The spaces we inhabit shape us, often in ways we donโt immediately recognize. Some are designed with intention โ places that invite stillness, calm, and a return to the things that matter most.
At Editoire, we amplify the voices of those who bring good into the world through sustainable and regenerative travel.
Through a partnership with Om Creative, a slow travel creative studio on a mission to discover these people and places, we present Heartspace Episode 1: Kuro, their newest documentary series.
Join the Om Creative team through their lens as they bring their mission to life, seeking out such spaces and the people behind them, exploring how they cultivate mindfulness and transformation on both a personal and business level.
Their journey began in the far west of the UK, where the rugged landscapes of North Cornwall conceal a retreat dedicated to bringing stillness.
The Art of Slowing Down
In the far reaches of Maxworthy, North Cornwall, tucked between dramatic cliffs and windswept moorlands, lies Kuro, an unexpected sanctuary. Built by hand, the cabin embodies the subtle elegance of Japanese design, with its natural materials and clean lines reflecting a deep respect for nature, sustainability, and the art of slowing down.
There are no signs pointing the way, no distractions upon arrival; simply discovering it feels like an integral part of the journey.
When we arrived, founders Vicky and Adam welcomed us into their world with warmth and enthusiasm. Their quiet passion for the land was palpable from the outset.
As we wandered the grounds together, they shared the story of its beginnings: planting trees and vegetable gardens, building the cabin and sauna from scratch, and reimagining life in a way that values simplicity, connection, and regeneration. Vicky offers:
โWe wanted to share this land with others. Thereโs something special about being here. Itโs peaceful. Itโs a place to slow down and reconnect โ with nature, with yourself, and with the people youโre with.โ
Kuro emerged organically from this shared vision: a thoughtfully constructed retreat space, deeply attuned to natureโs rhythms and guided by purposeful design.
The Kuro Experience
Staying at Kuro is an immersive experience. Evenings unfolded gently, spent soaking in the wood-fired hot tub beneath a star-filled sky, accompanied by the soft murmurs of the nearby freshwater stream. After brisk December walks, we settled by the fire, savoring the simple luxury of untamed nature surrounding us.
Inside, the open-plan cabin is designed to foster stillness and presence, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the landscape and low-impact lighting that allows local wildlife to remain undisturbed, while also promoting calm in the space.
Everything you might need to slow down, prepare nourishing meals, and reconnect with your chosen company is thoughtfully provided in this fully equipped retreat.
The cabin reflects Adamโs deep love for Japanese minimalism and practical design, emphasizing craftsmanship and durability. Its name, “Kuro,” meaning “black” in Japanese, pays tribute to the traditional shou sugi ban technique used to char and preserve the wood cladding. This approach not only protects the structure but allows the cabin to visually blend into the landscape โ a process Vicky took great pleasure in doing by hand during the build.
A Space for Transformation
Every detail at Kuro reflects Vicky and Adamโs commitment to intentional living. The hand-built sauna perches above a gentle stream, its dark, moody interior explicitly designed to amplify the vivid greens outside. Alternating between the heat of the sauna and the refreshing chill of the open-air shower or nearby stream created an addictive rhythm, leaving us eager to repeat the invigorating cycle.
This wellness ritual, we learned, was inspired by the couple’s fascination with longevity practices and Blue Zones โ regions celebrated for their healthy, long-living populations.
โThe world is speeding up,โ Vicky reflects. โHere, we want to offer people a chance to slow down.โ
Exploring Maxworthy and Beyond
Many guests are perfectly content to surrender to Kuroโs tranquility, but Cornwallโs rugged coastline lies temptingly close for those drawn to explore. For us, exploring this wild, southwestern corner of England enriched our stay immeasurably. Our days were spent walking windswept coastal paths and surfing in turquoise coves โ moments that rooted us deeply in the raw beauty and wilds of the region.
Bude, the nearest town (20 minutes by car), offers a mix of independent cafes, cozy pubs, and surf shops. Its sandy beaches are a hotspot for surfing, with spots like Crooklets and Summerleaze Beach offering consistent swells suited to every level of surfer.
For a change of pace, we wandered along the South West Coast Path, where cliffs plunge dramatically into turquoise seas and hidden coves quietly beckon. Inland, Bodmin Moor offers its own spectacle โ autumn skies alive with the hypnotic dance of starling murmurations โ while nearby fishing villages charmed us with their gentle pace, rich histories, and local warmth.
The Luxury of Simplicity and Connection
Cornwallโs untamed landscapes have long attracted seekers: surfers chasing perfect waves, artists inspired by rugged beauty and unique coastal light, and adventurers craving fresh experiences. Kuro taps into that same spirit of discovery.
Those ready to step away from the noise of modern life will find Kuro patiently waiting. Rather than flashy amenities or manufactured luxury, here luxury means waking up to birdsong, warming chilled hands by the fire, and falling asleep to the soft percussion of acorns on the roof.
Kuro is a poignant reminder that sometimes, less simply is more.
This article is written in partnership with Oceanmoon Creative, a traveling creative studio rooted in slow travel philosophy. For more on Kuro Cabins, visit kurocabins.co.uk or @kuro_cabins
