The area around the cabin.
Squirrels' Nest sits in west Berkshire, near Newbury and on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, close to the Hampshire border. There is a lot within a short drive — here are a few favourites.
Highclere Castle
The grand country house better known as Downton Abbey is just up the road in Highclere, its parkland designed by Capability Brown. It opens to visitors on selected dates through spring and summer — worth booking ahead.
The North Wessex Downs
One of England's National Landscapes: a wide sweep of chalk downland, beech hangers and quiet villages. The cabin sits right on its edge, so the big skies and long views start almost from the gate.
Watership Down
The chalk hill made famous by Richard Adams' novel rises a short drive south, near Kingsclere — open downland with long views across Hampshire and Berkshire, and an easy ridge walk.
Newbury
The nearest market town: independent shops, riverside walks along the Kennet, a Tuesday and Saturday market, and Newbury Racecourse. Handy for lunch, a rainy afternoon, or stocking the fridge.
Walbury Hill & Combe Gibbet
West of Newbury near Inkpen, Walbury Hill is the highest chalk hill in England, crowned by the stark silhouette of Combe Gibbet. A bracing walk with some of the best views in the South East.
Sandham Memorial Chapel
In nearby Burghclere, this plain little National Trust chapel holds Stanley Spencer's extraordinary cycle of First World War murals — quietly one of the most remarkable things in the county.
The Kennet & Avon Canal
Flat, easy towpath walking and cycling runs west from Newbury through Kintbury and Hungerford — locks, narrowboats and a string of canalside pubs to aim for.
Walks from the door
Footpaths lead straight out into the downs and farmland around the cabin. Bring boots; the walking here is the main event.
From the journal
Good to know
- Where is Squirrels' Nest?
- Squirrels' Nest is a one-bedroom cabin in the West Berkshire countryside, near Newbury and the Hampshire border, on the edge of the North Wessex Downs.
- How do I book a stay?
- Booking is handled through Airbnb. You will find the live availability calendar and rates on the listing, which is linked from every page of this site.
- What is there to do nearby?
- Plenty. Walks on the North Wessex Downs, country pubs, Highclere Castle (the real Downton Abbey), the Kennet and Avon Canal and the market town of Newbury are all a short drive away. Our journal has guides to each.
- Is there parking at the cabin?
- Yes, there is private parking on site.
- What is the nearest town and railway station?
- Newbury is the nearest town, a short drive away, with a mainline railway station running to London Paddington and west towards the South West.
- Does the cabin have a kitchen?
- The cabin has a handy kitchenette with a microwave, sink and fridge, which is all you need for a relaxed self-catering stay.
Squirrels' Nest · A boutique cabin in the Berkshire countryside, near Newbury.