Many of my most cherished childhood memories are of the house we had in the Catskills, North America - we lived in New York for a while. The smell of the building's timber frame as you walked up the stairs to the deck and the squeak of the sliding doors, with attached fly screen that made it rattle, are thoughts that comfort me in a way that not much else does. So it's to no surprise that I've been designing my own house-in-the-woods for the last thirty years. There's not really much point putting energy into those thoughts anymore however, because Harriet and Matt of 'The Quist' have made the perfect idea of a treehouse already.

The magic starts with the approach. Having climbed the steep track into the woodland (there is a route by car or by foot) The Quist sits in total seclusion within the 800-acre Brinsop Court Estate. There are 2 factors that make this destination so brilliant; Its total seclusion and the impeccable design. You really do feel like you've escaped the world and are having an adventure. It is true when they say the sounds and atmosphere of this ancient woodland defy words; it needs to be felt to be understood.

Whilst the interiors feel contemporary, there is a comfort in the design that delivers a nostalgic vibe, as if it's a place that's been in the family for years. We cosied up by the fire by night, listening to the record player - i know, it sounds idyllic doesn't it! We had a dip in the hot tub admiring the view of The Malvern's after a day of shopping at Baileys home store and a delicious pub lunch. Apparently there's canoeing and wild swimming too. The linen is deliciously comfortable when you're sleeping and the dressing gowns are made by the same wonderful brand we offer at B&B at Caro, 'Bedfolk'. 

Oh yes, and we all had a bath looking out into the woods. We shared the water because the bath is SO big I couldn't bare the thought of filling it up three times. Obviously, I made sure I was first in. Everything has been considered. The kitchen has an integrated four-hob cooker, oven and a grill, as well as a Smeg fridge with a freezer. There's every appliance you need and they even welcome kids!

I'm now planning when I can go back with my friends!

The Quist Website