A 250-year-old oak anchors this stay in every sense. Treetops Treehouse sits cradled in its branches behind the Fox & Hounds Country Hotel in Eggesford, deep in the North Devon countryside. The tree alone signals the scale of the thing — broad, weathered and completely unhurried — and the treehouse takes its cue from that.

Inside, the mood is warm and specific. A wood stove crackles at the centre of the living space, and underfloor heating keeps the chill off when Devon turns grey. French doors open onto a deck scattered with beanbags, which quickly become the default seat for anyone who arrives planning to be productive. The king bedroom filters light through oak branches in a way that feels genuinely cinematic. There is also a copper bathtub — generously sized and clearly the star of the bathroom — that earns its keep after a long countryside walk.

Families are well-served too. A children's room with bunks and hidey-hole corners gives younger guests their own adventure-book corner of the treehouse. The deck doubles as a summer dining spot, with a barbecue ready for warm evenings. Deer and birds move through the estate without much concern for guests, which is exactly as it should be.

Self-catering is straightforward — the kitchen is well-equipped enough to go fully domestic if you want. But the Fox & Hounds restaurant sits only steps away and offers a genuinely convenient alternative when cooking feels like effort. It is the kind of hotel dining that makes the short walk feel worthwhile, without requiring an advance reservation mindset.

Treetops works across every season. Spring and early summer bring mild temperatures, long days and Devon's woodlands at their most alive — ideal for walking the estate and exploring beyond. High summer adds warmth and easy outdoor living. Autumn sharpens the air and turns the oak's surroundings amber and gold, making the wood stove feel especially earned. Winter arrivals get log-fire cosiness and the particular drama of a West Country sky over bare branches.

Getting here by train is genuinely practical — and rarer than it sounds for a treehouse stay. Eggesford station sits approximately 400 metres from the property and is served by GWR's Barnstaple–Exeter line as well as service D2, connecting the village directly to Exeter in one direction and Barnstaple in the other. Most guests still arrive by car and wind through Devon's country lanes to reach the hotel, but the proximity of Eggesford station makes a car-free visit a realistic option worth considering. It is an unusual advantage for a rural treehouse.

This is a stay that suits couples chasing genuine seclusion, families who want outdoor life without sacrificing comfort, and anyone who needs a complete break from their usual context. The oak has been standing for two and a half centuries. A few nights in its branches tends to put most things in perspective.