The best British forest retreats for a short break
From oak-swathed cabins to treehouses built from ash, Sarah Marshall recommends some woodland adventures.
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Your support makes all the difference.Shielded below a canopy of leafy boughs and protected by an army of solid trunks, forest cabins are reassuringly cosseting.
Surrounded by all the sounds, smells and sensations of nature, homes hidden within woodlands also present lots of opportunities for having fun.
Whether you opt for a fantasy treehouse or an elegant timber suite, these forest-bathed getaways are ideal for a refreshing post-lockdown treat.
Wood Shack, Brecon Beacons Wales
So many objects we use are made from wood, but cutting down a tree is a big responsibility, demanding we make use of this valuable natural resource. When Robert Penn felled an ash, he set himself a challenge for making as many things as possible from the grand tree. He came up with 44 items, some of which decorate this wooden one-bedroom cabin, where he also wrote a book about his mission, The Man Who Made Things Out Of Trees. Set in a valley, surrounded by private native woodland, the cabin features an environmentally friendly compost toilet, kitchen, woodburner (with logs) and plenty of board games.
How: Sugar & Loaf (sugarandloaf.com; 01873 776 238) offers a three-night stay from £156pp.
Old Mill Treehouse, Bath
Elevated on stilts and tucked into the trees, this woodland retreat blends perfectly into its natural surroundings, and looks like a setting for a Brothers Grimm fairy-tale. Sleeping two, the one-bedroom wooden property is deceptively comfortable inside, with enough amenities to please every Goldilocks in the forest. Find crisp white linen on beds, soft rug carpets underfoot and decorative works of art hanging from the walls. Outside, a hammock and dining table are set in a small garden, for a post-lunch laze. Although secluded, the treehouse is only a five-minute walk from one of England’s oldest pubs, The George Inn.
How: One Off Places (oneoffplaces.co.uk; 01865 600 425) offers stays from £160 per night, minimum stay two nights.
The Lake Cabin at Lime Wood, New Forest
Wake up on your own private island, gazing out to rippling water from a chandelier-lit double bed. Surrounded by one of England’s oldest woodlands, where some trees are almost 500 years old, this magical hideaway is located on the grounds of Lime Wood Hotel. Cantilevered above a miniature lake, it appears to float on water, and has a balcony with a bath for watching ducks while neck-deep in bubbles. A shower and mini kitchen make the space self-contained, but there’s an option to make use of the facilities at the hotel.
How: The Lake Cabin (limewoodhotel.co.uk; 023 8028 7177) costs from £1,250 per night (excluding breakfast). For general information visit thenewforest.co.uk.
Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, Isle of Wight
Combine the best of both worlds – forest and beach – with a stay in this palatial two-person seaside shack on the UK’s finest holiday island. Sandwiched between The Solent and an area of woodland with numerous nature trails, this timber rondavel features a kitchen, bathroom, woodburner and outdoor hot tub, along with a TV for those feeling a bit too cut off from the outside world. The treehouse is part of a bigger resort with restaurants and a gym, although its discreet position makes it easy to forget about everyone else. Spend summer days strolling along the shingle beach, or look for red squirrels in treetops during autumn months.
How: Hoseasons (hoseasons.co.uk; 0345 498 6130) offers a three-night weekend break in August for £1,035.
By The Wye Treetop Glamping, Hay On Wye, Wales
Bringing an African safari experience to the River Wye, a collection of canvas tents are elevated above the forest floor, providing guests with an opportunity to sleep in the tree canopy. Set in four acres of managed land, where a large area has been declared a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the off-grid getaways feature a kitchen with wood-stove and gas hob. Energy is provided by solar power, toiletries are chemical free and an effort has been made to minimise disruption to a woodland populated by owls, bats, badgers and otters. Being off-grid, there’s no wifi connection, but entertainment comes in the form of long walks and reviving river dips.
How: Welsh Rarebits Rare Hideaways (rarehideaways.co.uk; 01570 470 785) offers three-night breaks from £390 (for two).
The Treehouses at Lanrick, Perthshire, Scotland
Tuning into the sounds and sights of the forest can take time, requiring a base that’s as comfortable as it is quirky. Recently completed, all five self-catering treehouses at Lanrick are mighty structures, allowing guests to slip effortlessly into the rhythm of woodland life. Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Pipit, Nuthatch and Willow Warbler are spread across a private area of land bordering Trossachs National Park, where activities can include river walks, biking, picnics, salmon and trout fishing. Ideal for families, Flycatcher and Willow Warbler are linked by a rope bridge, while Treecreeper is a visual feast of upcycled furniture and fun design.
How: Quality Unearthed (qualityunearthed.co.uk; 01348 830 922) offers stays from £130 per night (four sharing).