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Looking for something a bit different for your cosy autumn staycation this year? We’ve rounded up the best properties up in the trees and on the water for a truly memorable stay, from romantic retreats to family escapes.
There’s something rather clever about The Tawny. Tucked into 70 acres of woodland, lakes and landscaped gardens in Staffordshire’s Churnet Valley, this isn’t your traditional country hotel. Instead, it’s a deconstructed hotel where treehouses, shepherd’s huts, boathouses, lookouts and retreats are scattered across the landscape, giving you all the comforts of a luxury stay while still feeling as though you’ve escaped properly into nature.
The accommodation is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws. The Wingspan Collection at the Consall Estate includes beautifully designed treehouses, huts, lookouts, boathouses and retreats, each designed to feel private and immersed in the surroundings. Every room has its own outdoor William Holland copper spa bath – so bathing under the stars becomes part of the experience rather than an occasional treat. For something more substantial, the neighbouring Basford Estate is home to the Fledglings and Owlets, including larger serviced holiday homes with private gardens and, in some cases, swimming pools, saunas and cinema rooms.
Food is equally impressive. The Plumicorn, The Tawny’s on-site restaurant, has three AA Rosettes and sits overlooking the gardens and lakes. The cooking is seasonal and ingredient-led, with produce from the surrounding area and the hotel’s own Herb Hollow making its way onto the plates. It manages to feel special without becoming formal – exactly the right approach after a day spent wandering around the estate.
Wellness is deliberately woven into the landscape rather than confined to a conventional spa building. Alongside the outdoor heated pool, The Tawny now has the Laund Pool Sauna, with huge windows overlooking the
water, and Rousseau’s Cave Steam Room, a beautifully atmospheric space inspired by the estate’s history. There’s also a small, intimate treatment room in a thatched cottage, where Temple Spa treatments offer a more traditional moment of relaxation.
For those who like their wellness with a little more movement, yoga takes place in nature, either in your accommodation or in The Arbor overlooking the estate. Sessions range from gentle Rest & Restoreto more energetic flows, with family yoga also available. The Tawny’s programme increasingly focuses on nature-led wellbeing, with experiences such as Pilates, sound baths and seasonal wellness events.
Then there’s the foraging and nature side of the stay, which is where The Tawny really feels different. The estate borders Consall Nature Park, giving guests access to woodland, heath and trails, while the hotel’s programme includes seasonal foraging and other hands-on experiences. There are historic follies to discover, lakeside walks and plenty of opportunities simply to slow down and notice what’s around you. Forest bathing and guided nature experiences are also becoming part of the estate’s evolving wellness offering, making the landscape itself the main attraction.
The overall feeling is wild luxury without the slightest hint of stuffiness. You can spend the morning walking through the woods, follow it with yoga and a treatment, eat exceptionally well at The Plumicorn and finish the day submerged in your outdoor copper bath with nothing but the trees and night sky around you.
The Tawny is ultimately somewhere to slow down rather than show off. It’s romantic, wonderfully private and refreshingly different – a place where nature is not simply the view from your bedroom, but an integral part of the stay. Come for the treehouse, stay for the long soak, the good food and the feeling that, for a couple of nights at least, you’ve disappeared into the Staffordshire countryside.
If you like your country escapes with a little more personality, The Fish makes a strong case for swapping the traditional Cotswolds hotel for something altogether more playful. Perched within 400 acres of private parkland at Farncombe Estate, just outside Broadway, this is a place where luxury comes with muddy boots, woodland adventures and a healthy dose of fun. It feels less like a formal country-house hotel and more like a stylish rural retreat designed for switching off.
The accommodation is one of the biggest draws. There are 68 bedrooms and treehouses, spread throughout the estate, with options ranging from cosy rooms to more generous spaces tucked into the woodland. The Treehouses are the obvious choice for something special, sitting high among the trees with private balconies and plenty of glass bringing the surrounding landscape in. Inside, the style is contemporary and unfussy – think natural textures, warm woods and comfortable beds rather than fussy country-house florals. Some rooms also have outdoor baths or hot tubs, making it very tempting to spend the evening soaking beneath the stars.
Food is deliberately relaxed. Hook, the hotel's restaurant, serves modern British food with plenty of local ingredients, while the bar is the natural place to retreat after a day outside. Expect seasonal menus, good wines and a setting that feels sociable rather than formal. The estate's proximity to Broadway also means there are plenty of excellent restaurants nearby if you fancy venturing out, although with so much going on at The Fish, you may not feel the need.
Wellness comes in a suitably laid-back package. The Hideaway, the hotel's spa, is tucked into the woodland and offers treatments, relaxation spaces and a sauna, while yoga sessions make the most of the peaceful surroundings. It’s not a huge destination spa, but that’s part of the appeal: this is somewhere to book a massage, stretch out after a morning outdoors and generally slow the pace down rather than spend an entire day moving between thermal experiences.
The real magic, though, is in the activities. The Fish takes outdoor fun seriously, with experiences designed for both adults and children. Try your hand at archery, head out on a quad-bike tour through the estate or get stuck into a den-building session in the woods. There are also woodland walks, cycling and other country pursuits, making it almost impossible to run out of things to do.
The activities strike exactly the right balance: organised enough that you don’t have to plan anything, but informal enough that they never feel like a corporate team-building exercise. There’s something particularly satisfying about returning from a muddy afternoon on a quad bike, showering, pulling on something cosy and heading downstairs for dinner.
The overall feeling is stylish, sociable and refreshingly un-stuffy. Couples can retreat to a treehouse and disappear for the weekend; families have plenty to keep children entertained; and groups of friends can fill their days with activities before settling around a fire with a drink.
The Fish is ultimately about having fun in the countryside. It has all the ingredients of a luxury Cotswolds break – beautiful surroundings, good food, gorgeous rooms and a spa – but with none of the preciousness. Come for the treehouse, stay for the adventures and expect to leave with muddy trainers, rosy cheeks and a renewed appreciation for doing absolutely nothing for an afternoon.
For a country escape that feels a little more playful than the traditional grand hotel, Wildhive Callow Hall makes a very strong case. Tucked into 35 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and gardens at the gateway to the Peak District, it combines the character of a Victorian country house with beautifully designed woodland accommodation, excellent food and a surprisingly impressive menu of outdoor adventures.
The accommodation is split between the main house and the woods. There are 15 individually designed bedrooms in Callow Hall, ranging from cosy rooms to larger Fabulous Rooms with emperor beds and freestanding baths. For something more adventurous, book one of the Hives or Treehouses. The Hives are secluded one-bedroom retreats tucked among the trees, while the two-bedroom Treehouses come with open-plan living spaces, kitchenettes and wraparound decks complete with copper outdoor baths. It’s the sort of place where you can spend an evening soaking under the canopy before retreating inside to a ridiculously comfortable bed.
Food is centred around the Garden Room, a light-filled restaurant serving seasonal dishes made with British produce. There’s also a lively bar and Library Snug for drinks, while the hotel’s Wild Dining events bring food outdoors for a more informal, fire-lit experience. The overall approach is unfussy and relaxed – good food, good cocktails and somewhere you actually want to linger.
Wellness has become an increasingly important part of the Callow Hall experience. The Coach House brings together treatments, thermal therapies, light and sound experiences, a Technogym-equipped gym and a dedicated yoga studio. Yoga with Gavin is available alongside streamed classes, making it easy to fit in a morning stretch before heading out to explore. There are also restorative treatments and wellbeing packages if your idea of a
country break involves considerably more lying down than walking.
For those who want to earn their dinner, the Peak District is right on the doorstep. One of the best ways to explore is on an e-bike tour, with Wildhive partnering with PeakePedals to offer guided routes on high-specification bikes complete with GPS maps. There are also hybrid, Dutch and mountain bikes available, while the team can point you towards local walking and cycling trails.
The activities are what give Callow Hall its personality. Alongside cycling and hiking, guests can book more hands-on country experiences such as clay firing, giving the weekend a sense of adventure without ever becoming overly organised or corporate. It’s very much about getting outside, trying something different and then coming back to the warmth of the house.
The overall feeling is stylish, relaxed and wonderfully unpretentious. There’s a lovely contrast between the colourful, characterful interiors and the wild landscape outside, while the Hives and Treehouses give the stay an element of escapism you simply don’t get from a conventional country-house hotel.
Come for the woodland setting, stay in a Hive, book the e-bikes, squeeze in a yoga class and finish the day with dinner in the Garden Room. Wildhive Callow Hall feels less like somewhere you come to be looked after and more like somewhere you come to live well for a couple of days – with a little adventure thrown in for good measure.
There are few country-house hotels that manage to feel as established as Chewton Glen while still offering enough to keep you coming back. Set in 130 acres on the edge of the New Forest, and just minutes from the Hampshire coast, it’s a classic English escape with a surprisingly modern
approach to food, wellness and adventure. Think roaring fires, manicured lawns and polished service – but also treehouses, mountain bikes, cookery classes and days spent out on the water.
The accommodation ranges from elegant rooms and suites in the main house to the hotel's signature Treehouse Suites, tucked among the trees. The latter are the real wow factor, with generous living spaces, private terraces and hot tubs overlooking the woodland. Breakfast arrives in a hamper, making it particularly tempting to stay in your robes for the morning and eat al fresco. The overall feel is luxurious but comfortable rather than overly formal – somewhere that works equally well for a romantic weekend or a family escape.
Food is another reason to visit. The Dining Room is the more sophisticated of the two restaurants, serving modern British cooking with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients. For something more relaxed, The Kitchen – created with James Martin – combines an informal restaurant with a purpose-built cookery school. Expect wood-fired pizzas, sharing plates, burgers and salads, with the open-plan kitchen adding to the convivial feel.
The Cookery School is worth building a stay around in its own right. Classes range from half-day sessions to full-day experiences, with everything from James Martin-inspired cooking to guest-chef courses and junior sessions. You’ll cook with professional equipment, use fresh ingredients from the kitchen garden and, importantly, get to sit down and eat what you’ve made afterwards. It’s hands-on without being intimidating, making it a particularly
good option for a weekend with friends or a parent-and-child trip.
For those who prefer their relaxation with a little more adrenaline, Chewton Glen’s Boat Club partnership opens up the Solent and surrounding coastline. Private yacht charters can be arranged alongside a stay, with crewed boats, gourmet picnics and water toys such as paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. It’s a wonderfully glamorous way to see the coast – particularly if you combine it with lunch on the Isle of Wight.
Back on dry land, book a private mountain-bike tour through the New Forest. Guided rides take you along the ancient woodland’s network of gravel tracks, with bikes and a private guide provided. For something slower, there are coastal and woodland walks, while the hotel can also arrange other country pursuits and outdoor activities.
Then there’s the spa, which provides the perfect antidote to all that activity. With indoor and outdoor pools, hydrotherapy, treatment rooms, sauna and steam facilities, it’s a destination in its own right. Add a treatment, lunch and an afternoon by the pool and you have the makings of a very easy spa break.
The overall feeling is luxurious, relaxed and wonderfully versatile. One day might involve a cookery class followed by the spa; the next, a mountain-bike adventure and yacht charter. Or you can simply settle into a treehouse, order breakfast to your terrace and do very little at all.
That’s ultimately Chewton Glen’s appeal: it has the polish of a five-star country house, but enough personality and activities to make every stay feel different. Come for the treehouse, stay for the food, and leave feeling as though you’ve had a proper escape – with both forest and sea within reach.
