whole place has this effortlessly chilled vibe—like everything just flows (pun very much intended). From check-in to hot tub bubbles to grabbing a kayak, it all feels easy and low-key. But make no mistake, behind the scenes it's clearly a tightly run ship. Everything’s spotless, thought through, and runs like clockwork. You can just relax knowing it’s all sorted.

Details: [email protected]

Tel: 01939 260495

Stanwardine Lane, Wykey,

Ruyton-XI- Towns, Shrewsbury, SY4 1HY

For more visit the Riverside website here.