29/07/26

Unplugged launches new foodies' digital detox cabin

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your wellbeing is put your phone away, step into nature and spend a weekend slowing down. Now, Unplugged, the UK's pioneers of digital detox escapes, are giving food lovers another reason to disconnect with the launch of Archie, its very first cabin designed entirely around the joy of cooking and sharing great food.

Launching this July, Archie is tucked away within the beautiful Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire, just 65 minutes by train from London, making it an easy countryside escape for city dwellers craving a change of pace. Here, Unplugged combines its signature screen-free experience with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, inviting guests to swap endless scrolling for slow cooking beneath the stars.

Created in partnership with outdoor cooking specialists Big Green Egg, the cabin centres around one of the brand's iconic ceramic BBQs, capable of grilling, roasting, smoking, baking and slow cooking. Guests will find everything needed for an unforgettable alfresco feast, from pizza-making accessories and rotisserie equipment to a chef's apron, transforming every meal into part of the experience.

The surrounding countryside offers plenty for food enthusiasts too. A visit to Belvoir Castle's Farm Shop provides the chance to stock up on artisan cheeses, seasonal produce and local ingredients before heading back to the cabin. Those looking to dine out can also discover nearby restaurants including The Martin's Arms, run by MasterChef: The Professionals winner Laurence Henry, alongside the award-winning Chequers Inn.

As with every Unplugged stay, technology takes a back seat. Upon arrival, guests lock their phones away in the company's signature lockbox and instead embrace a slower pace with books, board games, maps, journals, a retro cassette player and even an old-school Nokia phone for emergencies. Add a kingsize bed dressed with Piglet Bedding, woodland views, a wood-fired hot tub and peaceful surroundings, and it's easy to see why guests leave feeling truly refreshed.

Since launching in 2020, Unplugged has grown to more than 50 off-grid cabins across the UK and Spain, with Archie representing the latest step in its mission to help people reconnect with nature, food and each other through meaningful, screen-free experiences. Whether you're planning a romantic weekend away, celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a proper break from notifications, Archie offers a refreshing reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures are the simplest: cooking together, eating well and spending time outdoors.

Need to Know

Location: Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire
Travel from London: Approximately 65 minutes by train
Launching: July 2026
Stay length: Three-night digital detox experience
Prices: From £620 per stay

For more click here.

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography by Rebecca Hope

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Six Contemporary Artists to Transform Fitzrovia Quarter into a Creative Hub This Summer

1 day ago
2 min read

Fitzrovia Quarter is set to become one of London's most exciting creative destinations this summer as six contemporary artists take up residence in a new studio hub at 53 Great Portland Street.

Running until November, the initiative will transform the 1,000 sq ft space into a working artists' studio, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience creativity in action while celebrating the neighbourhood's long-standing artistic heritage. Responding to the theme What Holds Us Together, the residency will explore ideas of community, memory and the ever-changing urban landscape through painting, sculpture and immersive installations.

The six selected artists each bring a distinctive perspective to the programme. Among them is Jingshan Ding, whose work combines biology and fine art to examine the city as a living organism and Purdey Fitzherbert, a London-born painter who creates richly textured works using materials collected from the capital's streets, including ash, chalk and urban dust.

Visitors can also discover the immersive installations of Spanish sculptor Esmeralda Conde Ruiz, the expressive paintings of Goldsmiths graduate Holly Keogh, interdisciplinary sculptures by award-winning artist Monya Riachi and the luminous abstract works of Tabitha Wilson, inspired by light, movement and sound. The residency follows a series of cultural initiatives across Fitzrovia Quarter, including the Mortimer Street mural by Oliwia Bober and the Artist's Corner exhibition, further cementing the district's reputation as a champion of emerging creative talent.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, curious passer-by or simply looking to discover something different in central London, the residency offers a unique glimpse into the creative process while showcasing six of the capital's most exciting contemporary artists.

The studios will be based at 53 Great Portland Street, with the residency running from June until November 2026.

Address: 53 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LG

For more information, click here.

Written by Enytha Peer

Photography courtesy of Tabitha Wilson / Fitzrovia Quarter