We all know all-too-well that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to properly switch off – even when we’re on holiday.
With the constant pings and buzzes and flashes of digital technology begging for our attention every minute of the day, it’s not easy to properly step away and unwind.
Which is why the Unplugged countryside cabins were invented – and its first north west location has just opened.
Each of these stunning tiny homes includes a lock box, which guests are encouraged to lock their mobile phones in.
Over the course of each three-night stay, Unplugged guests are instead given other items to keep them entertained.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Luna Unplugged cabin in Cheshire. Credit: Pasco Photography
The Unplugged cabins include board games, books, and cassette players, as well as an instant camera with film so you can still capture your break – without the pressure to immediately shout about it on Instagram.
You’re also handed a classic Nokia phone (yes complete with Snake) in case you need to contact anyone, and a map and a compass.
ADVERTISEMENT
They are also kitted out with a compact but fully equipped kitchen for cooking up a storm, a log burner and an outdoor fire pit, and comfy beds with luxury Piglet bedding.
Credit: Pasco PhotographyCredit: Pasco PhotographyPhone lockboxes and fire pits at Unplugged in Cheshire.
There are several of these countryside retreats dotted around the south of England, and there’s now an Unplugged property here in the North West, just outside Greater Manchester in Cheshire.
The ‘Luna’ cabin has a huge panoramic window overlooking the countryside, and its location just off the Sandstone Trail.
ADVERTISEMENT
The cabin is even pet-friendly.
You’ll find inside the compact wooden-clad space a powerful hot shower and toiletries, while outside are wellies and umbrellas to brace you for the great outdoors.
Unplugged was launched by two friends – Hector Hughes and Ben Elliot – who at the time both worked at a tech start-up and were teetering on the edge of burnout.
Unplugged kitchens. Credit: Pasco Photography
So after one of them took a two-week silent retreat in the Himalayas, they decided to try and create a few pockets of total, switch-off zen here in the UK.
They say: “Humans have always escaped to nature as an antidote to hectic city life. The issue is that now so many of us just wouldn’t know where to start.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re glued to our phones, inundated with push notifications and respond to emails at all times of the day. We’re on a mission to help you unplug from your devices so that you can recharge.
“So we decided to build beautiful off-grid cabins just outside of city life that take less than an hour or two to get to.
“We also remove any of the woo-woo and stigma that might come with meditation and Buddhist retreats by creating beautiful cabins in nature for you to use the space and time to switch off how you want to.
“When we launched our first cabin, Koya in July 2020 we’d check in and out every guest, lock their phones away and take the key back with us to London. Now we have a lot more cabins, guests check themselves in and are encouraged to lock their phones away to benefit from 3 nights offline.
“We of course practice what we preach and all of the Unplugged team go for a digital detox at least once per year to help us switch off and recharge.”
ADVERTISEMENT
You can book Luna, the Unplugged cabin in Cheshire, here.
Featured image: Pasco Photography
Things To Do
Chase and Status announce highly-anticipated UK tour with just three dates — and one of them is Manchester
Danny Jones
Drum and bass icons Chase and Status have just announced a brand-new limited-run UK tour with just three dates and, lucky for us, Manchester is one of them.
Still one of the biggest electronic artists on the planet and comfortably up there with one of the best acts we’ve ever seen live, the production and DJ duo (Saul Milton and Will Kennard) are hitting the road early next year and they’ll be gracing the O2 Victoria Warehouse.
With the boys not only bringing a full live band along with them for the ride but also set to release their new mixtape, 2 Ruff. Vol 1, the crowd will be treated to both the classics and all the new tracks to boot.
To be honest, we’d pay ridiculous money just to hear that new ‘Baddadan’ track in the flesh.
With the new record dropping on Friday, 27 October, just over a year after their previous and sixth studio album, What Came Before, the 10-track mixtape is set to feature massive collaborations with Flowdan, Arrdee, Stefflondon; Becky Hill, long-time friend and collaborator Takura, as well as many others.
Everything we’ve heard so far has been an absolute banger and we can only imagine how amazing these new tracks are going to sound in a live space as good as the legendary Victoria Warehouse.
I mean, these lads spent time here at university so they know full well just how special a venue this is.
Bringing along a number of special guests for each date — sorry, they haven’t let any info slip just yet — the London-based artists will be playing the Cardiff Utilita Arena and London Drumsheds in February 2024 before rounding things off with the main event: Manchester on Friday 1st March.
While pre-sale sold out in a flash, general admission tickets go live today at 9:00am (Friday, 29 September), so you better be quick if you fancy getting some.
You can grab your tickets for Chase and Status in Manchester HERE. Best of luck getting your hands on some!
An adults-only ‘after hours’ event is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next week
Emily Sergeant
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for.
Fancy releasing your inner child?
If you’re keen to play your way through 50 years of video games, embark on an adventure through the digestive system, or relax with a drink while discovering the small matter of the infinite vastness of the universe, then you’ll probably want to make your way down to the Science and Industry Museum next week.
With the nights drawing earlier than ever now autumn is here, this is your chance to explore the museum in a whole new light after the sun’s gone down.
Explore the museum after hours at our next adult-only, evening event on 5 Oct. 🎟️ https://t.co/GVUYI3D8UE
Play your way through 50 years of video games in Power Up, embark on a playful adventure through the digestive system in Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, experience a… pic.twitter.com/NRIqNp7tQi
It’s giving grown-ups a unique opportunity to make the most of all the museum’s best-loved exhibitions without the kids running around.
Kicking off from 6pm next Thursday 5 October, tickets to the one-off Museum After Hours event are now on sale, and include evening passes to the museum’s showstopping special exhibitions ‘Power Up’ and ‘Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You’, as well as access to the popular Revolution Manchester, Textiles Gallery, and Experiment areas.
There’ll also be the chance to see Paul Miller’s MicroCosmic installation, as well as talk to the artist himself, and get involved with lots of drop-in activities too.
An adults-only ‘after hours’ event is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next week / Credit: Science Museum Group
Several exciting textile demonstrations will also be taking place throughout the evening.
And of course, because this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be popping up on the night, and will be serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around.