Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The grade II listed farmhouse</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Ditch preconceived ideas of a ’’hippy’’ retreat at  <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fair Oak Farm, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.fairoakfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fair Oak Farm,</a> this idyllic rural estate in Sussex close to the Kent border is stylish and comfortable. Set in 12 acres of stunning countryside the luxurious yet homely hideaway has a eclectic mix of accommodation from tree houses to shepherds huts, plus a modern fitness studio, infa-red sauna and even a small cinema barn. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53441" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-65-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>One of the quirky shepherd&#8217;s huts at Fair Oak</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<p>There’s no mung beans here &#8211; this is boutique hotel does peaceful pastoral retreat. With a grade II listed farmhouse at its centre, the accommodation is cosy and chic. Rooms are nestled amongst ancient trees and hidden beside a crumbly vintage caravan and treatment huts. There’s no slumming it  &#8211; rooms are luxe yet rustic, with insanely comfortable beds made with plush Egyptian cotton topped with artisan throws. With wood burners and gorgeous <a href="https://www.fairoakfarm.co.uk/collection-shop">Fair Oak branded products</a> in the rooms it has an instantly relaxing feeling, that is warm and welcoming. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="915" height="607" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-51911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16.png 915w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16-720x478.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16-768x509.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-15.46.16-791x525.png 791w" sizes="(max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px" /><figcaption>Accommodation includes eco-lodges and treehouses</figcaption></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE ITINERARY </h2>



<p>Busy but not exhaustive thankfully! I experienced the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Relax and Restore retreat  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.fairoakfarm.co.uk/fair-oak-retreats" target="_blank">Relax and Restore retreat </a>which entailed yoga or fitness at 8am, a wholesome breakfast followed by nutrition talks and consultations, free-time, lunch, Pilates or a PT session plus a beauty treatment before dinner in the farmhouse. Other retreats will differ so look at the itinerary beforehand.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Yoga-in-the-barn.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-51780" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Yoga-in-the-barn.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Yoga-in-the-barn-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Yoga-in-the-barn-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Yoga-in-the-barn-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOCATION</h2>



<p>Near the sleepy village of Mayfield and about 15 minutes from Tunbridge Wells, Fair Oak is set in quintessential Sussex countryside. Expect uninterrupted views of gentle rolling hills which make you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere (but actually its just over an hour from London.)  Fair Oak is peaceful and friendly and just what I needed after the craziness of covid.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-67-min-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The sleepy village of Mayfield nearby</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>The food here is simply wonderful. I was admittedly slightly concerned I’d be starved on lettuce and lemon juice, but the private chef Lottie does the most amazing things with vegetables! I was served Herb infused polenta with smoked peppers, hazelnuts &amp; dill for lunch and Baked Squash with Figs for dinner &#8211; I was even allowed a glass of wine. This isn’t a boot camp, its relaxed and non judgemental. Food is plentiful and delicious and I wasn’t left craving a Mars Bar afterwards (unlike certain health farms I’ve been to which were lets be honest fairly miserable).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51924" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/07/retreat3-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TREATMENTS</h2>



<p>Fair Oak treatments are provided by therapists from the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-beauty-bar-wadhurst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Beauty Bar  (opens in a new tab)">Beauty Bar </a>in nearby Wadhurst, an award-winning local salon. Facials, massage and nail treatments are available, but need to be booked in advance. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<p>There’s an Oak framed games barn with ping pong table, Play area with trampoline, intimate terraces and patios with outdoor seating, fire pits and BBQ. There’s even resident roaming alpacas and peacocks giving the whole place a quirky bucolic feel. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53442" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/Untitled-design-64-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>He&#8217;s behind you! Muddy meets one of the resident peacocks</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOW TO GET THERE</h2>



<p>Fair Oak is 10 minutes drive from the A21 or A267 with access to the M25. Fast and frequent services from London to Stonegate station in about an hour (you’ll need to pre-book a car to deliver you though, don’t expect a bustling taxi rank!).  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>Three day, 2 night retreat fully inclusive of accommodation, food, yoga, nutrition workshops, massage and beauty treatments start from £565 per person (sharing a room). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Private-retreat-chef.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-51779" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Private-retreat-chef.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Private-retreat-chef-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Private-retreat-chef-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/06/Private-retreat-chef-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p>Good for:&nbsp;Anyone needing time out to really focus on themselves in relaxed countryside surroundings with excellent on-site well-being experts. </p>



<p>Not for:&nbsp;If you go on your own, you have to be comfortable with joining in as mealtimes are group affairs. Don’t expect spa facilities &#8211; there’s no pool or jacuzzi as relaxation is centred around the lovely grounds. </p>



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Muddy Review: Fair Oak Farm Retreat

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