Redwood Valley Treehouses Presteigne
Redwood Valley is a small, family-run, eco-friendly glamping site set in 25 acres of woodland on the Welsh border, a mile from the town of Presteigne where Powys meets Herefordshire. It has been featured in Guardian Travel, The Times and The Telegraph as one of Britain’s top luxury glampsites.
The Treetop Cabin is the most private thing on the site. It stands alone, perched high on a wooded slope well above the valley floor, reached by its own path up through the trees. Nobody passes it. From the balcony the only sounds are birds in the canopy and the brook running somewhere far below.
It is a place for two — three at a push — rather than a family base, and it suits people who want to disappear for a few days: a romantic few nights, a proper rest, or somewhere to read a book from a hammock without being interrupted.
The woodland it sits in is the point of the place as much as the cabin is. The family has been managing it for over twenty years, clearing invasive species and replanting — more than 1,100 trees and shrubs so far. Around fifty sessile oaks stand in the ancient part of it, some believed to be over 400 years old, and the redwood that gives the valley its name rises to nearly fifty metres.
THE TREETOP CABIN
* Its magnificent position, high on a wooded slope overlooking the valley, gives spectacular views and complete privacy. From inside, the large windows open up a panorama of the woodland canopy, so you get the abundance of the place in total comfort.
* The cabin was lovingly crafted from wood cut in the valley itself.
* A large balcony runs along the front with chairs and a hammock — the best seat on the site.
* A wooden walkway leads to a luxurious private composting loo, which is yours alone. There are instructions inside for anyone who has not used one before, and it is clean, comfortable and sweet-smelling.
* Inside there is a double bed with a cosy down duvet, pillows and crisp white bed linen, and a daybed which comfortably sleeps one additional adult or two children.
* A log burning stove keeps it warm whatever the season, with the wood provided.
* There is a small fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and a wind-up lantern.
* Outside you have your own spring water tap, and in the wooded glade behind the cabin a seating area with a BBQ that doubles as a fire pit.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
* A double bed made up with a down duvet, pillows and crisp white bed linen
* A daybed sleeping one more adult or two children
* Log burning stove, with wood, kindling and matches provided
* A private composting loo, reached by its own wooden walkway
* Small fridge, kettle, and tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin
* Wind-up lantern
* Your own spring water tap
* Firewood for the campfire as well as the stove
* Biodegradable toiletries, washing-up liquid, tea towels, toilet paper and hand towels
* Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, condiments, herbs and spices from the woodland kitchen
* The loan of an Ordnance Survey map, and information on local places of interest
OUTSIDE you will find…
* A large balcony with chairs and a hammock, looking into the woodland canopy
* A seating area in the wooded glade behind the cabin
* A BBQ which doubles as a fire pit
* Your own spring water tap
* A log store, and specific sites around the valley for campfires
Not included: towels, and bedding for the daybed. The double bed is made up for you, but anyone sleeping on the daybed needs to bring their own bedding, and everyone needs to bring towels for the shower.
FACILITIES ON SITE
The cabin has its own composting loo, but the kitchen and shower are shared with the rest of the site, a walk back down into the valley.
The woodland kitchen is fully equipped — two fridges, gas hobs, a microwave, toaster and kettle, along with pots, pans, kitchen implements, cutlery and crockery. There is a long trestle table to eat at, with board games and a shelf of books on the local area, plants and wildlife, and separate bins for recycling, compost and landfill.
The shower is gas-heated rather than solar, because the woodland does not get enough sun for it — which means constant hot water rather than whatever the day has managed. There is a spacious changing area and complimentary shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
All the water comes from the site’s own freshwater spring and is UV-treated, so it is safe to drink. Bring a bottle and take some home. The grey water runs through an underground soak-away, which is why the toiletries provided are biodegradable — please use those rather than your own.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
* Presteigne is under a mile away — a thriving small town with a wine bar, four pubs and a run of independent shops. The Judge’s Lodging is there, and Mid Border Arts puts on exhibitions, music and theatre at the Assembly Rooms through the year.
* Water-Break-Its-Neck Falls, a few miles off in the Radnor Forest, is a stunning waterfall reached by following a stream up through a valley.
* Offa’s Dyke runs close by, and the moors and reservoirs of the Elan Valley are within reach for a longer day.
* Wild swimming starts ten minutes’ walk away on the river Lugg, behind the Presteigne allotments. The wider Wye at Bredwardine is half an hour by car, and canoes and kayaks can be hired at Glasbury and Hay on Wye.
* Hampton Court Castle, the medieval village of Pembridge, several National Trust properties and the gardens at Hergest Croft and Westonbury Mill are all close. So is Ludlow Castle, and there is a farm park and owl sanctuary within a stone’s throw.
* Hay on Wye is an easy day trip, and the Hay Festival each May even easier. The Presteigne Festival, a classical music festival, spans the August bank holiday weekend.
* Further out you can reach the Brecon Beacons, the Centre for Alternative Technology, much of Snowdonia and the coast around Aberystwyth in a day.
* This is a dark sky area with an observatory just up the road at Knighton. From a balcony this high up, with no light pollution, the stargazing is exceptional — bring a telescope.
Down in the valley there are two nature trails, a huge rope swing and a brook to paddle in, along with campfire sites and barbecues. If it rains there are books, playing cards and board games in the kitchen.
COURSES
Green woodworking courses run through the season — you can come home having made a Welsh stick chair. There is also birdwatching, and silversmithing with the jeweller Tamsin Smith, including private workshops where couples design and make their own wedding rings over two days. Ask when you book.
EATING AND DRINKING
Presteigne has an excellent greengrocer and fishmonger, a deli selling freshly baked bread, a local butcher and two convenience stores, so self-catering is easy. For eating out there is everything from the chip shop and the Chinese takeaway to pub food, sourdough pizza, tapas and more gourmet cooking.
GOOD TO KNOW
• The cabin sleeps two on the double bed, plus one more adult or two children on the daybed.
• The double bed is made up for you. Bedding for the daybed is not provided — bring your own, and bring towels for the shower.
• The composting loo is private to the cabin. The kitchen and shower are shared, and are a walk back down into the valley.
• The cabin is reached by a steep walk up through the woodland, so it is sadly not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
• Cars stay at the top of the valley so the meadow is not damaged.
• No dogs, except service dogs — for the sake of the woodland wildlife.
• No hen or stag parties, and no weddings or large events. The site is deliberately quiet.
• There is a two-night minimum stay.
• A 50% deposit secures a booking, with the balance due 45 days before arrival, or you can pay in full at the time.
PRICES
From £155 per night, with a two-night minimum stay.
Stays of five nights or more are £10 less per night. High season is May to August.
All prices include the wood for your log burner and campfire.