Meet Us
Our Story
Welcome to Ockeridge Rural Retreats. We’re Tiffany, Elliot, and Jack, a family with a deep love for the countryside, horses, and spending time outdoors.
Our journey to creating Ockeridge
Our journey to creating Ockeridge began with a simple dream: finding more space for our beloved horse, Ted.
Back in 2016, our dream began to take shape when we purchased a four-acre plot of land near our home to keep Ted, our horse, close by. Soon after, we got Jack his first pony, Charlie, and with more space for Ted and now Charlie, we excitedly bought a horse lorry and found ourselves spending every free moment at the stables, enjoying the outdoors and the simple pleasures of life.
At the time, we didn’t realise this would be the beginning of something much bigger, but it laid the foundation for what Ockeridge would become. The new land became a place where we could escape the bustle of everyday life.
We often found ourselves not wanting to go home! On some nights, we would have sleepovers in the horse lorry, sitting together under the stars, toasting marshmallows, and feeling completely at peace. It was during these nights that we realised this place was something truly special. It wasn’t just land for our horses; it was our escape – a space where we could be together as a family and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Labour of Love
Every step of building Ockeridge was a labour of love, done together as a family. Jack, who was still quite young at the time, was eager to help his dad with everything from digging the grounds to adding fencing and creating his own little venture, that is a favourite with our guests, Jack’s Tuck Shop.
Whilst Elliot and Jack spend their time maintaining the retreats, Tiffany keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, taking care of the little extras that we offer, that help to make the stay more personalised and special, if it’s for an occasion or celebration.
There’s a lot of history that runs through our retreats, too. Elliot’s great-great-grandfather, a coppersmith, started the family business in 1904, and you’ll see a piece of that legacy in our signature copper bathtubs, featured in The Ashwood and The Monkwood. These touches aren’t just beautiful – they’re part of our family’s story, woven into the fabric of Ockeridge Rural Retreats.
The Shepherds Hut
The spark for our retreats came at Ragley Hall Game Fair, where we fell in love with the charm of a shepherd’s hut. We looked at each other and thought, “What if we could share our special place and have others experience the same peace and connection with the outdoors that we do?”
A place with the luxuries of a 5-star hotel, but nature on the doorstep! The idea stuck with us, but it took time to bring it to life. In between running the family business, we purchased more land, now a total of nine acres and set our sights on creating something special. After a long two-year wait for planning permission, we were finally able to start the journey of building Ockeridge Rural Retreats. Our first retreat, the Montana Log Cabin, marked the beginning of something truly amazing.
After The Montana, we purchased our first shepherd’s hut, The Shepherds Retreat. Just like the one we fell in love with at Ragley Hall a few years earlier. This hut holds a special place in our hearts as it was the one that sparked our passion for shepherd’s huts and glamping. Recently, we made some beautiful updates to its outdoor area, including woven fencing for added privacy, ambient lighting to set a cosy atmosphere, and a new chiminea with a seating area – perfect for toasting marshmallows and enjoying the outdoors through all of the seasons.
Our Luxury Glamping Retreats
Six Retreats
Today, we have six retreats, each one was designed with care, blending luxury with serenity offering guests a chance to unwind, escape the hustle of daily life, and enjoy the beauty of the Worcestershire countryside. Our guests come for romantic getaways, surprise celebrations, walking holidays and even proposals.
Running Ockeridge has truly been a family effort. We spend our days together, ensuring that everything is just right for our guests. Jack, who has grown up with this dream, is involved in every aspect, from maintenance to helping with the retreats and managing his own tuck shop. It’s been our way of teaching him the value of hard work, just as Elliot learned from his father and grandfather.
tranquility, joy, and connection
As we continue to grow and improve, we remain committed to creating the best experience for our guests and ways to make your stay even more special. For us, Ockeridge isn’t just a business – it’s a reflection of our family, and our love for the outdoors, with the luxury touch and the joy we get from sharing this peaceful escape with others.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We hope your time at Ockeridge Rural Retreats brings you the same sense of tranquility, joy, and connection that it has brought us, and we look forward to welcoming you for many years to come.
