Gainsborough Retreat
Herefordshire, United Kingdom
Orcop TreeTops
- Our low price promise from £190 €216 p/n
-
Cabin
Sleeps 2 /
Extra space for 3 children
- One king-size bed
Suitable for children aged 6 and over
Not suitable for pets
Overview
Gainsborough is a bespoke Scandinavian style cabin sitting harmoniously within its beautiful surroundings, offering the best of luxurious and restorative indoor and outdoor living, come rain or shine. Handcrafted by Zac and local carpenter Adam, Gainsborough’s minimalist interior offers tranquil views of four counties to the horizon, happy grazing horses as neighbours as well as frequent swooping buzzards and tapping woodpeckers. Immerse in the warmth of the generous hot tub and watch the sparkling heavens of the night sky roll by, cook up a feast in the covered outdoor area or stream a blockbuster in the cosy cinema den.
If you’re using Gainsborough as a base to explore, the large kitchen and outdoor area are perfect to enjoy the fantastic produce of Herefordshire you’ll bring home to cook on the hob, oven, BBQ, or pizza oven. High up in the gods of the cabin, you’ll awake in your cosy sleeping pod with the sunrise streaming in and spend a morning reading a book on the mezzanine as the mist dances in the trees. Then when night comes, an evening viewing the heavens through the powerful telescope will be the last wow moment before slipping off to peaceful sleep.
Can't find the dates you are looking for? Try their other space on site Fifinella Retreat
Read more
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4 PM
- Check out: 10 AM
- Please bring a torch, wellies, indoor shoes, swimwear and flip flops to wear on your way to the hot tub
- Use of the wood-fired hot tub is £50 per stay payable directly to your hosts prior to your arrival. It will be filled with fresh water and 'fired up' to temperature by your host ready to use on the day of arrival, and at your discretion thereafter, all wood included for reheats.
- The car park is 200m from the cabin, wheelbarrow is provided
- The cabin is 400m from another space on site
- Initial firewood provided, with more to purchase on site
- Mobile phone signal
- Wifi
- Plug sockets
- Please note that you can bring your horse with you and use the equine facilities, by special arrangement with the owners. Please contact the owners for further details
- Please note there are horses and ponies in the paddocks on the site and the owners have a friendly German shepherd dog
Sleeping arrangements
- One king-size bed
Extra space available
Space for 3 children from £10 per child per night sleeping on two single Japanese futon mattresses and a single sofa bed
Cooking
- Kitchen equipped with an electric hob and oven, kettle, toaster and a full fridge freezer
- Outdoor covered area with a BBQ
- Gas Ooni pizza oven available to hire
- Coffee machine with coffee beans and grinder
Washing
- Walk-in luxury shower, sink and flushing toilet
- Please bring toiletries
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Wood-burner
- Electric underfloor heating
- Air-conditioning
- Electric lighting
Entertainment
- Wood-fired hot tub (£50 per stay, payable directly to your hosts)
- Projector screen with access to streaming services
- DAB and Bluetooth radio
- Books
- Board games and cards
- View the stars through the powerful telescope (when conditions are right).
Read more
Travel & parking
- There is a designated parking space for guests 200m from the cabin via a gravelled footpath
- The parking space leaves enough room around the car to manoeuvre a wheelchair
Site & space access
- The cabin and surrounding area is gravelled
- There are six steps up to the cabin
- The doorway into the cabin is over 81cm wide
- There are eight steps up to the bedroom, each approx. 20cm high and has a wooden handrail
- The bed on a mezzanine with no room around the sides to manoeuvre and there are no handrails up to it
- The cinema room has a low ceiling and the entrance is approx. 150 high
- There is a walk-in shower
- There is a fixed mirror in the bathroom
Mobility aid
- There is a handrail on the stairs up to the bedroom
We have gathered information from the owner about this space to help you decide if it is the right place for you. We would always encourage you to contact us before booking to discuss your accessibility needs. We’re dedicated to helping everyone access our spaces and enjoy the outdoors. Visit our Disability Inclusive page for more information on our journey.
Getting there
Orcop TreeTops, The Woodlands, Orcop, Hereford, HR2 8SE
What3Words: ///grasp.awestruck.swims - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to where you need to park so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
By public transport
The nearest train station is in Hereford, 10 miles away. The nearest bus stop is a 1-minute walk from the house, and goes to Hereford once or twice a day.
By car
Your hosts advise using either use the what3words above or follow the directions below.
From the village of Orcop Hill, at the brow of the hill, pass a right turn and continue another 100m down the other side before turning left into Orcop TreeTops. If you see the phone box and bus stop, get to the Fountain Inn pub on your right, or take a left along Little Hill, you have gone too far – they are the track just behind you on the left by 10m.
Parking is by the vegetable garden opposite the bungalow. Wheelbarrow is provided
Read more
Food & Drink
At Orcop TreeTops
Cooking basics such as tea, coffee, milk, olive oil, salt and pepper is provided.
A welcome pack including a selection of goodies such as locally produced biscuits, crisps, and cider.
Local shops
The nearest shop for real basics is inside The Fountain Inn pub in Orcop (1-minute walk).
The Carrot and Wine village shop (2 miles).
The nearest supermarket is Tesco in Hereford (9 miles).
Pubs & restaurants
Under The Nut Tree Supper Club (4.0 miles) – feast on some excellent BBQ cooking and homegrown food in a beautiful garden setting. Book in advance.
The Bridge Inn (4.5 miles) - welcoming local pub with good food and a large pub garden by the river.
The Bell at Skenfrith (8.2 miles) - a former 17th-century coaching inn on the banks of the River Monnow, serving great quality food and drinks.
The Old Stables Fish and Chips (7 miles) - award-winning and family-run fish and chip restaurant.
The Beefy Boys (9 miles) – World burger championship finalists and winners of the National Burger Awards! Try their dirty burgers, loaded fries, cocktails and boozy milkshakes!
The Whitebrook (17.5 miles) - a Michelin star restaurant that uses local foraged ingredients.
The Walnut Tree (17 miles) - open Wednesdays through to Saturdays, this Michelin star restaurant serves exceptionally delicious food rooted in classical culinary tradition but feel simple and contemporary with a great understanding of flavours and balance.
Read more
Activities
At Orcop TreeTops
Your host's personal favourite thing to do is walk or cycle on the quiet routes in the local area watching the sunset with a seven counties view from nearby Garway Hill. Your hosts can provide an area OS map with local routes marked out for you to follow.
Relax in the private wood-fired hot tub.
Lounge in the hammocks.
Relax in the covered outdoor space and cook on the BBQ or pizza oven.
Meet the horses and feed the ‘tiddling’ lambs in the spring (by arrangement).
Places to visit
Ross on Wye (10 miles) - browse independent shops, saunter alongside the town’s 19th-century mock-Gothic walls and Gazebo Tower folly and admire pastel-hued dwellings tumbling down the hillside to the river.
Hereford (9 miles) - offers the broadest scope for shopping, restaurants of a variety of cuisine, outdoor markets in the town centre, and of course, the Cathedral, with the famous Mappa Mundi.
Hay-on-Wye (23 miles) - renowned for its annual Literary festival held in May, and being a town of bookshops.
Skenfrith Castle (8.5 miles) - part of the Three Castles Walk for some great history of English-Welsh conflict.
Outdoor & active
Hereford Canoe Hire (5 miles) - visit the nearby river Wye for canoeing, kayaking and wild swimming.
Skenfrith (8.5 miles) - your host's favourite wild swimming spot, with a picnic area and small café.
Sugarloaf mountain and Usk Valley (19 miles) - visit the iconic mountains, rich countryside and the sweeping 18th century landscaped park.
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre (18 miles) - trails for all ages and abilities, bike hire available on site.
Puzzlewood (17.5 miles) - discover the filming locations of Star Wars and Dr Who, amongst others.
Symonds Yat Rock (13 miles) - admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint where you can Peregrine Falcons.
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet Sarah and Zac
Sarah has lived at Orcop TreeTops since 1987, but since meeting Zac, they have embarked on an exciting restoration of the stables, with the help of local carpenter, Adam. Sarah revels in the equestrian elements of the property, whilst Zac’s interests lie with nature and the outdoors, particularly mountain walking, road cycling and mountain biking.
With ancient woodland and abundant wildlife on the doorstep, they have been keen to promote further opportunities for biodiversity to develop through wildflower and overgrown areas, bat and bird boxes, hedgehog homes and lots of tree and hedge planting. They fully appreciate how lucky they are to live in this stunning location, with far-reaching views to the Black Mountains one way, Malvern Hills the other, and rolling Herefordshire countryside lying in between. The site maintains eco principles throughout, with locally sourced materials, water recycling, organic fields and gardening.
Wildlife & the environment
The wider area is rich in biodiversity, whilst they have nesting buzzards, with regular flybys from red kites, kestrels and sparrow hawks. You will probably bump into the odd toad, see squirrels perched on nearby trees or as visitors to the decking! At night, you may hear the Tawny owls calling and will definitely be buzzed by the pipistrelle bats as they feed on the insects. The fields are full of butterflies and grasshoppers, amongst other tiny creatures. In April/May, you can enjoy the stunning display of the bluebells in the ancient woodland nearby and surrounding the area.
Read more
-
Overview
Gainsborough is a bespoke Scandinavian style cabin sitting harmoniously within its beautiful surroundings, offering the best of luxurious and restorative indoor and outdoor living, come rain or shine. Handcrafted by Zac and local carpenter Adam, Gainsborough’s minimalist interior offers tranquil views of four counties to the horizon, happy grazing horses as neighbours as well as frequent swooping buzzards and tapping woodpeckers. Immerse in the warmth of the generous hot tub and watch the sparkling heavens of the night sky roll by, cook up a feast in the covered outdoor area or stream a blockbuster in the cosy cinema den.
If you’re using Gainsborough as a base to explore, the large kitchen and outdoor area are perfect to enjoy the fantastic produce of Herefordshire you’ll bring home to cook on the hob, oven, BBQ, or pizza oven. High up in the gods of the cabin, you’ll awake in your cosy sleeping pod with the sunrise streaming in and spend a morning reading a book on the mezzanine as the mist dances in the trees. Then when night comes, an evening viewing the heavens through the powerful telescope will be the last wow moment before slipping off to peaceful sleep.
Can't find the dates you are looking for? Try their other space on site Fifinella Retreat
Read more
-
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4 PM
- Check out: 10 AM
- Please bring a torch, wellies, indoor shoes, swimwear and flip flops to wear on your way to the hot tub
- Use of the wood-fired hot tub is £50 per stay payable directly to your hosts prior to your arrival. It will be filled with fresh water and 'fired up' to temperature by your host ready to use on the day of arrival, and at your discretion thereafter, all wood included for reheats.
- The car park is 200m from the cabin, wheelbarrow is provided
- The cabin is 400m from another space on site
- Initial firewood provided, with more to purchase on site
- Mobile phone signal
- Wifi
- Plug sockets
- Please note that you can bring your horse with you and use the equine facilities, by special arrangement with the owners. Please contact the owners for further details
- Please note there are horses and ponies in the paddocks on the site and the owners have a friendly German shepherd dog
Sleeping arrangements
- One king-size bed
Extra space available
Space for 3 children from £10 per child per night sleeping on two single Japanese futon mattresses and a single sofa bed
Cooking
- Kitchen equipped with an electric hob and oven, kettle, toaster and a full fridge freezer
- Outdoor covered area with a BBQ
- Gas Ooni pizza oven available to hire
- Coffee machine with coffee beans and grinder
Washing
- Walk-in luxury shower, sink and flushing toilet
- Please bring toiletries
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Wood-burner
- Electric underfloor heating
- Air-conditioning
- Electric lighting
Entertainment
- Wood-fired hot tub (£50 per stay, payable directly to your hosts)
- Projector screen with access to streaming services
- DAB and Bluetooth radio
- Books
- Board games and cards
- View the stars through the powerful telescope (when conditions are right).
-
Accessibility
Travel & parking
- There is a designated parking space for guests 200m from the cabin via a gravelled footpath
- The parking space leaves enough room around the car to manoeuvre a wheelchair
Site & space access
- The cabin and surrounding area is gravelled
- There are six steps up to the cabin
- The doorway into the cabin is over 81cm wide
- There are eight steps up to the bedroom, each approx. 20cm high and has a wooden handrail
- The bed on a mezzanine with no room around the sides to manoeuvre and there are no handrails up to it
- The cinema room has a low ceiling and the entrance is approx. 150 high
- There is a walk-in shower
- There is a fixed mirror in the bathroom
Mobility aid
- There is a handrail on the stairs up to the bedroom
We have gathered information from the owner about this space to help you decide if it is the right place for you. We would always encourage you to contact us before booking to discuss your accessibility needs. We’re dedicated to helping everyone access our spaces and enjoy the outdoors. Visit our Disability Inclusive page for more information on our journey.
-
Location
Getting there
Orcop TreeTops, The Woodlands, Orcop, Hereford, HR2 8SE
What3Words: ///grasp.awestruck.swims - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to where you need to park so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
By public transport
The nearest train station is in Hereford, 10 miles away. The nearest bus stop is a 1-minute walk from the house, and goes to Hereford once or twice a day.
By car
Your hosts advise using either use the what3words above or follow the directions below.
From the village of Orcop Hill, at the brow of the hill, pass a right turn and continue another 100m down the other side before turning left into Orcop TreeTops. If you see the phone box and bus stop, get to the Fountain Inn pub on your right, or take a left along Little Hill, you have gone too far – they are the track just behind you on the left by 10m.
Parking is by the vegetable garden opposite the bungalow. Wheelbarrow is provided
-
Food & Drink
At Orcop TreeTops
Cooking basics such as tea, coffee, milk, olive oil, salt and pepper is provided.
A welcome pack including a selection of goodies such as locally produced biscuits, crisps, and cider.
Local shops
The nearest shop for real basics is inside The Fountain Inn pub in Orcop (1-minute walk).
The Carrot and Wine village shop (2 miles).
The nearest supermarket is Tesco in Hereford (9 miles).
Pubs & restaurants
Under The Nut Tree Supper Club (4.0 miles) – feast on some excellent BBQ cooking and homegrown food in a beautiful garden setting. Book in advance.
The Bridge Inn (4.5 miles) - welcoming local pub with good food and a large pub garden by the river.
The Bell at Skenfrith (8.2 miles) - a former 17th-century coaching inn on the banks of the River Monnow, serving great quality food and drinks.
The Old Stables Fish and Chips (7 miles) - award-winning and family-run fish and chip restaurant.
The Beefy Boys (9 miles) – World burger championship finalists and winners of the National Burger Awards! Try their dirty burgers, loaded fries, cocktails and boozy milkshakes!
The Whitebrook (17.5 miles) - a Michelin star restaurant that uses local foraged ingredients.
The Walnut Tree (17 miles) - open Wednesdays through to Saturdays, this Michelin star restaurant serves exceptionally delicious food rooted in classical culinary tradition but feel simple and contemporary with a great understanding of flavours and balance.
-
Experiences
At Orcop TreeTops
Your host's personal favourite thing to do is walk or cycle on the quiet routes in the local area watching the sunset with a seven counties view from nearby Garway Hill. Your hosts can provide an area OS map with local routes marked out for you to follow.
Relax in the private wood-fired hot tub.
Lounge in the hammocks.
Relax in the covered outdoor space and cook on the BBQ or pizza oven.
Meet the horses and feed the ‘tiddling’ lambs in the spring (by arrangement).
Places to visit
Ross on Wye (10 miles) - browse independent shops, saunter alongside the town’s 19th-century mock-Gothic walls and Gazebo Tower folly and admire pastel-hued dwellings tumbling down the hillside to the river.
Hereford (9 miles) - offers the broadest scope for shopping, restaurants of a variety of cuisine, outdoor markets in the town centre, and of course, the Cathedral, with the famous Mappa Mundi.
Hay-on-Wye (23 miles) - renowned for its annual Literary festival held in May, and being a town of bookshops.
Skenfrith Castle (8.5 miles) - part of the Three Castles Walk for some great history of English-Welsh conflict.
Outdoor & active
Hereford Canoe Hire (5 miles) - visit the nearby river Wye for canoeing, kayaking and wild swimming.
Skenfrith (8.5 miles) - your host's favourite wild swimming spot, with a picnic area and small café.
Sugarloaf mountain and Usk Valley (19 miles) - visit the iconic mountains, rich countryside and the sweeping 18th century landscaped park.
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre (18 miles) - trails for all ages and abilities, bike hire available on site.
Puzzlewood (17.5 miles) - discover the filming locations of Star Wars and Dr Who, amongst others.
Symonds Yat Rock (13 miles) - admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint where you can Peregrine Falcons.
-
Your Hosts
Meet Sarah and Zac
Sarah has lived at Orcop TreeTops since 1987, but since meeting Zac, they have embarked on an exciting restoration of the stables, with the help of local carpenter, Adam. Sarah revels in the equestrian elements of the property, whilst Zac’s interests lie with nature and the outdoors, particularly mountain walking, road cycling and mountain biking.
With ancient woodland and abundant wildlife on the doorstep, they have been keen to promote further opportunities for biodiversity to develop through wildflower and overgrown areas, bat and bird boxes, hedgehog homes and lots of tree and hedge planting. They fully appreciate how lucky they are to live in this stunning location, with far-reaching views to the Black Mountains one way, Malvern Hills the other, and rolling Herefordshire countryside lying in between. The site maintains eco principles throughout, with locally sourced materials, water recycling, organic fields and gardening.
Wildlife & the environment
The wider area is rich in biodiversity, whilst they have nesting buzzards, with regular flybys from red kites, kestrels and sparrow hawks. You will probably bump into the odd toad, see squirrels perched on nearby trees or as visitors to the decking! At night, you may hear the Tawny owls calling and will definitely be buzzed by the pipistrelle bats as they feed on the insects. The fields are full of butterflies and grasshoppers, amongst other tiny creatures. In April/May, you can enjoy the stunning display of the bluebells in the ancient woodland nearby and surrounding the area.
-
Reviews
Our guests say...
Rachelle
Zac was a lovely host and left my husband a birthday card and sapling. The cabin was beautiful and we loved the underfloor heating in the bathroom, the quirky bed with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the stars.
21/03/2025Lynda
Our stay was incredible so relaxing
12/03/2025Colleen
We had the most amazing stay at Gainsborough retreat, the location was perfect and the retreat had everything we needed and more. From stargazing in the hot tub, then running in to get dry to be greeted by the heated bathroom floor, light the log fire and then ending the night watching a film in the lovely cozy snug. The bed was extra comfy and it was amazing to wake up to the sunrise, and see the horses in the fields right next to us. Will definitely be going again.
03/02/2025Bianca
Absolutely spectacular.. the attention to detail is second to none! The retreat has everything you could need and more. Beautiful views across the Herefordshire countryside. Zac was extremely helpful and welcoming We will certainly be returning
13/12/2024Katev
Wonderful! Zac was a great host and the stay was absolutely perfect.
06/12/2024Emily
We had a wonderful birthday celebration at Gainsborough retreat. Stunning views to wake up too, great design and facilities. The hot tub which was ready to go on arrival was a real treat as was the cinema room! Lovely area to explore and Zac was super helpful throughout our stay.
13/11/2024Rin
Zac and Sarah have created something special. At night when the cabin was all lit up it looked like a giant dollhouse, surrounded by misty fields. It is truly beautiful. We chatted with Zac about the build and we were blown away by what he has created. The tatami mats in the den were so special, the scent reminded us instantly of a trip to Japan we took in 2017. The bathroom is amazing. The pictures don't do it justice! We found ourselves saying "wow" constantly. Very comfy bed and we loved the hot tub. Overall it was a totally unique experience!
06/11/2024Lorna
Just returned from a perfect two night stay at the Gainsborough Retreat at Orcop Treetops. From the moment we arrived I felt instantly relaxed. One of the owners Zac met us on arrival and made sure we were happy with everything. The cabin itself was just beautiful, everything smelt so clean and fresh and it was so welcoming. I was there to celebrate my birthday and I honestly had the best time.
23/10/2024Michelle
Absolutely stunning. We loved everything about the stay
04/10/2024Daniel
Amazing scenery, beautiful facilities. Overall a great place to stay.
11/09/2024Jessica
What an incredible space. We had such an amazing few days here and feel thoroughly refreshed off the back of it. We loved everything about Gainsborough from the beautifully minimalist and modern interiors, to the sweeping countryside views you get from the hammock and hot tub. I've stayed in lots of cabins and I can't think of any better than Gainsborough. It really is a cut above, and being able to watch my favourite films in the cosy, private cinema nook is just one of many wow moments you'll experience during a stay here. Can't wait to go back!
16/08/2024Tommy at Canopy and Stars
Reviews
Wonderful views in an amazing cabin. Beautiful, modern decor & loved the den- perfect for movie watching. Enjoyed the wood fired hot tub & swinging in the hammock. We had such a wonderful relaxing break surrounded by nature.
28/03/2025Rachelle
Zac was a lovely host and left my husband a birthday card and sapling. The cabin was beautiful and we loved the underfloor heating in the bathroom, the quirky bed with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the stars.
21/03/2025Lynda
Our stay was incredible so relaxing
12/03/2025Colleen
We had the most amazing stay at Gainsborough retreat, the location was perfect and the retreat had everything we needed and more. From stargazing in the hot tub, then running in to get dry to be greeted by the heated bathroom floor, light the log fire and then ending the night watching a film in the lovely cozy snug. The bed was extra comfy and it was amazing to wake up to the sunrise, and see the horses in the fields right next to us. Will definitely be going again.
03/02/2025Bianca
Absolutely spectacular.. the attention to detail is second to none! The retreat has everything you could need and more. Beautiful views across the Herefordshire countryside. Zac was extremely helpful and welcoming We will certainly be returning
13/12/2024Katev
Wonderful! Zac was a great host and the stay was absolutely perfect.
06/12/2024Emily
We had a wonderful birthday celebration at Gainsborough retreat. Stunning views to wake up too, great design and facilities. The hot tub which was ready to go on arrival was a real treat as was the cinema room! Lovely area to explore and Zac was super helpful throughout our stay.
13/11/2024Rin
Zac and Sarah have created something special. At night when the cabin was all lit up it looked like a giant dollhouse, surrounded by misty fields. It is truly beautiful. We chatted with Zac about the build and we were blown away by what he has created. The tatami mats in the den were so special, the scent reminded us instantly of a trip to Japan we took in 2017. The bathroom is amazing. The pictures don't do it justice! We found ourselves saying "wow" constantly. Very comfy bed and we loved the hot tub. Overall it was a totally unique experience!
06/11/2024Lorna
Just returned from a perfect two night stay at the Gainsborough Retreat at Orcop Treetops. From the moment we arrived I felt instantly relaxed. One of the owners Zac met us on arrival and made sure we were happy with everything. The cabin itself was just beautiful, everything smelt so clean and fresh and it was so welcoming. I was there to celebrate my birthday and I honestly had the best time.
23/10/2024Michelle
Absolutely stunning. We loved everything about the stay
04/10/2024Daniel
Amazing scenery, beautiful facilities. Overall a great place to stay.
11/09/2024Jessica
What an incredible space. We had such an amazing few days here and feel thoroughly refreshed off the back of it. We loved everything about Gainsborough from the beautifully minimalist and modern interiors, to the sweeping countryside views you get from the hammock and hot tub. I've stayed in lots of cabins and I can't think of any better than Gainsborough. It really is a cut above, and being able to watch my favourite films in the cosy, private cinema nook is just one of many wow moments you'll experience during a stay here. Can't wait to go back!
16/08/2024Tommy at Canopy and Stars
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Wonderful views in an amazing cabin. Beautiful, modern decor & loved the den- perfect for movie watching. Enjoyed the wood fired hot tub & swinging in the hammock. We had such a wonderful relaxing break surrounded by nature.
28/03/2025