By The Green Parent
31st May 2023
SILVA TREEHOUSE
WHERE Silva’s location in the trees was carefully chosen for immersion in nature, especially wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for brown hares, roe deer and kestrels, and an ear for tawny and barn owls hunting at dusk. Around you is the wonderful wilderness of the Lake District as well as the SSSI of the River Eden.
WHAT There are two king-size beds and a double, a sitting room with wood burner and massive comfy sofas. The kitchen is fine for whipping up simple meals but there’s a bbq, pizza oven and firepit for al fresco meals and stargazing nights. Underneath, you’ll find the games area, which answers the question of where that slide goes. It’s a big kids’ den with hammocks, a ping pong table and a bar that you can zip down into for great games nights or some peaceful napping. There’s a normal door as well, but you know you’ll never use it. You can hike for miles to sandstone caves, hidden waterfalls and spectacular mountain viewpoints, or take a more gentle excursion on the Ullswater Steamers. As the night draws in, sit round the firepit and stare up at starlit skies. canopyandstars.co.uk
THREE THINGS TO DO:
- Penrith is home to many independent shops & cafes or explore the Eden Museum and Penrith Castle, once home to Richard lll.
- Lowther Castle was built at the turn of the 19th century it is a true local gem and offers something for everyone from dramatic ruins to gardens within gardens and an adventure playground.
- On a rainy day visit Rheged, a grass-roofed Lakeland heritage centre and gallery in a former quarry with a huge 3D cinema screen. There’s a big indoor and outdoor play area, perfect whatever the weather.
ORCHARD TREEHOUSE
WHERE Orchard Treehouse is wrapped around a magnificent Cypriot pine tree in the grounds of a medieval Manor house in Worcs. It’s about 200m away from sister accommodation, Lime Treehouse but still feels wonderfully secluded.
WHAT Light the woodburner and stretch out on the king-sized bed or curl up in the cabin bed nooks, secretly tucked away beside the wooden spiral steps leading up to the bath tub – there’s a little window up there so you watch the sun setting over the Malvern Hills as you soak. A second bathroom (quite the luxury when living up in the trees!) has a shower and flushing loo.
The kitchen is peaceful and warm with a ceramic hob, coffee machine and other such luxuries. There are lovely walks over Bredon Hill with a network of footpaths running close by. The charming village of Little Comberton is on a 17 mile road cycle route around the hill with the slopes providing a playground for those who like off-road cycling. End the day with a soak in the private hot tub. canopyandstars.co.uk
THREE THINGS TO DO
- At Bredon Hill Treehouses, watch the wildlife and have a soak in the hot tub on the deck - enjoy the views!
- Ragley Hall is 15 miles away and has an adventure playground and a lovely house and grounds for walking
- Aztec Adventure is 6 miles away for a range of watersports.
LOST MEADOW TREEPOD
WHERE A spherical, wood-clad bedroom hanging in the woods - low-impact, high-adventure and miles from anyone, on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. There are 20 acres around, which are shared with a few other guests. You have the river and the woods to wander, but also the expanse of moorland in one direction and the sea in the other, surrounding you with all kinds of adventure, from canoeing on the river Fowey to heading to the gentler pleasures of quiet villages like Lostwithiel.
WHAT Staying at Lost Meadow Treepod means quite literally living in the forest for a couple of days, thanks to your suspended bedroom that hangs among the branches. It’s a wild experience, feeling the gentle movement of the small, dark space and curling up in sleeping bags when the chill of surrounding night air kicks in. In the morning you climb down the steps and head through the woods to the loo, shower and water point. It’s a few minutes away, but if you tread quietly you might see the deer out grazing as you go, or kingfishers hunting on the stream that runs right past the treepod. Below the tent is a kitchen hut and a fire circle with a grate, so you can get adventurous with breakfast if you like, or just make a quick cup of coffee and get going with a day exploring Cornwall. Suitable for older children. canopyandstars.co.uk
THREE THINGS TO DO
- With 14 acres of land at Broom Farm there’s no shortage of things to do. It’s the perfect spot for wildlife watching as animals are instinctively less aware of someone up in the trees rather than on the ground - look out for badgers at night, and roe deer at dawn and dusk.
- Get inspired at the brilliant Eden Project at St Austell
- Lostwithiel is a picturesque village on the River Fowey, full of quaint coffee shops and art galleries. Children can paddle in a shallow, open section of the Fowey.
COPSE CAMP
WHERE Set in 300 acres of Welsh moorland, expect starry skies and quiet seclusion welcome you to your treehouse – unwind in the hot tub and look out over the moors and valley. On a quiet lane you’re miles from traffic and modern disruptions.
WHAT The treehouse is wallpapered in Beano magazines, with hessian potato sacks repurposed for cushions and blinds – though you’ll find only the finest crisp bed linen and fluffy towels. Feel at one with the wood in your cosy bed in the roof, with the gentle creaking of timber to lull you to sleep, a different view from each window and a pot belly stove to warm you. Cross the rope bridge to stoke the fires for s’mores and camp cooking in the Dutch oven, or use the practical kitchen for more adventurous suppers. Wash up to views of the moors from your own private wood-fired hot tub – you’re off-grid, but there’s hot and cold running water straight from the hills (plus a great shower and a compost loo). Everything on camp is yours to use, including a gypsy caravan which doubles as both dining room and second bedroom. Bring headtorches for nocturnal rambles around camp and bread from the village shop to enjoy with the homemade marmalade in your hamper – Margaret and Jenny run a food company, so you’ll be well fed here. canopyandstars.co.uk
THREE THINGS TO DO:
- At Copse Camp, chill out and do some birdwatching and wildlife-spotting. Relax in the wood-fired hot tub and enjoy the surrounding nature
- Erddig Hall, Wrexham is a National Trust property - explore the home, garden and estate.
- Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal (12 miles away) - Visit the longest and highest aqueduct in the UK, a World Heritage Site.
