Richard Hammond shines a light on some of the best treehouse holidays
Treehouses have come a long way from makeshift wooden shacks with flimsy rope ladders at the bottom of a garden. The modern constructions are carefully crafted, state-of- the-art structures often in beautiful, secluded woodland locations, cocooned but with plenty of creature comforts, including double beds, wood- burning stoves, running water, fully equipped kitchens and spring-water showers. Some of these magnificent arboreal abodes have rope bridges to children’s rooms or require a harness to reach them, and all enable you to live the high life in the lofty boughs of a tree; lie back, count the stars and listen to the owls.
Here are 7 of the best:
THE LIVING ROOM, POWYS
These six state-of-the-art architectural wonders in wood, are high up in the tree canopy in a dense woodland in the heart of Wales, with double beds, fold-down bunk beds, and wood-burning stoves that heat spring- water showers.
Details: Two nights self-catering start from £379 for two. living-room.co
MALLINSON’S WOODLAND RETREAT, DORSET
These three remarkable treehouses are the stuff of dreams, and lovingly crafted bythe owner Guy Mallinson and his team of skilled woodsmen. Dazzle is a camouflage design inspired by patterns used to conceal First World War ships; Pinwheel is in a clearing between a ring of mature oak trees in a corner of a bluebell wood; and Woodman’s is a stylish, secluded haven
for two, sensitively perched in the bowsof an ancient oak.
Details: Two nights self-catering starts from £790 for two. mallinson.co.uk
RUFUS’S ROOST, YORK
Walk across a raised boardwalk through the forest to this wonderfully secluded large treehouse in a private woodland on the Baxby Manor estate. It sleeps up to six in three tree-top rooms, and between two turrets there’s a large veranda with a log-fired pizza oven and a hot tub. The kids will be in den heaven when they discover the hidden doorway under the stairs that opens up a wooden slide down to a secret room with bean bags and comfy cushions. Magical.
Details: Four nights mid-week self-catering starts from £1,180 for six. baxbymanor.co.uk
PERCHÉ DANS LE PERCHE, NORMANDY, FRANCE
A perfectly formed abode that sleeps up to six in an old sweet chestnut tree, Perché dans le Perche has a large terrace and summer kitchen.It sits in splendid isolation among a naturalist garden within 25 acres (10ha) of sustainably managed countryside in the Le Perche Regional Nature Park. Hiking trails lead to La Renardière and through sunken lanes to the Bellou-le-Trichard valley.
Details: One night’s B&B starts from €170 for two perchedansleperche.com
THE TREEHOUSE, ARGYLL
An eight-sided eco build with triangular dormer windows, the Treehouse has underfloor heating and a traditional slated roof. There’s just a double bed, but an oak staircase spirals around the central oak tree up to a mezzanine level where the kids can stay. This unique eco-friendly abode is in an 18th-century orchard bya woodland on the historic Kinlochlaich House estate, halfway between the railway stations of Oban and Fort William in the west of Scotland.
Details: Four nights mid-week self- catering starts from £501 for two. treehousescotland.co.uk
HUDNALLS HIDEOUT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Indulgence for couples only at this large, carefully crafted luxury treehouse in the Wye Valley. Sited in ancient woodland with access to a wildflower meadow for picnics, massages, reflexology treatments and yoga can all be arranged.
Details: Two nights self-catering start from £800 for two. hudnallshideout.co.uk
TREEHOUSE HOTEL, FALKÖPING, WEST SWEDEN
Hoist up your organic breakfast every morning to your wooden cabin, set 21ft (6.5m) high in a cluster of oak trees in a tranquil setting near Falköping in western Sweden. There are three cabins: The original Andrum, the statelier Seventh Heaven and the latest addition – Himlajord. All have double beds and were built sustainably: natural colour pigments were whipped together with linseed oil and eggs from the neighbour’s hens; organic textiles adorn the interiors; and you’ll drift off to sleep on organic double mattresses listening to the rustling of the leaves in this very special arboreal abode.
Details: One night’s B&B starts from SEK3,150 for two. islanna.com
This is an edited extract from The Green Traveller, published by Pavilion (£18.99), which also appeared in the February/March 2024 issue of the Green Traveller magazine.