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Oakhill Ponds, spring-fed swim

95%
·
· Somerset, Somerset, England
25 acres hosted by Amanda M.
4 glamping pitches
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A uniquely peaceful Somerset glamping site set around two ponds in its own beautiful wildlife garden.

On the fringes of the Mendip Hills in deepest Somerset there's a slice of enchanting land known locally as 'The Brew'. It was created over 200 years ago by the local Oakhill Brewery and has at its heart an old pleasure garden with ponds, waterfalls and an extraordinary grotto that is gently being restored after years of neglect. Its new owners are re-wilding and developing it into a 21st-century sanctuary for buzzards and kingfishers, butterflies and bats, even a family of a deer, while at the same turning part of it into a private and uniquely peaceful glamping site that is yours to discover – 'Glamping at The Brew'.

There's a combination of off-grid and on-grid experiences at 'The Brew'. Off-grid there are six luxury Lotus bell-tents: each has a proper king-sized bed, with duvets, blankets, towels, a hot water bottle and chests of drawers for your clothes; immediately outside there's an outdoor table and two chairs, a kettle and mugs for coffee and tea, while a compost loo and cabin showers are close at hand. You could even take a morning dip in the spring-fed ponds if it took your fancy!

On-grid there is a large and very comfortable yurt, enticingly positioned in the old walled garden a couple of minutes' walk from the tents, a great communal space. Here you have more privacy, with your own shower room and two (yes two!) flushing loos. The yurt has sofas and chairs, indoor and outdoor dining tables, bluetooth and wifi, and – we're not kidding! – its own vinyl collection and turntable. There's an outdoor kitchen and a garden room which provides space for reading and writing, games and books, art materials and binoculars. The garden room has a double sofa-bed and can also be used as an extra bedroom if camping off-grid is too hardcore. The garden itself has a barbecue and pizza oven plus a firepit and even its own water-feature, which you can admire from a handwoven swing.

The site is on the edge of a quiet village and is perfect for families with older children or groups of friends who want to enjoy a chilled break amid nature in a special and accessible location. There's a large canopy that provides cover for a gathering-space complete with beanbags and cushions. As for the ponds, they are quite large and on two levels, with a waterfall between them: the lower one is being developed for wildlife, while the upper pond is given over to leisure pursuits, with five inflatable kayaks for guest use and two paddleboards for hire.

Finally you can stroll to the nearby Oakhill Inn, just a few minutes' away, which serves delicious food and drink and does takeaways if you can't be bothered to stir from your garden perch. If you can, then it's worth knowing that just half a mile away lies the ancient woodland of Beacon Hill, with views towards Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset Levels.

Activities
Hiking
Paddling
Swimming
Natural features
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
Waterfall
95%
10 Ratings · 10 reviews
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Nathan S.
September 7, 2024
Oakhill Ponds, spring-fed swim, Kat
We had a wonderful time. The bell tent was spacious and well provisioned, and the sauna and bathing pond were very relaxing. We would definitely recommend!
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Ryan F.recommends
August 26, 2024
Lotus Belle - Swim & wildlife Mary
Wild camping
Lovely outdoors definitely off-grid place if u want away from hussle and Brussel this is deffo the place
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Clarice H.recommends
August 10, 2024
Lotus Belle - wild swim & wildlife
Gorgeous!
It's one of those places where photos and words can't do it justice, you have to see it! All amenities were there, accommodation was gorgeous and we were very well looked after. Somerset's hidden treasure!
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Clarice H.recommends
August 6, 2024
Oakhill Ponds, spring-fed swim, Kat
Wonderful stay, magical site.
It's one of those places where photos and words can't do it justice, you have to see it! All amenities were there, accommodation was gorgeous and we were very well looked after. Somerset's hidden treasure!
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Clarice H.recommends
August 6, 2024
Shepherds Hut, swim, hot-tub, sauna
Exceptionally beautiful site!
We had an amazing time on Rob & Amanda's land. It is so beautiful and relaxing and the swimming pond & sauna was such a treat. It's one of those places where photos and words can't do it justice, you have to see it! All amenities were there, accommodation was gorgeous and we were very well looked after. Would come back in a heartbeat!!
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Kate M.recommends
July 1, 2024
Oakhill Ponds, spring-fed swim, Kat
Really lovely tranquil place to stay. Tents were comfortable and well equipped. We enjoyed the hammock for relaxing, as well as the lake to swim in. We used the hot tub- be aware that it is wood fired.. the fire is started for you but you need to be there an hour and a half before you book to keep it going (it is very near to the lake and the tents though). There’s a pub very nearby which has good food if you don’t fancy cooking. Overall a lovely place to stay. Good location and set up making you feel at one with nature.
Location
Somerset, Somerset, 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 Amanda M.

Joined in February 2021
From the host
Nestled in the edge of a Somerset village, Oakhill Ponds offers the perfect blend of off-grid luxury ; nature. Swim in the refreshing spring-fed waters, experience the unique charm of the off-grid spa with horse-box sauna and Hikki Bohemen hot-tub in the spa area. Relax in your hammock; read, reconnect, revive. We have four lotus-belles and one shepherd hut at the moment (another on its way). Each lotus belle has a well equipped outdoor kigchen for cooking outdoors with views and a private log-cabin shower room. Enjoy comfortable furnishings & wood-burning fires & a private shower room, With an excellent pub serving food on your doorstep & star-studded skies overhead enjoy an unforgettable breathing space Stout was first brewed in the village of Oakhill in 1767, using water which came down from the Mendip Hills. Before modern medicines were available, Oakhill Stout was thought to have magical healing properties, which made it nationally famous; now you can take a dip in these refreshing waters. The Shepherds hut sits by itself in the wildlife meadow a few minutes walk from the large ponds. You have your own garden area with your private Swedish Hikki bohemen hot-tub, outdoor cooking & dining area and small pond & wildlife area Your stay in a lotus belle includes: Your own private hot shower room and toilet Quality linen, towels, and organic toiletries Your own outdoor kitchen-diner with wood-fired stove Access to fridge space in our communal kitchen Relaxation in a 2 person FatBoy hammock Two wood-burners, inside for cozy warmth and outside for rustic cooking Spring-fed swimming ponds for refreshing dips Enchanting waterfalls, serene woodlands, and hidden grottos Dive into a treasure trove of knowledge in a unique horse lorry library, brimming with books on the natural world Further options: Book the outdoor spa, sauna, and hot tub for relaxation & nature immersion Paddle-boards are available to rent All of this is just a leisurely stroll away from an excellent pub, serving delicious local food. Each lotus belle has a large two person hammock perfect for reading. The lotus belles are named after an inspirational women writer on the natural world. whose work reflects features of this landscape.
Nearby attractions

There's a print-out provided of good walks on the doorstep and local features, such as and Iron-Age hillfort (Maesbury Ring), ancient woodlands like Harridge, Beacon Hill and Cranmore, and stately homes like Ashwick Grove, English Hertage's Nunney Castle (0370 333 1181) or the National Trust's Stourhead (01747 841152), as well as Longleat House (01985 844400). It's less than four miles to the Mendip Hills AONB and six to the tiny city of Wells, with Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole just beyond.

Food and drink

It's a three-minute walk to the Oakhill Inn (01749 840442) or, at the other end of the village, try the Mendip Inn (01749 841703; 10 minutes' walk). For French-inspired cuisine try The Redan Inn (01761 258560) or, for the best views in the area, visit the Holcombe Inn (01761 232478). For something earlier in the day, try pizzas and light lunches in the Walled Garden Mells (01373 812597; 15 minutes' drive) or the Garden Café (01373 454178) for good vegetarian and vegan food in Frome. Local farm milk and eggs are readily available in the village within strolling distance of the campsite too.

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