The Cotswolds treehouse that calms stress and helps you sleep better

There’s something special about waking up in a treehouse and stepping outside to sip coffee high among the trees.

The scent of rain on the leaves, the almost deafening sound of birds bickering and nothing but dense forest swaddling you.

It’s part Narnia, part Bond villain lair.

We might be in the middle of the Cotswolds, and a stone’s throw from the civilisation of Daylesford Organic and Soho Farmhouse, but tucked deep in the Wychwood Forest, I feel safe, protected and very close to nature.

I’ve long harboured childhood fantasies about sleeping in a treehouse, and I’ve been following the rise in popularity of rustic glamping with interest.

So, I was thrilled to get the chance to spend a night in one of the seven TreeDweller’s treehouses set in the ancient woodland of Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Estate.

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These treehouses are beautifully designed, semi-circular cylinders that look as if they’ve been beamed down from space.

Each gently curving lozenge is encased in timber, copper and glass, curving around secluded decking, with glass-sided stairs to bring you the 10ft up from the forest floor.

Inside, our ‘den’ is kitted out to the highest possible spec with Scandi furnishings, a wood burner (prepped and ready to light), soft blankets draped over the sofa and a curated pile of tree-themed books topped by a pack of playing cards.

There’s a fully fitted kitchen in the middle and a cosy bedroom at the other end.

In true treehouse style, the whole place wobbles a bit when we walk.

A welcome ‘hamper’ sets the glamping tone – a bottle of rather delicious Oxford Regatta red wine and Oxford Cheese Company crackers with a hunk of local butter and Cheddar.

There’s a selection of Pukka tea bags, freshly ground coffee from Missing Bean a speciality coffee roaster based just around the corner, and, because the whole vibe is thoroughly eco, a carton of oat milk in the fridge.

But who needs a kitchen when there are so many great pubs within a short drive?

We shun the swanky influencer favourite The Bull and The Bell in Burford and steer around Jeremy Clarkson’s popular Farmer’s Dog pub for a wonderfully quiet meal a few minutes’ drive away at The Bird In Hand, diving into Asian-inspired mussels and buttery soft fillet steak.

Driving back into the forest after dark, the treehouse lights twinkle through the trees invitingly and that big fluffy bed is calling.

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But we have been booked on a ‘rustic retreat’, so there’s a luxurious spa ritual to undergo.

I drop a gently fizzing bath bomb into the freestanding tub and scatter a scoop of Epsom salts followed by a handful of petals to create a deliciously scented vivid green consommé.

I sink in and let my worries melt away.

After a clay face mask and a liberal lashing of creamy body butter (all part of the retreat ritual) we snuggle into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of owls calling through the trees.

There’s something primeval about sleeping in the forest.

And something scientific, too.

Trees release a chemical called phytoncides, which research shows can strengthen the immune, hormonal, circulatory, and nervous systems, and reduce stress.

It feels as if all that woodland goodness has been seeping into our veins while we are snoozing.

We wake to panoramic forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows and roll over in bed to watch a little band of Muntjacs truffling around.

It feels as if we are a million miles from civilisation yet we’re just ten minutes’ drive from Charlbury Station (and around 90 minutes from Paddington).

Our restful retreat package includes a session at The Wild Sauna on the banks of the river Stour about 30-minutes’ drive away in the middle of nowhere at the end of a long, rutted mud track.

The wood-fired sauna has been set up in an old horsebox flanked by his-n-hers changing sheds and sits in a grassy glade close to a converted old mill building.

Ours is a ‘silent sauna’ session so we sit sweating in meditative silence, looking rather like deranged wood nymphs in the brightly coloured felted hats provided to stop your head from over-heating.

Cooling-off options include a cast iron ladder taking you down into the rather murky-looking river, an old enamel bath filled with icy spring water and an al fresco shower with a (thankfully) ‘tepid’ tap.

As I dunk my shoulders in the river and splash my face in the bath, it’s like a reality check.

My wilderness weekend is coming to a close.

But it feels like I’ve been away from civilisation and stress for a fortnight.

When can I come back?

Louise Atkinson was a guest of TreeDwellers, but don’t expect us to sugarcoat anything – our reviews are 100% independent.
Prices start from £250 per night, two night minimum including arrival hamper.

Wild Sauna sessions are available to book directly starting from £15 for community sessons.