Top 5 treehouse holidays

Want a really different holiday? Well, the new generation of tree houses are open all year round and best of all, there’s not a splinter in sight.

Here are my five of the best…

Castle Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Coates Castle, West Sussex If you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, head to Castle Cottage Bed and Breakfast’s tree house, with its thatched roof, winding staircase and glass-roofed shower room – all built into the side of an ancient chestnut tree. There’s a huge balcony – complete with swing seat – and double bedroom, while fine cotton sheets and generous supplies of home made biscuits up the cosiness factor. The tree house is situated just a short distance from the South Downs Way. Budding twitchers can visit the nearby Arundel Wildlife Trust, but guests with a need for speed can visit Goodwood, which is just a short drive away.

From £150 per night, including breakfast

Gwdy Hw, Powys, Wales Gwdy Hw (pronounced Goody Hoo) is located deep in the Welsh Mountains, and is surrounded by a maze of walking trails. It’s also an incredibly environmentally-friendly affair, with a Swedish composting toilet and a structure based on floating joints, which help to protect the trees which support it. This tree house is reached via a spectacular wooden staircase and comprises a large living area and bedroom containing one double bed and the prettiest bunk bed you’re likely to clap eyes on – its posts are made from beautifully wonky tree branches. A wood burning stove provides plenty of heat, while the hot spring shower is surprisingly powerful. Going off-grid never felt so good!

From £137 a night Read more travel news from the Sunday Post – click hereChewton Glen tree house suites, Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire Chewton Glen is the ideal destination for anyone who ever dreamt of living in a tree house – minus the splinters and smell of damp wood. The tree house suites at Chewton Glen opened just last year within the grounds of Chewton Glen Hotel, but their secluded location – nestled in a wooded valley – has attracted everyone from privacy-craving A-listers to couples looking for a romantic weekend away. The six tree houses (each contain two suites) are actually perched on stilts, and are accessed via a gangway connected to the main path leading to the main hotel – although staff will happily pick up and drop off guests in one of the poshest golf buggies you’ll ever see. Inside the timber and glass structures, guests will find a fully-stocked kitchenette, dressing room, large living area and bedroom area, along with a seriously super-sized bathroom, complete with roll-top bath. The piece de resistance however, is the huge balcony, on which you’ll find a hot tub. Guests in need of peace and quiet can even have spa treatments within the comfort of their tree house suite, while delicious breakfast hampers are delivered through a privacy hatch. However, if you can bear to leave the cosy confines of your tree house, there are 900,000 acres of New Forest to explore, and the beach at Highcliffe-on-Sea is just a short walk away.

From a whopping £600 a night

Cleveley Mere tree house, Lancashire The tree house at Clevely Mere has appeared on the television show Grand Designs and is the ideal retreat for those looking to reconnect with nature without skimping on luxury. There’s are two en-suite bedrooms, a private sundeck, and inside the tree house guests will find a a top-of-the-range Miele kitchen and a lounge area kitted out with wii consoles and iPod stations as well as more traditional games, such as Jenga and chess. The tree house is accessed via a rope bridge, and there’s even a private harbour with its own boat. Local attractions include Garstang, which is Britain’s first fair-trade town, and the Anglo-Saxon village of Scorton. In addition, the Lake District is just a 25-minute drive away, and tree house guests can also borrow bikes, pedaloes and canoes.

From £219 a night

The Tree house, Argyll, Scotland This rural retreat is everything a tree house should be – there’s even a tree trunk growing through the roof! Outside, the lime-rendered walls, arched windows and traditional slate roof blend in perfectly with the surrounding countryside, in this case, a leafy clearing within the grounds of Kinlochlaich House & Gardens. Inside, there’s a double bedroom, large bathroom (complete with under floor heating), living room, dining room and gallery area with two chairs which convert into single beds. The deck at the rear of the property offers stunning views over the canopy of trees. Kinlochlaich House is ideally located between Oban and Fort William, with the picturesque village of Port Appin and Castle Stalker both within easy reach.

From £288 for a four night breakTop treehouses and quirky holiday homes offer somewhere special to stay – click here to read more