Words by Hannah Tan-Gillies
While sustainability was once a fringe tropic in the luxury travel sphere, it has now become an increasingly important requirement for the modern-day luxury traveller.
This summer, we’re looking for an escape to nature that offers just as much calm and serenity as it does sustainability. Because who said that spectacular design and eco-friendliness can’t go hand-in-hand? From New Forest to Lake Windermere, we’ve curated some of the most breath-taking treehouse hideaways, rustic cabins, coastal cottages and glamping accommodation that the UK has to offer. Because there is certainly nothing more enriching than a holiday that is both good for the environment and the soul.
The Treehouse Hideaway at Chewton Glen, New Forest
Nestled amongst the canopies of New Forest and suspended thirty-five feet above the ground, the Treehouse Hideaway at Chewton Glen will certainly do your lockdown-related woes some well-deserved good.
The other-worldly Treehouse Hideaway suite certainly complements its idyllic surroundings. A wrap-around terrace maximises the forest views and offers plenty of space to relax and take in the tranquil New Forest landscape. Inside, the suite is characterised by a quiet elegance and boasts under-floor heating, a marble bathroom, and a free-standing bath that overlooks the forest.
The Treehouse Hideaway’s eco-credentials include rain-water harvesting, air-source heat pumps, solar panels and low-energy lighting, striking a delicate balance between luxury and sustainability that only few truly special places can achieve.
Rates at the Chewton Glen Treehouse Hideaway start from £1,350 per night. The treehouse suites are available for self-catering from April 12th and then open as usual from May 17th. For more information, visit chewtonglen.com.
Hex Cottage at The Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
Tucked in a tranquil corner of East Anglia, the charming Hex Cottage will surely satisfy even the most discerning thatched cottage connoisseur. The Hex Cottage is part of the Wilderness Reserve, a collection of privately-owned and environmentally-respectful properties that represent the epitome of luxury rural self-catering accommodation.
Wilderness Reserve boasts a return to old-fashioned hospitality and the Hex Cottage – ideal for those looking for a carbon-neutral break – take this mantra quite literally. The cottage is electricity-free with only an Esse wood-burning range as its source of hot water and heating. However, this romantic cottage makes up for the lack of power with plenty of charm and is also the perfect place for a much-needed digital detox.
Rates at The Hex Cottage start from £1,000 per week. For more information visit theluxurytravelbook.com.
The Lake Cabin at the Limewood Hotel, New Forest
The Lake Cabin stands in the middle of the Limewood Hotel’s own miniature lake and is a rustic retreat that will tick all of the sustainability credentials. The cabin is both spacious and cosy, with double-height ceilings and floor-length windows on all sides. It is constructed with reclaimed timber both inside and out, balanced by punchy Art Deco interiors which oozes pizazz and personality.
There is also little cocktail area, a generous terrace, a dramatic four-poster bed and an outdoor silver roll top bath perfect for those feeling a bit adventurous and looking to reconnect with nature. It is barefoot elegance at its finest.
Rates at the Lake Cabin at Limewood Hotel start from £1,250 per night. For more information, visit limewoodhotel.co.uk.
The Samling, Lake District
This summer, The Samling is launching a luxury ‘Wilderness Adventure’ package that invites guests to escape to the woodlands and rolling hills of the Lake District in true decadence.
Guests can wake up to birdsong or enjoy a freshly brewed coffee, made by their own personal chef and served by their own butler, al fresco in their tent’s private veranda. Those looking to venture beyond the hotel grounds will also have plenty to explore with Scarfell Pike and Ambleside within walking distance. The prospector tents certainly do justice to the spectacular panoramic views of Lake Windermere and guests can opt to enjoy dinner in their own restaurant tents, or under the stars by lantern light. There is certainly no other glamping experience quite like it.
Rates for a two-day exclusive weekend hire is £3,000, while a three-day mid-week hire is £3,500 for two sleeping Prospector tents at the Samling and a Restaurant Prospector tent. This includes half-board for four guests per day. For more information, visit thesamling.co.uk.
The Cary Arms and Spa, Babbacombe Bay
Located in beautiful Babbacombe Bay, the Cary Arms and Spa has been a part of the history of Torquay since 1662. Named after the influential Cary family, today the establishment has maintained the family’s prestigious legacy by being one of the most impeccable seaside inns that Britain has to offer. Owned and managed by Peter and Lana de Savary, the Cary Arms and Spa has all the signatures of a de Savary property, from the cosy luxury interiors to the truly impeccable service. The hotel’s beach huts, accessed through a cliffside outdoor stone walkway, puts you right on the edge of the coastline where you can watch the waves crash right at your door.
From the outside, the beach huts look like your quintessential fisherman’s cabin, but a closer look inside reveals so much more. Wall to wall sliding doors, a spacious deck, double-height ceilings and bright contemporary interiors make the beach huts the epitome of coastal luxury.
A stay here is like a stay in the home of a stylish old friend, balancing familiarity, escape and some excellent sustainability credentials too. The hotel has committed to reducing landfill by 70 per cent, has replaced plastic straws, removed all single-use bottles and installed energy-efficient lighting. It also opened its own vegetable and herb garden to make good on its promise of using only locally sourced ingredients at the restaurant.
Rates for a one-night stay at the Cary Arms Beach Huts start at £335 with breakfast included. For more information, visit caryarms.co.uk.
