The Best Treehouses For A Summer Staycation
Rewild At Elmore Court
Gloucestershire
This property, just west of Gloucester, is known as a wedding and events venue but has now become a new destination for a stay in nature. In May this year, the owners opened six luxe treehouses on the estate’s rewilded land, each sleeping between two and four, where you’ll wake to large picture windows that let the sunlight flood in. Outdoor features include a fire pit and wood store, a bathtub, a kitchen area with hob, combi-oven and fridge and a heated dining area. Inside, you’ll find super king-size beds and an indoor bathroom with shower. The Scandi-inspired interiors by fashion and homeware designer Tracey Boyd are all different but use similar materials such as wood, metal and glass with splashes of colour. Whilst the treehouses are equipped for self-catering, you can pre-order breakfast hampers, gourmet meals and drinks from the estate kitchens.
Visit RewildThings.com
Cowdray
West Sussex
This country estate near Midhurst in West Sussex is a destination in itself: there’s a championship golf course, a clay pigeon shooting school, fly fishing on the river Rother, polo (spectating and learning to play), riding, cycling and lots of lovely walks. Cowdray House is available for private stays and events, and there are also holiday cottages to rent and a farm shop and café. New to the estate are the four ultra-luxe treehouses that nestle along the edge of a secluded woodland. Each has an open-plan living area and kitchen, a wrap-around balcony with an outdoor bath and views over the iconic polo fields. Interiors feel spacious and are done up in palettes of grey and cream bathed in natural light from the picture windows. On arrival you’ll find a welcome hamper and a fridge filled with essentials from the farm shop.
Visit Cowdray.co.uk
Knepp Treehouses
West Sussex
If you want to go totally off-grid, the Knepp Castle estate in West Sussex has two treehouses – Peregrine and Tawny Owl – that stand on mature oaks in a secluded corner of ancient woodland. The 3,500-acre estate is home to Knepp Wildland, a pioneering rewilding project that exemplifies wild nature at its very best and is heaving with insects, birdsong, butterflies, wild flower meadows and free-roaming Tamworth pigs, as well as endangered nightingales and turtle doves. The lovely treehouses have comfortable handcrafted king-size beds, lighting provided by battery-powered hurricane lamps and candle lanterns, and a fire pit. Opt for Peregrine and you can also enjoy the open-air Swedish bathtub on a separate platform which is reached via a wooden walkway. You can book into a variety of guided safaris which will take you into the heart of the wildland project, either on foot or in an open-sided vehicle.
Visit KneppSafaris.co.uk
The Fish Hotel
Gloucestershire
Part boutique hotel, part adventure hideout, The Fish is located on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate near the quaint village of Broadway. The accommodation includes three treehouses that are ideal for a back-to-nature retreat. Each has an open-plan lounge and bedroom, twin outdoor bathtubs, and a separate room with bunk beds for two children under 12 (perfect for a mini break with the grandchildren). They are also fitted with intercoms to order room service. With 400 acres to explore, there is plenty to do – activities include axe throwing, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, yoga and tennis.
Visit TheFishHotel.co.uk
Hideout Treehouse
Devon
Located between Bude and Bideford in north Devon, this Insta-worthy bolthole is built into Sleepy Owl Estate’s lower valley slope within the Unesco North Devon Biosphere Reserve. It’s the perfect place to unwind – expect a super king-size bed, a copper bathtub that can be effortlessly moved in or outdoors, a bespoke kitchen, a pizza oven, an outdoor stove in the private woodland terrace area and a wood-fired hot tub across the drawbridge. There are also two bunk beds should you have the grandchildren in tow. You can stroll through the estate’s six acres, taking in the running stream, meadows and walkways that lead into the woods. There’s also plenty to do and see nearby as you are close to several lovely stretches of the Devon and Cornish coastline. In the evenings, you can use the movie projector, relax in the double hammock or make use of the telescopes outside to stargaze. If you don’t fancy self-catering, there are three pubs within walking distance in the village of Hartland; or book a table at the Pattard Restaurant, a quiet spot in the woods at Pattard Farm, where you’ll enjoy dishes inspired by the local area.
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk
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The Leckie Estate
Scotland
Located in the depths of the Scottish countryside – yet only 45 minutes from Glasgow and an hour from Edinburgh – the Leckie Estate boasts endless rolling parkland, ancient woodlands, dramatic crags and crashing waterfalls. It is also one of the few spots in Scotland with views of Loch Lomond, Edinburgh and Stirling. For an authentic Scottish wilderness experience, you can book into one of the estate’s four brand new, sustainable treetop hideaways. Built on stilts in the canopies of oaks and sycamores and made from wood that’s been claimed from the estate, each one is unique in character and design, and sleeps up to five people. Expect super king-size beds, chic bathrooms with walk-in rain showers, underfloor heating, cosy woodburning stoves, outdoor copper baths and a welcome farm shop hamper. The decking area, where you will find an electric BBQ, is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the outstanding views of the Gargunnock Hills.
Visit LeckieTreehouses.co.uk
The Tawny
Staffordshire
Deep in the Staffordshire countryside you’ll find The Tawny, billed as a ‘deconstructed hotel’ where you can stay in romantic boathouses, shepherd’s huts and, of course, treehouses – all of which are dotted around the 70-acre estate. Perfect for two, we like The Hillside treehouse which enjoys an elevated position on the western ridge of the valley with lovely views across Laund Pool, one of the five lakes on the estate. Done up in warm colours, it comes with a super king-size bed, ensuite walk-through shower, indoor freestanding bathtub and a large deck which has its own outdoor spa bath and shower. You can order your breakfast hamper and room service to your hideaway in the trees, though there is the option to eat in the many dining options available on site. In the grounds you’ll discover lakes, wild woodland and overgrown follies. There is also lots to do nearby with the Staffordshire Moorlands, Churnet Valley Railway, Peak District and Alton Towers on the doorstep.
Visit TheTawny.co.uk
Wildhive Callow Hall
Derbyshire
This lovely Victorian country house hideaway, near Ashbourne at the gateway to the Peak District, is nestled in 35 acres of gardens, wild meadow and woodland. In addition to the 15 bedrooms in the main house and 11 suites in the woods, the two treehouses offer total woodland escapism. Each has two en-suite bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen and sitting room. While you can book to eat in the Garden Room restaurant, the treehouses are perfectly set up for a self-catered break. Outside is a large wraparound deck, with a copper bath and loungers. Dogs are welcome too.
Visit Wildhive.uk
Living Room Treehouses
Powys
In a valley on the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park, spread over a 300-acre site, these six rustic, eco-treehouses are perched high up in the canopy among oak, larch and Scots pine trees. Expect to enter a whole new world embracing nature at its best – the treehouses have no electricity but you will find plenty of lanterns, tea lights and lamps. Each has two bedrooms with handmade wooden staircases and bridges, as well as branches twisting through the rooms. Scandi in design, each is done up in pale wood and oak fittings, with porthole windows and cosy Welsh throws. The heart of each is a woodburning stove that heats the accommodation and the water from the spring water shower, and there is also a well-equipped kitchen with a gas hob. If you can bear to tear yourself away, you can embark on a number of country walks, including a lovely hike along Glyndwr's Way.
Visit Living-Room.co
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