Ryeland Hut
Ryeland Shepherd Hut is an off-grid eco hut nestled in 20 acres of idyllic rural farmland. This beautiful oak-clad hut offers a unique glamping experience with a luxurious selection of home comforts including a cosy wood-burning stove, functional kitchen, en-suite hot shower and even your own tv, yet is completely self-contained.
Set 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.
There are currently just two structures onsite which are well spread out from one another but could equally make a perfect getaway for friends wanting to be together but with their own private facilities.
Parking is in a secure gated farmyard. There is a short walk approximately 500m to the accommodation and Glamping area and carts are provided if needed.
There is a small shop located on the farm with a range of gift items and our own branded food items such as preserves, BBQ relish, picnic pickles and chutneys, cereals, crisps, snacks and Belvoir Presse bottled drinks, ECO Chic cool bags, picnic blankets, bamboo cups, BBQ coal and other items.
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.
Sleeping arrangements
Sleeps 2 on a pull out bed.
Bathroom Facilities
Separating toilet with extractor fan, washbasin, vanity unit, fully enclosed shower. Towels provided.
Cooking Facilities
2 ring gas hob, gas oven and grill, log burning stove with hot plate, can be used for one-pot cooking meals. BBQ outside.
Internet Access
There is no internet access in this property.
Heating and Lighting
Log burning stove. Solar lighting outdoors and inside. 2 pendant lights and a spotlight in the bathroom. Hot shower on demand.
Child Policy
Adult only.
Pets Policy
No Pets
Grounds and Nearby
3/4 acre private grassland.
Parking Information
Ample parking on the farmyard close by.
Arrival Times
Check in from 17:30 and check out by 09:30
These are recommended check-in/out times to allow Covid-19 sanitisation, earlier/later times may be available by request with the owner
Public Transport
Kelverton railway station 1 mile away - London 1 hr on the train.
Oaksbrook
Brook Farm, Kelvedon Road
Messing, Essex CO5 9TA
United Kingdom
Local Facilities and shops
1 mile towards Kelvedon to Stonefields Farm shop. 2.5 miles to Kelvedon Mainline station. An hour train into Liverpool Street London. 3 miles to Tiptree for two supermarkets, takeaways, chemist, garage etc.
Oaksbrook Retreat at Brook Farm where the glampsite is situated, opens up to attractive grassland paddocks flanked with native trees and hedging within 20 acres. A walk along the boundary grassy track reveals a bee hive and some sheep or horses grazing in the summer months. Beyond the path at the far end is a 4 acre field, again this is rich meadow land with native trees dotted in amongst the grasses and a mowed track winding, so a great place to walk your dog. You'll find a pond which is nestled in the bottom corner, the mowed track continues through the sheep’s paddock which is next to a Brook. At the bottom of the field is a gate that leads to either a short walk through a small wooded area with a large Oak marking the entrance to the trail which takes you back to the pedestrian gate to the glampsite or footbridge across the broom to the public footpath or you can turn right up the gravelled track leading past the stables.
Your host Jane can offer Flower essence consultations, Reiki Healing and Equine Facilitated Learning sessions for personal growth and healing or meditation with the horses just for relaxation and de-stressing. Occasionally retreat type workshops or crafting events are held on-site in The Walnut Barn. There is also a small on-site shop selling gifts, locally made preserves and treats.
There is a small shop on the farmyard, here you can purchase a range of gift items and the owners own branded food items such as preserves, BBQ relish, picnic pickles and chutneys, cereals, crisps, snacks and bottled drinks, BBQ coals and other items.
What to do, why not let your creativity flow?
If you are interested in crafts why not get creative and join a crafting session in the Walnut barn in the farmyard with the owner Jane. She offers the following various 2 hr sessions in : Needle Felting for Beginners - create your own furry friend using a mixture of our very own Coloured Ryeland Sheep’s wool and Marino wool.
Create a Vision Board - set your goals and intentions and create a picture to help manifest your dreams. Guided meditation to help visualise and sew those seeds for your vision. other courses can be arranged with the owner.
Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, at a site of international importance for winter wildfowl. Nesting cormorants, common terns and nightingales. Nature trails and bird hides. Shop selling gifts, optics and wildlife books.
Aqua Springs
The ultimate health spa experience. Providing you with a complete environment of rest and relaxation, to soothe, revitalise and transform. Try the range of beauty & relaxation treatments.
Beth Chatto Gardens
Planning on visiting the amazing Beth Chatto Gardens?…If so, click here to get the latest information direct from the official Colchester tourism site!
Blackwater Boats
Blackwater Dawn’, a traditional Narrowboat, offering public trips on Sundays and Bank Holidays also private charters for that special occasion.
Blakes Wood
Bourne Mill
National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped “Dutch” gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.
Ryeland Shepherd Hut is an off-grid eco hut nestled in 20 acres of idyllic rural farmland. This beautiful oak-clad hut offers a unique glamping experience with a luxurious selection of home comforts including a cosy wood-burning stove, functional kitchen, en-suite hot shower and even your own tv, yet is completely self-contained.
Set 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.
There are currently just two structures onsite which are well spread out from one another but could equally make a perfect getaway for friends wanting to be together but with their own private facilities.
Parking is in a secure gated farmyard. There is a short walk approximately 500m to the accommodation and Glamping area and carts are provided if needed.
There is a small shop located on the farm with a range of gift items and our own branded food items such as preserves, BBQ relish, picnic pickles and chutneys, cereals, crisps, snacks and Belvoir Presse bottled drinks, ECO Chic cool bags, picnic blankets, bamboo cups, BBQ coal and other items.
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.
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Interior and Facilities
Shepherds Belle
- Double bed
- Solid wood furnishings
- Coir matting, rugs and throws
- Two folding camping chairs
- Bunting, solar lamps
- Bedding and cushions
Outside
A picnic table with umbrella
Croft Hut
- Corner shower
- Seperatt Waterless urine separating compost toilet with extractor fan
- Wash basin unit, cupboard containing washing up bowl and cleaning materials, dust pan, wipes etc plus cook pans
- Bench seat to house battery’s and solar controls
- Low cabinet
- Fridge
- Silver Fire Rocket stove which is a wood fired cooker for boiling kettles or cooking a single pan meal. It also has a skillet attachment and a large cook pot with it.
- Mini BBQ
- Bucket with coal, kindling and fire lighter starter kit. ( more can be purchased on site) Cookware and kitchenware pack of useful items
- Coat hooks and space to store boots
- The hut does have electric lighting and phone charging point. (We ask that guests try to avoid using high wattage items to maintain battery power from the solar panels)
- Solid wooden steps that double as a seat outside.
Shepherds Belle
The spacious Belle Tent has a lovely double bed on a metal bedstead, bedding and cushions solid wood furnishings, coir matting, rugs and throws, two folding camping chairs, bunting and solar lamps.
Outside
A private garden, decking with picnic table. Cooking is done outdoors only. Parking is in the secure gated farmyard. There is a short 500-meter walk to the accommodation and Glamping area and carts are provided if needed. The structure is approached on part gravel and then mown grass path. If someone has difficulties walking far, they can drive to drop off luggage.
Croft Hut
Croft Hut (little shepherds hut) next to the tent has a corner shower powered from a boiler so hot water is on-demand.
Waterless separating compost toilet with extractor fan.
Washbasin unit, cupboard containing washing up bowl and cleaning materials, dustpan, plus cooking pans Bench seat to house batteries and solar controls. 3-day cool box (ice packs and fridge available in site office, access arranged with the owner).
Cooking facilities: Silver Fire Rocket stove which is a wood-fired cooker for boiling kettles or cooking a single pan meal. It also has a skillet attachment and a large cooking pot. Also a mini BBQ. The croft hut does have electric lighting and a phone charging point. (Guests are asked to try to avoid using high wattage items to maintain battery power from the solar panels).
Misc: Coat hooks and storage for boots etc.
Plugin phone charger.
Battery packs on request.
For those requiring a quicker kettle boiling experience we have available to purchase camping gas mini stoves for £15.00 or there may be one available to borrow.
• Sleeps 2 - double pull out bed with three spacious draws beneath.
• A solid oak door with a blacksmith made wrought iron fittings leads through to the en-suite facilities which consist of a walk-in shower cubicle, washbasin and vanity unit. There is a composting waterless toilet with an extractor fan.
• The hut has electric lighting. It is a 12 V system powered by Solar and a battery pack for phone charging as there are no sockets other than those used for the 12v appliances. The owners can provide 230v standard electricity on request in the office/reception nearby.
• Cosy bedding, cushions, throws and towels are all provided.
• The neat-fitted kitchen with solid oak worktop and small Belfast sink with a mixer tap is a cute space to prepare your breakfasts. There is a small oven with a grill and two ring gas hob.
• A three-day cool box is provided and further ice blocks are available to keep your treats super cool.
• There is an additional fridge in the office if required.
• There is a small TV in the living area so you can curl up in bed and watch a film on a rainy day.
• A cosy log burning stove sits in the corner of the hut with a hot plate where you can cook one-pot meals or make your morning cuppa. All cookware, kitchenware, cutlery are provided in the kitchen.
• There is no wifi at the property but a good 4g signal.
• Outside you have a Mini BBQ with a bucket with coal, kindling and a fire-lighter starter kit provided. ( more can be purchased on-site). There is a picnic table with shade sail.
• The owners have meditation space in the Walnut barn on the farm. Guests are welcome to join any of the courses and workshops that may be running at the time.
5 reviews for Ryeland Hut
For those requiring a quicker kettle boiling experience we have available to purchase camping gas mini stoves for £12.00

Woodland Champions Club CERTIFIED
Woodland Champions Club was established in 2017 to help landowners create and manage woodland and open them up for members of the pubic to use. Their commitment is to plant trees with the help of the woodland trust and site members.
The Farm
The broader farm opens up to attractive grassland paddocks flanked with native trees and hedging, a walk along the boundary grassy track reveals a bee hive and there may be sheep or horses grazing in the summer months. Beyond the path at the far end is a 4 acre field, again this is rich meadow land with native trees dotted in amongst the grasses and a mowed track winding through it, a pond is nestled in the bottom corner, the mowed track continues through our sheep’s paddock which is next to a Brook. At the bottom of the field is a gate which leads to ether a short walk through a small wooded area next to the broom with a large Oak marking the entrance to the trail which takes you back to the pedestrian gate to the Glamp site or foot bridge a cross the broom to the public footpath or you can turn right up the gravelled track leading past the stables and equestrian facilities to the car park.
A small shop is also on site adjacent our Herdsman Barn within the Courtyard by the car park. We have a range of gift items and our own branded food items such as preserves, BBQ relish, picnic pickles and chutneys, cereals, crisps, snacks and Belvoir Presse bottled drinks, BBQ coal and other items. We are constantly revising and adding to our range.
The broader farm opens up to attractive grassland paddocks flanked with native trees and hedging, a walk along the boundary grassy track reveals a bee hive and there may be sheep or horses grazing in the summer months. Beyond the path at the far end is a 4 acre field, again this is rich meadow land with native trees dotted in amongst the grasses and a mowed track winding through it, a pond is nestled in the bottom corner, the mowed track continues through our sheep’s paddock which is next to a Brook. At the bottom of the field is a gate which leads to ether a short walk through a small wooded area next to the broom with a large Oak marking the entrance to the trail which takes you back to the pedestrian gate to the Glamp site or foot bridge a cross the broom to the public footpath or you can turn right up the gravelled track leading past the stables and equestrian facilities to the car park.
A small shop is also on site adjacent our Herdsman Barn within the Courtyard by the car park. We have a range of gift items and our own branded food items such as preserves, BBQ relish, picnic pickles and chutneys, cereals, crisps, snacks and Belvoir Presse bottled drinks, BBQ coal and other items. We are constantly revising and adding to our range.
Other Accommodation

The Herdsman

Shepherds Belle And Croft Hut
from £95.00 / night
Anonymous –
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.
Anonymous –
Absolutely loved our time here and will definitely be planning a return visit, a week just did not seem long enough
Anonymous –
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.
Anonymous –
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.
Anonymous –
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.