Into the wild with Wild Escapes
Last year, we took a trip into the woods with Wild Escapes. Four individually decorated, sustainably built treehouses, hidden amongst untouched woodland. The treehouses are located on Fullerton Farm, known for the award-winning organic Black Chalk Hills wine (you'll find a bottle—on the house—in your fridge). With no Wi-Fi and no TVs, it's a place to get off your emails and get into nature. Sounds heavenly? It was. That's why we caught up with Founder Will Hardy to discuss all things sustainable architecture, design style, and the best local pubs.
Will is Hampshire born and bred. He knows every field, lane, and by-way like the back of his hand, so when he got chatting to the owner of Fullerton Farm, the idea of diversifying this unused spot and sharing it with a lucky few seemed like a perfect fit.
The vision was to create four individually designed treehouses, surrounded by coppice woodland, overlooking a working vineyard. On a summer’s eve, as the last of the light hits the valley, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were overlooking centuries-old Umbrian vines. It’s the surrounding wildflower fields—bubbling over with hollyhocks, daisies, cornflowers and poppies—that give its true Hampshire location away. “We wanted to create something entirely different,” says Will. “Though each one has the same floor plan, inside no two are the same. You could stay in all four and have a totally unique experience”.
“We wanted to create something entirely different. You could stay in all four [treehouses] and have a totally unique experience.”
WILL HARDY, FOUNDER OF WILD ESCAPES
It's a clear example of the power of interiors. Poppy is quintessentially rustic farmhouse, clad in reclaimed wood sourced from an old school, with panelled window pains and flaking paint floorboards.
Perigord, on the other hand, is more Japandi decor style. With bi-folding glass doors off the living area and double-aspect, floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom, allowing nature to come streaming in as you lie in bed. The two couldn't be more different, yet their layout, at least, is the same.
Outdoor bathrooms take the term 'forest bathing' to a new level. All come with enormous alfresco baths, each championing the treehouse's respective decor style. Perigord has a Japanese onsen style bath (big enough for two), whilst Fallow features an enormous copper bath.
What they all have in common is a fully-stocked log burner, and a locally sourced breakfast hamper upon your arrival for those cosy evenings in and lazy breakfasts in bed. Dogs are welcome and will be very grateful for the excellent nearby walking routes. Plus, there's a separate bunk room that children will love.
Then there are its eco-credentials. They're on a green tariff, meaning 100% of their heating and electricity comes from renewable sources (so you can sleep easy, knowing yours is a carbon-neutral stay). "No concrete was used in the entire build—instead, metal screws hold each treehouse in place—meaning no holes were dug or roots disturbed in the process," explains Will. Important when you're surrounded by woodland. Instead, all water pipes and plumbing are hidden underneath each wooden structure.
“No concrete was used in the entire build—instead, metal screws hold each treehouse in place—meaning no holes were dug or roots disturbed in the process.”
WILL HARDY, FOUNDER OF WILD ESCAPES
A stylish reminder of how eco-friendly architecture can be a design statement in itself. "It's a really exciting time," says Will. "We're talking to lots of organic farmers and land-owners about diversifying their land". And with further properties in Hampshire and a boathouse project along the Norfolk coast in the pipeline, we think we'll be hearing a lot more noise about Wild Escapes soon.
Much of its 1000 acres are given to rewilding with woodland and fields left largely untouched. These aren't manicured grounds, nor is this a hotel with every facility under the sun. In fact, it's not a hotel at all. Guests are largely left to their own devices—which is kind of the point. There are cows and sheep in the fields beyond, a herd of deer that like to wander by, abundant birdlife, and, if you're quiet, you might just spot the resident badgers (who just happen to be quite partial to grapes).
From wine tours in the summer to truffle hunting in the winter, every walking trail that the Test Valley has to offer and nearby Lymington's abundant antique shops—you can do as much or as little as you please.
And after just a two-night stay, Wild Escapes certainly lived up to its name. It’s a place to, well, escape. Your emails, the daily grind, and the pace of modern life. Plus, we got some great decor ideas that we’d like to take back with us. Although they mostly involve building a treehouse in the back garden. Better get on those DIY tutorials, then.