For many of us, sleeping in the trees is a childhood fantasy. The idea of waking up to the sound of birdsong and wind rustling between crispy autumn leaves induces immediate relaxation.
At this time of year, the UK’s forests are resplendently dressed in a seasonal farewell fanfare of gold, bronze and crimson. Staying in a woodland cabin or treehouse lodge is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty.
And don’t let dropping temperatures be a deterrent. As cooler nights draw in, cosy wood-burning stoves and fluffy blankets provide welcome heat and cosseting comfort.
From remote off-grid hideaways to striking architectural masterpieces, here are some of the best woodland escapes in and around the Cotswolds.
Cross a rope bridge to enter the treehouses hidden in the sprawling 500-acre estate of The Fish hotel. It’s an adventurous start to a holiday that’s otherwise lavished with luxury. Each of the properties has a heated outdoor bath to warm up on cool nights and an intercom to order room service without even having to leave the heated bubbles. Underfloor heating, Nespresso coffee machines, and a well-stocked minibar add to the comfort. Elsewhere on the estate, it’s possible to stay in shepherd’s huts or in the hotel where dogs are welcome.
Stay: From £550 (sleeps two). Visit thefishhotel.co.uk
Belonging to one of the UK’s oldest country estates, six luxury treehouses sit in the bend of the River Severn. With both woodland and countryside views, it’s possible to be fully immersed in nature flourishing as part of the estate’s rewilding programme. Birds have quickly returned to recovering wetlands, visible from the cabins, thanks to the vision of Anselm Guise whose family have owned the estate for 750 years.
There’s a winding boardwalk through the woods leading to each of the British cedar clad cabins (one suitable for wheelchair users) which have corrugated roofs, cork flooring and poplar ply walls. Out on the deck, there’s a brazier fire pit with wood store and snooze chairs for enjoying westerly-facing sunset views.
Stay: From £250 per night (two sharing) with a minimum stay of two nights. Visit rewildthings.com
RECOMMENDED READING
- The stunning treehouses at the Elmore Court estate
- Dog friendly hotels in and around the Cotswolds area
- Hotel review: Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Chipping Campden
Billing themselves as Britain’s treehouse specialist, TreeDwellers opened for guests in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds this month. Seven architecturally striking treehouses are wrapped in timber, glass and aluminium, designed to mimic nature’s curves and reflect the surrounding 1,700 acres of ancient woodland. Wraparound windows and a large deck provide an excellent platform for viewing the five species of deer living in this woodland. Several walking routes extend from the site, with nearby country pubs serving warming roasts.
Stay: From £220 per night (sleeps two) including a welcome hamper. Visit treedwellers.com
