A few days ago, I was sitting on the balcony of a treehouse in the depths of the Welsh countryside, listening to the sound of leaves rustling as a soft breeze swept through the trees.
It seems unreal now, like something out of a dream.
But then, this hidden place does possess a touch of magic.
Located on Bryn Meurig Farm, in the village of Cemmaes, outside Machynlleth, there are six beautifully hand crafted treehouses high up in the hills. Each one is slightly different, but they all have stunning views, spiral staircases, rope bridges, outdoor showers and log burners.
I first came across this unique holiday spot on The Travel Hack blog and decided to book a trip as a Christmas present for my husband. It shows just how popular this place is that September was the first available date we could book.
It’s easy to see why as soon as you arrive at the farm, after winding slowly up the narrow country road.
We were met by Peter, who helped us carry our bags across the fields to our treehouse, before leaving us to enjoy the peace and quiet.
With no Wi-Fi or even electricity, this is the perfect place to stay if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and really relax. There’s not much to do but potter around the fields, chop logs for the fire, play on the rope swing or soak in the wood fired hot tub enjoying the views.
And it’s absolute heaven.
We stayed at the treehouse for three nights and only once came across another couple, as we passed them on the way up to the car. It’s one of the most tranquil spots I’ve ever been to and I could happily have stayed there for weeks.
Here you’re at the heart of a naturally beautiful area, and it’s full of wildlife. The treehouses are on a sheep farm and the herd mill about in the fields around you. We woke up one morning to find a crowd of sheep investigating the hot tub!
We were also visited regularly by the local squirrels who are rather brazen and not afraid to reach out and take food from your hand. And it’s worth remembering to keep the treehouse door closed so they can’t get inside!
After leaving the door ajar at one point, we found a poor bird stuck inside. Each time it tried to escape, it flew straight into one of the windows. Fortunately hubby caught it and let it go outside. He also had to rescue a bat from the wood burner one morning, as it had obviously been attracted by the heat and flown down the flue pipe during the night. Luckily he spotted it before we lit the fire.
The farm’s owners have thought of almost everything; there are so many great details and little extras that make the treehouses special.
Each one has its own outdoor shower, and using it was one of the best parts of the experience. The log burner in the treehouse is connected to a water tank underneath, which heats the water for the shower. So you get to stand outside enjoying a steaming hot shower as you gaze down the valley.
The treehouses even have a gas hob for cooking and running water, plus a compost toilet out on the balcony. Ours also had a string of fairy lights that made the living area extra cosy at night.
It’s a little bit surreal spending the night in a treehouse with a real bed, out in the middle of nowhere. There are no locks on the door, which is slightly unnerving at first – especially if you hear any strange sounds outside. But you soon drift off, and as there are no curtains, you wake up with the light streaming in through the windows.
We were really lucky with the weather during our visit; despite it being September, it was sunny and warm, with very little wind. Much of the time, the woods were perfectly still and serene.
If you love the outdoors and want to experience a truly unique holiday, then I recommend a trip to the treehouses on Bryn Meurig Farm absolutely. We’ll definitely be going back!
Tip: Most stays are for two nights, but if you start your trip on a Sunday, you get an extra night for free.
Gemma says
WOWWWWWWW!!!
What a hidden treasure!! The perfect escape from the hustling bustling reality. I can imagine the silence and smells of the woods around you. What a fantastic trip!
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Amy Lord says
It really was amazing!
Sara S says
This treehouse is STUNNING! I would love to vacation here! Seems very relaxing!
~Sara
Amy Lord says
It was one of the most relaxing trips I’ve been on! Everything was so peaceful and the pace of life changes completely when you’re not checking your phone every few minutes.
Katie says
Oh wow, this looks incredible! What a place to stay! Definitely going on my list.