Real hobbit houses that you can actually stay in

Real hobbit houses that you can actually stay in

As travelers turn to nature in a post-pandemic world, we share 10 real-life hobbit houses that offer the perfect retreat

It is said that humans are one of the most adaptable species on the planet. We have settled the high Arctic and explored the deep sea and settled in the most unlikely places. When circumstances change drastically, as they did in 2020, we can quickly adapt to a new way of life. In fact, our collective slowdown over the last year has been so profound that we have seen immediate impacts on the natural world.

These changes encouraged us to think about the way we live on an almost unprecedented scale, with many of us vowing to live, eat and travel more sustainably once things return to normal. Few of us are ready to give up luxury hotels entirely, but more and more of us are opting for nature houses.

According to Dutch specialist Nature.house, these are places where you can “step away from your busy everyday life and simply relax in the middle of nature.”

From idyllic waterfront cabins to off-grid hiking cabins, these homes prioritize sustainability. Nature.house, for example, reviews its listings and rejects anything that is too busy, commercial or consumer-oriented. Their hope is to promote conservation of nature. In fact, they donate €1 to nature projects for every booking made through their website. To date, they have planted more than a million trees in Madagascar, Tanzania and Burkina Faso and are currently working to reduce bear mortality and conflict in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Needless to say, nature houses are perfect for outdoor lovers. Below we highlight 10 enchanting real hobbit houses that you can book today.

real hobbit houses in a UNESCO reserve

These real hobbit houses are located in a UNESCO biosphere reserve amid meadows, trees and vines typical of the Saarland in southwest Germany. The gardens represent the area's rich greenery, from meadows to forests to orchards.

Nature.HouseReal hobbit houses in a UNESCO biosphere reserve

Built from natural wood, the houses offer the charm of a rural retreat but the comfort of a modern hotel: Wi-Fi, heating and TV.

The Saarlandtherme thermal baths and a network of well-developed hiking and cycling trails are nearby. Tourism is at the heart of the sustainability strategy and is limited to a transition zone, leaving large parts of the reserve undisturbed - a perfect place to breathe a sigh of relief.

Book this nature house in Kleinblittersdorf

Cottage in the forest

This typical forest cabin is a charming piece of Swedish design. The real hobbit house sits on a hill surrounded by pine trees in the tiny town of Furudal (pop. 407) in the Dalarna province in central Sweden.

Nature.HouseA typical cabin in the forest

With underfloor heating and a wood stove, the picturesque nature house is the highlight of hygge. Located on a former farm, it offers the opportunity to observe moose, deer, foxes and perhaps even a lynx.

Dalarna itself is said to be Sweden in miniature. Mountains, lakes, traditional red huts, Sámi culture and craft traditions are densely packed here, offering many activities if you venture beyond the cozy confines of Furudal.

Book this nature house in Furudal

Wood smoke and birdsong

Wood smoke and birdsong come to mind when you first see this cozy hobbit house in the North Brabant region of the Netherlands. Carved into a six-meter-long barrel, it sits on 1.5 hectares of land, half a hectare of which is reserved for nature. An amphibian tank provides a haven for local wildlife, while the garden serves local produce such as fruit and jam.

Nature.HouseThis cozy hobbit house is carved into a six meter long barrel

In the wider area of ​​North Brabant there is a nature reserve and the historic towns of Breda and Den Bosch. The province is the birthplace of Vincent van Gogh, so there is also a lot of art and culture on offer here.

Book this nature house in Gemonde

lazy evenings by the water

This tiny nature house sits on a terrace overlooking calm waters. Comfortable sun loungers invite you to spend long evenings on the veranda and perhaps go bird watching. Look out for buzzards, spoonbills, woodpeckers and owls. Foxes have also been known to appear.

Nature.HouseExpect cozy evenings by the water with visits from buzzards, spoonbills and owls

The surrounding forest can be explored on a number of hiking and cycling trails, while a nearby outdoor center offers climbing and canoeing. A little further away is Elysium (2 km), one of the largest spas in the Netherlands, while Rotterdam is just a 15-minute drive away.

Book this nature house in Bergschenhoek

A dream field

This charming hobbit house is located on a farm in the Utrecht region of the Netherlands. Cows graze in the meadow, birds and frogs chirp happily, while a flock of sheep completes this idyllic scene.

Nature.HouseTwilight falls over this hobbit house on the farm

The house itself sits next to a picturesque vegetable garden near a cherry orchard. Guests should consider a trip to the nearby village of Bunschoten-Spakenburg to see the typical Dutch countryside and a range of museums, shops, markets, restaurants and cafes.

Book this nature house in Bunschoten-spakenburg

Welcome to the county

This Shire-inspired nature house in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France is one of our favorite real hobbit houses. Fully furnished with a covered porch and fenced garden, it also has access to surrounding grounds and an adjacent forest where guests can have an afternoon picnic.

alt="One of our favorite real hobbit houses">Nature.HouseOne of our favorite real hobbit houses

The Midi-Pyrénées is a landscape of mountains and forests, and there is a lot to discover here: natural caves, traditional villages and the Cathar castles of Montségur and Carcassonne. Summers are filled with village festivals, while in winter skiers can head to a ski resort 35 km away.

Book this nature house in Limbrassac

Retreat in the mountains

A wood fire, crystal clear water from our own spring and natural stone walls make this nature house the perfect retreat. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, the house is powered by solar panels and has a large pond on the roof to keep it cool in summer.

alt="A wood fire awaits you in this real hobbit house">Nature.HouseA log fire awaits you in this real hobbit house

Guests can lounge in the shade of a 200-year-old holm oak while listening to cicadas and birds of prey nesting in the high forested cliffs behind the house. From here it is possible to see a silvery strip of the Mediterranean or the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees.

Activities in the area include surfing, swimming, sailing and fishing at Lac du Salagou and canoeing in the Hérault, Heric or Tarn.

Book this nature house in Saint privately

Garden vacation

This waterfront nature house is a gardener's delight. Located in a former experimental garden in the southern Dutch town of Boskoop, the site was a research station for nurseries and still houses a rich selection of plants and trees.

Nature.HouseBoskoop is famous for its tree nurseries

The town of Boskoop itself is famous for its tree nurseries. There are over 700 here, as well as a tree nursery museum that showcases its long and illustrious history as a tree growing area. Guests can explore the sights on foot or by bike using one of the countless mapped routes.

Book this nature house in Boskoop

local delicacies

A crackling fire, a blue tit nesting in the garden and a stream babbling in the distance. If this is your idea of ​​a perfect evening, then consider this nature house in the Twente region of the Netherlands.

Nature.HouseA crackling fire and a babbling stream await you

A network of walking and cycling trails offers a scenic way to explore Twente's estates, meadows and forests, but as the owners say, the best way to start your stay is with a snack at the nearby restaurant, run by their neighbor Marcook. Well fed and hydrated, you can go for a walk, fish or golf, topped off with a soak in your private hot tub.

Book this nature house in Enschede

A touch of romance

In a picturesque corner of Uitwijk in the North Brabant region of the Netherlands, this nature house combines cozy comfort with modern conveniences. A clean, minimalist design maximizes space inside, while a wood-burning stove outside ensures long romantic evenings even on chilly nights.

alt="An ideal mix of cozy comfort and modern comfort">Nature.HouseAn ideal mix of cozy comfort and modern comfort

There are numerous hiking and cycling trails leading from the house and several attractions nearby, including the dramatic Loevestein moated castle, the fortified town of Woudrichem and the Biesbosch National Park, one of the country's largest national parks and one of Europe's last extensive tidal freshwater wetlands.

Book this nature house in Uitwijk

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