Branching out: spending the night in a treehouse

Upon arrival at reception for The Fish – a relaxed spot within the Coach House, where 10 bedrooms have also just been added – directed us to treehouse number three, also known as Twiggy. It sits on a spacious deck, through which pokes a sturdy ash tree that cries out to be hugged, leaned on and climbed.

Although we refrained from the latter, we did climb into the two outdoor bathtubs within minutes of our squeal-filled arrival. We may all be over 45 but were reduced to giggling children within seconds.

The 50sqm oval-ended treehouses are made by Blue Forest in Siberian larch, and inside there is a comfortable double bed that shares the open-plan living area, plus a twin bunkroom and full bathroom.

From flip-flops and bathmats provided for getting out of the outdoor tub, to blankets to snuggle up in outside, they have thought of everything for the treehouse, as well as under-floor heating, board games, TV, Nespresso machine and a decent mini-bar.

The rest of The Fish has also had some work. There’s a new look for Hook restaurant and the rest of the main lodge where it lives, as well as a new boot room designed in conjunction with The Original Muck Boot Company, where guests can find wellies for loan, local maps, little towels for rubbing dogs down, and a hose for cleaning your boots (and maybe the dog).

In the lodge, there’s a games room and a separate pretty lounge that also serves afternoon tea. In the bar, there’s more cosy seating, a fire and great cocktails. Outside, there are decked areas for summer days and nights on squishy white sofas beneath fairy lights.

Feasting on the Deck is another nice touch – an outside wooden platform where up to 20 can enjoy a private party, catered to using a giant Weber BBQ.

Michelin-starred chef Martin Burge oversees the cuisine across the estate, which includes two other hotels, Dormy House and Foxhill Manor. Hook was reopened in March under Burge’s steer, with a focus on excellent fish dishes and more of Lohan’s designs.

Dinner was a perfect evening there – my cauliflower soup with pissaladiere was divine, and Dover sole with shrimp, caper and lemon meuniere a conversation-stopper.

Also new this year is the six-bedroom Farmhouse – a former private home, now sleeping up to 15 guests – and five cute Hilly Huts, which each include double bed, shower room, outdoor deck, chiminea and private hot tub.

Elsewhere, there’s a sports field, where we messed about for an hour on the optimistically named Segway 'Safari' – apparently we were the only group not to have fallen off them that day; not bad for a bunch of 40+ women.

The Fish is great in the way that it has developed organically – a new building included here, a cute little hut added there – and all dotted around a large woodland where you feel you have the run of the estate, something guaranteed to evoke the inner child in anyone.