Whether you took your inspiration from the Lost Boys village in Peter Pan, the fury tree-dwelling-dwarf-warriors, the Ewocks in Star Wars or the hiding place of Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, tree-houses have always been a thing of childish fantasy. After all what could be more fun than having your own hide-out high in the canopy where the slingshot ruled and you were the king of everything you surveyed?
Nick Weston decided to find out. Looking for an alternative way of living, Nick left London to live in a treehouse and off the land in a secret location deep in the woods of mid-Sussex for six months. His book Wild in the Woods chronicles this amazing real life Boy’s Own adventure – from the original construction of his tree-house – complete with hot shower, compost loo and double bed – to the planting of his vegetable patch.
I had the opportunity to relive my own childish dreams and stay in Nicks tree house while it was under construction. Cycling south of London I arrived in pouring rain but was soon warming my cockles on nettle beer and pit-cooked lamb.
To explore photos from my visit click on the thumbnails below,
