Retreat East

What Retreat East does

Retreat East, operated by RETREAT EAST LIMITED (Company No. 05296976), is a privately-held sustainable luxury countryside retreat located on a 35-acre former dairy farm at Brick Kiln Farm, Sandy Lane, Hemingstone, Suffolk, England. The property has been regenerated from an original 16th-century farm into an integrated hospitality estate offering 28 eco-luxurious barns and rooms, ranging from shepherd's huts for two guests through to a four-bedroom farmhouse accommodating up to eight, plus an award-winning restaurant (The Great Barn) serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and cocktails using produce from its on-site organic kitchen garden. The property additionally operates a wellness wing with more than 40 spa treatments, in-barn spa experiences, a fitness facility, and a programme of paid and complimentary activities including cycling, axe throwing, archery, yoga, clay pigeon shooting and Nordic walking, supported by complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the Suffolk countryside.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model with no third-party distribution partners disclosed. Pricing is dynamic, varying by season, and increasingly flexible, with one-night stays now available seven days a week alongside traditional multi-night packages, promotional offers, and curated experiences for weddings, hen parties, midweek resets and Christmas getaways. Ancillary revenue streams include restaurant dining, spa days and treatments, private event hire (Rose Room up to 30 guests, Potting Shed up to 25), a gift voucher shop, a branded Suffolk gin and a curated spa product retail offering. Pricing tiers include standard bookings with a 30-day cancellation policy, non-refundable early-bird rates, a £30 late check-out fee and a £25 per-dog supplement.

The customer base is highly diversified across couples and small groups, wedding couples, corporate away-day and product launch clients, families, dog owners, and celebration planners. The company has positioned sustainability as a central differentiator through recognised practices (organic gardening, energy and water conservation, bio-based cleaning products), and this positioning has been validated by external recognition including The Times Romantic Hotel of the Year 2023, the East of England Tourism Awards 'Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism' win in 2023 and 'Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year' in 2024, plus editorial coverage in Forbes, Financial Times, The Telegraph (9/10 rating), Lonely Planet, Country Life, Harper's Bazaar and Women's Health, alongside a Channel 4 Married at First Sight UK 2024 feature.

Name

Retreat East

Legal name

RETREAT EAST LIMITED

Website

https://retreateast.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Retreat East is a privately-held sustainable luxury countryside retreat in Hemingstone, Suffolk, operating 28 converted 16th-century barns with an award-winning restaurant, spa, and event venues, serving couples, wedding parties, corporate groups and families seeking eco-luxury short breaks in the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Countryside Hospitality

NAICS

Accommodation (721)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Farmhouses, Country Houses & Vineyard Estates (THAMAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm Stays & Agritourism Lodges (THAMADAH), Wellness & Retreat Stays (Yoga, Spa, Detox) (THAMADAJ), Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)

Keywords

• Luxury countryside retreats
• Eco-luxury barn stays
• Wedding venue Suffolk
• Spa and wellness retreats
• Sustainable hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Hemingstone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Accommodation bookings: Nightly and multi-night stays in luxury barns, shepherd's huts, and farmhouses. Individual bookings or exclusive use for groups. Revenue from 1-night stays (now available 7 days a week) through multi-night packages.
2. Restaurant and dining: Award-winning restaurant in The Great Barn serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and cocktails. Complimentary continental breakfast included with stays.
3. Spa treatments and wellness: Over 40 spa treatments including body, face, hands and feet treatments. Spa days, bespoke occasions, packages, and in-barn experiences.
4. Private events and weddings: Venue hire for private parties, baby showers, celebrations, meetings, intimate weddings, product launches, team and away days. Rose Room and Potting Shed available for hire.
5. Gift vouchers and packages: Luxury gift vouchers and curated packages for spa retreats, afternoon tea, and experiences available through their shop.
6. Activities: Paid activities including clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing, archery, yoga sessions, personal training, Nordic walking, and cycling with complimentary mountain bikes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Retreat East operates a sustainable luxury countryside retreat on a regenerated former dairy farm in Suffolk, offering 28 eco-luxurious converted barns and shepherd's huts for overnight stays, an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, a spa with over 20 treatments, and on-site activities. The property also serves as a venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and private events.

Product overview

Retreat East is a luxury countryside retreat in Suffolk, England, offering a unified hospitality experience built around 28 eco-luxurious converted barns and rooms (accommodating 1-8 guests), an award-winning restaurant (The Great Barn) serving locally sourced Suffolk produce, and extensive spa and wellness facilities. The property, regenerated from a former dairy farm, provides additional activities including cycling, yoga, archery, and axe throwing, along with private event and wedding venues. Guests can purchase gift vouchers and shop for spa products including a limited-edition Retreat East Suffolk gin. All stays include continental breakfast and complimentary spa access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Luxury Accommodation (Barns, Rooms, and Shepherd's Huts) 28 eco-luxurious barns and rooms converted from a 16th-century farm, accommodating 1 to 8 guests. Includes shepherd's huts for two guests, one-, two-, and four-bedroom barns. All stays include continental breakfast and spa facility access.
• The Great Barn Restaurant Award-winning restaurant in The Great Barn serving seasonal, locally sourced Suffolk produce. Offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and cocktails seven days a week.
• Spa and Wellness Treatments Spa menu of over 20 treatments including body, face, hands and feet treatments, plus spa days, bespoke spa occasions, and packages. Spa facilities include outdoor jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, cold plunge experience, and showers. In-barn treatments available for staying guests.
• Private Events and Weddings Venue Venue hire for weddings, corporate retreats, team away days, product launches, and private celebrations. Rose Room holds up to 30 guests and Potting Shed holds up to 25 guests. Wedding packages include ceremonies, accommodation, food and drink, and activities.
• Activities and Experiences On-site paid and complimentary activities including cycling with mountain bikes, axe throwing, archery, gym access, Nordic walking, yoga, and clay pigeon shooting.
• Gift Vouchers and Shop Gift vouchers for accommodation, spa treatments, and restaurant experiences. Shop offers spa products from Loggique including diffusers, scented candles, moisturisers, and limited-edition Retreat East Suffolk gin.
• The Farmhouse Four-bedroom 16th-century Suffolk farmhouse accommodating up to 8 guests with private hot tub, private gardens, and child-friendly facilities.
• Special Offers and Packages Seasonal promotional packages including dinner bed and breakfast escapes, hen do packages, midweek resets, and festive Christmas getaways.

Quantifiable outcome

• Romantic Hotel Of The Year 2023 (The Times)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons (Belmond): Belmond-owned Oxfordshire manor hotel with Michelin-starred restaurant, gardens, and luxury accommodation. Comparable as a heritage UK luxury retreat with destination dining and an estate/farm concept, though operating under a global luxury hospitality brand.
• Babington House (Soho House): Soho House's country house property in Somerset offering members' club hospitality, spa, restaurant, and weddings. Comparable as a single-site luxury countryside retreat within a larger hospitality group, with similar events/weddings business.

Direct peers

• Lime Wood Group: Lime Wood operates a luxury country house hotel in the New Forest with spa, restaurant, and event venues on a heritage estate. Most direct comparable as a single-property UK luxury retreat with eco-sensitive positioning, destination dining, and a strong spa-led wellness offering.
• Heckfield Place: Heritage estate hotel in Hampshire with farm-to-table dining, spa, and biodynamic grounds. Closely comparable to Retreat East's regenerative farm heritage, sustainability credentials, and luxury country house positioning.
• Wilderness Reserve: Collection of luxury Suffolk/Essex estate properties with exclusive-use bookings, private dining, and event hosting. Direct geographic and operating-model overlap as a luxury countryside estate retreat with weddings and exclusive-use packages.
• Calcot & Spa (The Calcot Collection): Cotswolds-based luxury country hotel with spa, multiple dining venues, and family-friendly accommodation. Comparable as a mid-sized UK countryside luxury retreat with spa, dining, weddings, and a multi-revenue-stream estate model.
• The Newt in Somerset: Working estate with luxury hotel, gardens, spa, and farm shop in Somerset. Highly comparable regenerative farm heritage, multi-revenue-stream estate model (lodging, dining, retail, events), and premium positioning.
• The Scarlet Hotel: Boutique luxury eco-hotel in Cornwall with spa, award-winning restaurant, and wellness programming. Comparable as a single-site UK luxury retreat emphasizing sustainability, design-led accommodation, and a strong wellness/spa proposition.
• Gravetye Manor: Historic country house hotel in West Sussex with Michelin-starred dining and gardens. Comparable as an independently operated UK heritage luxury retreat with fine dining and event hosting.

Emerging players

• Sojourn Stays (boutique UK retreats): Aggregator/marketing platform for boutique UK countryside retreats and farm stays. Comparable as adjacent demand channel surfacing similar properties to the same eco-conscious, couples-and-families customer base Retreat East targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/retreat-east-co-uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retreat East