Oak Lodge Retreat

We had a peaceful night's sleep and an enjoyable night away in the zebra hut. It was cute, cosy and very clean. The shower and toilet were basic but spotless, though the site itself could use a little TLC and isn’t the prettiest place when you first arrive. Breakfast was very basic, and they could have provided more milk for the strong coffee. I wouldn’t pay the price listed online. There’s not much there, and the walk to the Oaksmere isn’t great because there’s hardly any footpath for getting there safely.

The cabin was incredibly cosy and reminded us of our honeymoon in Finland. It was a lovely, peaceful place surrounded by wildlife, perfect for getting some time and space together. We came in May 2025 for a romantic getaway and weren’t disappointed. We barely crossed paths with other guests, and our excellent host made sure we had everything we needed. I’d suggest adding the spa option and extra fuel or firelighters when you book.

The zebra hut was cute, clean and cosy, and the hot tub was fantastic and really warm. We even booked an hour of private use. We couldn’t figure out the sauna, though there were instructions, and hadn’t expected to have to work it out ourselves. Breakfast was very basic, as we’d been told beforehand. The canteen is open 24/7, but from outside it looks closed, so a sign would help. There are no cooking facilities or food available on site. A fridge would be useful since we brought our own food. The basic bathroom was clean and had what we needed, and having our own private space was nice. The hut area could use a tidy up. The small table outside was surrounded by quite overgrown greenery. We booked through a third party, so check what’s included. Having to “cash in” our complimentary wine felt a bit sneaky, though in the end we got everything we expected. The surrounding area is nice, but a car would make getting around easier. The Oaksmere pub and restaurant was great, and is a 15 minute walk away. Overall, we enjoyed the stay, it was very peaceful and quiet.

The fire pit was a lovely way to spend the evening with a bottle of wine and reconnect with each other and nature. The bed was soft and warm, and we slept really well. We stayed two nights in August 2025 for my wife’s surprise birthday present. I’d arranged the booking and paid for extras online after helpful messages with the owner. On arrival, she wasn’t sure what to make of the place at first, but soon became happy when she saw the setting and our Tiger Hobbit Hut. Even the local muntjac deer watched us arrive. It was so quiet. There was no internet or TV, and we didn’t miss either during our stay. We had the site to ourselves the first night. We used the spa both nights, booking exclusive use at a very reasonable extra cost. It’s open to all residents, with a maximum of 8 at once, between 12.00 and 20.00. Thanks to the owners for showing us how to use the sauna. Breakfast was just as described, self service and as much as you want. There’s no mains electricity in the hut apart from the installed space heater, so no kettle. The canteen has hot drinks all day and night, including nice pod coffee, and the USB charging point on the lamp worked for our phones. The spa may not match some people’s expectations of a hotel, but the sauna and hot tub are unusual and add to the charm. I’d call this ‘Demi Glamping’ rather than what some people might mean by ‘Glamping’. Each hut has its own shower, toilet, sink and hairdryer in a nearby, very clean rural setting. We’ll come back.