- ACCOMMODATION -

THE SHEPHERDS BELLE AND CROFT HUT

- ACCOMMODATION -

RYELAND

LUXURY GLAMPING IN COLCHESTER, ESSEX

The semi off-grid glamping site offers guests a chance to escape the humdrum and busy pace of life, making time to enjoy a unique glamping experience, just one hour from London. The beautiful accommodation - including a glorious lotus belle and tent and your very own croft hut - offers all the facilities you need for a romantic break away. All electricity is supplied by Solar power, this beautiful site is the perfect place to escape.

SPEND THE DAY

Oaksbrook is a nature inspired, wellness retreat at Brook Farm in the North Essex countryside. Brook Farm is home to Steve and Jane Gilbey, their two Golden Retrievers Jack and Barley, Janes horses and pet sheep, chickens and cats. Our dog friendly, “Herdsman” self catering barn, boasts spacious open plan living with a separate king size bedroom and ensuite, its own 
From £120.00

THE SHEPHERDS BELLE AND CROFT HUT

• 2 Guests  • 1 Bedroom  • 1 Bed  • 1 Bathroom
100% · 10 Reviews

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.

Pets Policy

Bring your pets along for the stay.

Pets allowed

We will allow one small well behaved dog in the hut. We may consider two dogs or a larger breed at our discretion (please contact us first before booking if you have large or medium sized dogs).

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Garden – Fully fenced

An open space on the property usually covered in grass


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.


The semi off-grid glamping site offers guests a chance to escape the humdrum and busy pace of life, making time to enjoy a unique glamping experience, just one hour from London. The beautiful accommodation - including a glorious lotus belle and tent and your very own croft hut - offers all the facilities you need for a romantic break away. All electricity is supplied by Solar power, this beautiful site is the perfect place to escape.

Set within a secluded meadow of long grasses and wildflowers and plenty of native trees, you'll feel true nature all around you. A nearby footpath runs along the adjacent field so you can walk to the Messing village, (1 mile) where you'll find The Old Crown Pub which also has a Delicatessen shop out the back.

Inside Shepherds Belle you'll find an attractive black metal double bed with colourful bedding and solar lighting, creating a really cosy atmosphere. Think ethnic bohemian style with solid wood furniture and colourful soft furnishings.

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The tent has a back and front door flap, windows with insect nets and a silky roof curtain, which when lowered reveals a clear ceiling enabling you to lay back and relax viewing the night sky and stars above from the comfort of your bed. Measuring 5m the tent is spacious and has excellent headroom due to the unique shape and high walls.

Have fun cooking outdoors on the Silver Fire Rocket stove; a wood-fired cooker for boiling kettles or knocking up single pan meals. It also has a skillet attachment and a large cooking pot. There is also a Mini BBQ supplied with cookware and kitchenware. All crockery is provided.

In addition to the tent, guests have exclusive use of their own little green Croft which sits neatly beside the tent. The Croft hut is a utility and washing hut, with a 3-day cool box (ice packs and fridge available in site office, access arranged with the owner), large corner shower, waterless toilet, a large ceramic hand basin set on a painted oak sideboard.

An additional hot and cold tap is situated outside on the back of the hut which is ideal for washing up after a BBQ. This is a great location for exploring the local towns and villages including Chelmsford and Colchester.

On the same glamping site is Ryeland Hut perfect for friends or couples, the hut is 40m away and well screened for privacy.

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Shepherds Belle & Croft Hut can be booked with Ryeland Hut to accommodate up to 4 guests.

REVIEWS

THE FARM

Oaksbrook is a nature inspired, wellness retreat at Brook Farm in the North Essex countryside. Brook Farm is home to Steve and Jane Gilbey, their two Golden Retrievers Jack and Barley, Janes horses, pet sheep, chickens and cats. Our dog friendly, “Herdsman” self catering barn, boasts spacious open plan living with a separate king size bedroom and ensuite, its own enclosed small courtyard garden and on site walks on our beautiful 20 acre farm.

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.

Oaksbrook is a member of or listed with…

OUR STORY

Oaksbrook is a nature inspired, wellness retreat at Brook Farm in the North Essex countryside. Brook Farm is home to Steve and Jane Gilbey, their two Golden Retrievers Jack and Barley, Janes horses and pet sheep, chickens and cats. Our dog friendly, “Herdsman” self catering barn, boasts spacious open plan living with a separate king size bedroom and ensuite, its own enclosed small courtyard garden and on site walks on our beautiful 20 acre farm.

The horses at Brook Farm and the other animals are the centre of Jane and Steves lives. Our lifestyle and our business are inspired by them. Our love of nature has also shaped the way Brook Farm has evolved in the last 12 years since we have lived here. We have created so much habitat for wildlife and that has been so gratifying as we now are seeing so many species of Flora and Forna at the farm.

Jane Gilbey

Other Accommodation

The Ryeland

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.

The Herdsman

Set amongst acres of rolling countryside, the farm on which the barn is situated, offers additional activities such as complimentary therapies and classes on the doorstep. Those wishing to find scenic footpaths or cycle tracks need not venture far with local woods and for day trips, why not take a short drive to Mersea Island with locally caught seafood, sailing and beaches or a boat charter from Maldon.

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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.