The Shepherds Hide
Thorrington, Colchester, Essex
The Shepherds Hide is a romantic and ensuite shepherd's hut for two, located on a family farm in the heart of the Essex coast. Hidden away in woodland beside a mill pond, reconnect with nature and experience this very special location.
About The Shepherds Hide
This luxurious glamping hut is tucked away in the heart of the Essex coast just outside Colchester. It is perfect for short breaks, romantic getaways, a rural retreat or for longer self-catering holidays in the countryside with excellent bird watching and walking on site and a range of tourist attractions nearby. The hut is perfect for two people and located on a family farm, hidden away in a wooded area adjacent to the mill pond in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Mill Farm is about 55 acres of a mixture of arable, grassland, salt marsh, tidal creeks, inland waters - and is the home of the only fully restored tide mill in Essex. For a holiday with nature, a rural retreat with luxury glamping accommodation in a peaceful and pretty location, look no further. The Shepherds Hide is also the perfect place for an autumn or winter glamping break, with a log burner, electricity and underfloor heating. Cosy, warm and relaxing, it houses a king size bed and furnished interior. A local breakfast hamper is provided for guests, including the farm's very own home grown strawberry jam and Welsummer chickens eggs for your first morning.
Open all year
The hut has an ensuite shower room and toilet. Please note that there is no internet connection.
Brightlingsea, approximately 2 minutes' drive away, offers a range of supermarkets including Tesco, shops, cafes, an outdoor pool, marina and sandy beaches lined with beach huts and promenade. Thorrington itself, offers a local store for basic supplies and post office and a pub called The Red Lion.
Adult only
Allow commercial vans
Allow pets
Bike hire
Café / restaurant
Communal BBQ
Disabled facilities
Drinking water
Electric hookups
Entertainment
Family friendly
Fires allowed
Fishing
Games room
Glamping
Golf
Horse riding
Hot tub
Internet access
Kids club
Kids playground
Laundry
Near beach
Near pub
Open year round
Peaceful
RV pitches
Shop
Showers
Swimming pool
Toilets
TV room
Vineyard
Water hookups
Watersports
W.C. disposal
There are 1 accommodation options on-site
The Shepherd's Hide
Max 2 people
An ideal hut for a couple with a log burner, king size bed, storage and electric cooker with hob, kettle and toaster. Ensuite shower room and toilet.
Site tariff
Interested in staying at The Shepherds Hide?
Call 01206 303608 to book.
Unfortunately The Shepherds Hide doesn't share their availability calendar with us yet. Availability changes quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend enquiring by phone to avoid missing out.
Site rules and policies
Please remember you are staying in a natural camping environment very close to water with live animals and other hazards. Some of the camp equipment can be dangerous if misused. The Shepherds Hide will not be responsible to you at all, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, restitution or otherwise for any injury, death, damage or direct, indirect or consequential loss (all three of which terms include without limitation pure monetary loss, loss of profits, loss of business or revenue, depletion of goodwill, lost expectation, loss of savings, lost data and similar loss) however caused arising from or in connection with the use of the facilities.
We advise that any guests with limited mobility contact us prior to booking.
Number of Guests per Property
The maximum number of guests permitted in The Shepherds Hide must not exceed the number stated on the booking form. The proprietor reserves the right to decline accommodation and to order any unauthorised person off the premises.
Breakages
Any damage or breakages which may occur must be paid for. Accidental damages or breakages of a minor nature will not normally be charged.
Complaints
Any complaints must be made known to the proprietor immediately. No complaints will be entertained at the end of the hiring period or after the hirer has departed. The Shepherds Hide is relieved from liability should the accommodation or other facilities be unavailable due to circumstances beyond our control.
Pets
No pets are allowed on site due to the site being located on a working farm.
Children
No children are allowed on site. A babe in arms who is able to sleep in a travel cot may be allowed at the owners discretion. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs. All guests must be 18 and over.
Day Visitors
The facilities are for the sole use of the residents only.
Bicycles
Guests bringing their own bicycles should ensure they are locked please bring locks with you. The proprietor cannot be held responsible for damage or theft to bicycles left on the property. Bicycles are NOT permitted within the properties nor on the public footpaths near to the Shepherds Hide.
Arrival and Departure
Bookings are from 3pm on the day of arrival to 10am on the day of departure. Timing on winter bookings and short breaks is flexible subject to owners approval.
Guests are asked to leave their accommodation clean and tidy when vacating. The owner reserves the right to gain access with prior notice for the purpose of maintenance and inspection if it is necessary.
WIFI and telephone signal
There is no connection to wifi at the Shepherds Hide and telephone signal can be intermittent. You may not be able to connect to the internet but you can connect to your natural surroundings.
Smoking
The Shepherds Hide and surrounding area, inlcuding the farm are all NON SMOKING. This is for safety reasons, partciularly in the summer months.
Mill Farm
Guests are asked to give consideration to our family farm and the people that live there and not to cause nuisance or annoyance at any time.
Things to do on site and in the Colchester area
Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town and is only 20 minutes drive away. It has a colourful history dating back over two thousand years. It's a history you can share by visiting the town's award-winning museums where you can see collections of international importance.
Dedham, set by the River Stour, is in the heart of Constable Country and is 25 minutes drive away. It was here that Britain's greatest landscape artist went to school. The attractive main street is lined with Georgian-fronted houses, old inns and a large art/crafts centre.
It is frequently rated as containing some of England's most beautiful Lowland landscape, most particularly the Water Meadows of the River Stour, which passes along the northern boundary of the village forming the boundary between the counties of Essex and Suffolk.
Dedham has a wide choice of really lovely places to eat, including the Boathouse, the Sun Inn or Milsoms - all of which are great. If your budget can stretch to it, Le Talbooth is an award winning restaurant with excellent service, food and atmosphere, right on the edge of the River Stour.
You can also visit the famous Flatford Mill from here which is owned by the National Trust.
Wivenhoe is a very picturesque town known for its fishing history, and only 10 minutes drive away. The streets are small and quaint, leading into each other and ending at the picturesque waterfront where fishing boats and small sailing craft bob up and down at their moorings. Enjoy The Black Buoy Pub for food and drink or dine at Valentino's a very unique Italian restaurant with a homely atmosphere.
Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze are both about 25 minutes drive away and are both traditional seaside towns.
The Naze - as well as being a natural open space, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) famed for its fossils found in the Red Crag cliffs.
As well as these glorious natural features, Walton is known for its pier - the second-longest in the country - its yacht club and marina, and its iconic tower at The Naze from where panoramic views can be enjoyed of the Walton backwaters, Harwich and Felixstowe and the Suffolk coast.
The tower - built in 1720 by Trinity House as a navigational aid for ships making for Harwich Harbour - is now an art gallery and tea rooms.
Walton has a fascinating history, wonderful walks and nature reserves, and is one of the driest places in England, with an average rainfall of less than 20 inches.
Harwich - a busy coastal town and international port located on the estuary of the rivers Stour and Orwell and is 25 minutes drive away. The old town of Harwich is a conservation area containing many historic buildings. The neighbouring town of Dovercourt, while appearing much more modern, actually merits a mention in the Domesday Book.
Aldeburgh - a little further afield but well worth the hours drive. It is one of the towns and villages that sits on the Amber Coast. With its mix of music and drama, fine eating and drinking, sailing and shopping - you'll definitely find something for everyone on the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
Southwold - just a further half an hour's drive from Aldburgh is also on the Amber Coast. All the attractions of the working lighthouse, beach huts, award-winning pier, Adnams Brewery, busy harbour, cliff top cannon and of course the beach, combine to make Southwold a quintessentially English resort town.
Interested in staying at The Shepherds Hide?
Call 01206 303608 to book.
Unfortunately The Shepherds Hide doesn't share their availability calendar with us yet. Availability changes quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend enquiring by phone to avoid missing out.
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