Five of the best treehouse escapes for families

If you’ve got a head for heights and fancy somewhere a little different to stay, bed down among the branches in a stylish treehouse. Here’s our pick of the UK’s best.

By Maria Pieri
Published 8 Nov 2020, 08:00 GMT
Cheriton Treehouse is a leafy, luxurious hideaway wrapped around an oak tree in the Somerset countryside.

Cheriton Treehouse is a leafy, luxurious hideaway wrapped around an oak tree in the Somerset countryside.

Photograph by Iris Thorsteinsdottir

Somerset

The curved capsules of Cheriton Treehouse twist around a mature oak in this lavish, leafy hideaway. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a floating bedroom, a huge copper bath and a heated floor, all bathed in plenty of natural light. You’ll almost feel like you’re floating above the trees as you gaze across scenic Blackmore Vale, with views stretching 18 miles to Shaftesbury. If you venture out, explore the spectacular gardens at National Trust property Stourhead, or wander around the nearby towns of Frome and Bruton. Treehouse for two from £172 per night, with space for two additional children at £30 per child per night. Ages eight and over. canopyandstars.co.uk

North Yorkshire

Rufus's Roost in Husthwaite, half an hour from York, is tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales, and offers views over the Kilburn White Horse, a giant hill figure cut into the ground amid a sycamore forest on the Baxby Manor estate. Built sustainably, with biomass boilers, heat recovery ventilation and LED lighting, this stylish treetop retreat feature windows, turrets and a cosy interior. Take the slide down into the Den — complete with bean bags, games and a popcorn machine — or venture outside to the bat-monitoring station, where you’ll also find a log-fired hot tub and wood-fired pizza oven. From April to November, from £1,200 for three-, four- and seven-night stays (15% off all seven-night stays). coolstays.com

East Sussex

Overlooking a pond on the edge of private ancient woodland, near Wadhurst in the Rother Valley, Hoots Treehouse is a beautifully designed retreat. A short walk along the elevated boardwalk will bring you to the cedar-clad, circular Hoots, featuring its own cosy wood-burner, king-sized bed and mezzanine level with a further two single beds. A five-minute walk to Wadhurst Deer Parkland, it’s also a leisurely hour’s walk to the picturesque village of Mayfield, while bustling Royal Tunbridge Wells is a short drive away. From £204 a night, based on up to two adults and two children (ages six and over) sharing. Two nights minimum. qualityunearthed.co.uk

Powys

The eagle-eyed might recognise these off-grid treehouse from the Channel 4 series George Clarke's Amazing Spaces — and amaze they do, on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, eight miles from the market town of Machynlleth. Set on a traditional Welsh sheep farm, Living Room Treehouses’ six spacious canopy retreats are built using sustainably harvested wood (mostly sourced locally). Set at heights of up to 30ft amid oak, larch and pine woodland, each treehouse has an open-plan design featuring en suite compost toilets, forest showers (heated by a wood-burning stove) and lots of eco-technology, including solar panels and even a water-powered fridge. Just be aware you’ll need to leave the gadgets at home (there’s no mains electricity). From £379 (for a couple for two nights); maximum occupancy: five guests. campsites.co.uk

Devon

Accessed via a long rope bridge and with epic views across to Dartmoor, the Lookout Treehouse certainly lives up to its name. The vibe here is indulgent rustic, with reclaimed timber fittings, wood burners, sumptuous furnishings and a whirlpool bath on the outdoor deck. There are two bedrooms, one of which is a cosy bunkroom, and wall-to-wall windows open onto the deck. Set in 13 acres of deciduous woodland in a secluded valley, there’s plenty to discover nearby, including the South West’s highest gorge, Lydford Gorge, the beautiful beaches at Bude and 700 years of history at Buckland Abbey, in the Tamar Valley. From £180 a night. Suits for families with older children. oneoffplaces.co.uk

Published in the Nov/Dec issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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