There’s an incredible treehouse staycation location in the north of England, nestled in around woods and mountains.
The huge treehouse comes complete with all sorts of luxuries, from a slide down in to the games room to a hot tub on the wooden deck.
The Silva Treehouse is tucked away in a beautiful location between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
And although it’s got plenty of home comforts, it’s the trimmings that make it so special, The Hoot reports.
Outdoor pizza oven. Games room. Slides. Mountain views. Hot tub. This is a seriously cool cosy retreat.
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Wake up and watch the clouds fly over mountains, make a splash in the hot tub or grab a drink at the bar: this is the only treehouse any child or grown up will want to spend their weekend.
After fifteen years of growth and renovation, the treehouse hosts three bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and an extended outdoor bbq area, as well as a hot tub and slide-in games room.
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The huge treehouse can comfortably sit six guests over three bedrooms: two king-size and one double where children and grown ups can unwind after a day of exploration.
The hot tub at Silva Treehouse. Credit: Canopy and StarsThe slide at Silva Treehouse. Credit: Canopy and Stars
All ages will be able to embrace the activities thoughtfully included by the host in the games room.
To gain entry, take the slide (yes, slide) down to the space complete with with hammocks, a ping pong table and a zip down bar.
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Cooking can be as simple as using the kitchen facilites, but when stargazing and al fresco dining with the treehouse’s a pizza oven, barbecue and fire pit is an option, why wouldn’t you embrace your natural surroundings?
Located within a short distance of a working farm, the only noise you will hear is the morning crows and squarks of animals nearby.
The owners carefully chose the location based on its immersion in nature, especially wildlife spotting. Incredibly, Lucy and Grant’s tireless work has created the woods, wildflower areas, hedgerows and ponds where biodiversity now thrives.
Keep an eye out for brown hares, roe deer and kestrels, and an ear for tawny and barn owls hunting at dusk.
Located on Maughanby Farm, Little Salkeld in Penrith, the Silva Treehouse is just over two hours from Leeds city centre by car or a three hour train journey.
The hillside farm in the Peak District making its own ice cream
Daisy Jackson
Did you know there’s a 300-year-old farm in the Peak District serving up some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever taste? And yes, you can meet the cows that made it while you’re there.
Welcome to Hope Valley Ice Cream, a family-run gem where things are kept refreshingly simple: happy cows, proper farming, and seriously good ice cream.
Set in the heart of the Peak District countryside, this place is about as wholesome as it gets.
The ice cream is made on-site in the farmhouse, literally just metres from where the dairy herd are out grazing.
You can watch the animals, wander around the farm, and then tuck into a scoop or three perched on a milk pail stool, or a picnic bench (or even a decorative tractor).
Hope Valley Ice Cream has some amazing seasonal ice creams, like lemon curd, elderflower, and blackberry, alongside all the classics and a rather delicious tiramisu.
You can grab a cone, sit down with a coffee (again, made with milk from the nearby cows), or go all in with a freshly-made waffle if you’re feeling fancy.
Takeaway tubs from Hope Valley Ice CreamYou can get a mini pail of ice creamMeet the newborn calves at Hope Valley Ice CreamTuck into your ice cream on a milk pail stoolHope Valley Ice Cream
And if you’re the type who really loves ice cream? You can actually order a full pail of it, with four huge scoops plus whipped cream and sauce.
The farm itself is run by the Marsden family, who’ve been working this land for generations. It shows in everything – they’ve created a place that feels genuinely welcoming, not just another tourist stop.
Beyond the ice cream, you’ve got plenty of reasons to stick around. There are calves (including the newest tiny arrivals), plus donkeys and pigs to say hello to.
Whether you’re heading out on a hike or just fancy a drive into the Peaks, this is one pitstop that’s absolutely worth it – and honestly, it’s worth the trip on its own.
Unspoiled Lancashire village with no aerials or road signs named one of the best places to visit this spring
Daisy Jackson
A village in Lancashire has been named one of the best places to visit in the UK this spring – and it’s not hard to see why.
The picturesque little village of Downham has been owned by the same family for centuries, and has no road signs, no aerials, no overhead phone lines. It really is totally unspoiled.
The Assheton family, who reside at Downham Hall, has ensure the village and surrounding farms remain as a preserved, unspoilt community.
And that’s caught plenty of attention over the years, with the village used as a setting for TV and films over the years thanks to its historic charm.
After you’re done wandering, you can grab a scoop of local ice cream, or a pint in the 18th century Assheton Arms gastropub nearby.
The village has just been named one of the top places to visit in the UK this spring in a new guide released by LNER.
They said Downham feels like ‘a step away from the everyday’.
The listing says: “If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a step away from the everyday, Downham is a good place to start.
“Family-owned for generations, the village has kept things simple, no road signs, no aerials, just open views and a quiet sense of history.
“Set within the Forest of Bowland, it’s easy to see why it’s been used as a backdrop for films and TV over the years, including Whistle Down the Wind and The Secret of Crickley Hall.
“Grab a scoop of local Lancashire ice cream from the village shop and head to the banks of Downham Brook, a perfect spot to sit and listen to the water as the village wakes up for spring.
“Finish your trip at the award-winning Assheton Arms; this 18th-century gastropub sits at the highest point of the village, serving up seasonal plates alongside tranquil countryside vistas that make the modern world feel miles away.”
David Flesher, Commercial Director atLNER, said: “At this time of year, many people are looking for a chance to make the most of longer days and see more of the country as it’s changing with the season.
“Across the UK, some of the best scenery sits beyond the larger towns and cities, in villages that offer a different pace and new experiences. Travelling by rail is one of the best ways to reach these places and enjoy the journey along the way.
“This research highlights destinations that showcase the variety of landscapes across the country, encouraging people to step outside their usual routine and see more of what’s on their doorstep, and further afield.”
Sophie Smith -
30th June 2023 
