Oakhill Ponds: spring-fed swim & sauna - Kat

Hidden near an old oak in the wildflower meadow, Kat offers a quiet off-grid retreat with wild swimming, firelight and comfort under the stars. Enjoy a private shower room, gazebo kitchen and hammock for two. Book the wood-fired sauna for a private elemental spa experience (available at a reduced rate for guests). All stays include access to spring-fed ponds, a covered communal kitchen and the Horse Lorry reading room. The space Welcome to Kat at Oakhill Ponds: Looking across to the old oak tree in the wildflower meadow, Kat is a lined Lotus Belle tent designed to help you slow down and reconnect—with nature and with yourself. Swim in spring-fed ponds, rest in your hammock and cook beneath the stars in your private outdoor kitchen. Reconnect with nature, without roughing it: Private hot shower & eco compost loo Fully equipped gazebo kitchen with wood-burning stove Shared fridge and pantry in the communal kitchen Pantry basics provided: salt & pepper, herbs, chilli, ketchup, oil FatBoy hammock for two High-quality bedding, wool blankets & organic toiletries Solar lighting, USB phone charging & Wi-Fi Access to communal kitchen & covered dining area (stretch tent from May 3) Swim, read, breathe, explore: Dip into water that flows fresh from the Mendip Hills. Wander meadows, find the hidden grotto and waterfall, or curl up with a nature book in the Horse Lorry Reading Room. Optional extras to deepen your stay: Private off-grid spa with wood-fired sauna (booked separately) Sauna packs available: robes, sauna hats, towels Paddleboard hire (Pilates sessions available for groups of 4+) Extra firewood available for purchase Inspired by Katherine Rundell: Kat is named after the adventurous and wildly imaginative Katherine Rundell, whose book The Golden Mole celebrates nature’s quiet tenacity and wonder. Local tips: Walk to The Oakhill Inn for excellent food and local drinks Close to Wells, Frome, Bath, Glastonbury & Bruton (10–30 mins) 40 mins to Bristol Airport Things to note: Off-grid with solar power—no mains electricity Compost loo is clean, hygienic and odour-free Some light road hum, but birdsong leads We honour beauty, stillness and sustainability Guest access Your retreat is an exclusive cluster of facilities that include a Lotus Belle, a log-cabin shower room and toilet, an outdoor kitchen gazebo and a cozy Fatboy hammock. All set in the wildflower meadow. Sharing the meadow with just one other tent ensures privacy and tranquility. Each tent or shepherd's hut is allotted on-site parking for up to two vehicles. Additionally, you'll have access to a communal indoor kitchenette featuring fridge space and a wash-up area. The ponds are shared among all guests. Our off-grid "spa" facilities, including a sauna, hot tub,, and treatment tent all situated next to the swimming pond. This can be booked separately for groups of up to four people. Please note that a maximum of four individuals are permitted inside the sauna at any given time. Please message for prices and bookings. Other things to note Terms and Conditions will be sent to you shortly after booking. You are welcome to cancel your booking if you cannot comply with them. This is a quiet and nature-rich space. This is Kat, named after Katherine Rundell who wrote the brilliant and startling portraits of wildlife in 'The Golden Mole'. If this lotus-belle is booked, we have three other lotus belles -Elizabeth, Nan & Mary and two beautiful shepherds huts, Alice and the Japanese inspired Junko Segata. All of these sleep 2. All named after women writers or artists whose work connects with the natural world. We also have an exclusive spacious walled garden with a 21 ft Yurt and garden room which sleeps up to 4. There is some road-noise on site but birdsong is predominant. The advantage of being near an 'A 'road is the convenience of easy access to nearby places such as Bath, Frome, Wells & Bruton. Ours is an off-grid site where we unashamedly champion the no-flush eco revolution. Your own personal compost loo is as pristine and hygienic as you are. They are hygienic, do not smell and make sense ecologically. They are regularly serviced and cleaned by us. It's organic, hygienic and good for the planet! Oakhill Ponds has a rich heritage. Stout was first brewed in the village of Oakhill in 1767, using water which came down from the Mendip Hills. Before modern medicines were available, Oakhill Stout was thought to have magical healing properties if sipped daily ;-) , which made it nationally famous; now you can take a dip daily in these refreshing waters. To maintain a peaceful atmosphere we insist on no parties or noisy gatherings