14 February 2024 , 06:15
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A man who built a hut in his garden during lockdown has seen it become one of the most romantic Airbnbs in the country.
Steve Forrester's pandemic project has blossomed into a thriving business that has now been recognised by the holiday let company. His secluded, peaceful Rural Cabin in the Woods is officially a nuptial nexus, according to Airbnb which combed reviews to find the lets which have hosted the most proposals.
Although the 52-year-old's place has only been taking guests for a couple of years, it has already provided a location to dozens of couples who have decided to tie the knot.
The host Steve admits that he has "started to get a little reputation for proposals" and now supplies a candle-lit cabin along with the venue’s own neon 'Marry Me' sign which is positioned under the trees to those planning to get down on one-knee.
The Rural Cabin in the Woods is a hotbed of romance (Airbnb)The keen videographer also offers an engagement photoshoot service for couples staying at his Airbnb and regularly helps arrange surprise proposals for his customers.
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"I never planned on running an Airbnb. It was a lockdown project. I was made redundant and enjoyed the lovely weather of the first lockdown, so stuck myself down the bottom of the garden building and building," Steve admits. "It started as an outdoor film studio/man cave. I got a free geo dome and a hot tub in return for making videos for customers and was left with mini-spa facilities (at the end of the project)."
When guests arrive at the Airbnb they walk in through an archway of "very romantic trees" and exotic plants, down towards the cabin. Off the pathway is an outdoor cinema, a wood fire natural sauna with panoramic views out across the fields, an outdoor shower and three geodomes.
In one of them guests can unwind in the hands of a professional masseuse who travels in and works by candlelight. Another has a daybed and a great view of a flock of nearby sheep. Staff of a local pub are on call to deliver meals to a dining area in the third. There is also a hot tub nearby.
"When you're down there you're in a completely cut off spot away from everything. There is a tawny owl nesting in the trees above, and squirrels and badgers running around." Steve noticed a real uptick in proposals after he added in a wooden archway to the set-up, which creates a stage. "I thought this is a great place for someone to propose," Steve said.
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The number of proposals at the Airbnb are mounting (Airbnb)"I started to build out from there. We have an archway filled with fairy lights. I made a neon 'marry me' sign covered in natural moss. Then people started contacting me saying 'I'm interested in proposing, what do you suggest?' We have a proposal on average every month. A lot of people are asking for my help."
Steve now offers his guests a "fool proof" proposal plan whereby he drops them off at the local pub for dinner then rushes back to the Airbnb to fill it with candles and put the fairy lights on. He then picks them up and slips the proposer a blind-fold, which is used to take the proposee to the most romantic spot for the big question to be asked. "There's usually loads of tears. The plan has worked every time so far and there's got to be nearing 20 we've done. I have filmed a few."
Ahead of one proposal the boyfriend travelled to the Airbnb ahead of time and had Steve film him walking around the garden. On the day of their stay the couple were watching Love Actually in the cinema pod when the film suddenly cut to the proposer.
"It was showing him talking, 'Sorry to interrupt, I've actually been here before. I just wondered if you wanted to come over and see some of my favourite spots'," Steve explained. "I had been lighting the candles and putting the 'Marry Me' sign. Then they went outside. That was cracking. Tears everywhere."
He added: "I would definitely say it's the most romantic Airbnb in the country. Every single review is five stars." In recent months Steve has welcomed celebrity clients including Scott Mills and several Love Island contestants.
According to the company, since 2018 references to proposals in reviews at Airbnbs have more than tripled.
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