Make the most of your stay at The Partridge Retreat with beautiful countryside walks, cosy local pubs, sandy beaches, and fun days out at nearby zoos and attractions — all just a short drive from our glampsite.
The Partridge Retreat offers the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful countryside of North Essex. Here are just a few highlights to discover
Hasty’s is one of the many little gems around our Essex coastline which is a perfect day out for the little ones and those that want to run and be free, situated 3 miles from The Partridge Retreat. The younger children can play in the pedal tractor park, soft play area, sandpit and water play. Along with acres of grass to run and have fun.
For the older children they can enjoy 3 levels of play on largest wooden adventure play area undercover in Essex. All years young and old can enjoy seeing the animals either in the discovery barn or the paddocks. So go and say hello to lambs, pigs, calves, sheep,Pygmy goats and much more. With picnic benches around the farm there is always time to stop and enjoy a bite to eat either from the on-site food cabin or bring your own picnic and soak up the fresh air.
Curve Water Sports is situated in the heart of St. Osyth village at our local lake. Curve gives all ages the ability to enjoy all aspects of getting out on the water. They have an amazing inflatable obstacle course which seems to grow year on year. If you enjoy something a little faster paced have ago at wakeboarding they offer 1-2-1 lessons with qualified instructors.
For those who want to enjoy being on the water but at a slower pace, hire a paddleboard and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
LJK riding academy is our local riding school which is situated less than a mile away from The Partridge Retreat.
The academy caters for all ages and levels of riding. They offer pony days aimed at children in the school holidays, riding lessons and for those that wish to enjoy the countryside you can take a horse out for a hack accompanied by one of the team at the academy.
Millers Barn Golf Park has a challenging 9 hole golf course. Suitable for beginners and experienced golfers alike. They offer a pay and play green fees, along with their 21 bay practice range which can all be booked online. During the summer months Millers Barn offers a version of footgolf on their 18 hole footgolf course, which is great for all the family. No need to worry about clubs as you can hire for juniors, men’s, ladies and left handers.
Beth Chatto OBE was an award winning plantswoman, author and lecturer. She began her work at the gardens in 1960, she transformed the overgrown wasteland into the magnificent gardens that they are today. In the 1970’s and 80’s Beth Chatto won 10 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show.
During your visit, you will discover 5 unique gardens, all set amongst 7.5 acres of land. After gleaning some inspiration from these, trial the delights of the nursery or treat yourself to afternoon tea in the cafe.
Colchester Zoo is home to over 155 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes. You will get to visit many different habitats and see the animals from around the world, from the Komodo dragons to the Africa plain, home to white rhino, giraffes, ostrich, zebra and kudu. The zoo has many undercover areas so you can stay dry and warm on the rainiest of days. Colchester Zoo offers animal experiences which gives you a great opportunity to get closer to the animals and learn more about them.
The zoo offers a range of food and drink options so no need to worry about a picnic. The zoo is firm favourite with young and old.
Clacton Pier is one of the biggest attractions in Clacton, with something for everyone. If you’re looking for the thrill of the fast-hair-raising rides, the pier has it. If you wish to keep your feet firmly on the ground then the pier has it, with a huge arcade. Discovery Bay is an adventure play area and family restaurant, which is more suited to the younger children.
Throughout the year the pier put on their fireworks extravaganza which is always free and to be enjoyed by everyone. The pier has a variety of food outlets to enjoy, so grab your fish and chips along with your bucket and spades and enjoy the sunshine.
The Blue Garden Café is a spacious, atrium style café- restaurant along with an extensive outdoor area where you can enjoy brunch in the sunshine. The café has a “Field to Fork, Fresh and Local” philosophy so you can enjoy the fruits of Essex’s local grown produce. The café is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or that slice of cake and cup of tea. The Blue Garden Café is a short drive from the Partridge Retreat.
The Essex Sunshine Coast
We are so lucky to have over 36 miles of clean, sandy beaches, which is why we are our coastline is called the The Essex Sunshine Coast. The beaches have won awards over the years for their cleanliness and water quality. The coast line goes from Brightlingsea, St. Osyth, Jaywick Sands, Clacton, Frinton, Walton to Dovercourt and Harwich. Each of our seaside towns have so much to offer and are all well worth visiting all year round.
Clacton On Sea
Clacton is steeped in history with the town being settled in during the Old Stone Age by a race of hunters. Clacton developed from a small village into a seaside resort in the late 19th Century. Today it still thrives on being that seaside resort, with the pier taking centre stage as one of the main attractions along the seafront in the centre of the town.
Every August the town is host to the Clacton Air Show which sees thousands of people flock, over the two days to watch the RAF Red Arrows, aerobatic display team, RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and much more. Also in August we have Clacton Carnival which is a week long celebration of entertainment with the parade through the town.
St. Osyth
St. Osyth is steeped in history with the location of an important medieval abbey, St. Osyth Priory, named after Osgyth, a semi legendary Saxon Princess and martyr. The village was an important medieval pilgrimage centre, based on the cult of the saint, and was for a time very wealthy. Today St. Osyth Priory is being fully restored by the owners and used as a venue for weddings and celebrations.
The village has lots to offer to those who visit with its pubs, restaurants, fish and chip shop and small independent shops. Watching a game of cricket on the cricket pitch or just enjoying the beautiful surroundings there is something for everyone.
Walks can be taken along footpaths enjoying the many sights of historic St. Osyth with the old buildings steeped in history. Or taking time out and exploring the nature that surrounds our fabulous village. St Osyth Museum can be visited during the weekends from Easter onwards.
Local Walks
Local trails, wandering tales.
The Partridge Retreat is set in some of the most beautiful countryside. But don’t just take our word for it, explore more on these breathtaking local walks in the area.
Nestled amongst the tidal creeks, this charming character village centres around an ancient Priory Estate.
The village has 115 buildings around that are listed as historic and having special architect interest, including St. Osyth Priory an Augustinian Abbey founded in St. Osyth 1120 by Richard de Belmeis, Bishop of London.
Redshank beach house is a unique beach house designed by the architect Lisa Shell located in a national nature reserve on site of special scientific interest SSI, which won the RIBA East award 2017 and our IBA East small project award 2017 and was long listed for the national RIBA house of the year award.
Take a walk down Colchester Road and look at the most haunted house in Essex, the cage is a former village lock up where drunks and villains would be kept overnight. But it is best known for holding Ursula Kempe, one of the St. Osyth women accused and found guilty of witchcraft. Ursula was hanged in Chelmsford together with another St. Osyth women, Elizabeth Bennett.
The Cage has been sold and the estate agent described it as one of the most notorious and well documented haunted 16th century cottages in Britain. It has featured on television programmes, and has been visited by ghost hunters from across the world. The previous owner of the Cage claims she was forced out by paranormal activity she was pushed over by spirits, while pregnant and spanked on the bottom by a ghost. She has written a book on her experiences called “The Spirit Of The Cage”
Warren Farm Walk
This walk gives you a good view of the village. It’s mostly on good tracks and lanes.
With your back to the Priory cross the road and take the lane to the left of the telephone box, marked Warren Farm, following the right-hand footpath post down the main lane follow the track through the farm yard past the end of the boating lake and up the hill to T-junction. Turn right here looking down on the village and see how it is dominated by the beautiful Priory.
When the track meets the tarmac Lane bear right and follow the lane until it meets the main road, turn right and follow the road down the hill past the boating lake and stop by white hut and a footpath signpost pointing along the side of the lake. (You can continue up the road for quarter of a mile back to the Priory to where you started) The footpath along, the lake is uneven and can be wet follow the edge of the lake, eventually, having to walk along the edge of the field until you meet the track, turn left retracing the steps through the farmyard at Warren Farm back to the Priory.
Priory Walk
Set off on a 3-mile wander from the Priory, weaving through historic sights and tranquil marshes.
Leave the Priory on your right, walking down Mill Street passing the recreation ground on your left at the bottom of the hill you come to the quay. Turn right onto the boat yard footpath signpost 400 yards. You come to a large hedge, follow it keeping the hedge on your right. At the end of the hedge, join a track, but carry on in this direction going down the hill to the gate, through the gate, (shut the gate after) onto marshland, bearing slightly follow the hedge on your right.
Keep close to the hedge or you may miss the bridge. Keep following the track passing a bramble patch and follow the edge of the wood to cross the stile, continue to the metal steps over a conveyor belt, the path bears right into a wood. Take no notice of the old broken stile this is not the path. Follow the path to the main road and turn right at the road junction into Colchester Road. The Deer Park is now on your right, notice the plaque ‘The Cage’ on a house to the left of the Kings Arms, at the Cross Road, turn right and you will be back to the Priory.
This walk is approximately 3 miles. The path through the boat yard may be underwater at high tide, there will be livestock grazing on the marshes so keep dogs under control.
Beautiful Views - The Partridge Retreat The Essex Wildlife Trust purchased, Colne Point in 1968, to protect an area of outstanding natural importance. The reserve covers 2.5 miles of foreshores and so during the summer little turns, ringed plovers and oystercatchers nest on the shingle ridges, while winter brings big flocks of Brent Geese, ducks and waders.
Coastal plants include colourful sea companions, yellowhorn flowers and sea holly. There are several rare spiders too. Colne Point is a nature heaven and continues to thrive.
Colne Point Nature Reserve
Embark on a village-framing loop from the Priory, past lakes and farms, for captivating views and discoveries.
The Essex Wildlife Trust purchased, Colne Point in 1968, to protect an area of outstanding natural importance. The reserve covers 2.5 miles of foreshores and so during the summer little turns, ringed plovers and oystercatchers nest on the shingle ridges, while winter brings big flocks of Brent Geese, ducks and waders.
Coastal plants include colourful sea companions, yellowhorn flowers and sea holly. There are several rare spiders too. Colne Point is a nature heaven and continues to thrive.
Colne Point Nature Reserve Embark on a village-framing loop from the Priory, past lakes and farms, for captivating views and discoveries.
Inclusivity
& Accessibility
Priding ourselves on inclusivity, we are able to accommodate couples, furry friends and families alike, offering a range of sleeping configurations in our stunning, bespoke built pods. Using the highest quality materials, and high spec amenities including walk in showers and fully equipped kitchenettes, we have spent the build stage of this project carefully considering your every whim.
Whole site bookings for up to 16 are welcome. Please contact us directly should you have any specific requests or requirements. Accessibility – ramps can be provided on request.
