The Wild Retreat

View prices & book 8.7 35 reviews
Bell tents
Bell tents
The on-site lake
Taking a yoga class from the stage
Yoga class at the woodland stage
Bell tents come with picnic tables
Bell tents
Bell tents on their pitches
Well-maintained grass pitches
1/60
New
The on-site lake
Taking a yoga class from the stage
Yoga class at the woodland stage

  • Well-kept and family-friendly Hertfordshire site on the River Stort
  • London Stanstead Airport 20 minutes’ drive; Lea Valley Park 25 minutes
  • On-site archery lessons, inflatable assault course and dog walks
Overlooking the calm waters of the River Stort in Hertfordshire, The Wild Retreat is a well‑kept, family‑friendly hideaway with more than its fair share of shaded woodland trails – ideal for exercising your four-legged pals – and paddleboarding expeditions along the river. And the ‘get back to nature’ vibe doesn’t end there, as you also have the option of wild swimming in the lake or the inflatable assault course… And always remember to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife whichever adventure you choose. When you’re ready for further action, choose from guided yoga sessions on the lake or at the woodland stage, join in archery lessons and play classic children’s games. Music lover? There are occasional festivals and weekend concerts during the summer months too. The camping field is neatly mown and sheltered by trees; picnic tables are scattered around the pitches so you can eat alfresco in comfort – spark up a barbecue or bring in a takeaway from Sawbridgeworth (10 minutes’ drive). Modern facilities – including a toilet block and heated outdoor showers – make staying this close to nature effortless for one and all, and thanks to quick links to London (40 minutes by train from Sawbridgeworth) and London Stansted Airport (20 minutes’ drive), this spot makes a handy overnight stopover as part of your longer journey.

Site type

Tent pitches 20
Motorhome pitches 3
Rent a tent 13
Open now
Opens 13 June
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Guests must bring their own duvets, pillows, sheets and towels when staying in rental accommodation. You will not be allowed to stay if you do not bring these items.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 13 Jun to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children
Other options

Reviews

8.7

Overall rating from 35 Pitchup.com customers

  • 45%
    10
  • 31%
    9
  • 11%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 2%
    5
  • 2%
    4
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    3
  • 0%
    2
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    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 7
Lake and/or mountain

89% would recommend this site to a friend

86% would stay here again

What customers say

Grand spot, proper good for a dip. Staff are sound, plenty of comfy spots, hammocks and good craic with the music and fire. Mind you, the road's a bit of a trek for the big cars, loos could be cleaner, and the factory's noisy. Rubbish disposal and hot water were a bit iffy, and one night's party put the wind up some.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 4
Arrival date (latest first)

The lake is really close and…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Matt O.

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The lake is really close and great fun for the kids.

Staff there are extremely welcoming and friendly

Disliked Nothing! Will definitely be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great spot, lovely team, lots to do

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 8
Vicky O.

Electric optional grass and earth motorhome pitch

Liked Funky vibe, lots of shade, access to the lake

Recommend to friends Visit again

Brilliant for everyone, any age....

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Chris S.

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Loved the lake, archery, bar & DJ.

Great team on site, very helpful.

Disliked Nothing, thought it was all great !!

Recommend to friends Visit again

The helpful and friendly staff. The…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 5
Brian M.

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The helpful and friendly staff. The relaxed vibe and beautiful setting.
Loved the wooded area, was a welcome respite from the heatwave and great place to chill. The food options, whilst quite small, was sensibly priced and tasty.
Lots of activities and, again, reasonably priced.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Exceptional stay

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The atmosphere
The utilities
The staff were super friendly
The lake
Communal football and football goal

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stay, clean, friendly & such positive vibes.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Bex L.

Bell tent (six person)

Liked The grounds were clean but yet still keeping the wild vibe. It was filled with families & good energy!
The hammocks, cushions and all the little touches made it so inviting. Lots to do & inclusive for everyone.
Our tent was immaculate, with two double sofa beds that were so comfortable. We were extremely happy with our stay and will be coming again

Disliked Not a dislike just felt the sign to the office could be bigger and more obvious but we are a bit scatty

Recommend to friends Visit again

The site is really nice during…

Overall

4 out of 10
Location
 3
Value for money
 5
Accommodation
 3
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 6
Child friendliness
 7
Cleanliness
 5
Wifi
 No rating
Rick K.

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The site is really nice during the day and the people are friendly.

Disliked There is a huge cement factory really near the campsite, so there's a lot of heavy industrial noise all night.

Despite being a kind of folksy/hippy vibe there was a weird choice of loud music until 23:00.... like old skool UK garage hits and Kevin Little.

The toilet block is also pretty ropey.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A gorgeous campsite and a lovely…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 7
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Bell tent (six person)

Liked A gorgeous campsite and a lovely team! We had everything we needed, and they were keen to help us out wherever they could. The activities were lovely, super chilled vibes. Really helps you get away from the city life for a while! We’d recommend morning yoga followed by a dip in the lake!

Disliked Bring your own plates for food you buy from them! Maybe common for others, but we weren’t aware. Just a tip for upcoming visits.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Bloody lovely spot!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Anonymous

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Feels like you're in the middle of nowhere but amenities all within walking distance! Great staff l, great vibes and loved the wooded area!

Disliked Access to the towpath from campsite would be nice..

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely surroundings and tent. Enjoyed the…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Bell tent (six person)

Liked Lovely surroundings and tent. Enjoyed the lake which is beautiful.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports Wild swimming

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Forest Peaceful Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No hot water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Fishing nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Water hook-up points for tourers

Location

The Wild Retreat

Redricks Lane

Redricks Lakes

Sawbridgeworth

Hertfordshire

England

CM21 0RL

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.79183°N
0.11707°E

Nearest transport

Coach
2.8 km Bus Station
9 km Interchange
12.3 km South Road
Rail
1.1 km Harlow Mill Rail Station
1.9 km Harlow Town Rail Station
3.9 km Sawbridgeworth Rail Station
Ferry
32.7 km East India Pier
32.9 km Woolwich Ferry North Pier
33.1 km North Greenwich Pier
Airport
14.8 km London Stansted Airport
32.3 km London City Airport
35.4 km London Luton Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Local attractions and activities include: - Golf course: 10 minutes’ drive - The Gibberd Garden (sculpture trail and follies): 10 minutes - TeamSport Go Karting Harlow: 10 minutes - Henry Moore Studios & Gardens: 20 minutes - Lea Valley Park (riverside walks): 25 minutes - Audley End Miniature Railway: 40 minutes - London: 40 minutes by train - Cambridge: 45 minutes’ drive.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Leigh Bell Wharf 46.4 km Estuary GoodN/APoorN/A
Southend Chalkwell 47.6 km Estuary N/AGoodN/AGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Lee Valley Regional Park 14.1 km

Hatfield House 22.7 km

Knebworth House 24.5 km

Audley End House and Gardens 26.4 km

Discover 29.2 km

National Trust

Shaw's Corner 26.9 km

Eastbury Manor House 28.7 km

Sutton House 29.5 km

Rainham Hall 30.9 km

2 Willow Road 32.8 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

PISHIOBURY 2.2 km

THE HOUSE, MARSH LANE 2.4 km

STANSTEAD BURY 5.8 km

DOWN HALL 6 km

RYE MEADS (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 19/12/2001) 7.7 km

Local events

  • All Points East (Friday 22 August 2025 – Friday 22 August 2025)

    London, England 30.8 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Hertfordshire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Wild Retreat have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Wild Retreat dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Wild Retreat? Local attractions and activities include: - Golf course: 10 minutes’ drive - The Gibberd Garden (sculpture trail and follies): 10 minutes - TeamSport Go Karting Harlow: 10 minutes - Henry Moore Studios … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Wild Retreat?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Wild Retreat? From €31.27 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.