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Oaksbrook Retreat

100%
·
· Messing, Essex, England
1 acre hosted by Jane G.
2 glamping pitches
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Private sites
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Adults-only glamping on an equine smallholding in Essex.

When the need to recharge your own batteries overtakes the need to charge your mobile phone, we’d suggest a retreat in nature. Go somewhere green, spend time in the great outdoors, learn from the natural world — and breathe. You can do all that at the off-grid and adults-only Oaksbrook Retreat in Essex, where a couple of comfortable hideaways are tucked on a 20-acre smallholding, an hour outside of London.

A single shepherd’s hut and, in the summer, a lotus belle tent share a woodland meadow here on Jane and Steve Gilbey’s much-loved land. It’s a neat and sweet place to retreat to with Steve having built much of what you see and Jane offering a range of complementary therapies on site. Not to mention the fact that you can actually charge a mobile phone (if you really want to).

This is comfortable glamping with each accommodation offering everything you need in a pared-back way that suits the natural surroundings. There are solar panels and battery packs for power and there are waterless composting loos but there are also comfy made-up beds. The shepherd’s hut is particularly well-equipped with en-suite facilities, a kitchenette and a log-burner as befits a year-round place to stay, while the lotus belle tent offers an experience that’s closer to camping. Both have plenty of outdoor space, a fire pit for evenings under the stars and enough privacy for two separate pairs — but can work equally well if hired by two couples who want to holiday together.

The site is handily close to the A12, which can mean a little road noise can drift in on the wind (though you won’t notice that in the hut) but it also means the site is easily accessible and easy to explore from. By car, the bird-rich Blackwater Estuary, Abberton Reservoir and Markshall Arboretum offer nearby places to get further into nature but you don’t need to go that far. There are horses, chickens and sheep on-site and nearby woods to walk in. The Essex villages of Messing and Tiptree are also a stroll away and home to pubs and tearooms where you can find the treats of this lovely retreat.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
River, stream, or creek
Field
Farm
100%
5 Ratings · 4 reviews
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Megan W.recommends
August 30, 2023
Ryeland Shepherd Hut
Secluded Shepherd Hut
We had an amazing night at the Ryeland Shepherd Hut, tucked away in a quiet spot surrounded by trees and wildlife. We had the best night hanging out at the picnic table and fire pit – perfect for games and stargazing. They've got acres of beautiful land to explore. We took a lovely morning walk around the property seeing the horses, goats, and apple trees. The Hut has a King size bed on trundles that you can use as a sofa during the day as well as a fully equipped fitted kitchen with everything you would need! Jane was a wonderful host and made our stay incredibly enjoyable.
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Joseph H.recommends
November 17, 2022
Ryeland Shepherd Hut
Lovely
Lovely place and host very friendly and helpful, would go again
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Freya B.recommends
September 19, 2022
Shepherds Belle and Croft Hut
One of the most amazing places, tucked away in the corner of the farm, it was well thought out, and amazingly kept. The owner was so lovely too. It was such a great escape from London for the weekend. I will definitely return!
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Fiona D.recommends
July 18, 2022
Shepherds Belle and Croft Hut
We had a brilliant time at Jane’s. She was a wonderful, welcoming and relaxed host, and the environment was stunning; such a lovely area to explore. The bell tent was very comfortable and luxurious and the facilities were excellent. We’re really keen to experience the shepherd’s hut too so will definitely be returning!
Location
Messing, Essex, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Jane G.

Joined in October 2021
From the host
Oaksbrook is a nature well-being and animal inspired retreat. Based at Brook Farm, a rural gem in the heart of the Essex Countryside. Boasting a Self Catering holiday barn, luxury Shepherd hut and Bell Tent Glamping. The Glamping Retreat is Eco friendly, mostly off grid and solar powered lighting. The site is within a secluded meadow of flourishing grassland and wildflowers, interspersed with mown paths and native trees, this is a place to get away from the humdrum of life and experience the tranquillity of nature. A lightly used footpath runs nearby giving instant access to Tiptree or Messing village where there is a pub serving great food. There is a good sense of privacy around Ryeland hut, due to the natural screening and planting all around. Brook Farm is home to a selection of lovely animals including two Arabian horses, two ponies, pet sheep - one of which is a Coloured Ryeland which the hut is named after - chickens and Golden Retrievers Barley and Jack. The owner Jane also offers a range of holistic therapies in the Walnut Barn. A great base to unwind and relax and for visiting the wider area. On site shop, on site holistic therapies.
Nearby attractions
You can walk from site to the village of Messing where there's a pub and some pretty woodland. For a longer hike (or a short drive) continue all the way to Layer Marney Tower (01206 330 784), England's tallest Tudor Gatehouse (four miles away) — open to the public in spring and summer. The village of Tiptree is just over two miles away and is home to the Tiptree Jam Museum and tea rooms. There are coastal walks along the Blackwater Estuary where there's rich birdlife, around 10 miles from site with Maldon and Heybridge Basin the closest places to head for. Other attractions and places to visit within 15 miles of site include Markshall Arboretum (01376 563796), Colchester, Mersea Island, and the Beth Chatto Gardens (01206 822 007).
Food and drink
There's a farm shop, Stonefields, for fresh vegetables and salad within a mile of site. There's also a pub, The Old Crown (01621 815575), a walk away in Messing. It has a small shop and deli out the back selling eggs, bread, cheeses, local produce and homemade meals for takeaway such as pies and tarts. Don't miss the Tiptree tea rooms (01621 814524) for afternoon tea. In Kelvedon (just over two miles from the site), The Essex Produce Company has a selection of local artisan wines, gins, ales, breads and deli foods. And for eating out, there's The Sun Inn (01376 570442), The Tavern (01376 570293) and The Indian Cottage (01376 571 081).
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