WHAT? WHERE?

Love the idea of going camping when you’re pondering your next holiday safe within the confines of your central-heated, brick-walled home, but find the reality of life under canvas a little too rustic? Then let us introduce you to Secret Meadows in Hasketon, Suffolk, a luxurious safari-style glamping site, that perfectly toes the line between being a rural, lo-fi escape, while providing all the modern comforts camping-adverse holiday-makers could desire. Happy glampers all round then!

As the name suggests, it’s a bit of a secret escape that’ll you’ll want to keep to yourself once you’ve discovered it, but because it’s so idyllic and showcases Suffolk in all its sublime beauty, we’re happy to spill the beans this time.

Secret Meadows is the work of owners Charlotte and Ross, who live next door and are passionate about the area and their role in looking after the local wildlife. In fact this eco-retreat is doing such a great job that it has the Green Tourism Gold Award, which it has retained since 2012!

Surrounded by 115 acres of wildflower meadows, pretty streams and wonderful woodland, all of which is a designated nature reserve, Secret Meadows is in the pretty village of Hasketon, near the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s pretty much the middle of nowhere and the countryside and nearby villages are charming and quintessentially Suffolk.

Secret Meadows is ideal for anyone in search of a nature-filled, slow and simple holiday and would suit families with young kids, groups of friends and relatives, couples and solo travellers.

THE VIBE

It’s practically impossible not to leave here with your shoulders a few inches lower, a new appreciation for the restorative power of nature, a skip in your step and a vow to come back to this part of Suffolk every chance you get.

Charlotte and Ross have managed to appeal to all tastes and exclude no-one – dogs are very welcome (with their own dog field to prove it), children are invited to roam free and yet there’s enough space and different accommodation options that adults can get plenty of peace and quiet.

In fact, an A-Lister stayed in the Horsebox Hideaway just before my visit and, with it’s own woodland entrance, huge outdoor space and private setting, no-one even knew he was there. And, in the spirit of Secret Meadows, we’re keeping his name just that – a secret!

PILLOW TALK

There are six luxury lodge tents (that sleep up to 6 people), the Gypsy’s Rest Caravan (that sleeps 4), the Horsebox Hideaway (that sleeps up to 4 although is better suited to 2) and the incredible two storey tent that sleeps 8. Any Harry Potter fans will be in their element in the largest tent – it really does feel like you’ve stepped into Mr Weasley’s magic tent at the Quidditch World Cup with a spacious kitchen, dining room, lounge area with wood burner and three bedrooms!

All of the options have delightfully comfy four-poster king size beds, fully-equipped kitchens (no cooking over camp fires here unless you want to!), proper private toilets and showers and plenty of luxurious soft furnishings.

outdoor toilet at secret meadows hasketon — The prettiest outdoor bathroom we ever did see!

The safari tents have plenty of head room and none of them feel claustrophobic in the least. And, while the views looking out are clearly of the stunning Suffolk countryside, inside the tents all feel otherworldly – a mixture of feeling like you’re on safari in Africa and that you’ve stumbled into the pages of a JRR Tolkien novel. It’s a magical combination.

There’s certainly no roughing it here, but if you want to feel like you’ve had a Bear Grylls-style experience in the woods you can light your own fire using the logs provided (no need to work up a sweat with an axe!), cook over the BBQ, light your oil lamps, eat al fresco and then watch the sun set from your hammock.

There’s no electricity in all the accommodation except for Meadow Fescue, which is nearest the car park and has both electricity and WiFi. There are gas-fired fridges and hobs in all though. Don’t worry, it’s not an enforced digital detox though – there are sockets in the Pantry area of the site to charge phones and other devices.

The Selfheal Tent also has the added bonus of a log-fired hot tub for up to six, which would be an amazing way to end a day – sitting in the hot bubbles gazing up at the clear night sky and stars.

If life under canvas isn’t for you, there’s Gypsy’s Rest, a gorgeous little Reading-style gypsy caravan with a double bed, a fitted wardrobe and even space for a table and bookshelves.

The caravan comes with a Shepherd’s Hut alongside it, which has the kitchen and shower inside, a wood-burning stove as well as space for two more to sleep inside a cosy cupboard bed.

THE EXPERIENCE

Pack your binoculars because there are around 50 different species of bird here, including nightingales, kingfishers, owls and woodpeckers, so you can get your geek on with some brilliant bird spotting from the shepherd’s hut hide.

There’s also plenty to discover within the surrounding woodland, owned by The Sinfield Nature Conservation Trust, such as tranquil little ponds, and forest paths full of butterflies and rare flora and fauna. There’s also a large turf labyrinthe at the edge of the woodland that’ll delight kids, plus den building is actively encouraged.

One of our favourite features are the mobile hen coops, complete with two adorable hens, that each set guests can rent for the duration of their stay. Bedding and feed is provided and if you’re lucky the hens will reciprocate with fresh eggs for breakfast. It’s a lovely way to get your fill of the good life without having to get your hands too dirty and is a great exercise in looking after animals for the kids.

Talking of animals, you can also meet the resident pygmy goat and take part in a goat walking experience, as well as meeting the pet pig and rabbits. For families it doesn’t get much more idyllic – the whole area feels very safe and bucolic, so parents can relax and let little ones be free-range for a while.

Directly in front of the tents you can enjoy a view of the site’s own Red Poll and rare British White cattle too.

Outdoor activities for adults and older kids include the chance to take part in a whittling workshop where you carve your own object from wood such as a staff, wand, spoon or knife, a fire-lighting techniques workshop, bow and arrow making, yoga classes, hiring bikes and spa treatments from the tranquility of your own tent.

On rainy days, slow things down further by enjoying the board games and books provided inside the accommodation or head out to one of the nearby Suffolk towns for a spot of shopping or indoor sight-seeing.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The entire site is self-catering, which means you’ll either be bringing food with you – there’s a gas-fired fridge in each tent, but it’s not huge so don’t go to town with cold items! There are plenty of lovely local pubs and restaurants to visit too, including our top picks of The Maybush Inn in Waldringfield, The Dog in Grundisburgh, The Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, The Crown at Woodbridge, The Coach & Horses in Melton, and Milsoms Kesgrave Hall.

The 24-hour Pantry on site is well-stocked by Grange Farm Shop with essentials like cheese, milk and bread and lots of lovely local produce including Stokes sauces and jams, Simply Ice Cream, Pump Street chocolate, Paddy & Scotts coffee, Scarlett and Mustard sauces, oils and condiments, B Chocolates, Truly Unique artisan pasta, The Greek Olive Co and Brick Pizzas.

You can also pre-order hampers from Grange Farm Shop, including breakfast hampers and fireside hampers as well as a celebration hamper directly from Secret Meadows.

KID-FRIENDLY?

Definitely. There’s so much to keep kids entertained in a really wholesome way here. Expect them to sleep like babies after days spent gulping in lungfuls of fresh Suffolk air. The owners can provide high chairs and cots too.

PET-FRIENDLY?

It’s super dog friendly. Lots of guests take their pooch with them and there’s a whole field dedicated to wearing pups out right in front of the tents. There are lots of lovely walks and nearby dog-friendly pubs on the doorstep too.

ACCESSIBILITY

The safari tents (apart from the two-storey ones) are all on one level, however the paths are quite bumpy and there are steps up to some of the toilets and showers meaning it’s not ideal for wheelchair users.

OUT & ABOUT

Once you’ve exhausted all the activities on site you can venture further afield and enjoy the many amazing days out this part of the world offers. You’re not far from the coast here and can easily get to some of the best stretches of sand including Southwold, Dunwich and Walberswick. You can also visit some charming coastal towns and villages such as Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Southwold, Orford, and Thorpeness.

As for attractions, you’ll be spoiled rotten with Framlingham Castle, Jimmy’s Farm, Constable Country, Snape Maltings, Sutton Hoo, Easton Farm Park, Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens, Africa Alive and Minsmere, High Lodge Leisure and Thorington Theatre – all within easy reach.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Anyone who wants a rustic getaway in the great outdoors without having to rough it in a sleeping bag or share a bathroom! Families with kids of all ages will adore it here, dogs will wag their tails with joy at their designated dog park, couples looking for a lo-fi break will delight in the peace, twitchers will be permanently glued to their binoculars, and groups of friends will enjoy renting the entire place out for a celebration in the country.

Not for: Anyone who can’t survive without their hair straighteners (although you can book the tent with electricity) or if you can’t be bothered to self-cater then this isn’t for you.

The damage: Secret Meadows is open from 29th March to 4th November 2024 with prices starting from £332 for a minimum 2-night stay.

Secret Meadows Glamping, White House Farm Nature Reserve, Hasketon, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6JP. Tel: 01394 337 337. Email: holidays@secretmeadows.co.uk

Review: Secret Meadows, Hasketon

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