Retreats, hideaways, escape spaces - call them what you will, such havens offer us a personal, private and peaceful place to nest, nurture and take time out.

Retreats, hideaways, escape spaces – call them what you will, such havens offer us a personal, private and peaceful place to nest, nurture and take time out.

These spaces offer the chance to create a completely unique interior. Be it a simple garden room, a homely shepherd’s hut, a yoga-lover’s cabin, a fishing lodge or summer house, a treehouse, a circus wagon, a purpose-designed garden smart pod, or even a canal boat, the glorious retreats showcased here will provide inspiration for creating your very own place for escape or somewhere to enjoy favorite activities. Author Sara Bird reveals the essential elements of a soulful hideaway, from building materials to decorative details, and then explores 14 remarkable retreats in three chapters: Close to Home, On the Water, and In the Wild. These are spaces designed for rest, relaxation, play, and daydreaming either alone or en famille, as well as for their effects on our mental and physical wellbeing.