Captured Moments here at the Old Gravel Pits
Autumn Colours
Some places you must feel to believe – welcome to The Old Gravel Pit Lodges.
Tucked around quiet lakes on a private nature reserve, our fully equipped waterside cabins offer fishing, wildlife, and true downtime in nature – a magical escape that no photograph can quite capture.
Escape the rush, find your pause.
More people are looking to disconnect, step off the grid, and escape the constant noise of modern life. Switching your phone off can be surprisingly liberating. Life moves fast, and sometimes we forget to press pause – this is where you can finally do just that.
At The Old Gravel Pit Lodges, nature comes first. Set within a thirty-acre nature reserve of lakes, trees, and abundant wildlife, our small collection of cabins offers that rare balance of wild tranquillity and home-from-home comfort. Hidden away, yet still close to everything you might need, it’s a place you feel the moment you arrive.
Lakeside lodges with room to breathe
All our cabins are spaciously separated, giving you peace, privacy, and uninterrupted views of the water. Every lodge is fully equipped and opens onto its own veranda or decking, so you can step straight outside with your morning coffee and watch the light move across the lake.
Each cabin has private fishing directly from your own peg or platform, with tranquil water, wildfowl, and other birds all around you. Whether you’re here to fish from dawn till dusk, read on the veranda, or simply sit and watch the world slow down, the water is always at the heart of your stay.
'The lodges'
Mallard – lakeside comfort with peace of mind
Mallard is a cosy two-bedroom cabin set on the main fishing lake. French doors open onto your private veranda, overlooking the water and your own fishing peg. While we encourage you to switch off, we know some guests like the reassurance of being able to check in or work if needed, so Mallard includes Wi fi for peace of mind.
Ideal for couples, friends, or small families who want to immerse themselves in nature without losing all connection to the outside world.
Little Grebe – simple, secluded, and screen-free
Little Grebe is a beautifully designed one-bedroom cabin on the main lake, with its own veranda, fishing pegs, and a strong sense of privacy. Fully equipped and comfortably furnished, it has everything you need – except Wi fi.
For many guests, that’s exactly the appeal. Little Grebe is perfect for a true digital detox: just you, the water, and the wildlife.
Wigeon – accessible comfort on a quiet lake
At the far end of the thirty-acre nature reserve, you’ll find Wigeon, a two-bedroom cabin sitting privately on a smaller, quieter lake. This thoughtfully designed lodge is accessible for guests with disabilities, with its own private veranda, entrance, and parking, plus Wi fi and a smart TV for relaxed evenings in.
Regular visitors to the lake include herons, kingfishers, and many other species of birdlife. It’s a peaceful spot where you can enjoy nature up close, from the comfort of your own lakeside home.
Swift – a romantic hideaway in the trees
Hidden in the middle of the reserve, Swift is our romantic escape. Reached by a long private driveway and tucked among the trees, this one-bedroom cabin features a four-poster bed and a jacuzzi-style bathtub, making it a favourite for couples’ getaways. Fully equipped and comfortably furnished, it has everything you need – except Wi fi.
French doors lead onto your veranda, overlooking a small body of water we like to call “the nursery” – a calm, sheltered haven for young wildlife. Here you’re completely private and wrapped in nature; it’s a place to slow right down and just be.
The Old Gravel Pits - A private nature reserve to explore
This is a relaxing and peaceful holiday base, where expanses of glittering, tranquil water are alive with fish, wildfowl, and other birds. The coarse fishing and the nature reserve are for the sole use of our visitors, making it a genuinely private and exclusive paradise for those staying with us.
Walking paths have been carefully cut into the site, leading you into the heart of this wildlife haven. Along the way, you’ll find benches perfectly placed for sketching, photography, birdwatching, or simply sitting quietly and taking it all in. For dedicated birdwatchers, a hide is tucked beside one of the lakes, and each lodge has a plant and wildlife identification book to help with your observations.
We also recommend downloading the “Merlin” app for accurate bird identification during your stay.
Fishing on your doorstep
Around half of the site is water, with coarse fishing available on the lakes that surround the lodges. Each cabin has its own private fishing peg or platform, so you can step outside and cast a line whenever the mood takes you. Please remember that The Gravel Pits is first and foremost a nature reserve. Fishing here is a privilege – a beautiful and rewarding bonus to your time among the lakes.
You can fish for Rudd, Roach, Tench, Carp, Bream, and Ide in peaceful, uncrowded surroundings. Whether you’re an experienced angler or simply curious to try, the combination of still water, birdsong, and gentle activity makes for an unforgettable way to spend the day.
Your kind of escape
Whether you’re seeking a quiet getaway for two, a romantic hideaway, or a relaxed break with friends and family, there’s a lodge here with your name on the welcome mat. Some guests come for the fishing, some for the birds and wildlife, and others simply to exhale and enjoy a few days where time moves more slowly.