Need some ideas for romantic boltholes with a twist? These two sum up the Countryfille.com ethos is a nutshell. The first is a super slick, luxury hideaway in the middle of a field on Somerset, while the other is a tiny, blissfully tranquil corner of central London. The best of both worlds in the city, and the country.
Up first is Harptree Court. I must add here that this place is booked up till August. But have patience and you will get to stay…. in your very own treehouse!
Linda and Charles Hill own the elegant Harptree Court, a Grade-II listed country pile in the Mendip Hills. Looking for a clever way to make the estate pay for itself they decided to create a super-luxe hideaway at the bottom of the parkland.
Walking sedately up a flight of stairs that wind themselves around the tree’s bowers (no rope-ladder here) you arrive at your very own front door to find this:
Now I don’t know about you, but my treehouse had pages torn from Smash Hits as wallpaper and a rather questionable floral carpet off-cut on the floor. Not hot/cold running water, antique French furniture, a woodburner and it’s own chess board.
Not to mention a copper bath and deliciously squishy four-poster bed. Not your average treehouse, huh?
There will be warm lemon drizzle cake fresh from the oven waiting for you courtesy of the lady of the manor, plus a fridge full of homegrown/reared goodies (fresh eggs, homemade loaf and conserves, thick-cut bacon) so you can make a lazy breakfast at leisure the next morning.
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, the Mulberry factory outlet is 20 mins down the road and Clarks Outlet Village just beyond. It’s the Bicester Village of the South West (Joules, Whistles, Barbour, Gap, Fat Face, White Stuff). This is ‘country’ at its very best.
Next up is an equally special retreat. On The Water is a custom-built canal boat moored up in the Regent’s Canal right next to the park in Primrose Hill.
It’s nestled in a private stretch of the canal called the Cumberland Basin, so there are no cyclists whizzing past your portholes.
Inside the smart chrome and white vessel is this:
Sigh. OH and I stayed there 9 months ago (our last pre-Country Bebe jaunt) and just looking at the photo takes me back there. The soft lap of the water against the hull, the tropical bird calls from the zoo (2 mins from the mooring), the gentle rain on the skylights as we curled up on the super squishy king size bed with a chilled bottle of Prosecco… Sigh again. OH still maintains that after 6 years travelling the world’s hotels for various publications, this was the most romantic trip we’ve taken. Under 2 miles from home.
Owner Davina Stanley has *immaculate* taste. The interior, designed by Stanley, is more Claridges Suite than Rosie and Jim barge. There is a clever edit of coffee table books, TV/DVD and full DVD Library to stop you from getting cabin fever, plus a fully stocked mini bar and excellent kitchen. We opted for a lazy take-out dinner from the equally buoyant Chinese Floating Restaurant opposite.
Next morning, up on deck, arrived the day’s papers and a bulging hamper of breakfast goodies (homemade yoghurt, granola, warm pastries) from my favourite grocer, Melrose & Morgan.
And do you know the clever bit? As it’s a boat and all, you can charter On The Water to break free of her mooring and zoom down the canal to your desired location. She can even be converted to a floating restaurant (Ottolenghi have done parties aboard) for the ultimate in private dining.
24 hours here felt like true escapism from the city. A very special corner of London’s waterways indeed.
Both the Treehouse at Harptree Court and On The Water can be booked through Canopy & Stars.
Lydia Mansi was a guest at both venues but will be returning to both as a paying customer.
