Welcome to Oakhill Ponds
We're Rob and Amanda, and we're so glad you've found your way here. Oakhill Ponds is more than just a retreat; it's our home, our project, and our passion. Nestled in the beautiful Somerset countryside, this is a place where nature, creativity and community come together. Alongside our daughter Iona and our two enthusiastic dogs, Mabel and Freddie, we're delighted to share this little corner of the world with you.
Our Story
We moved to Somerset from the northern edge of London at a natural turning point in our lives. With our two eldest daughters about to leave for further education and our youngest just starting school, we felt ready for change—a shift rather than a repeat. We longed for more space to explore our artistic vision and deepen our relationship with the natural world.
For over a decade, we had been cultivating spaces for reflection, creativity, and connection through Breathing Space, a community arts and ‘slow movement’ venture we co-ran with our friend, artist and collaborator Heather Ellis. Through this work, we grew to appreciate the rhythms of stillness and activity and the interconnectedness of all life—an understanding that continues to shape our way of living at Oakhill Ponds.
We believe true engagement with the world requires both action and introspection. To participate fully, we must also pause—to ponder, to play, to question. Slowing down allows us to notice what is already present—the movement of water, the pattern of bird flight, the shifting seasons—and to learn from the more-than-human world we are part of. In these moments of stillness, we realign, rediscover and return to life with fresh energy and imagination.
Our family includes three wonderful daughters: one exploring life in Japan, another in London, and our youngest, Iona, still at home with us. Rob’s dad, Denis, is part of our home too—always ready to share his love of archaeology and history.
Rob balances wild swims, tending the land and off-grid experiments with writing a children’s novel—all while holding down a day job in tech. Amanda is training as a celebrant and continues to draw inspiration from the beauty and rhythm of this place.
Oakhill Ponds Story
Oakhill Ponds is part of a landscape long shaped by both water and human hands. Our home, The Beeches, was once at the heart of Oakhill Brewery’s operations in the 18th century, and over time, the ponds and surrounding land served the brewery owners in various ways. The photo at the top of this page is of the Oakhill Brewery workers in front of The Beeches, our home. Though the years have brought change, traces of this past remain—quiet echoes of a time when water, industry, and the natural world were closely intertwined.
Yet even before the brewery’s influence, this land was designed to stir the imagination. The grotto with its hermit’s cave, the tunnel beneath the ponds, and the waterfall all speak of an era when landscapes were crafted not just for beauty, but to inspire reflection, play, and inner journeys. Today, we continue that tradition—curating retreats, resources, and installations that invite people to step into stillness, engage with the land, and discover new perspectives.
After years of quiet neglect, the land has partly rewilded itself and is now home to buzzards, kingfishers, owls, butterflies, bats, a family of deer, and more. Off-grid and self-sustaining, Oakhill Ponds remains a place of inspiration—rooted in history, yet always evolving.
Story of the site - 2022-2024
What you'll find here
Rooted in Nature
Spring-fed ponds, wildflower meadows, and marshland rich in wildlife. Buzzards spiral overhead, dragonflies skim the water, and deer move through the trees. We've planted an orchard and groves of oak, elder, silver birch, and willow—nurturing the land as it flourishes.
Wild Swimming & Movement
Swim in cool, spring-fed ponds— at eye level with dragonflies, frogs, and the shifting reflections of sky and reeds. We can arrange yoga, pilates, or paddle-board pilates sessions—on land or water—offering time to stretch, strengthen, and reconnect in a natural setting.
Fire, Heat & Cold Water Therapy
A wood-fired sauna, once a horsebox, now a space of deep warmth and restoration. Step from the heat into dip-tanks or a spring-fed shower for Finnish-style contrast therapy—awakening body and mind.
Simple Comforts, Thoughtfully Designed
Off-grid, low-impact stays in yurts, shepherd huts, and Lotus Belle tents—where sustainability meets comfort.
Creativity & Connection
Retreats and workshops in reading, writing, environmental art, movement, and making—offering space to slow down, reflect, and engage with the land in new ways.
We’re not experts or gurus—just two people with a love for the land, a spark of creativity, and a desire to share this special place. Whether you come to rest, create, or swim, there’s a warm welcome here for you.
Come and explore Oakhill Ponds and this beautiful corner of Somerset. We’d love to share it with you.