A three-night reading retreat woven together by books, spring-fed water, firelight and good company.
Taking place over the August full moon, this retreat invites you to read deeply, swim, sauna, think, talk and discover new books in a setting of ponds, trees and old stone.
The weekend begins with an optional full-moon swim and sauna evening, then opens into generous reading time, shared meals and the quiet pleasure of being surrounded by fellow readers.
Enjoy three unhurried days devoted to books, deep reading and good company, with inviting places to read throughout the site, both indoors and outdoors.
You’ll find peaceful corners everywhere: hammocks by the ponds, the Horse Lorry Library, the walled-garden yurt, library rooms and fireside lounges for cooler moments.
This retreat is created for those who want protected time to read, think anew, discover books and enjoy thoughtful conversation in a spacious natural setting.
By the end, you’ll leave having read deeply, met fresh ideas and renewed your appetite for reading.
Oakhill Ponds offers an immersive landscape of water, woodland and open meadow.
Reading spaces are distributed across the 25-acre site, giving you the freedom to move between environments and settle into places that encourage rest, reflection and deep reading, whether beside the water, in sheltered pavilions or in quieter indoor rooms.
The site is intentionally simple and largely off-grid, creating ideal conditions for uninterrupted reading, thoughtful conversation and time away from distraction.
This retreat may suit you if:
arrival & full moon swim
Arrive in the afternoon, settle into your accommodation and gather for supper and a short welcome.
Later, those who wish can join the full moon swim and sauna evening.
reading day & literature in the landscape
A spacious day for reading, swimming and being outdoors.
In the late afternoon, walk through the grotto, gardens and ponds, with readings and stories threaded through themes of landscape, memory and place.
reading, browsing & book conversation
Another generous day for reading.
Later, gather in the yurt for browsing and book conversation, exploring the books others in the group have brought and recommended.
In the evening, share a celebratory supper followed by conversation with a guest author.
breakfast & departure
A final morning for breakfast, last pages and farewells before departure.
Guests are invited to bring one book that resonates with them.
Across the weekend, these books create a shared book table in the yurt - a simple, informal way to discover new reading through one another.
Beautifully handcrafted shepherd's huts set within 25 acres of ponds, woodland and meadow. Each has a private garden, a wood-fired hot tub, and access to the wild-swimming pond and wood-fired sauna.
Spacious canvas tents set among meadow and willow, offering a balance of comfort and off-grid living. Each includes a private outdoor kitchen, hot shower, and access to wild swimming and sauna.
A light-filled three-bedroom apartment in the village of Oakhill, with a private garden for slow mornings and evenings. A comfortable, on-grid stay with access to wild swimming and sauna nearby.
The former Oakhill Brewery country house sits at the heart of the retreat site. Arranged across several floors, with generous living spaces and a library, it offers a comfortable and characterful setting for reading, rest and creative retreat.
In a distracted culture, it is a rare pleasure to make proper time for reading.
These weekends offer the chance to immerse yourself in books, encounter new ideas and enjoy the enlivening company of other readers in a beautiful landscape.
Aug 28-31, 2026
4 day event
Daily Schedule:
Upper Beeches is a bright, welcoming three-bedroom hideaway in the village of Oakhill, only a short walk from the much-loved Oakhill Inn. Comfortable and well equipped, it makes a great choice for families or groups of friends looking for an easy, relaxed stay.
Outside, a small sun-trap garden creates the perfect setting for slow breakfasts, BBQs, and quiet evenings at the end of the day. Although the ponds are not visible from the windows, the apartment sits right next to Oakhill Ponds, the retreat land with spring-fed swimming ponds and wood-fired sauna sessions, which can be booked separately when available.
The apartment can be reserved on its own or as an add-on to Oakhill Ponds, offering a more traditional accommodation option alongside the huts and tents, or helping to bridge early- and late-season dates when some glamping units are unavailable. Please note that the layout spans two floors and stairs are required.
On the main floor, you’ll find a king bedroom with an adjacent family bathroom, along with a fully equipped kitchen-diner and an open-plan lounge. This space includes a Smeg coffee machine, dining area, Smart TV with Netflix, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Upstairs, reached by a narrower staircase from the lounge, there is a second king bedroom and a twin bedroom accessed through it in a walk-through layout. This arrangement works especially well for parents and children or for close friends.
Guests have exclusive use of the private garden and patio with BBQ, and are provided with towels, organic toiletries, and a simple welcome basket with fresh bread when available, milk, tea, coffee, and biscuits. Local food deliveries can also be arranged.
Step inside a handcrafted Shepherd’s Hut where rustic charm meets quiet luxury, creating a peaceful escape surrounded by nature. Set across 25 acres of wild, unspoiled land, this welcoming hideaway offers a beautiful balance of comfort, craftsmanship, and natural scenery. Guests can relax in a private Hikki Bohemen wood-fired hot tub, tucked into a secluded garden area made for slow, restorative moments. A short walk away, spring-fed ponds, a hidden grotto, and gentle waterfalls invite exploration and stillness in equal measure. For a deeper sense of renewal, take a swim in the spring-fed pond or reserve a session in the off-grid sauna for hot and cold therapy. If you prefer a gentler pace, settle into the horse-lorry reading room with nature-inspired books, or enjoy an easy stroll to the nearby pub, celebrated for its excellent food and warm atmosphere.
Located within Oakhill Ponds, a 25-acre off-grid retreat, this hut offers privacy and calm while remaining closely connected to the surrounding landscape. In winter, the site is shared with just one other hut; in summer, a few Lotus Belle tents are thoughtfully placed across the meadow, keeping the setting open and serene.
Created by the respected Blackdown Shepherd Huts, the hut is clad in solid oak and designed with both elegance and ease in mind. Inside, a drop-down king-size bed is dressed in luxurious French linen bedding and wool Devon duvets for a deeply restful night’s sleep. The hot shower is supplied with quality organic toiletries, while the well-equipped kitchen includes a fridge and gas hob for simple, relaxed cooking. A wood-burning stove adds warmth and comfort, and Wi-Fi throughout means you can stay as connected as you wish. Robes, towels, and toiletries are all provided, ensuring a stay that feels effortless and indulgent.
With the best of Somerset close at hand, including Wells, Bath, Frome, Glastonbury, Cheddar, and the Mendip Hills, this enchanting hideaway offers a memorable blend of seclusion and adventure.
Oakhill Ponds
