Treetops Treehouse

£302.50 per night

The steps up to Treetops Treehouse lift you clear into the canopy and you’re suddenly alone with the peaceful breeze through the leaves, the occasional skittering squirrel and only the good kind of twitter. The temptation is to fire up the wood-burner, settle on the sofa and crack into the local welcome cider, but the rest of the treehouse is worth exploring. Upstairs you’ll find the king-size bed and in another room downstairs the huge copper bath, where you can lie back and soak up the quiet as the stress just drains away. The kitchen has everything you need to cook and there’s a barbecue outside on the deck, but if you fancy a treat then book in at the superb restaurant of The Fox & Hounds and head across the grounds for dinner. When you come back, sink into the bean bags in the secret cubby hole on the deck and watch the sun set on the fishing lake and the trees of Heywood Forest as the local train chugs past beneath you. Treetops Treehouse is set in the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, with the River Taw just below. If you want to leave the car behind, Eggesford train station is just a 5 minute walk away, and the Tarka Line runs to Barnstaple in one direction and Exeter in the other. As well as fishing on the lake and river, there’s the Tarka Trail that’ll take you on foot or by bike through charming villages and beautiful countryside via the odd homely pub. You can hit the coast for surfing, coasteering and a dip in the sea, or just spend the whole time lounging in the treehouse, sipping champagne and looking out over the pond.