The Wild Retreat

View prices & book 8.6 39 reviews
Bell tents
Bell tents
The on-site lake
Taking a yoga class from the stage
Yoga class at the woodland stage
Around the site
Yoga space
Around the site
Around the site
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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

8.6

Overall rating from 39 Pitchup.com customers

  • 43%
    10
  • 33%
    9
  • 10%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 5%
    5
  • 2%
    4
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    3
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    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 mountainWild campingPeaceful

87% would recommend this site to a friend

85% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite offers a fun and quirky style with a beautiful lake ideal for swimming. Visitors praise the friendly and helpful staff, unique chill-out areas, hammocks, and atmospheric music and fire shows. However, some reviews highlight significant issues including a difficult access road for larger vehicles, cleanliness problems in toilet facilities, and considerable noise from a nearby factory. Concerns were also raised about waste disposal, a lack of hot water in some facilities, and an uncontrolled party that disrupted sleep.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 4
Arrival date (latest first)

Gorgeous location. Friendly And informative staff.…

Overall

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

Bell tent (six person)

Liked Gorgeous location. Friendly And informative staff. Really clean. Loved it!

Recommend to friends Visit again

It was good for what we wanted - a close-to-home simple setup

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 5
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 5
Cleanliness
 3
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The simple setup and location (30mins from home) were a big draw for us to have two pitches for 2 adults & 3 kids.

Friendly (if a bit too laid back) staff

Disliked Lack of waste mgmt is a real issue - both from a campers POV and from the mgmt team in general. To have to take our bagged up rubbish back home with us was frustrating, given a full car from camping. The site felt ramshackle and messy.

The site felt quite tired overall and there could’ve been even small simple touches to help it feel cleaner and cared for. Shame the small shop/cafe isn’t far from practical e.g. could sell milk / firelighters / camping stove small gas canisters.

The trampoline should be removed or have the zip entrance fixed as that is an accident waiting to happen.

Recommend to friends Visit again

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

Great place. Fun and friendly. Super…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Great place. Fun and friendly. Super chilled vibe.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful beautiful place

Overall

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

Electric optional grass and earth motorhome pitch

Liked EVERYTHING. This site is gorgeous, particularly if you enjoy festivals but can't be arsed to go anymore. Or you have young kids. We don't have young kids anymore, but we really enjoyed seeing the ones onsite enjoy the lake so much. We got lucky with the weather and we had the most idyllic weekend. We'll definitely be back.

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

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 BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.79183°N
0.11707°E

Nearest transport

Coach
1.7 mi Bus Station
5.6 mi Interchange
7.6 mi South Road
Rail
0.7 mi Harlow Mill Rail Station
1.2 mi Harlow Town Rail Station
2.4 mi Sawbridgeworth Rail Station
Ferry
20.3 mi East India Pier
20.5 mi Woolwich Ferry North Pier
20.6 mi North Greenwich Pier
Airport
9.2 mi London Stansted Airport
20.1 mi London City Airport
22 mi 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 28.8 mi Estuary GoodN/APoorN/A
Southend Chalkwell 29.6 mi Estuary N/AGoodN/AGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Lee Valley Regional Park 8.7 mi

Hatfield House 14.1 mi

Knebworth House 15.2 mi

Audley End House and Gardens 16.4 mi

Discover 18.2 mi

National Trust

Shaw's Corner 16.7 mi

Eastbury Manor House 17.8 mi

Sutton House 18.4 mi

Rainham Hall 19.2 mi

2 Willow Road 20.4 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

PISHIOBURY 1.4 mi

THE HOUSE, MARSH LANE 1.5 mi

STANSTEAD BURY 3.6 mi

DOWN HALL 3.7 mi

RYE MEADS (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 19/12/2001) 4.8 mi

Local events

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

    London, Greater London 19.1 mi

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 £27 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.