There is something special about waking up in a treehouse and stepping outside to sip coffee high among the trees. The scent of rain on leaves, the almost deafening sound of birds bickering, and nothing but dense forest swaddling you. It is part Narnia, part Bond villain lair. We might be in the middle of the Cotswolds, a stone's throw from the civilisation of Daylesford Organic and Soho Farmhouse, but tucked deep in the Wychwood Forest, you feel safe, protected, and very close to nature.
Childhood fantasies about sleeping in a treehouse have long been harboured, and the rise in popularity of rustic glamping has been followed with interest. So, the chance to spend a night in one of the seven TreeDweller's treehouses set in the ancient woodland of Oxfordshire's Cornbury Estate was thrilling.
Design and Comfort
These treehouses are beautifully designed, semi-circular cylinders that look as if they have been beamed down from space. Each gently curving lozenge is encased in timber, copper, and glass, curving around secluded decking, with glass-sided stairs to bring you 10 feet up from the forest floor. Inside, the den is kitted out to the highest possible spec with Scandi furnishings, a wood burner prepped and ready to light, soft blankets draped over the sofa, and a curated pile of tree-themed books topped by a pack of playing cards. There is a fully fitted kitchen in the middle and a cosy bedroom at the other end. In true treehouse style, the whole place wobbles a bit when you walk.
A welcome hamper sets the glamping tone: a bottle of rather delicious Oxford Regatta red wine and Oxford Cheese Company crackers with a hunk of local butter and Cheddar. There is a selection of Pukka tea bags, freshly ground coffee from Missing Bean, a speciality coffee roaster based just around the corner, and, because the whole vibe is thoroughly eco, a carton of oat milk in the fridge.
Dining Options
But who needs a kitchen when there are so many great pubs within a short drive? We shun the swanky influencer favourite The Bull and The Bell in Burford and steer around Jeremy Clarkson's popular Farmer's Dog pub for a wonderfully quiet meal a few minutes' drive away at The Bird In Hand, diving into Asian-inspired mussels and buttery soft fillet steak.
Rustic Retreat Spa Ritual
Driving back into the forest after dark, the treehouse lights twinkle through the trees invitingly, and that big fluffy bed is calling. But we have been booked on a rustic retreat, so there is a luxurious spa ritual to undergo. I drop a gently fizzing bath bomb into the freestanding tub and scatter a scoop of Epsom salts followed by a handful of petals to create a deliciously scented vivid green consommé. I sink in and let my worries melt away. After a clay face mask and a liberal lashing of creamy body butter, all part of the retreat ritual, we snuggle into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of owls calling through the trees.
There is something primeval about sleeping in the forest. And something scientific, too. Trees release a chemical called phytoncides, which research shows can strengthen the immune, hormonal, circulatory, and nervous systems, and reduce stress. It feels as if all that woodland goodness has been seeping into our veins while we are snoozing.
Morning Views and Wildlife
We wake to panoramic forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows and roll over in bed to watch a little band of Muntjacs truffling around. It feels as if we are a million miles from civilisation, yet we are just ten minutes' drive from Charlbury Station and around 90 minutes from Paddington.
Wild Sauna Experience
Our restful retreat package includes a session at The Wild Sauna on the banks of the River Stour, about 30 minutes' drive away in the middle of nowhere at the end of a long, rutted mud track. The wood-fired sauna has been set up in an old horsebox flanked by his-and-hers changing sheds and sits in a grassy glade close to a converted old mill building. Ours is a silent sauna session, so we sit sweating in meditative silence, looking rather like deranged wood nymphs in the brightly coloured felted hats provided to stop your head from overheating. Cooling-off options include a cast iron ladder taking you down into the rather murky-looking river, an old enamel bath filled with icy spring water, and an al fresco shower with a thankfully tepid tap. As I dunk my shoulders in the river and splash my face in the bath, it is like a reality check. My wilderness weekend is coming to a close.
But it feels like I have been away from civilisation and stress for a fortnight. When can I come back?
Prices start from £250 per night, two night minimum including arrival hamper. Wild Sauna sessions are available to book directly starting from £15 for community sessions.
