Considering staying at one of our cabins with your family? Discover five compelling reasons to take your kids off-grid this summer. Disconnecting from the real world, and unplugging from technology can provide invaluable experiences, foster deeper connections, and create unforgettable memories. Explore the benefits of going off-grid and why a stay at Shacks is the perfect adventure for families seeking quality time together this summer.

Lauren, mum of two young boys, recently stayed with us at Tawny, our largest cabin in Cheshire. ‘Arriving at the cabin really was like a breath of fresh air. We left our busy lives at home, and spent time in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. We laughed, we played, we traded screens for games, we paid no attention to the time and we left with full hearts and a promise to do this again very soon’

So what are our five reasons to take your kids off grid this summer? Over to Lauren:

Quality time together

It’s sad, but it’s true, that as much as we try to factor in quality time together at the weekend, they almost always include catching up on housework, homework, sports clubs, parties and sometimes even work. Our time at the cabin was very much just ‘us time’ playing outside, enjoying board games, reading, dancing and being in each other’s company. 

Spend more time outdoors

As a family, we know that we are happiest outdoors, and being off-grid generally means exactly that. With no time pressures, we enjoyed breakfast outside, long walks into the nearby village, Tarporley, and played outside into the early evening. Come bedtime, the kids were a lot calmer, and even treated us to a lie-in.

Mental and emotional benefits

Having time away from screens, bright lights, loud noises, and being busy in general, we were all a lot more relaxed. We had deep meaningful conversations, we were more present with each other, imaginative and had a deeper connection to nature. And personally, after just three days’ rest, my mind felt clearer and I left feeling ready to take on the world again. 

Explore somewhere new

We’ve not really explored this beautiful part of Cheshire before. We walked part of the Sandstone Trail (which you can join just a field away from the cabin), visited Beeston Castle, which has the most incredible views, and fell in love with the village of Tarporley itself. The kids thoroughly enjoyed fresh milkshakes and bacon butties at Ginger & Pickles, the interior shops were delightful, and we’ve eyed up a few places to go for dinner next time we visit.

Appreciation for simple pleasures

We’ve learnt we don’t need many things to make us happy. And the slower pace of off-grid living is something we not only enjoyed, but now see the need for in our lives. Being off-grid encouraged us to just live in the moment. Without the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we were able to savour each experience, whether that was the sunset, the sound of nature, a conversation or even a moment of silence. 

Want to bring your family for an off-grid experience this summer? 

Tawny is our largest cabin with an extra single bed (soon to be bunk bed) for little ones, or if you’re happy to, we allow an infant to stay for free in all of our cabins and can provide a travel cot if needed. Our cabins are all built by us, using sustainable materials, and placed in hand-picked, incredible locations in North Wales and Cheshire.