Gribbles Shepherds Hut, near Higham, Colchester
Gribbles is a bespoke shepherds hut ideal for a solitary retreat set in beautiful Suffolk countryside halfway between Ipswich and Colchester. Although only 30m from a single bedroom cottage it is private and quiet. Gribbles inside is heated and has a separate toilet, basin and shower, mains pressure hot water is provided by an LPG water heater. There is a very comfortable double bed, a writing desk and chair, a small armchair and shelving for a shrine. We now have a good range of meditation mats and cushions. There is ample room for private meditation and prostration either under cover or outside. The informal garden is surrounded by woodland.
Gribbles has a well equipped covered kitchen with hot and cold running water, a two ring gas hob, small electric oven and a fridge with a small freezer compartment. Bed linen and towels are provided. There is internet for those who want to participate in an online retreat.
There is free access to an 8 acre Chestnut woodland, ¾ mile of the River Brett and a further 12 acres of land undergoing rewilding, and a beautiful ancient oak! Miles of public footpaths are accessible from the doorstep.
There is ample off road parking. The nearest train station is Manningtree which has a large co-op and the excellent Whole Food Store. There are also several local taxi companies.
For availability please contact cathmarno1@gmail.com - please note the hut is unavailable from December 2024 to the end of February 2025.
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Booking Info & Location
Reviews
Wonderful place for a solitary. The hut feels like a comfortable little nest, the open kitchen facing nature was a lovely feature and my only companions for the week were rabbits and birds. The surroundings were great for running/walks. It was just perfect.
I adored my time at Gribbles. It's so peaceful there, at times I felt like I was melting into the landscape! The hut is small and cosy but also quite luxurious: the bed is really comfy and the bathroom is modern, and it's all very clean and contained. The outdoor kitchen is wonderful. The surrounds are gorgeous and Cath was really welcoming and helpful. Could not recommend this place more for a solitary.
I spent 3 wonderful weeks here in April and can thoroughly recommend it. A calm still space in which to relax, and meditate. The accommodation is comfortable with an inside bathroom, and the open sided kitchen is perfect, with outside and under-cover table and chairs. I loved walking through the beech wood, just coming into leaf, meditating in the Buddha glade, and wandering along the river, or sitting in the roots of the ancient oak. I hope to go again another year. Thank you Cath and Nick for making such a space for practice.
Enjoyed my Spring Solitary so much. As a lover of nature and the great outdoors I felt like I was in heaven. Nightingales were singing and the woodland had a special charm of it's own. Every evening I had a beautiful peaceful walk along the wonderful flood meadows by the river. The facilities are excellent and the location superb.
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