FAQs

We have 2 Shepherds Huts (Alice and Chiyo-ni which can be booked year round) and 4 Lotus Belle tents which can be booked in the summer season.

We also have a 21ft Yurt in the beautiful setting of the Walled Garden which can also be booked in the summer.

Finally we offer a 3 bedroom apartment, Upper Beeches, just a couple of minutes walk away from our main site.

Yes - we have drinking water on-site. All of our water is spring fed and filtered. In addition each tent has its own dedicated drinking water tap which has been additionally passed through a UV-filter. The cold water in the Shepherds Huts are also UV-filtered and approved for drinking. 

Our drinking water is regularly tested by the council and approved as being drinkable.

The beds in the Shepherds Huts cleverly store away to maximise the available space. The videos below show how to access them and store them away again.

Chiyo-ni: How to access the bed in Chiyo-ni

Alice: How to access the bed in Alice

Yes. Both of our Shepherds Huts have their own wood fired, Hikki Bohemen hot tub for your exclusive use. We aim to fill these for you before you arrive but you will need to heat them yourselves. Full instructions are provided and we can give advice if you need it. The process takes about 1.5 hours in the summer and 2 hours in the winter.

Here is a reel with one of our guests showing how to do it (it has been speeded up) oakhill ponds hot tub reel 

We provide matches, fire lighters, kindling and enough wood for two good fires so you can get warm when you arrive. You may need extra wood which you are welcome to bring with you, buy locally or which we can sell to you if you prefer. A link to pre-order wood is here Online Shop

You will need extra wood to heat your hot tub.

Yes. Each tent has its own dedicated toilet and shower which only you will use during your stay. The hot shower is filtered spring water and the toilet is a top of the range compost loo with separator to ensure it is smell free.

Each tent has its own drinking water tap which has filtered spring water, which is also passed through a UV filter to ensure it is safe to drink. We regularly test the water to ensure it is safe and it is also regularly tested by the council who approve it as safe for drinking. 

Everyone MUST book a ticket before arriving on site, this includes members. Some tickets are free (e.g. member's swim) but regardless of price, tickets and waivers must be held by all that visit us. If a ticket or a time slot is not available it has indeed sold out, Please do not call to check we can not add on any extras.

Yes, membership gives you access to swim at the ponds many times a week and is the most economical way to swim here. Also guests who are staying in any of our tent, shepherds hut or yurt accommodation also have access to swim. The sauna can be booked privately for an exclusive hire without being a member when available. The membership is managed through our website here

In addition we offer a limited number of visitor swim slots during most swim times. 

All swims must be booked on the website - if you can't see an available slot it means there is no swimming at that time.

No. We are a nature rich, conservation area so dogs cannot be brought by anyone swimming or using the sauna.

Please don’t eat or drink (except water) on the pond banks and take water bottles, rubbish and all belongings home with you.

⁠Quick snacks: If you’re coming straight from work and need a quick snack before or after your swim, you may use the shaded kitchen area during Monday–Thursday 12–2pm sessions, provided it isn’t being used by overnight guests. Please use the bins, leave no food or crumbs behind, and don’t use the gas burners, equipment, crockery or cutlery

If you are asking this then Oakhill Ponds is probably not the pace for you. We are a place for people to enjoy the fresh air and the bird song. Alcohol is not allowed around the lakes at all and there is a strict no swimming after alcohol policy for the safety of all our guests.

No. Swimwear must be worn at all times please as it is a shared site.

At certain times of the year, especially summer and early autumn, the pondweed can grow quite quickly. We have chosen to use a manual raking process, assisted by many wonderful helpers. Some sites use a dye to try and manage pondweed but we have chosen not to do this for aesthetic reasons, but use a natural, if labour intensive, alternative. 

Pondweed is natural, seasonal and safe and we are doing our best to keep it manageable. Please email [email protected] if you want more information about joining our pondweeding group.

Yes, we hold a full moon swim every month. Other than what's mentioned, no other swimming is permitted in the dark. 

Yes, up to 24 hours before your swim or sauna you can log into your account and either cancel or move a booking. 

It is not possible to cancel or amend a booking less than 24 hours before the event and all tickets are non-refundable after this time due to the amount of admin time this was taking; so please make sure that your booking is correct at the time of making it or cancel/change it well in advance. 

Please do not contact us directly to ask us to cancel/amend your ticket as we will not be able to help.

Access is to the swimming pond and shower and compost loo areas. Swimming visitors, including swim club members, are asked not to access the wider site which is reserved for our residential guests

We offer private sauna sessions which are open to non-members. You can book a time here - choose a date, press add, press exclusive sauna and you get the option to choose a time. The private sauna session is for up to 4 people, with access to the swimming ponds, dip tank, outdoor shower and spacious changing tent

No. Swimwear must be worn at all times please as it is a shared site.

No. We are a nature rich, conservation area so dogs cannot be brought by anyone swimming or using the sauna.

Yes. The sauna experience includes full access to the swimming pond for a hot / cold experience.

Sauna sessions are all for a set time which allows plenty of time for approximately 4 to 6 rounds of alternate heat and cold dipping. If you are late, you will still be able to join the sauna session but we can’t extend your time.

Yes, up to 24 hours before your swim or sauna you can log into your account (using the email you booked under) and either cancel or move a booking. 

It is not possible to cancel or amend a booking less than 24 hours before the event and all tickets are non-refundable after this time due to the amount of admin time this was taking; so please make sure that your booking is correct at the time of making it or cancel/change it well in advance. 

Please do not contact us directly to ask us to cancel/amend your ticket as we will not be able to help.