The UK's 6 best treehouses

Fulfil your childhood fantasies in a room amid the treetops

Treetops Treehouse, Devon

West Lexham Treehouses, Norfolk

Two enchanting treehouses built on stilts around ancient tree trunks in the magical Norfolk countryside. Warm up by the log burners or sit out on the balcony, where reclaimed furniture, bunting and fairy lights add to the romantic atmosphere. Hidden within a lush, 21-acre private estate, the treehouses have a communal kitchen, well-equipped for al fresco dining. If you don’t fancy cooking you can treat yourself to a ready-made hamper or home-cooked meal. Near Kings Lynn, Norfolk. From £110; sleeps two or six.

Living Room Treehouses, Wales

Journey deep into the heart of the Welsh valleys, where you’ll come across this secret treetop neighbourhood on an organic sheep farm. Climb the spiral staircase and cross the rickety rope bridge and you’ll find your fairy-tale treehouse high up in the canopy. The five eco-friendly lodgings blend in seamlessly and have rustic yet minimalist interiors. Each has a double mattress and a pull-out bunk bed and day bed for children. With no electricity, these treehouses offer a wholesome escape. Machynlleth, Wales. From £169; sleeps five.

The Treehouse, Somerset

As you climb the stairs to your front door (no rope ladder here, sorry!) you will notice the ample terrace where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine, while you watch the animals graze in the neighbouring fields. The house has an octagonal living area with wood-burning stove, and a Shaker-style kitchen, but if you don’t want to cook, caterers can be organised. The Treehouse is very close to the West Somerset Railway – you may even hear the whistles of the steam trains from the comfort of the treehouse. Halse, Somerset. From £142; sleeps five.

Treetops Treehouse, Devon

This quirky wooden house which sits within the palm of a historic oak tree is a delight for both children and adults. There is a cosy living room and a separate kitchen area. Rooms have high quality wooden furniture, luxurious fur rugs and designer lamps, while a wood burner provides the natural heating. The master bedroom has a view straight into the arms of the tree. And the location? The six-acre grounds of the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel in Eggesford, giving guests the best of both worlds: privacy and all the facilities you’d want. Eggesford, Devon. From £245; sleeps four.

Atlantic Treehouse, Cornwall

Six metres up and blessed with glorious views of the Cornish countryside and Widemouth Bay, Atlantic Treehouse makes for a delightfully different getaway. Located on a small farm just outside Bude, it’s intended for couples, with its own little terrace and a surprisingly spacious interior. You’ll find a double bed, a mini-kitchen and free wi-fi. The roof is clear on the north side and shaded on the south side, and you can choose to use the LED lighting or just let nature illuminate things. The treehouse has use of a bathroom a ground level, but there’s also a “secret al fresco hot shower”. Bude, Cornwall. From £89; sleeps two.

The Birdhouse, Somerset

Nestled in magical Somerset woodland and clad in local cedar, this quirky escape is the newest addition to a small yurt site. Raised on tree-trunk stilts, the Birdhouse has a large round window and a staircase leading up to the deck, where a breakfast table allows you to take in your surroundings. The Scandinavian-style interiors – white walls and pale wood floors – give a cool, contemporary feel to the open-plan space, and mid-century accessories add pops of colour. The kitchen is clad in 80-year-old boards reclaimed from the parachute regiment nissen huts on Salisbury Plain. Crewkerne, Somerset. From £120; sleeps two.

Claire Wills is international editor at CoolStays.com, an online travel brand for finding extraordinary properties including treehouses, windmills, cool cottages, B&Bs and hotels in the UK and abroad.