Cedar Hollow Oxford
South East England Oxfordshire Oxford
- From £250 a night
- Sleeps 2–6
- Treehouses
A fairytale treehouse set amidst sumptuous woodland with lots of facilities
You're just ten minutes or so from Oxford city centre, but you might as well be in Narnia perched among the trees of Shotover Country Park – and in fact Narnia is exactly where you'll find this wonderful woodland treehouse, situated as it is next door to the former house and garden of the Oxford don CS Lewis, creator of 'The Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe'.
It is indeed a magical place to stay, perfect for both family holidays or romantic getaways. Deep in the forest and accessible across a rope bridge, the core of the main treehouse is an enormous space – an open-plan studio area framed by vaulted wooden beams and bathed in light, which floods in through mock-Gothic arched windows. At one end there is a kitchenette with electric hob, microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher, at the other a contemporary bathroom with powerful shower. Underfloor heating throughout means it's warm and cosy whatever the weather or time of year, while an outdoor roofed terrace is perfect for chewing the fat on long summer evenings. The treehouse can sleep 6 comfortably, with a sleeping area for a couple on a kingsize bed in a sleeping nook to the side of the main space, two single beds upstairs in the mezzanine, plus the main space can easily accommodate a further two people on fold-up beds. It's not just a rustic place to stay either – there's high-speed broadband, Alexa for music and Apple TV with Netflix and iPlayer. Outside a firepit has a semi-circle of seating for cosy gatherings and a gas barbecue in a little pergola, and a very cool bar in a separate pavilion amid the trees.
The treehouse's location in Shotover Country Park also means you've got plenty of good walking and beautiful countryside to explore on your doorstep, and it may well be that this – along with the treehouse's intrinsically glorious location and opportunities for idling – is quite enough for most visitors; there is lots of wildlife and they provide binoculars for bird-watching and even a very cool bat detector for bat identification. There's also a shared tennis court and table tennis, a zipwire for a spot of tree-top adventure and a heated indoor pool, plus there are opportunities for horseriding and bikes for rent to explore the forest further or to cycle into Oxford. The owners can even arrange for a visit from your very own masseuse. All the benefits, then, of a glorious woodland place to stay, but only minutes from civilisation – just the thing for city loafers dreaming of a country retreat.
Gallery
Details
Facilities
Cedar Hollow Oxford offers three distinctive places to stay, each with its own character.
Cedar Hollow Treehouse accommodates a family of up to two adults and four children. It features cosy sleeping nooks, a children’s mezzanine, a fully equipped kitchen, a private shower room and a woodland deck. A wardrobe conceals the entrance to a private zipline into the woods, adding a memorable twist to the treehouse experience.
Faun’s Hideaway is a romantic, cave-inspired retreat on the lower-ground floor of the owners’ Victorian home. Designed primarily for two, it combines characterful stonework and underfloor heating with a fully equipped kitchen and an en-suite bathroom. An additional child’s bed can be arranged on request.
Beaver’s Den is a cosy immersive rental for two, with a double bed, fridge, tea- and coffee-making facilities, a private barbecue and a wood-fired hot tub. This is the more rustic option, with shared toilets and showers in the pool building, approximately 40 metres away, rather than an en-suite bathroom. However, it is also the only escape room you can sleep in that we know of!
Wi-Fi, bed linen, towels and one complimentary parking space per accommodation are included. The Treehouse and Faun’s Hideaway have television or projector facilities, while an outdoor cinema and a vintage red Routemaster bus offer alternative settings for a movie night. The bus houses a cinema downstairs and a breakfast and dining room upstairs.
Shared facilities include an indoor swimming pool heated to 29°C, a tennis court, table tennis, woodland dining areas, firepits and an honesty bar. Pool sessions are booked through the guest app, with a maximum of two guest groups per slot. Access to the woodland sauna and electric jacuzzi is included for Treehouse and Faun’s Hideaway guests. Beaver’s Den guests can add access for an additional charge, subject to availability.
A woodland illusion trail, apiary and Bee Museum add to the experience, with honey tastings, escape games and magic shows available to book. Breakfast can be ordered in advance, including a homemade Levantine breakfast, and private-chef dining can also be arranged. Selected experiences and extras carry an additional charge.
Suitable For
Cedar Hollow Oxford suits couples looking for an unusual romantic escape, families with a sense of adventure, and anyone drawn to nature, literature and imaginative places to stay. The Treehouse is particularly well suited to families, while Faun’s Hideaway and Beaver’s Den offer intimate retreats for two though they both have an additional vardo that can be added on for another 2 guests. The emphasis is on peaceful stays and shared experiences rather than loud parties.
Children are welcome, and a cot can be provided on request. Dogs are not permitted. Guests with mobility requirements should discuss their needs with the property before booking, as access varies between the accommodation, woodland paths can be uneven, and the Treehouse mezzanine is reached by a steep ladder.
Nearby
The neighbouring C. S. Lewis Nature Reserve is a lovely starting point for a peaceful woodland walk, while Shotover Country Park offers longer routes through woods, valleys and open spaces. Literature lovers can book a tour of The Kilns, Lewis’s former home, or visit nearby Holy Trinity Church to see its Narnia Window and the author’s grave. Tours of The Kilns require advance booking.
Oxford offers plenty for a day out, from punting on the River Cherwell and exploring the university colleges to visiting the Ashmolean, Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford University Museum of Natural History. A magician-led walking tour offers a different perspective on the city, while a riverside stroll and afternoon tea provide a gentler way to spend an afternoon before returning to the woods.
Food & Drink
For a memorable meal in Oxford, Cherwell Boathouse pairs riverside dining with the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely punt along the Cherwell. For a special occasion, The Nut Tree Inn in Murcott offers Michelin-starred modern British cooking in a traditional country-pub setting, with seasonal tasting menus and Sunday lunches.
For evenings spent closer to the trees, private-chef dining can be arranged at Cedar Hollow, while Deliveroo and Just Eat provide plenty of options for a relaxed night in.
Open
Open all year, for summer woodland adventures, autumn escapes and cosy winter stays.Pricing
From £120 a night for a couple in our cheapest rental in low season to £595 a night in high season, with a three-night minimum stay.Why Book Direct?
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The Owner Says
Secret doors, woodland illusions and a wardrobe concealing a zipline make Cedar Hollow Oxford anything but an ordinary countryside escape. Set within 12 acres of private woodland beside the C. S. Lewis Nature Reserve, this intimate retreat combines storybook imagination with thoughtful comforts, just a short journey from Oxford’s historic centre.
Three individually designed places to stay offer different ways to experience the setting, from a family treehouse among the branches to a romantic hideaway and a cosy woodland glamping pod. Days might begin with a swim in the heated indoor pool, continue with a woodland walk or honey tasting, and end with a hot tub beneath the trees. The owners’ love of storytelling runs throughout, with a member of The Magic Circle bringing an extra touch of magic to the experience.
Awarded Silver for Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, alongside Green Tourism Gold, Cedar Hollow is a place for slowing down, spending time together and discovering something unexpected.
Location
Getting There
Oxford railway station is approximately five miles away, with Oxford Parkway around six miles away. A pre-booked taxi provides a straightforward onward journey to Cedar Hollow. Cedar Hollow
Guests arriving from London can take the Oxford Tube coach to Thornhill Park & Ride, which is also served by The Airline coaches from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. A taxi can be booked for the final leg to the property
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