A little piece of heaven up a tree
First we had yurts – we were early adopters and approving of this cosy tent with fire and blankets. Then came glamping– a term coined to cover camping out in yurts, gypsy caravans, retro trailers, and anything which can be converted with a touch of quirk and luxury. The latest self catering trend seems to be for treehouse breaks and maybe the most luxurious of them all is possibly the Bower Treehouse in Somerset.
I was in desperate need of a break, but my travel insurance has gone astronomical as I wait for an operation, so we decided to stay here in the UK and look for something a bit different. We did two stops, the Bower being the first. 
Walking up to the treehouse from the car, I was giddy with anticipation.
The Bower is beautiful. You walk up some steps and there it is- complete with a tub on the deck.
The whole place is beautifully fitted out, nothing wonky or rustic about it You enter via the lounge which is full of sheepskins and a wood burner. 
A tiny kitchen has the copper sink of my dreams and some well chosen enamel teapots and chunky mugs.
This copper bowl gave me serious kitchen envy!
The bedroom has the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Seriously, I wish I’d asked about the mattress. The bed itself is a work of art carved from wood and the skylight above it means you wake gently in the morning light.
The bathroom has underfloor heating and a power shower, plus a stone sink which looks like it has grown from the wall.
Oh and that tub on the deck? You’ll find organic bath goodies and a small bottle of champagne to enjoy while you sit in it under the stars.
Location wise, you’re not overlooked by anything and all. Windows face over the vast countryside. There are woodlands nearby with loads of paths running through them so you can explore the area on foot. Reality (ie your car) is only about 200m away but you’d never know.
Lots of walking nearby if you can drag yourself away from the treehouse!
By car, Bruton and Frome are both nearby. If you are looking to eat out somewhere that keeps to the stunning architecture theme, then At The Chapel in Bruton is worth booking. A converted grade 2 chapel, with an ultra modern interior, the giant pizza/bread oven in the bakery at the front means that we had crispy pizza for dinner and fresh pastries for breakfast the next day.
This is a high-end property and isn’t cheap, but it is so unusual and so obviously made with love (owner Simon does this for a living so I guess this is his show home-Bower House Construction is his company ) that it’s pretty much worth it as a treat. We did two nights, and it was enough to see the local area and feel like we had spoiled ourselves. Plus, if we stayed any longer I was at risk of moving in to that giant bath tub!
Treehouses in the UK aren’t as high up as elsewhere (we don’t have giant redwoods) but they are none the less impressive. I’d highly recommend The Bower for a romantic short break with your beloved. We booked through Canopy and Stars which looks to be the only booking agent at time of writing.
Have you stayed in a treehouse or another quirky accommodation? I’d love to know as I am hoping to get another short break in soon!
