'Tranquillity and adventure': I stayed at Henlle Hall Woodland Lodges and didn't want to leave

I was very kindly invited to go and stay in one of Henlle Hall's concierge lodges, a tree house called Tree Tops that sleeps up to six people. I took my family with me and let's just say we are already planning our next visit. 

The Oswestry-based holiday park has been the recipient of many prestigious industry awards by Hoseasons. Most recently, it was named Best in Britain for the quality of its food and shortly before that was recognised as the ‘Best Small Lodge Escape’ destination in the Heart of England for the third year in a row. It also won the Customer Choice Food Award for Lodge Escape Destinations during a ceremony at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham earlier this year. 

The resort is made up of different lodges depending on the type of getaway you’re after and the amount of people that you’re going with. For couples looking for a romantic trip away or friends who want a relaxing retreat, the resort has lovely little camping pods, each with a hot tub on the balcony, a stunning wooden interior, and of course a complimentary bottle of prosecco and treats. 

Now let me tell you about the lodges - the biggest and most luxurious of all. Groups of up to eight people can choose to stay in either the Woodland Lodges or the Meadow Lodges. As you enjoy a cup of coffee on your personal terrace you can look into the enchanting trees, or over a sprawling meadow. The choice is yours. 

Here’s what you can expect when you arrive at your stunning Tree Tops accommodation: The whole thing is made out of wood - the wraparound terrace, the outdoor steps, and the walls of the treehouse, accompanied by glass doors and large windows. When you arrive, there is enough parking for two or three cars. The three-storey treehouse is elevated and supported by wooden posts. 

You make your way up the wooden staircase to the first level where there is a glass door - the entrance - and a terrace that wraps around the whole house, 360 degrees. Inside there is a spacious hallway with plenty of room for coats and shoes. Walking boots can even be left outside on the terrace and sheltered from the rain by the second floor’s wraparound terrace. All rooms on all floors can access the 360 degree balcony through folding doors, and the balcony has steps adjoining each level. You can just step out and enjoy the fresh air and tranquillity wherever you are in the lodge. 

On the ground floor, you’ll find two cosy twin bedrooms, each with an en-suite shower and toilet and ample wardrobe space, as well as a dressing table area. The mattresses were very comfortable and the bedding was soft and warm. 

On the first floor was the master bedroom, a luxurious and stylish room with a standing bathtub by the window and an en-suite shower and bathroom. You can look out of the huge sliding doors into the wilderness from the comfort of your own bed - or from a relaxing bubble bath. 

Finally, the pièce de résistance - the open plan kitchen and living room, with a central wood burning fireplace, a huge leather sofa, a dining table and a fully stocked kitchen with all the appliances you need. This was a truly breath-taking room, and one that you just have to see with your own eyes. Large folding doors lead out to the balcony where you’ll find an outdoor seating area looking out at the lush, green vista, a huge barbeque and a hot tub. 

As I stood on the balcony with the forest all around me, breathing in the crisp, fresh air, I felt all of my worries melt away. 

One of the beautiful things about this place is that you can visit any time of the year and it will be equally as wonderful. We visited in the winter, and the reindeers they had on the field next to our treehouse seemed to be in their element. So were we. 

As the snow fell, we got our coats and gloves on and made our way down to the canal, which is just a 10 minute walk away and leads you to another lovely resort called Lion Quays. Here, Henlle Hall guests get discounted spa admission for £12. That gives you access to the salt rock relaxation rooms with swinging beds - which was my favourite part - a thermal pool, Finnish sauna, steam room and pool. You won’t want to leave, but when you do, I guarantee you’ll have a feeling of relaxation like never before. 

After such a spa day, it’d be rude to go back to the treehouse and cook a big dinner. Instead, call on one of Henlle Hall’s chefs to do that for you. A Weber gas barbeque is provided at all of the five concierge accommodations with no charge for gas used during your stay, and yes, the site offers a personal chef to cook up the barbeque for you. You can provide the food yourself for the chef to cook to your liking, or pay extra and have them provide the food and cook it. 

If that didn’t sound indulgent enough, the site has personal bartenders on standby ready to pop in and put on a cocktail evening in your kitchen - this too is for no extra charge if the drinks are brought in yourself. 

After a truly luxurious evening of being wined and dined, we dedicated the next day to some good old hiking. When you’re not relaxing at base, you can immerse yourself in the surrounding nature with strolls through rural Shropshire, or step back in time to one of the many nearby historical sites such as Chirk Castle, Erddig Hall or the Old Oswestry Hill Fort.

We decided to take a day out to Chirk Castle, which is part of the National Trust heritage sites. It’s just under five miles to get to with some steep walking paths along the way, but beautiful views.

As we walked down the Shropshire Union canal towards the England and Wales border, we met a lovely gentleman who lived on a narrowboat. He shared with us some valuable information: where to find wild garlic. We later discovered, just before getting to Chirk aqueduct and viaduct, an abundance of wild garlic on the banks, so we stopped to harvest some for our dinner later on. 

After a great day walking, the wild garlic and tomato pasta we cooked up was absolutely divine. We ate it around the huge oak dining table in the open-plan kitchen, watching the falling snowflakes through the windows and the dancing flames in the woodburner - a warm and cosy end to the day.

It doesn’t have to end there if you don’t want it to. The hot tub on the terrace is checked at 11am every day by one of the grounds people and left to bubble all day long so it’s ready whenever you are. 

Whichever season you choose to visit Oswestry’s Henlle Hall in, you will want to come back. It is an idyllic destination, a home away from home, for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and a cosy wooden lodge that meets all of your needs. I can’t wait to go back. 

From price for park: A 7-night stay for up to 4 people costs from £415.

Henlle Hall Woodland Lodges link: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/accom/henlle-hall-woodland-lodges-henh

Book online at hoseasons.co.uk or call 0345 268 0766.