It offers a romantic adults-only ‘perched paradise’ where you can kick back, relax and sleep in the treetops surrounded by nature. See more: 9 of the hottest new hotels for 2020 Located in two acres of private woodland at St Briavels Common near Tintern, on the border of England and Wales, this unique space, the first A-frame waney-edged oak-clad treehouse to be built in the UK, offers almost 40 square metres of open plan living space. It’s suspended four metres above the ground on the hillside above The Hudnalls Woods looking towards Whitebrook, Redbrook and Monmouth beyond. The interiors were created in partnership with online design brand, Made.com, and include some of Made’s most popular pieces to inspire guests to recreate a piece of this secluded hideaway at home. The treehouse has been painstakingly handcrafted in-situ and is laid out over two levels offering guests tree top canopy views from the king size handmade loft bed on the mezzanine level, reached via a sweeping staircase fashioned around a cedar tree trunk. The lower level living space has a Scandi-luxe vibe featuring a retro suspended fireplace, a kitchen area with ‘pippy oak’ handmade open shelving and wall-to-ceiling doors opening out onto the dramatic circular raised deck. The project is the long term dream of owners, Ade and Sarah Orchard, who moved to the Wye Valley in 2017 set on building their glamping dream, a North American styled ‘cabin in the woods’ inspired treehouse. Totally surrounded by nature, you can hear hooting owls by night or the busy woodpeckers and squirrels by day. It’s a short stroll to the nearby private wild flower meadow, ideal for picnics or an afternoon snooze as the weather warms up. There are walks from the door too, leading directly onto Offa’s Dyke Path and there’s even a pair of binoculars and a wildlife camera, which captures night-time visitors, including fallow deer, badgers, rabbits and foxes.
Hudnalls Hideout treehouse: Everything you need to know
HUDNALLS HIDEOUT: THE DESIGN The treehouse is accessed via a suspended wooden bridge from the hidden woodland track and is a visual treat, handcrafted in a variety of woods that will weather gently over time. Wherever possible, materials have been sourced on location. Even the stair handrails and deck spindles have been constructed from hazel, ‘borrowed’ and repurposed from the surrounding woodland. The lower level has underfloor heating with a suspended cocoon-style bioethanol fireplace to keep you toasty during colder seasons. The wet room is tiled in Verdigris porcelain from Mandarin Stone, giving the space hues of blue-green patina complementing the copper rainfall shower. The mezzanine bedroom’s king size loft bed faces the glazed giant apex window offering a bird’s eye view of the tree canopy and tantalising glimpses of the Wye Valley directly below.You can watch birds at their feeder or stargaze using the treehouse’s own telescope. Sarah and Ade have been meticulous with detail focusing entirely on creating a truly peaceful and secluded ‘hideout’ for guests, down to the logo carved guest info clipboard and hand-illustrated treehouse location map. There are even wellies to borrow, thoughtfully left in the arrival area. THE OUTSIDE The deep outdoor copper bath(room for two) is on a giant reclaimed wooden plinthand is set against a backlit hand-forged fern metal screen made by nearby Dragonswood Forge. For outdoor cooking over fire, there’s a traditional fire pit with log seats, perfect for toasting marshmallows or baking potatoes, as well as a wood fired pizza oven which sits on top of the campfire grill. DINING OPTIONS Guests will receive a local hamper of goodies upon arrival which can complemented by a raft of other services offered to pre-order, whether they are looking to stay put or get out and explore further afield. Sarah and Ade share their local foodie tips and can arrange luxury hampers from The Pantry Shop and Deli in the village, including full English or continental breakfasts, curry takeaway ‘date night in’ pack with wine, or a meat BBQ hamper from nearby Plump Hill Farm, picnics or deli board from Forest Deli in Coleford. Or you can make the most of the stylish in-house kitchen (love the blue combo). Alternatively, you can dine at a wide choice of spoiling restaurants including Michelin-starred The Whitebrook, Tudor Farmhouse, The Ostrich or Parva Farmhouse. A private chef can also be arranged through Harts Barn Cookery School for a ‘Cooking with Fire’ private dining experience. ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES There’s plenty to do in the Wye Valley, with easy access to the Forest of Dean itself, from forest bathing and wild swimming to wildlife walks, hiking, biking and kayaking down the Wye. A massage therapist can visit you in your treetop retreat, or a booking can be made for a floatation experience nearby. Price: From £225 per night (midweek) and £275 (weekend) based on two sharing. Minimum stay 2 nights with check ins on Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays. Guests need to be over 18 and because of wildlife can regrettably not bring dogs. The price includes a local produce hamper on arrival as well as berry granola, rice, pasta, porridge (gluten free), marshmallows, BBQ rub, rapeseed oil, herb olive oil, fig & date balsamic vinegar, compostable Nespresso pods, speciality teas and hot chocolate. Book:www.hudnallshideout.co.uk or call 01594 530998. See more: 20 of the most beautiful hotels in the world
