Amazing UK treehouses you can actually stay in

This cozy treehouse nestled between three oak trees in the middle of the Kent Downs comes straight out of your childhood imagination. Case in point, a real, leafy tree growing through the middle of it. Not only that, but it offers sweeping views across the North Downs, with birds and barley fields your only neighbour. Perfect for an off-the-grid escape, this treehouse will keep you cosy thanks to its heater, double glazing and electric kettle. There's no shower and a chemical loo downstairs, but it's such a gorgeous location you won't care.

This whimsical treehouse Airbnb is only 15 minutes away from the centre of Oxford and borders C.S Lewis' old garden - a great place for literature fans and budding writers. With nods to Narnia, the treehouse will awaken your inner child, allowing you to experience the surrounding nature with the heart and vigour of your youthful self. Sleeping up to six guests, it's a treat for the whole family or a fab alternative to your standard hen/stag do. 

If you're looking for an unusual treehouse to book in the UK, look no further. This green spherical tree tent has unique written all over it. And yes, it's suspended in the trees. From the very smart use of space inside the sphere to the surrounding outdoor kitchen and bathroom, this Airbnb has all you need for the coolest outdoor adventure. It's worth noting that this is probably not the right Airbnb for those afraid of heights – or creepy crawlies – but if you're up for the challenge, it's so worth the experience. Here's to new experiences, right? 

When you typically think of a treehouse, you might imagine Dad's wooden concoction in the back of the garden. Well, scrap that from your memory and take a look at the new and approved treehouse – or mansion, we should say. Despite the ethereal exterior of this dreamy Airbnb, the interiors are light, modern and super cool. From outdoor amenities including a gasBBQ, pizza oven and outdoor shower (yes, really) to the luxury kitchen, ensuite bedrooms and underfloor heating, this place has all the luxuries you could ask for – and then some.

Turn off a narrow Devon lane and you’ll find yourself in a peaceful plot, with ancient woodland, a fruit orchard and fields turned over to wild meadow. You’ll also find two scandi-style treehouses, built with local wood and low impact materials that blend into the greenery. Each has a neat, cleverly designed interior with a mezzanine bed, topped by a window to the stars and the bobbing branches overhead. There’s a telly, wi-fi, games to play and music to listen to, but the view from the sofa will probably be enough to absorb you. A glass-fronted bathroom and outside tub ensures you never have to take your eyes off that lush horizon. It’s a magic place to pause. 

The Poppy Treehouse is found at the end of a boardwalk, deep in woodland on the edge of Black Chalk Vineyard’s neat rows of vines. Trees are your views from your two outside terraces and all those enormous windows. Despite sitting on stilts instead of in an actual tree, Poppy feels like the treehouse of childhood imaginings, thanks to its leafy aspect and rustic log cabin-style interior. Thankfully there are a few adult touches, in the form of a bottle of sparkling Black Chalk in the fridge and an enormous alfresco copper bath for two. 

There’s something almost clandestine about arriving, finding the key and checking yourself into this gorgeous treehouse, surrounded by ancient Somerset woodland. A real drawcard here is the alfresco bathtub, so you can soak your worries away to the sound of rustling leaves and birdsong. Inside, there's a wood-burner, stack of board games and an underfloor-heated bathroom. And when you're ready for bed? Sink into a king-sized bed carved from stag oak to the sound of a small stream flowing below the treehouse.

Set right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, this set of super-luxe treehouses (they even have dishwashers) are the kind you’ll never want to leave. They’re near great hiking routes and the stunning Lydford Gorge, but stay put and you have a wood-fired, woodland sauna and open-air baths on your deck to enjoy. Basically, staying here is bliss. 

In the heart of the Welsh mountains, Gwdy Hw has six treehouses to choose from. They’re designed with the surrounding woodland in mind, so much so that they melt seamlessly into the valley’s treeline. Each cosy treehouse is built around a wood-burning stove and houses a kitchen, double-bed and fold-down bunk beds, as well as an en-suite compost toilet. The only thing you won’t find here is electricity, so combine your stay with a digital detox and swap electric lights for twinkling lanterns while you snuggle up under the blankets and settle down in the silence with a good book.

TV’s George Clarke (of ‘Amazing Spaces’ fame) has collaborated with the Calvert Trust to bring the Sky Den to life. The completed treehouse is certainly on brand – it’s the definition of an amazing space. Part treehouse, part art installation, its wow factor is matched only by its impressive functions. Set below some of the darkest skies in the UK, the real star of the show is the roof, which opens fully, so you can stargaze from the comfort of your own bed. During the day, wildlife lovers will be in their element, as you might catch a glimpse of native red squirrels and osprey. See ya later urban foxes.

If you only saw the interior of this luxury space, you’d have trouble believing it was actually propped up on stilts and built around a tree. There’s a freestanding copper bathtub, for starters, as well as an airy living room complete with sofa, a king-size bedroom and stunning wooden-clad interiors throughout. You don’t need to venture far for a taste of the great outdoors either, as your private terrace overlooks the fishing lake. The whole place gives you a feeling of being miles away from anywhere, even though the Fox & Hounds Country Hotel is just a stone’s throw away.

West Lexham has six treehouses and tree temples to choose from, depending on your party’s size. Each has its own special quirk, but every treehouse is crafted from local wood and has been built as a tranquil haven to help visitors unwind. The spacious Sunrise treehouse is better labelled as a tree castle, with its three bedrooms and a staircase, and several tree trunks that actually grow through the property. Perched on the edge of the woods, the smaller Tinker Treehouse is perfect for two and was Britain’s first treehouse made for overnight stays.

This quirky little sphere is rightly described as a pod rather than a house, as it’s actually suspended between two trees like a tiny wooden Death Star. Simply ascend the staircase to reach the hanging globe (AKA your new bedroom). The cedar-clad ball looks lightweight, and it is, but you needn’t worry about crashing down to earth: the pod uses early zeppelin engineering and can withstand huge weights. The wood burner keeps you snug in winter, and the double-glazed windows afford woodland and river views over the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From your lofty vantage point, keep your eyes peeled for roe deer, kingfishers and even the occasional otter. It’s a bucolic bubble.

If you stumble on Fernie Castle treehouse while out on a woodland walk, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally wandered into a fairytale. Crowning six sycamores, this fantasy treehouse has copper roof tiles, a turret, vaulted windows, stained-glass doors, a swing and not one, not two, but three balconies wrapped in fittingly magical fairy lights. For stays rooted firmly in reality, though, the treehouse comes with all the mod cons you wouldn’t expect to find in days of yore: a king-size bed, plumbing, heating, telephone, flat-screen TV and DVD player plus a coffee-maker. Oh, and a fridge full of champagne. Sounds like a modern fairytale to us.

For five-star luxury meets up-a-tree seclusion, Chewton Glen’s treehouse suites give you the best of both worlds. On the one hand, you’re technically among the trees, 35 feet off the ground with peaceful forest views. And on the other, your hotel-standard suite comes with under-floor heating, walk-in shower, mood lighting and a large terrace complete with hot tub. Depending on how many people are with you, choose from a studio, loft or hideaway suite, or splash out on ‘The Yews’, a recent addition that sleeps up to twelve. If you’re looking for an indulgent treehouse experience, you’ve found it.

Set in the grounds of the Netherby Estate, with views of the Scottish border, this lodge-like outpost has been built amongst ancient oak trees. That makes it a little more grounded than other treehouses, but it’s a cosy nest just the same and is filled with home comforts such as a squishy double bed, stocked bookshelves and a modern kitchen. Kids will love the mezzanine level, accessed by a ladder, while adults will enjoy the outdoor hot tub. Tucked away near the Esk river and surrounded by rolling countryside views, you’ll feel like you’ve got away from it all in the best way possible.