Unlost Dens – an inspiring journey into the energising world of working in nature

The Sussex Business Times interviews Kim Slade.

What is Unlost Dens and where did the idea come from?

Unlost Dens are workspace cabins in nature, designed for founders, writers, coaches, and creatives. The idea came from my own dream of having a perfect office or studio in the middle of nature.

I found that when I was on walks outdoors or working in an inspiring place, I had much more clarity, felt more creative and was energised to do great work. But when I returned to town — to a grey office or an uninspiring workspace — it drained my creativity and energy.

I always imagined having a beautiful, secret cabin in the woods where I could do my best work. A few years ago, especially with the rise of flexible working and remote setups during COVID, I realised many others likely shared this dream. That’s when I decided to turn the vision into reality and build the first Unlost Den.

Do you have more than one cabin?

Yes! Right now, we have two cabins, but the vision is to create a whole network of spaces in nature where founders and creatives can bring their work outdoors.

This could include private spaces like the ones we have now, but we’re also planning to add meeting spaces, wellness areas and collaborative spaces in the future.

Where are you located? Where can people find these cabins?

The first two cabins are just on the edge of Brighton, near the Downs, close to Ditchling and Pyecombe.

Are there plans for more locations?

Yes, that’s the vision! We want to create a network of spaces across the country and even beyond. The goal is to have a single membership that connects a community of founders and creatives who love nature and find inspiration in these environments.

You’ve mentioned creatives a lot. Obviously, the space is designed with them in mind. But beyond creatives and founders, who else is it for?

It’s for anyone building something. That could be writers — many people have written books in the dens — or entrepreneurs using the space for strategic planning.

When I say “creative”, I don’t just mean artists. The design of the space, the connection to nature — it all enhances creativity in many forms. It could be problem-solving in a business, strategic meetings for startup founders, or coaches working with clients in a distraction-free environment.

We’ve had people recording podcasts, editing videos, brainstorming new projects, and mapping out big ideas in these spaces. It’s about having a clear, focused and inspiring setting for deep work.

Why a work space in nature? What do you think the benefits are?

There’s actually a lot of scientific research showing that being around green spaces and open views activates different neural networks in the brain. This stimulates creativity and improves problem-solving.

Beyond that, having a dedicated space without distractions allows people to focus better and be more productive. It’s a mix of using nature to boost creativity and having a private space to work deeply without interruptions.

“Implementation intentions increase the likelihood of following through on your goal by up to 91%”

– British Journal of Health Psychology

“When you are in nature, you engage your default mode network, which is your creativity network,”

– David Strayer, Cognitive Psychologist

So, in summary, what’s the most important thing about Unlost Dens?

The biggest thing is that when people go there, they feel closest to nature. Everyone knows that being in green spaces makes you feel calmer. It has a massive impact on your nervous system and overall well-being. That’s what makes it so powerful.

“I wrote my new book there, use it to record my podcast and it helps me get into the flow.”

– Simon Batchelor, Founder, Author

“A wider field of view activates the frontal cortex, boosting strategic thinking”

-American Assoc. for Physician Leadership

For more info and to book a trial session head to www.unlostco.com/dens or scan the QR code