Every month we feature a short-term rental listing that we think really stands out from the crowd. Some are Cucumber customers - but many aren't.

 

We interview the owner about their experience, photograph the property, and then share the details here for the Cucumber community.

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This month Cucumber founder Georgina Boggia visited Steve up in Norfolk. He has an incredible cabin that he built on his farm and that is now a highly sought after short-term rental property. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

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Georgina:

Steve, thanks so much for having us out here. The cabin is absolutely stunning – it feels like it belongs here, tucked into the landscape like it’s always been part of it.

Steve:

Thanks, Georgina. That means a lot. I wanted it to feel grounded, not like something dropped in for the sake of it. This land means a lot to me, so it was important to create something that added to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgina:

You’ve got a background in construction and property management – what made you decide to build a cabin on the farm?

Steve:

It was always at the back of my mind. I spend a lot of time outdoors and knew there was potential to share that experience. After years of working on other people’s properties, I liked the idea of shaping something of my own – something that reflected the place and how I like to live.

Georgina:

It’s such a calming space. Can you tell us a bit about how you approached the design and feel of the cabin?

Steve:

I knew I wanted it to be simple and comfortable, but also a bit special – something that made people slow down the minute they arrived. I learned pretty quickly that the little details – what goes in the welcome pack, how the light falls in the morning – make a huge difference.

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​​​​​​Georgina:

You started off managing it all yourself – how did that go?

Steve:

At first, it was fine. I live on the farm, so it’s not like I have to travel far if something needs doing or if a guest needs help. But things started to shift as more places opened up nearby – there’s been a real rise in people doing the same sort of thing. Suddenly I was spending all this time adjusting prices, responding to messages, trying to stay visible in a pretty crowded space. It started to feel like a second full-time job.

Georgina:

And now?

Steve:

Now it’s settled into a rhythm. I’ve got support with the things I found most time-consuming – guest communication, bookings, pricing. And I’ve been able to focus more on maintaining the land and making sure the place feels well looked after. It’s a much better balance, and I’ve actually ended up earning more, which I didn’t expect at first.

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Georgina:

That’s great to hear. What’s been the most unexpected part of the process for you?

Steve:

Probably how much guests notice the small touches. I get so many messages about the welcome basket, or the view from the bed, or the feel of the place at night. That kind of feedback has been really rewarding.

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Georgina:

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about creating a space like this on their land?

Steve:

Start by spending some proper time on the land itself. See how the light moves, where the wind comes from, what it feels like at different times of year. That’ll tell you most of what you need to know. And don’t be afraid to get help – there’s a lot more to running a good short-term rental than you think at first.​​​​​​​​​​

Georgina:

Beautifully said. Thanks again for showing us around, Steve. It’s been a real pleasure.

Steve:

Thanks, Georgina. Always happy to have you and the Cucumber team here.

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(Please note: Steve is about to start a project that will almost double the size of his cabin! Construction starts in May and the cabin will be unavailable for bookings for the next 2 months. We will notify you when it's back and better than ever!)​

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