The Lodge Essex: Shepherd’s Huts with a Private Wild Swimming Lake
Two shepherd’s huts in a quiet corner of north-east Essex with a private wild swimming lake, a jetty and a wood-fired sauna looking over the water. You can be in the lake within a minute of getting out of bed.
The stay
There are two huts: Prithvi, named for earth, and Jala, named for water. Jala sits among oak trees overlooking the water — one of them has stood for more than 500 years — with fully glazed french doors so you can watch ducks and moorhens from a king-size bed. Inside it is properly equipped: log burner, built-in projector screen with a selection of films, hot shower with underfloor heating, a flushless loo, and a kitchen with fridge and mini freezer, gas hob, oven, coffee grinder and V60 filter, plus a welcome hamper. Outside there is a cast-iron roll-top bath among the trees, a fire pit with a grill for cooking supper, and seating for eating outside. Guests are welcome to use the jetty and decking. Rates start from £220 a night.
Swimming on site
The Lodge put it plainly: “Guests are also welcome to use the jetty and decking area to relax and of course can always take a dip in our refreshing wild swimming lake.” Under their own Wild Swimming heading: “Take a dip in our wild swimming lake.”
What lifts this above a nice view is that cold water beginners are actually looked after. They can arrange a private breathwork and cold water immersion introduction with a Wim Hof certified instructor, and a cold water theory masterclass with a qualified swim instructor covering cold water swimming safety before you get in for a dip or swim in their private lake. The wood-fired sauna overlooks the water and is described as the spot to take a breath and contemplate life before braving a cold dip. Private yoga by the lake and paddleboard yoga can also be arranged; yoga mats are in the hut.
Worth knowing
It is a private lake for guests, which means no session times and no crowd, but also no lifeguard and no safety cover — exactly why the instructor-led options are worth taking if cold water is new to you. The sauna, guided immersion sessions and yoga carry additional charges on top of the nightly rate. Little Clacton is inland from Clacton-on-Sea, an easy drive from north Essex and Suffolk and roughly two hours out of London.
Bookings and full details: thelodgeessex.co.uk.
One of the two shepherd’s huts at The Lodge. Photo: The Lodge Essex.