Escape into nature at Sterling Ridge Resort, Vermont, USA

Think quintessential New England, think Vermont, and this is just the rustic idyll that you dream of. Dotted around 350 acres of woodland and a lake (they call it a pond, but to a Brit it’s a lake!), the accommodation at Sterling Ridge Resort varies from cosy studio log cabins and romantic retreats to larger houses suitable for families or groups of friends.

I stayed in Field and Stream, a luxurious two-storey log cabin with a private setting overlooking the lake. I could hear the tail splash of the resident beavers from my porch and came face to face with deer when I took a short hike through the surrounding woodland at dusk. The cabin is well equipped with every kitchen gadget you can think of, a wood-burning fireplace for chilly evenings and an outdoor gas-fired grill and firepit.

Other overnight options include the stylish A-Frame on the Ridge. Set away from the other cabins, it has floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Green Mountains and is perfect for honeymooners or lovers of solitude.

The resort is family-owned and run – Barb and George Salg take pride in ensuring that guests have the best possible time and they are full of ideas for how to explore the area. They also have their own maple syrup operation; you can even book a tour to learn all about tapping. At the very least, stock up in the resort’s shop. Vermont is known for its maple syrup with good reason.

Days can be spent quietly pottering around the woods, paddling a canoe on the lake or taking an Ayurvedic treatment in the spa. Just a little further afield are some of Vermont’s famed covered bridges, natural swimming holes, horseriding, mountain trails, rock climbing and a gondola sky ride.

When not in the great outdoors, there are quaint New England villages and farmers markets to explore. Charming Stowe, best known as a chic ski town, is a 35-minute drive away.

And that’s the thing; this isn’t just a summer destination. Fall is busy with leaf-peepers visiting for the glorious foliage (see the front cover of Wanderlust issue Oct/Nov 2023, shot near Sterling Ridge); in winter, skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all on the doorstep.

Whenever you time your visit, this isn’t the place for lovers of life in the fast lane. Just walking into Field and Stream, you can feel your stress levels drop and your breathing slow down. Don’t be surprised if you start dreaming of having your own cabin! #cabinlife.

How to book: sterlingridgeresort.com