On the water

There’s very little finer than your own secluded cabin, all to yourself. But what about a secluded cabin all to yourself, on your very own lake, with your very own little boat to ride about in? That's what you'll find at the end of a track that winds into Devon woods.

Perched on the shores of Loch Venachar, Birch Cabin is the perfect place to embrace a simple life. With expansive views across the loch, the cabin basks in the floating scent of pine. Wake up, and dive right in. To the loch in the morning, and into living wild all day.

The River Trent burbles past all day long, and if you don’t spend your time watching it flow, then you can head off on a Canadian-style canoe down the UK's third longest river. The 3.5-mile taster route leaves from just outside your door, and sees you sailing past the historic Anchor Church Caves.

There’s your own bit of wild to yourself, and then there’s Gwennol. Accessible only by foot, bike or horseback, this handcrafted wagon sits by a river, ready for you to jump right in, wild swimming, or into one of the most rustic (and brilliant) bath's in our collection.

A far cry from the fisherman’s cabin it started as, River Dart Cabin’s where you’d expect it, on a bend of the River Dart. Walk the banks, stroll the Dartington Estate, or tour ‘The English Riviera’. If nothing else, just enjoy it trickling past from your perch by the wood burner.

Drop your toes off the jetty and watch the trees lean to kiss in the wind. You’re miles from the city here, on your very own lake fringed with willow trees. Spend your days wild swimming, and taking naps out on the deck. All this, and it’s just a couple of hours from London.

Think ‘cabin’ and you’re already halfway there. The Lodge looks exactly like you’d hope a log cabin would, backed by thick woodland, with a river flowing past in front. Life moves slow here, so take your time, lie back in the hot tub, and count the stars.

On a private stretch of the river at the heart of a 6000-acre estate, being lost in the woods never felt so good. The French doors at the foot of your bed look out on the water rushing past, and if it’s not the gentle burble of the river you hear, it’ll be wood burner crackle.

A former artist’s studio in the heart of the largest protected wetland in the UK, if you can’t find inspiration here, we don’t know where you could. Head out in a rented canoe or paddleboard or even hop aboard and explore the broads on a sunset sail with owner Tim.

Wild is the word of the day here, only adventurers need apply. Found in the forest of Agder in Norway, wilderness sprawls in all directions beyond the circumference of your lake island. Trout are found in the lake, water’s found in the farm pump, and peace? That’s found everywhere you look.

We've got 90 more amazing experiences to discover

Grab your swimsuit and splash into the magical world of wild swimming. Not sure where to start? Here are our top tips for keeping safe and finding the best spots.

We’ve rounded up six of the coolest wild swimming spots in the UK where you’ll find Canopy & Stars glamping places conveniently close by for a feel-good getaway.

Journalist, nature writer and author of Losing Eden Lucy Jones on how the sound of water is good for our mental health.

You wouldn’t believe the locations of some of our cabins, unless they had the pictures alongside to prove it. Here’s a list of our six favourites on the water’s edge.