Off Grid & Unique Tree Lodge Hideaways in the Yorkshire Dales
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Therapies
- Walking
- Child Friendly
- Other rental properties on site
- Pet Friendly
Within the sweeping landscape of a 20,000 acre estate in the Yorkshire Dales hide six original, hand-crafted round-wood timber-frame Tree Lodges. Off-grid and totally unique, these snug little hideaways are rustic and luxurious in equal measure. You won’t ever have stayed anywhere like this.
Both lavish and rural, the Tree Lodges cleverly manage to combine a comfortable glamping experience with a refreshingly pastoral feel and admirable sustainable living. Built using the round wood timber framing technique, they have been thoughtfully, carefully and lovingly designed so that they have the maximum impact on their guests with the minimum impact on the environment, almost as if they have grown up from the ground they stand on. Everything from the quirky furnishings to the warming features like wood-burning stoves and sheep’s wool insulation make for a cosy, comfortable holiday cabin that you will be longing to get back to after a day out on the Dales. The Tree Lodges are the perfect base from which to explore this stunning corner of the world.
The Bivouac site is located 3 miles from Masham on the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate, deep within the Yorkshire Dales. The Swinton Estate is home to a 32 bedroom 4 Star hotel, Country Club & Spa, Cookery School, as well as country activities such as a trekking centre, Birds of Prey aviary, golf course and shooting school. Masham itself is a beautiful market town which is definitely worth a day trip – home to two famous Yorkshire breweries (which offer guided tours and a variety of memorabilia), it also plays host to several pubs, an array of tea rooms and sweet shops and a bustling market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Further afield, the North Yorkshire countryside is just waiting to be explored. The estate is situated in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and How Stean Gorge, Brimham Rocks and even Colsterdale within the estate itself are all dales worth exploring on foot or by rope. Go bird watching on hilltops, visit Hackfall, a spectacular woodland paradise on the banks of the River Ure, or visit nearby Middleham Castle, Fountains Abbey or Newby Hall. Wherever you go, you are never far from a village pub and a pint of local ale.
Getting There:
The Tree Lodges are 30 minutes’ drive from the A1 and 8 miles north of Ripon. For full driving directions from the A1 please see the website. Our nearest train stations are in Thirsk and Northallerton. If you would like to continue on public transport from there you will need to get a bus to Ripon, where you can hop onto a bus to Masham. The nearest airports are Teesside (32 miles), Leeds Bradford (35 miles), Doncaster/Sheffield (45 miles) or Manchester (90 miles). For those travelling by boat Hull is our nearest ferry port, allowing access from a host of European countries.
Nearest Airport:
Teesside 32 miles
Nearest Train Station:
Thirsk or Northallerton
Nearest Bus Stop:
Masham
Nearest Ferry:
Hull
Nearest Restaurant:
The Bivouac Cafe (onsite)
Nearest Shop:
Onsite
Nearest Market:
Wednesdays and Saturdays in Masham
Car Hire:
Optional
Interior Details
Each lodge sleeps 7 people – 2 in a king-size on the upper mezzanine level (from where you can gaze through the skylight at the stars), 3 on single beds nestled in the middle mezzanine, and 2 in a secret double bed beneath the middle mezzanine (with a curtain for extra privacy!). The lodges are styled with a mixture of handmade and preloved artefacts. The rest of the lodge is taken up with an open-plan kitchen area with wood burner, gas rings, sink and shelving, a homely lounge area where you can have dinner or curl up and enjoy the warmth from the fire and a wooden veranda to enjoy the rolling Yorkshire hill views. A separate room houses the bathroom which has a flushing toilet, a gas-powered hot water shower and a sink. The lodges are furnished with a diverse mixture of handmade and up-cycled items and everything from the crockery to the wood-burning stoves come together to create your own intimate little house in the woods. The lodges are un-electrified, perfect for a digital detox and quality time together with loved ones (wifi and sockets are available in the residents' lounge). As you can see, a holiday in a cabin does not have to be abstemious and uncomfortable!
Exterior Details
The lodges are spread out around the edge of the woodland with sweeping views across the valley and moorland, and you can enjoy the views from the privacy of your veranda. The local landmark of Druid’s Temple, an intriguing 18th century folly, is located in the adjacent woodland, and all around you the breath-taking Yorkshire countryside stretches for miles and miles. At the heart of the site is the Bivouac Café, where our residents can warm up and savour delicious local produce. Sit inside in winter or in the warmer months out on the patio, from where you can enjoy spectacular views down the valley.
Further Details
There is a fully equipped kitchen with gas hobs for cooking, and bed linen is provided. But don’t forget that when you stay in a cabin there’s no electricity so you’ll need your torch! The lodges are lockable so you can always feel secure. If you feel like a bit of pampering while you’re on site, why not book a spa experience at Swinton Country Club & Spa? In addition to the lodges, the Bivouac site is also home to seven canvas meadow yurts, burrowed into the hillside and resting on individual platforms. The yurts form their own little community within a spacious meadow and they are comfortably and eclectically furnished, as you would expect from Bivouac properties. For larger groups wishing to stay together, we also have the Loft & Snug, a cosy bunk barn which sleeps 10 – the perfect place to rest your head after a day exploring the Yorkshire Dales. We are also open for unique woodland wedding and celebrations, with a tipi available for hire, so if you want to throw a truly magical, memorable party, get in touch. Birds of prey & Children's parties also available. Swinton Cookery School is approx. 5.5 kilometres drive. Dog-friendly accommodation.
