making space for attention, imagination and wonder — rooted in the elements
Oakhill ponds is shaped by two spring-fed ponds — an 18th-century grotto and the surrounding woodland and meadows. It is a place formed by water, fire, air and stone. There are 25 acres, designed for small retreats, gatherings and stays close to nature. It offers an atmosphere that sparks imagination. Guests come to swim, read, write, take sauna and gather in small groups — finding depth, creativity and renewal in the rhythm of the land.
Oakhill ponds is a breathing space in Somerset — elemental, creative and alive with possibility.
stays
Our spaces are simple, beautiful, and rooted in the land.
Shepherds’ Huts — handcrafted luxury huts, with private gardens, hammocks, and wood-fired hot tubs.
Lotus Belle Tents — comfortable and spacious, each with a private shower, compost loo, outdoor kitchen, and hammock.
The Walled Garden — a beautifully crafted self-contained space with a 21-ft yurt, garden room, hot tub - this sits near to the main site.
Each stay has its own kitchen and facilities, with access to the ponds, saunas, woodland walks, and firelit evenings. There is also a shared outdoor kitchens, firepits, and dining areas for communal meals. Whether you choose a shepherd’s hut, a lotus belle tent, or the Walled Garden, every space has been designed to feel both comfortable and connected to the land.
Whether you come for solitude, a stay with friends, or a whole-site gathering, you’ll find space to breathe and time to reconnect.
Explore Stays
retreats
Seasonal gatherings shaped by water, fire, air, and stone. We host our own elemental, reading, and writing retreats, and welcome collaborations with practitioners and artists whose work resonates with the ethos of oakhill ponds.
Meals are shared in outdoor kitchens and around firelight — balancing solitude with community. These shared spaces sit alongside the privacy of each hut or tent, so you can choose solitude or connection as you wish.
wild swimming, sauna and firelight
At the heart of oakhill ponds are two spring-fed swimming ponds, clear and cool. Swim at dawn, float under stars, or plunge between saunas and cool water. Evenings often end by the fire — warmth, stories, and quiet company. Regular full moon swims help immerse us in the natural world.
a place shaped by water and history
Shaped in the 18th century as parkland and reservoirs for the Oakhill Brewery, the site still carries its hidden traces — grottoes, hermitage, tunnels, and moss-covered archways — inviting imagination and wonder today.
in the press
Oakhill Ponds has been featured on BBC Radio Somerset, sharing the story of our grotto, the history of the land, and our vision for this rewilded retreat.
