Monocoque Cabin · Dog-Friendly · Market Drayton

Monocoque Cabin, Tyrley Locks, Shropshire

An architect-designed timber cabin on the Shropshire Union Canal, about two miles from Market Drayton. One room, two people, one dog. The towpath is at the bottom of the garden.

The Monocoque Cabin is round. The curved plywood shell takes its cue from the WW2 de Havilland Mosquito, where the outer skin carries the structure rather than sitting on a frame. It was built in three sections offsite and assembled on site in days. Inside, the ribbed birch plywood walls and the built-in furniture are the same piece of work, and that is why a small building does not feel small. The polycarbonate facade takes the westward light and keeps the privacy.

It sits on a working farm in over 0.2 acres of private, tree-lined garden near Tyrley Locks. Step outside and you are on the towpath.

INSIDE

One open room. A timber-frame double bed with proper linen, extra blankets, and a side table each side. A fold-down desk if you need to work. Induction hob, air fryer, microwave, mini fridge, kettle, and the utensils to cook with. A walk-in shower. Three smart electric heaters you control from your phone, and a biofuel fire with the first litre of fuel provided. Board games, puzzles and magazines for the evening.

The Wi-Fi runs off a 4G router. It is fine for messaging, email and browsing. It is not reliable enough for streaming or video calls, and that is worth knowing before you book rather than after you arrive.

The toilet is a compost toilet with powered extraction. It is clean and it does not smell, but it is not a flushing WC. On stays of four nights or more there is a GBP 20 mid-stay service charge for it.

OUTSIDE

Private garden, fire pit, rural views over the canal and the treeline. You are welcome to fish along the canal during your stay. Parking for one car. Self check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00.

DOGS

Well-behaved dogs are welcome and there is plenty of room for them to run. The garden is not fully enclosed and the canal is at the bottom of the plot, so a dog that needs a secure boundary, or one that cannot be recalled near water, is not going to suit this place. Please clear up after them.

WHAT IS NOT HERE

No washing machine, no dishwasher, no oven, no TV, no hot tub. The kitchen is a kitchenette rather than a full kitchen. The cabin sleeps two and only two.

NEARBY

Market Drayton is two miles by road and about forty minutes along the towpath if you walk it, with shops, pubs and a weekly market. Burnt Wood is close for walking. Beyond that it is quiet, which is the point.

I designed the cabin, built it, and I run it. If something in the building is wrong, it is my fault and I will fix it.