Once upon a time, tree houses were only for children. Now, though, all that has changed.
Ostensibly, the tree house is for kids, but, let's just say, with adults very much in mind."
Paul Cameron, of Treehouse Life agrees. "It starts off as being a nice idea for the children," he says. "But not far in the background, there is usually an adventurous dad who likes climbing trees, or a mum who likes having friends around for a glass of chilled chardonnay and is looking to create a nice venue.
"I'm just finishing a project where the clients have specifically requested a sundowners' deck, for evening drinks."
So while the modern tree house comes fitted with traditional rope ladders and child-friendly clamber nets, it will also sport a discreet veranda or two, for grown-up get-togethers and the obligatory view-admiring.
Tree houses are increasingly in vogue, their growing popularity due in part to our increased interest in environmental issues, particularly sustainable living.
Considerable research has been conducted into safer building practices and nowadays better technology is available to builders.
One feature that can often make tree houses more adult-friendly as well as fun for children is the fixed external staircase, an addition that Rosemary Attenborough from Kent added to hers.
"Originally, I imagined the only way up to the tree house would be by climbing a dangling stepladder," says Rosemary, who had a tree house built for her seven grandchildren in her garden near Sevenoaks.
"I'm very pleased that our builder suggested we install fixed stairs, so that the adults could get up there, too."