This is a Camping and Caravanning Club Certificated Site, which accept caravans or motorhomes and usually tents. This is a club member only site - you can usually join on site
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Quiet, simple site in a relatively remote (by foot) location.
Very peaceful and quiet, no road noise. Some limited noise from aeroplanes occasionally perhaps from Southend?). L
2 very clean, spacious bathrooms with toilet, sink, shower and chair to sit on. Plenty of hooks to put towels etc on.
Shower is a good temperature, and no timer. So good to have a nice shower when you're camping!
Soap is provided at all sinks, but no hand towel. Ramped entrance.
2 further single cubicles. Cold water only at sinks. Mirror in bathrooms.
Washing up sink, no plug, cold water only.
Very neat water point, and elsan point.
Some EHU points, some pitches without. Gently sloping site.
Sometimes there are sheep in the neighbouring field, and there are often chickens wandering around - so suitable for well behaved dogs.
There is a small information room, complete with electric hook up cables to lend, and ground spikes for dogs to be secured to.
Honesty box for chicken eggs. Very helpful space in both fridge and freezer free to use. Also general information about the local area, walks etc.
Excellent full recycling facilities.
Payment by cash into cash tin. Pitches are allocated in advance - there are little chalk boards with your name on next to the pitch.
Very reasonably priced. At time of writing £7. 50 per adult (extra for children, electric hook up, no charge for dogs). Camping and Caravanning certified.
No children's play area. Seemed most popular with older couples with caravans or motorhomes. No wifi.
There is a pub a longer walk away, but closed on Sunday evening and Mondays. There are plenty of pubs a car ride away.
There is a footpath directly to the canal path, and a walk to the canalside cafe Paper Mill Lock (which is a bit expensive, but quite good).
There are kayaks to hire in the summer months, and canalboat trips from there.
There is an adjacent holistic therapy centre offering yoga and massage etc, but you need to book a week in advance minimum - no popping in to join.
A tiny light aircraft airstrip is also next to the site, but we didn't see any planes.
We stayed for 2 nights, 2 adults, a four year old and one dog
A perfect 'away from it all' campsite, beautiful countryside.
I loved the small grass landing strip and it was really nice to see the one small plane take off and land.
Child & Dog friendly, Mary was lovely, welcoming and helpful!
Showers/toilets were fine.
Fridges available for campers use, fresh eggs available to purchase.
A short walk to the canal where several campers launched their dinghy's.
Chickens on site but not a nuisance as they were penned up most of the time and didn't wander far when they weren't.
This site was perfect for me as I love to be out in the middle of nowhere. I would definitely return, preferably mid week in term time when I imagine it would be exceptionally quiet.
Lovely dog walks although the children staying there played ball so much with my dog she hardly needed much walking.
Great Pubs a short drive away but none really in walking distance. We Drove to papermill lock but could not get parked to take advantage of the tea shop but it was a bank holl weekend.
Don't know where shops were as only stayed 2 nights
We stayed here in the Autumn when we felt we needed a complete break. This site certainly lived up to its name as far as we were concerned. It is a small, friendly certificated site. We were the only campers, so found the peace and quiet we were seeking. Our only companions were the friendly chickens. (Their eggs are available to purchase). However, the owner was extremely helpful, and laid on the options for us to try and ensure we were not stuck on the camping field, as it had been very wet. We were left alone unless we asked for anything - ideal as far as we were concerned.
There is the option to book up Healthy exercise classes and treatments in the 'on site' Holistic Living Centre. I cannot comment on this as we did not avail ourselves of this opportunity. However, it is obviously very popular, as it was well visited. These visitors to the site did not disturb us in any way at all, as they do not come onto the camping field or use the facilities. We only shared the car parking spaces.
There are two toilets with washing facilities, which were kept scrupulously clean. I did find the ramps into them somewhat slippery, but the owners cannot be held responsible for the wet weather! (The alternative of steps with handrail would have been less scary for me, however, I have limited mobility and I suspect others would have been fine with the slope. Also slopes are supposed to be more disabled friendly, even though I personally do not find this to be so. ) As we mostly stayed in our van and privacy awning, we did not have much need to use the facilities anyway.
To access the site, you have to go down a fairly long, downward sloping lane, (a little bumpy, but not too much of a problem. ) This does mean you are not troubled with passing traffic noise, (wonderful, ) but if you fancied a walk back up to the village you would have to negotiate the hill first! The camping field is on a bit of a gentle slope, but we had a level pitch, with hookup.
We had a stunning view of the beautiful Chelmer Valley. You can walk down to the river, and then along its banks in either direction, without encountering either noise or traffic - just the scenery, wildlife and birds (we saw a kingfisher). You do have to cross a grassy, private, small, light plane landing strip but we only saw one plane during our whole week stay there. The walk in one direction can take you to a friendly (but basic) tea rooms by the lock on the river. Their cakes are tasty! (Gluten free also available when we were there. )
As we were alone, I cannot comment upon 'child friendliness'. However, I see no reason why this would be a problem, so long as the children stay on the site and do not stray onto the farm.
We did think that it was rather more expensive than we would normally expect to pay for similar small sites. As it was just what we needed at the time though, we happily paid up and would thoroughly recommend the site to anyone seeking peace and quiet and temporary 'escape'. The Retreat's own website says that The Retreat 'will help you relax and unwind from the stresses and strains of modern day living'. We certainly would agree with that statement, and would love to return there again soon.
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Common Questions
Is The Retreat Farm Certificated Site child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to The Retreat Farm Certificated Site? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
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The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
No Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Club Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
No Washing Up Area 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
No Laundry 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
No Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <5 miles 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing On Site 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
No Horse Riding 
No Cycle Hire 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
No Beach 
Watersports On Site 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport 
No Dog Walk 
Quiet, simple site in a relatively remote (by foot) location. 
