Review: This wilderness getaway in the suburbs of Belfast offers a charming retreat

On the outskirts of Belfast you will find just that in the charming, warm and unforgettable Redbarn Cavehill.

The magical little log cabin is nestled on the side of Cavehill, overlooking the city and its crane-adorned skyline.

The barn sits at the bottom of a sloping, hedge-lined garden which adds to the cosy, private feeling of the place.

Accessible by car via the Upper Cavehill Road, the stunning holiday let is walking distance from the city centre while being inside Cave Hill Country Park.

There are also foraging and pottery sessions available to book alongside the barn.

Despite being in the Belfast suburbs, it really does feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness once you pass through the six-foot hedge and enter the wonderful garden space.

Stretching up into a spellbinding nook, complete with a bench swing, the garden cascades down the side of Cavehill and towards the barn, which is dug into the earth for extra cosiness.

The barn — red of course — comes complete with a spacious, sheltered outdoor seating area with an fire-pit in the middle.

The fire-pit is absolutely spectacular with a hot drink while the rain hammers down on the corrugated roof above. Bliss.

The countryside cosiness continues inside, with wooden flooring and a spectacular dining table made from giant, rustic, beautifully finished whole pieces of timber.

The dining and living space are one, with the basic but sufficient kitchen equipment — cooker, fridge, sink and worktops — running along the left-hand wall as you walk in.

I had gone to the ‘big Tesco’ and got all the makings of a sensational pasta dish — one of many in my repertoire — but got so carried away with the wonder that I ended up ordering a takeaway. Another advantage of a country break in the city.

Tucked away in the corner is the beautifully appointed shower room and toilet, decorated in wildlife-themed wallpaper and finished in a modern style with a bohemian feel to it.

Next door is the bedroom, which is the cabin within a cabin at Redbarn. Just enough space for giant, bespoke wooden bunkbeds, the functional yet cosy room is a complete joy.

I was an only child who grew up with bunkbeds, such was my longing for a sibling, so I have to declare a bias here because I absolutely adore them.

Two double-bed sized platforms fill almost the entire room, with space left only for clever clothes-hanging devices fitted to the walls. There’s a decent amount of floor space.

Once you climb the chunky, hand-made wooden ladder up to the top deck, you can see directly into Cavehill forest and beyond, with the famous Belfast skyline visible through the trees on a good day.

This was my favourite part of the entire stay. A bunk this cosy and with this view is perhaps unrivalled in Belfast and maybe across Ireland. I have never felt so comfortable and close to nature at the same time.

Before getting my head down for the night, owner and artist Maeve Monahan (44) very kindly gave me a crash course in pottery at her studio a short walk up the hill.

As a complete novice whose only knowledge of pottery comes from occasionally catching snippets of The Great Pottery Throwdown on TV I was anxious about giving it a go.

Maeve was an excellent teacher who made me feel at ease. She was able to tell me all about the barn as well as the adjacent Cavehill Cottage, where she lives with her family.

The cottage has a fascinating history, once being home a to wartime postman, William Adair Caulfied, who was commissioned by the War Department to regularly paint the White Stone of Cavehill to assist the RAF.

After making a questionable clay cereal bowl, I toddled back down the hill to throw myself down on the top bunk with a view.

I nodded off with the lights of Belfast twinkling through the trees outside the window, having never felt so at peace in the city.

Travel factfile

A two-night weekend stay at Redbarn will set you back £351 on Airbnb, inclusive of all fees. Maximum capacity advised is four adults or a young family of five. Cavehill Pottery on site, various events on offer and personalised classes can be arranged.