A private retreat space for up to 12 guests—with ponds, saunas, and quiet corners for gathering in nature
Oakhill Ponds offers exclusive use of its 25-acre retreat site for small groups seeking time together in a natural setting. Whether you’re planning a self-led escape, a creative workshop, or a meaningful celebration, the land provides space to slow down and connect—without needing to go off-grid or off the map.
The retreat site is best suited to groups of up to 12, using the land as your shared homebase. Here you’ll find a spring-fed swimming pond, two wood-fired saunas, outdoor gathering spaces, and accommodation in shepherd’s huts and canvas dwellings—each with its own private kitchen, shower, and compost loo.
If you’re bringing a slightly larger group or need extra indoor space, the Walled Garden Annex—with its 21ft yurt, hot tub, and flushing loos—can be added on. But we encourage guests to treat the main retreat area as the heart of the experience: this is where the pond lies, where the kitchen sits under its sailcloth awning, and where fires are lit as the evening draws in.
What’s Included (Main Site – up to 12 guests)
One spring-fed wild swimming pond, alive with seasonal changes and birdlife
Two wood-fired saunas, each seating up to 8 for relaxed group sessions
Spa area with cold dip tank, spa tent, loungers, outdoor shower & direct pond access
Shepherd’s huts & Lotus Belle tents, each with private kitchens, showers & compost loos
Hot tubs (Hikki Bohemen) for the shepherd’s huts—beautifully designed & wood-fired
High-quality bedding (king or twin), wool duvets & toppers for deep rest
Fire pit & gathering space—perfect for stories and stillness under the stars
The Horse Lorry Reading Room—a quiet, book-filled space for reflection and retreat
Sailcloth-covered communal kitchen, with outdoor dining space, Kadai fire pit &
a high-spec Kamado BBQ for shared cookingFully equipped individual outdoor kitchen with woodburning stove with each tent
Inflatable paddle board docks, bookable for group use (min 4 / max 16 guests)
Many mod-cons for an off-grid set-up; hot showers, wi-fi, charging points, roberts radios with blutooth
This setting is particularly suited to adults and older children who can enjoy the land safely and respectfully.
Children & Safety
To help ensure the safety and peace of all guests, we welcome:
Babies (non-walking) on the main site
Children aged 11+ (secondary school age and up) on the main site
Children of any age within the Walled Garden Annex, where parental supervision is easier
The land has open water, uneven ground, and plenty of tree roots—part of its charm, but not suitable for very young children to roam unsupervised.
Dogs
No dogs are allowed on the main site, to protect the resident deer and wildlife
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the Walled Garden, and may be brought onto the main site under close control when appropriate
Planning a Retreat?
We welcome practitioners looking for a nature-rich venue to host their own retreat, and offer quiet, supportive logistics behind the scenes. Whether you’re offering movement, writing, cold water immersion, or simply rest—we’ve created a space that holds it well.
We can help support:
Pilates, yoga & paddle board pilates (docks provided on request)
Cold water dipping (non-instructional, with gentle accompaniment if needed)
Reading & writing retreats inspired by the landscape and our literary accommodation
Fire cooking, wild food & simple seasonal feasts
Run–Swim–Sauna days, or guided trail running and walking in nearby woods
Optional: The Walled Garden Annex(Sleeps up to 4 extra guests)
Tucked behind old stone walls and a short stroll from the main site, the Walled Garden is a peaceful, self-contained space ideal for those seeking a little more privacy. It includes:
A spacious 21ft yurt with heating and lighting - it is 'on-grid'
Flushing toilets & hot showers
A further wood-fired hot tub
A quiet communal space for rest or rainy afternoons - games and gathering
A further outdoor kitchen and food storage area.
Dog-friendly accommodation (dogs on leads when visiting the main site)
The Walled Garden is close to our home and neighbouring gardens, so we ask that group socialising and noisier evening gatherings take place on the main site—eg by the ponds, the firepit or the outdoor kitchen or at the nearby Oakhill Inn.
During hosted retreats or curated gatherings (such as Gentle Hen or Stag celebrations), the Walled Garden may double for use as an indoor workshop or quiet activities, in keeping with the reflective tone of the event. We also have a conseratory and marquee next to the walled garden sometimes used for art-based activities.
For all other bookings, it’s best treated as a tranquil sleeping space—for families with young children, early risers, or those who’d like a little more retreat within the retreat.
It is the perfect addition for slightly larger groups (up to 16 guests), or if you’d simply like more room to spread out.
Pricing & Booking
Main Site (Up to 12 guests)
£1,200 per night
Main Site + Walled Garden Annex (Up to 16 guests)
£1,550 per night
Book Whole Site + Walled Garden
Multi-night discounts:
3+ nights: 5% off
5+ nights: 10% off
Availability: April – September 2025
Book now before 2026 rates increase