A yurt in the charming kitchen garden of a Queen Anne Country House. An hour from London but a place of perfect peace...

You look out from the door of Woodpecker Yurt into apple, pear and peach trees, with the vegetable patches stretching out to one side. The yurt, the private outdoor space and the cowshed that house the bathroom, are all done in the same simple but comfortable style. The odd antique has strayed down from the house to complement the rugs, lanterns and ornaments that give the yurt a cosy camping feel with a touch of extra comfort.
The yurt has a large double bed and a homely, cosy interior. The cowshed (looking a bit more sophisticated than when its original residents lived there) houses the bathroom, with a flushing loo and a hot shower.
The area around Mount Hall is a mass of beautiful rambling dales best explored by borrowing the bikes on site. Alternatively, relax and enjoy classic country pursuits such as croquet and swingball or drop into Colchester’s new contemporary arts centre.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is 4pm
• Check out time is 11am
• Pets cannot be accommodated at Mount Hall
• A bell tent can be pitched alongside the yurt with 2 single mattresses for extra guests. Guests in the bell tent (max 2) will need to bring all their own sleeping gear and towels and there will be a £15 a night surcharge per person.

Sleeping arrangements

Kids & Pets

Cooking

• All crockery, pots, pans etc
• Olive oil, ketchup, salt & pepper
• Kitchen area with prep space and a small fridge
• Toaster & Kettle
• Gas BBQ
• Fire pit with grill for campfire cooking
• Powerpoints
• A basket of logs is provided, more are available at a small cost

Washing

• The flushing toilet and shower/wet room are in a converted cowshed next to the yurt and are for the exclusive use of Woodpecker yurt guests

Heating, lighting & bedding

• All linen is provided for yurt guests but guests of the bell tent must bring all of their own sleeping gear
• Lamps for reading

Entertainment

• Scrabble
• Jenga
• Cards
• Books
• Croquet
• Bikes
• Swingball!
• Extra indoor space with darts, table tennis and table football

Getting there

Mount Hall, London Road, Essex, CO6 4BZ

By Public Transport

Colchester, 5 miles away, is nearest for both buses and trains.

By Car

From the South

On the A12, take exit 26 towards Halstead. Go left at the roundabout towards Halstead and straight over the second roundabout. Shortly after, turn right immediately after the Garage into Spring Lane. Pass a cricket ground on your left, at the T-junction turn right into Argents Lane. At the junction turn left, up-hill, through West Bergholt. At the junction turn left and immediately right, pass the White Hart pub on your right. Continue along this road. You will come to a pink thatched cottage on the left, about 200m further on the right you'll come to double iron gates which is the entrance to Mount Hall.

From the North

After junction 32a on the A12, take the next right turn (you need to be in the outside lane) towards Stoke by Nayland. Go through the villages of Higham and Thorrington Street until you reach Stoke by Nayland. Immediately after The Crown turn left. Follow this road through Nayland, following signs to the A134. Turn left on the A134, up a long steep hill. Take the first right once you get to the top of the hill, into London Road. Take the first left and Mount Hall is the 2nd drive on the left.

Eating & drinking

At Mount Hall

Your first day's breakfast is included in your stay in the form of a hamper delivered to the yurt. It'll contain fabulous local produce including eggs from Ellie & James' own hens if they're being amenable. The breakfast hamper also includes bacon and sausages from the local butcher, home made preserves and other treats. After that, you're fending for yourselves...

Getting supplies in

For basics, walk the 20 minutes to the local village shop. On Thursday mornings there is a fabulous farmers market in Sudbury.

Eating Out

There are many pubs and restaurants in the surrounding area to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Rose and Crown in Great Horkesley is a lovely 15 minute stroll away across the fields.

The Crown Inn in Stoke By Nayland (4 miles ) - With a reputation for making everyone feel welcome.

The Treble Tile in West Bergholt (5 minute drive) Aims to serve great food at reasonable prices.

Milsoms in Dedham (15 minute drive)

The Anchor (5 minute drive) Great for an alfresco drink in the summer.

The Angel in Lavenham (20 minute drive) The new acquisition by Marco Pierre White.

The Green Room in Colchester (10 minute drive)

The Oyster Bar in Mersea Island (30 minute drive)

Things to do

At Mount Hall

The grounds at Mount Hall are a delight themselves. Stroll around the immaculate gardens, visit the horses, explore the pool and try to spot JAWS, the unfeasibly large carp. There are bikes to hire and classic pursuits of the gentry to be enjoyed, such as croquet and swingball.

Places to visit & things to do

One of the best ways to see the surrounding area is by bike. You can get routes for cycling and hiking here or take yourself on a riverboat tour.

There is a wealth of famous arts & historic sites in the area including:

First Site - Colchester's new contemporary arts centre 

Flatford Mill (Constable Museum) - Recognisable for being the scene of many famous paintings

Gainsborough Museum - The house's collection covers the artist's entire career

Colchester Castle - The largest Norman keep in Europe

Melford Hall - An grand Elizabethan house with fanciful octagonal turrets

Other places to visit include

Colchester Zoo - With a walkthrough Lemur enclosure!

Sudbury Farmer's Market

Jimmy's Farm

Sutton Hoo

Mersea Island

Meet your hosts

About Mount Hall

Mount Hall has been on the map in Great Horkesley for centuries, having once been a large working farm and in more recent decades a family home. Your hosts James and Ellie left London and moved to Mount Hall in spring 2009 to take over the reins from James’s mother, Sue, who now lives in the cottage behind the house and is still very involved in looking after the garden, which has always been one of her passions.

The land at Mount Hall has been used for many things over the years. It was once used to farm mushrooms and asparagus and you can still see the signs now with field mushrooms and asparagus spears making random appearances around the place.

Nature and Wildlife

Mount Hall is very quiet and peaceful and with no light pollution at night you can easily see the spectacular stars of the Milky Way. You will find pheasant and partridges roaming around, and plenty of wild birds such as green woodpeckers and the occasional owl. If you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of deer wandering past in early morning or at dusk.