The best treetop hotels in the UK to live out a childhood fantasy

Sleeping in the trees is a childhood fantasy for many. The idea of waking up to an alarm of birdsong and wind rustling between crispy autumn leaves induces immediate relaxation. At this time of year, the UK’s forests are resplendently dressed in a seasonal farewell fanfare of gold, bronze and crimson. Staying in a woodland cabin or treehouse lodge is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty.

And don’t let dropping temperatures be a deterrent. As cooler nights draw in, cosy wood-burning stoves and fluffy blankets provide welcome heat and cosseting comfort.

From remote off-grid hideaways to striking architectural masterpieces, here are some of the best woodland escapes – including holing up in a hidden section of a 500-acre Cotswolds estate, luxury beside the flow of the River Severn, or an escape into the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. Time to embrace a night high up in the great outdoors.

The Fish Hotel, Cotswolds

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Cross a rope bridge to enter the treehouses hidden in the sprawling 500-acre estate of The Fish Hotel. It’s an adventurous start to a holiday that’s otherwise lavished with luxury. Each of the properties has a heated outdoor bath to warm up on cool nights and an intercom to order room service without even having to leave the heated bubbles. Underfloor heating, Nespresso coffee machines, and a well-stocked minibar add to the comfort. Elsewhere on the estate, it’s possible to stay in shepherd’s huts or in the hotel where dogs are welcome.

From £550 (sleeps two); thefishhotel.co.uk

Read more: The prettiest UK towns and villages to visit

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It’s every child’s fantasy to find a secret door leading to somewhere magical. Make that dream a reality with a stay at two fairy-tale cabins above Start Bay in South Devon, where a hidden entrance at the end of the Victorian planter’s garden leads straight onto Blackpool Sands. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s an excellent site for birdwatching. Designed with sustainable living in mind, each property is off-grid but benefits from a Cinderella incinerator toilet and spring-fed filtered water system for maximum comfort and minimal impact.

From £140 per night (sleeps two);