Our Stay at Mizar: An Off-Grid, Luxury Cabin Break in Swynnerton, Staffordshire

I’ve loved the Shacks concept ever since our first stay. These cabins are off-grid, tucked away in nature and built for calm days with no noise and no rush. They give you space to slow down. They also sit close enough to places you may want to explore, so you get peace without feeling cut off. After enjoying our first Shacks break at Polaris in Cheshire, we were keen to try another. So when we planned a trip to Staffordshire, we picked Mizar without a second thought.

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What Makes Shacks Special

For me, the USP is simple. It’s the peace. No cars. No people walking past. Just the wind in the trees and the odd bird call. Every Shack sits in its own quiet corner, and Mizar is no different. The views here go on for miles. It feels like the sort of place where your shoulders drop as soon as you get there.

Shacks Locations Across the UK

Shacks has cabins across England and Wales. Here’s the full list:
Cheshire: Polaris, Sirius, Adhara
North Wales: Cyra, Alula, Altair, Mira, Hoku, Hydra, Ascella, Vega, Maia, Castor
Staffordshire: Mizar, Alcor

Each one is set in nature, with its own personality.

Finding Mizar

Mizar sits in Swynnerton, Staffordshire, on the edge of Swynnerton Old Park and the Hanchurch Hills. It’s tucked away, surrounded by woodland, and reachable only by following precise directions. Once you book, Shacks send you the what3words location via the Touchstay app. Mizar doesn’t have an address, so What3words is used to pinpoint the exact location of the parking area and the cabin itself. From the parking spot, it’s a 300-metre walk through the woods to the cabin.

We stayed at Mizar towards the end of November, so it was dark by 5 pm. We reached around then, with the light fading fast. But it turned out to be a fun start. I had already watched the directions video on the Touchstay app and walked through the route in my head, so I felt ready. I held the torch and led the way, and Bhavin pushed the wheelbarrow with our luggage. Walking through the woodland in the dark felt a bit adventurous. When the cabin finally came into view, it felt like excitement with everything starting to fall into place. We had found our little home in the woods.

Mizar - The Shack

Mizar is compact, but the space is used very well. Inside, it has everything you need for a simple and cosy stay. 

There is a king-sized bed with blackout blinds that worked perfectly. A small kitchen with a gas hob, a fridge that runs on solar, and a hidden cutlery drawer. Cooking simple meals here felt part of the experience.

There’s a woodburner too, and we used it a lot. It was freezing one night, but the cabin stayed warm and cosy once the fire was going. There were books in the cabin, and I read while enjoying the long views through the big windows.

The outdoor bath was a lovely touch. Soaking under the open sky feels very special, especially when you’re surrounded by trees. At night, the stars were so clear we even did some stargazing.

Since Shacks are truly off-grid, the cabin runs majorily on solar. There are only USB sockets, no regular plugs. If you bring laptops or anything that needs more power, you’ll need a power bank. The lights, the fridge, fans for the toilet and the boiler all run off solar, so it’s best to use things mindfully. The hot water for the outdoor bathtub, sinks and the shower comes from a combination of a solar power and gas boiler. It ia all a part of the experience. And if anything goes wrong, there’s a support number on WhatsApp, and the Shacks team respond quickly.

The composting toilet worked well and was easy to use.

There are wellies provided in a box near the car park, which was a thoughtful touch. The ground can get muddy, especially after rain or in winter, and having proper footwear made the walk to the Shack much easier. We made good use of them, and it meant we didn’t have to worry about bringing our own.

The Local Area

Mizar is in a lovely spot for walking. We walked in Swynnerton Old Park and in the Hanchurch Hills. The leaves were turning while we were there, so the whole landscape had that calm autumn look. Crisp air, quiet paths and lovely views. 

We met a local dog walker who mentioned that there are white deer at Swynnerton Old Park. It is home to Fallow Deer, which often have white individuals alongside their common, dark and paler colour variations. We didn’t see any deer during our walk, but it was still nice to know they’re around. We kept our eyes open the whole time, just in case we missed something. Like the dog walker said, you often see them when you least expect it, so it’s always worth staying alert.

There are good pubs nearby too. The Fitzherbert Arms is just a short distance away, and the Mainwaring Arms as well. You’re close to Eccleshall if you want more places to eat or shop.

We chose to cook most of the time. It felt right for the setting. Simple food, warm fire and the woods around us.

How We Felt After Our Stay

The stay left us completely rested and recharged. Being surrounded by nature, with no traffic, no noise, and no screens, felt like a reset for both mind and body. We felt calm, peaceful, and connected to the world around us. 

Sitting by the window with a book, soaking in the outdoor bath, or just watching the sun set over the trees brought a sense of contentment I haven’t felt in a long time. 

The clear night skies and the chance to stargaze added a sense of wonder to the stay. It was exactly the kind of pause from everyday life we needed.

Who This Stay Is For

Mizar is perfect for anyone who wants a quiet, nature-filled break. It’s ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway, solo travellers needing a recharge, or families and friends travelling with pets. Nature lovers, walkers, and those who want a tech-free off-grid experience will especially enjoy it. Anyone seeking peace, calm, and the chance to unplug will feel at home here.

A Few Things Future Guests Should Know

• There’s a 300m walk from the car park. It’s part of the experience.
• Watch the Touchstay video before you go. It makes the walk easy.
• Bring a torch in winter. It gets dark fast.
• Wellies are provided near the car park.
• There are only USB charging points. Bring a power bank if you need one.
• The toilet is a composting toilet. It works well, but it's good to know.
• The cabin runs fully on solar. Use power mindfully.

How to Book

You can book a Shack stay directly through the Shacks website. Once you book, they send a guide with all the details you need, including directions, local tips and how everything works in the cabin.

Currently, there is a 10% discount for January stays at Mizar using code STAYJAN26.

Shacks also offer a 10% late availability discount, automatically applied to stays starting within the next 7 days. This applies to all Shacks, including the Staffordshire cabins Mizar and Alcor.

Shacks are open all-year around, so you can enjoy cosy winter escapes by the fire or glorious summer days surrounded by nature.

Plan your off-grid escape today - visit the Shacks website to book your stay.