Explore 8 Whimsical Fairytale Houses That Could Turn Any Grown-Up into a Kid Again

Fairy tales always linger in our imaginations, but what if these stories leap off the pages and step into our real lives? Have you ever dreamt of living in a cozy Hobbit hole, or a grand castle from a fairy tale book, or even a sweet gingerbread house?

These 8 houses are strikingly similar to the illustrations you'd find in storybooks. As you gaze upon these little houses, you feel as if you've stepped into a magical movie, where every corner brims with enchantment and surprise.

1. Hobbit House - Wales

Whether you've seen the Hobbit film series or not, you've likely caught a glimpse of a Hobbit house on TV or online. These houses resemble mounds rising from the ground, covered in grass and perfectly integrated with nature. This real-life Hobbit House was built by Simon for his family to live in, and it took just four months to complete.

2. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage - England

This farmhouse was the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. Built in 1463, the cottage still features original furniture used by the family. The cottage, now open for visits, invites you to delve into the story of Shakespeare's family dating back 500 years. The adult ticket price (explore 3 properties) is £26. Open from 10 am to 4 pm.

3. Casa do Penedo - Portugal

The bizarre stone house, Casa do Penedo, was conceived and built in 1974 by a couple between four large granite boulders that happened to be close together on the land. As a distinctive mountain getaway, it has attracted many visitors due to its quirky and intriguing features. Surrounded by vast wild meadows and some wind turbines, the location even boasts an outdoor swimming pool carved from another large rock near the house.

4. The Shell House - Mexico

Every moment in this Seashell House will seem like a dream, with the captivating Caribbean views, a private gated pool surrounded by tropical plants and tall coconut trees, and the embrace of the sea breeze. This stunning shell house was designed by Eduardo and Raquel Ocampo for vacation rentals. The interior walls are all white, the beds feature elaborate shell-inspired headboards, and the bathroom showers are made from an orange conch!

5. 50-Foot Treehouse - Canada

It's hard to believe, but a 50-foot treehouse does exist and it's located in Revelstoke, BC, Canada. This treehouse is part of the tourist attraction THE ENCHANTED FOREST, which has been operating for 63 years. For just $14 for an adult and $9 for a child, you can visit this truly secluded magical forest. In addition to the treehouse, the forest features castles, dungeons, and over 350 handcrafted fairy tale figurines, making it an awesome spot to check out during a Summer road trip.

6. Turf Houses - Iceland

This kind of houses, which look like they're straight out of an elf's dwelling, are actually made by Iceland's settlers using turf—thick layers of grass and soil up to 1 meter—piled up to form walls and roofs, with rocks for reinforcement. They're a common sight across the country. With limited timber (30% of Iceland was forested), but abundant grassland resources, the Vikings started building turf houses 1100 years ago to stay warm, and they've become a part of the country's heritage.

7. Tetsu Treehouse - Japan

This unique treehouse is supported by a single cypress trunk, surrounded by a sea of pink blossoms. The mastermind behind this enchanting creation is architect Terunobu Fujimori. In fact, this house was designed as a teahouse and is one of the 10 artful projects in the Kiyoharu Art Village (Hokuto, Japan), open to the public for free.

8. Castle in the Clouds - United States

This charming red-roofed house is situated on a 6,300-acre country estate in New Hampshire, USA, named Lucknow. The estate was once owned by a shoe factory owner, Tom Plant, but is now preserved and operated by the Castle Preservation Society. It's open to the public for visits and even offers wedding rental services. Lose yourself in the spectacular mountain views and admire the luxurious amenities within the home, as if you've stepped back into the early 1900s.