In a world that’s constantly buzzing with notifications and never-ending to-do lists, the Unplugged retreat offers a rare pause. Founded by Hector Hughes, Unplugged invites people to lock away their phones, slow down, and reconnect—with nature, with others, and with themselves. Their newest retreat at Cabilla Cornwall takes the idea even further, blending ancient woodlands, forest bathing, and digital silence into something truly restorative. We caught up with Hector to talk about rest, reconnection, and why going offline might just change your life.
Your cabins have redefined the art of switching off. What inspired the shift from solo stays to a communal retreat?
Our mission is to create spaces for busy folk to disconnect from tech and reconnect with nature, their partner, friend or self. The obvious next step for this was to launch a retreat that ticks all these boxes, but also facilitates connection with new people. It also opens our digital detox experience to people who might not feel confident to go offline alone. We’ve carefully curated the experience with Cabilla to build on our concept, and offer a little more to elevate the experience in a group and guided experience.
Why was Cabilla Cornwall the ideal partner for Unplugged’s first offline retreat?
Cabilla Cornwall is one of the most magical locations we’ve seen in the UK. It’s home to a rare temperate rainforest and ancient oak woodland that currently only makes up 2% of the British woodland. It’s one of the richest and most complex habitats, and its healing powers have been felt by both founders Merlin and Lizzie. Together, they’ve built a beautiful location that not only helps others enjoy the landscape, they’re protecting and caring for it so it can thrive for another thousand years.
You’ve described this as a “fourth space.” Can you unpack what that means in today’s always-on world?
There is a social theory that defines the three spaces we spend our time: home, work and social spots. However, with the growth of online connection and digital reliance, the theory has been stretched to encompass a new “fourth space”. These fourth spaces are about the “why” and not the “where” and bring people together through shared interests. Whether that’s a running club, a book club or a retreat for nature lovers, they’re focused around connection and togetherness. They’re spaces that champion real-life connection.
How does this retreat differ from other wellness experiences flooding the UK market right now?
We’re entirely offline. Guests lock their phones away together when they arrive and then spend 3 nights in nature with no screens. Cabilla Unplugged is a retreat that prioritises rest and connection, two things that can easily be lost in the chaos of life, work and screen time. The retreat schedule is laid back, so guests will get to enjoy carefully curated group experiences whilst also having free time to roam and rest on the 300 acre estate.
Phone-free weekends are rare enough – what made you want to add forest bathing, cold plunges, and pizza by the fire into the mix?
We want to elevate the nature experience and allow our guests to tap into the exclusive location of Cabilla Cornwall and its immense healing powers. The group experiences are designed to bring like-minded people together and build new human connections in a stunning location. All the elements of the retreat tap into rest and recharging in nature and are true to everything both Unplugged and Cabilla believe in.
Unplugged began in a culture-heavy place like Shoreditch. How has East London’s creative mindset influenced the brand’s evolution?
London is one of the most creative cities in the world, but it’s also one of the busiest. We wanted to create spaces in the middle of nature that are easily reached from London so creatives can escape the city for a few days to find inspiration and rest. Nature has an amazing way of calming our minds and inspiring us with new ideas, which it does through slowing us down. When our minds are relaxed, our cognitive function improves and it gives our brains space to weave together new and original ideas.
How do you think people’s relationship with rest and tech has changed since Unplugged first launched?
Back when we started Unplugged, digital detoxing was a relatively new concept. We are still the only off-grid experience that leans into digital detoxing 100%. Now, taking social media breaks and tech hiatus are more common, which I believe we’ve played a part in. Our growth and experience has helped many people remember what it feels like to be offline and normalise being offline for a few days. So many of our guests have said that they have implemented new tech habits after they’ve returned from one of our cabins, which really shows the lasting impact our experience has.
What would you say to someone who’s tempted by the retreat but terrified of giving up their phone for three days?
That it’s easier than you think to give up your phone. We’re so used to being reachable all the time that the thought of going offline for a few days can prompt questions like “what if someone needs me” or “what if I miss an important email?”. But the reality is: the world keeps spinning. 91% of our worries never come true, and the other 9% are never as bad as we think they’ll be. So I’d say just give it a go and there is a high chance you won’t want to turn your phone back on after 3 days. So many of our guests feel a little anxious before they go offline but tell us it ends up being the best experience (sometimes even “life-changing”). And things that scare you, usually means you should do it. We also include an old school Nokia phone to contact friends and family if you need to, and an instant camera so you can still capture memories.