October 11

The Art of Rest Day Retreat

Oaksbrook, Brook Farm, Kelvedon Rd, Messing, Colchester CO5 9TA

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Oaksbrook Retreat

About The Art of Rest Day Retreat

Join us for a complete immersion and an opportunity to experience deep rest, a chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect to your soul. Thoughtfully created by Oaksbrook and Aly Stringer, this day is designed to help you feel the true power of rest, leaving you nourished, healed, and revived.

What’s Included

Breathwork & gentle yoga practices
Nutritious healthy lunch
Outdoor sauna
Meditation in nature
Bespoke essences
Body scrubs
Restorative rest

Lunch included.

Event Gallery

Anonymous

★★★★★

We loved this cottage, it is particularly spacious for a property that sleeps 2. The bed was very comfortable, great shower, everything we needed in the kitchen and a lovely garden area perfect for the dog. The owner was lovely and encouraged us to walk anywhere around their land.

2026-07-08

Genny Sapiro

A beautiful setting to be in.
Jayne is a wonderful host and I highly recommend staying here.

2025-03-29

Claire Taplin

Fantastic!!! Beautiful accommodation in a Perfect location , highly recommend

2024-09-04

Sadie Taplin

We had the most loveliest few days break at oaksbrook retreat!
Jane couldn’t do more, the children were in their element and thrived on waking up every morning to see the horses and goats!
We had visitors most mornings which made our day, (the big lions stealing our shoes haha!)
There was everything we needed and more.
It certainly was a weekend to remember!
Thanks again Jane! We will most definitely be back ☺️

2022-09-01

Su Mc

Coming to the end of yet another perfect week at The Herdsman. Yet again it’s going to be a massive wrench to pack up and leave. Can’t wait until we’re back again.

2022-05-19

Jody Hicks

Just returned from spending a lovely week at Brook Farm with my dog. I would highly recommend it!
Lovely cottage and beautiful surroundings, best of all its very dog friendly. I’m hoping to return next year.

2019-10-26

Vicky Slack

Had a lovely relaxing short stay at The Herdsman over the weekend. A fabulous setup in a beautiful setting with a warm welcome on arrival. I combined my stay with a workshop held at the farm and enjoyed the surroundings during the stay we were even lucky enough to see the Red Kite fly overhead whilst eating breakfast!

2019-07-09

Niki Rodrigues

We stayed in The Herdsman at Brook Farm earlier this year and had the most wonderful, relaxing time. The cottage itself is just lovely; spacious, clean, beautifully decorated and furnished, with cosy cushions and throws and everything we needed for our weekend stay. My partner and I had the double bedroom with ensuite whilst our daughter slept on the comfy sofa bed. Nice little touches like a basket of breakfast goodies, bread, eggs, jams, tea, coffee etc were much appreciated and there was plenty of information provided on things to do locally. We all enjoyed relaxing in the cosy living room in front of the wood burner (we visited in winter) and eating breakfast by the patio doors, overlooking the farm.

The Herdsman is located in a farm with acres of beautiful fields that we enjoyed exploring with our dog Bella. She loved playing in the fields with the owner's dogs Barley and Jack too! Our daughter loved the horses and was thrilled to be allowed to groom them with owner Jane. We visited a charming local pub, The Old Crown, which is just down the road and we highly recommend for food and atmosphere. We also recommend a visit to Perrywoods garden centre which has some really beautiful gifts, clothing, foodie treats and a tea room as well as all the plants of course. All in all a perfect getaway and Steve and Jane were great hosts. We will definitely return as there's lots more to see in this beautiful part of Essex and recommend a stay at Brook Farm to anyone wanting to get away from it all!

2019-07-08

Johanna Bridge

Brook Farm is absolutely beautiful and Jane is very warm and welcoming. A fabulous experience.

2019-03-20

Donna

Everything was very pleasantly comfortable. Nice touches in case you forget a few personal items. It is an ideal tranquil place to escape to. Jane is qualified to offer plenty of relaxing therapies to help you unwind. Dogs and horses are friendly and happy to have visitors nearby. Wellies are useful! Great property and great owners.

Jason

Great Place, Great Hosts, Great Price. What more can you say !!!!

Annie

What an amazing peaceful break away! No need to worry about anything as Jane is very helpful and great with recommendations. The barn is so cosy like a home from home. Lots of walking to do with dogs. Jack and barley are super friendly too (hosts dogs) and like to play and come walking with you. We loved every minute and hope to be back next year!

Paul

Great hospitality and county location. Well appointed accommodation with all creature comforts. Perfect for our two Cockerpoos who felt right at home. Will definitely be back!

Garry

A very nice quite location and a very nice and helpful owner. (Jane) Reviewed by Trevor, 17th May 2019 It was ok as a base but it would have been nice to have had a better outlook that's our opinion. Garden fence is rather low if you have a dog that can jump!

Jenny

The barn conversion is very comfortable and spacious. Ideal place to take dogs on holiday with many lovely walks on the doorstop. The owner is very friendly and helpful. Loved seeing the horses in the paddock from the patio doors.

Susan

Jane was there to welcome us when we arrived and showed us around the property, everything we needed was there even for the dog, she made the dog feel welcome and all very comfortable for him, this was his first holiday and had lots of space for a run,cannot fault it at all..definitely would visit again.

Eileen

If you have dogs, this accommodation is fantastic, great walks, secure accommodation. spacious, relaxing environment. loved it

Suzanne

This cottage is perfect, a real converted barn. Very spacious. Mr and Mrs Gilbey could be more welcoming and heloful. If you have dogs lovely place to walk round the farm. The owners dogs are very welcoming. Really could not this place and will definitely be returning.

Stuart

Just had a great week with my dog Barnie at The Herdsman, a real home from home. Jane was a fantastic host, very welcoming, nothing seemed too much trouble. Barnie loved running through the fields with Jack and Barley, he didnt want to come home. Looking forward to returning soon.

A wonderful place to stay home from home. Made to feel very welcome by he owners. It is a great location central to either Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, London. Generous welcome basket. We look forward to staying again.

Megan

We were very happy with the cottage, it was the perfect weekend away. Jane, our host, was most attentive and informative about the cottage and its features. There is plenty of space to stretch your legs in the surroundings, our 3 dogs were very content! Would high recommend!

We stayed at the herdsmen for 3 nights on the 23rd August.what an amazing place.jane and steve were lovely including there dogs.lovely and peaceful.beautiful walks.the properly itself was absolutely stunning.comfy bed.everything you need in a property was there..Great place to wind down after a long week..we recommend this place to anybody. Will definitely be going back.love it .great hosts.. thankyou so much for a great stay x

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The Herdsman was lovely. It was very comfortable and well equipped. We had a very relaxing stay. We all enjoyed walking round the farm and seeing the beautiful animals. Especially the gorgeous dogs! Jane was welcoming and very helpful. Overall our stay was excellent.

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Emma Taylor

We had the most amazing stay at Ryeland hut, the setting was idyllic, it was completely private and surrounded by wonderful countryside. Jane was incredibly friendly and helpful, she provided all the necessary information and was on hand if we needed anything - she also has lots of gorgeous animals (dogs, horses, goats) that are around if you want to say hi 🥰 Could not recommend a stay here enough, it was magical ✨ thank you so much!

2026-09-02

A tranquil private meadow in amongst the trees. We arrived on the hottest day of the year, so the cool tub was much needed. The owner was welcoming and helpful. We stayed on site nearly the whole time not wanting to leave the peace and privacy . The hut was comfortable and spotless. Everything was perfect. Thank you.

Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Equipment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star

Paul and Alanna

A tranquil private meadow in amongst the trees. We arrived on the hottest day of the year, so the cool tub was much needed. The owner was welcoming and helpful. We stayed on site nearly the whole time not wanting to leave the peace and privacy . The hut was comfortable and spotless. Everything was perfect. Thank you for a very relaxing weekend.
The meadow and your very own arboretum are truly beautiful.

Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Equipment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star

2026-06-26

Jane Masterson

What a wonderful experience staying at Oaksbrook.
The hosts have been so thoughtful setting up this little countryside, glamping haven.
We stayed for a couple of nights in The Shepherds Hut.
A true escape.
Will return and would thoroughly recommend.
Thanks for having us!

2022-06-07

Amanda Stewart

Absolutely beautiful, very high standard of accommodation in sublime surroundings.
The glamping retreat is so beautifully designed - it feels a million miles from anywhere, but just across the bridge you have the farm, and a short walk to the nearby village of Messing.
The Shepherd's Hut is both environmentally friendly and offers every home comfort you could wish for, all in a tranquil location. We couldn't have asked for more from our friendly hosts.
Very highly recommended and worth every penny!

2021-09-05

Grace Bridgewater

One of the best trips I’ve taken, Jane’s place is peaceful and cosy with lovely views. The hut was in a private space and my dog loved exploring and I didn’t have to worry about him escaping. Jane was friendly and helpful and the cabin was all the amazing parts of camping with all of the home comforts of housing. I will definitely be recommending to friends and family! If I could give more than 5* I would!

Williams Party

The cottage facilities were excellent and beyond our expectations. Our dogs were made very welcome and there was a superb enclosed walking area. Highly recommend for a relaxing and comfortable break with friendly owners.

Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Equipment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 5 star
Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 star

Georgina Cannon

This place was amazing! We had such a relaxing time, away from London for a long weekend. Jane is by far the most caring air BnB host we have dealt with, she really looked after us and went above and beyond. We will be coming back!

Great location for us. Lovely walks for the dog. Very helpful and friendly. Very relaxing break. Make sure you book if you want to eat at the Old Crown, dogs welcome in bar area.

What a beautiful, comfortable holiday cottage. Just perfect for a couple looking for a place to escape. Private situation with the feel of being in the countryside but with shops a short drive away. Lovely hosts who give you all the privacy you need. Would certainly recommend.

Absolutely loved our time here and will definitely be planning a return visit, a week just did not seem long enough

Where to begin!! I absolutely adored my time at yours, it was true paradise, the most tranquil, beautiful place and I am so grateful to you for allowing me to experience it! Your hospitality and kindness throughout was second to none, so thank you so so much, it was very hard to leave.

The Art of Rest Day Retreat

About The Art of Rest Day Retreat

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Future Events

Sound Healing and Nature Morning Retreat 10/10/2026