Freestanding Tourist Accommodation in the Form of 'Hides' at Calcot Manor Hotel and Spa

Blue Forest

Glenda Parkes has been working with the luxury Calcot Manor Hotel and Spa for several years and has recently secured planning consent to amend the approved proposals for four ‘Hides’—free-standing guest accommodation units, designed to be treehouse-like structures with raised terraces, nestled within the woodland and overlooking the expansive countryside that surrounds the hotel and its grounds.

The ‘Hides’ are a bespoke concept, designed by Blue Forest, each tailored to its location and the client’s requirements. They are sensitively located and integrated within natural clearings to minimise impact on trees and the  landscape. They are proposed to be constructed with a understated palette of untreated timber and natural finishes,  intended to weather and blend into the woodland setting. Each unit will sleep four to six people and include private viewing platforms with binoculars, encouraging guests to experience Calcot’s extensive rewilding project, which has already seen 25,000 trees planted and is delivering significant biodiversity gains.

Tyler-Parkes worked collaboratively with a strong project team, which alongside Blue Forest including Ecology Solutions (ecological assessment), DJOGS Limited (landscape design), Wootton Tree Consultancy (tree constraints and protection), and Andy Maw Design (visual impact assessment). This coordinated approach ensured that issues of arboriculture, ecology, landscape, and lighting were fully addressed. For example, the use of rapid-root piling will protect tree root systems, while sensitive lighting design—low-level, directional, and motion-controlled—will prevent light spill and protect wildlife habitats.

Close liaison with Cotswold District Council Planning Department, ensured the proposals were shaped by constructive pre-application engagement and the response of the proposal to the site’s sensitive context within the Cotswolds National Landscape (AONB). Planning policy support was found in both the National Planning Policy Framework and the Cotswold Local Plan, which recognise the importance of sustainable rural tourism, diversification of visitor accommodation, and support for local businesses—especially post-COVID recovery.

The ‘Hides’ also carry wider benefits: they broaden the hotel’s accommodation offer, support local employment, where Calcot is a substantial local employer),  and contribute to the visitor economy. Importantly, they add to the hotel’s unique ecological narrative, reinforcing Calcot’s reputation for combining luxury hospitality with environmental stewardship.

The project is programmed to start on site in October 2025, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026. Once finished, it is considered that these innovative units will offer guests a memorable opportunity to stay in comfort, whilst being immersed in nature, setting a benchmark for sensitive, design-led rural tourism accommodation.

If you have a similar project and need experienced professional support, please contact Glenda Parkes for advice Tel 0121 744 5511

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