Feather Down

Options & prices

Layer Marney Tower

Essex, Colchester

★

Rated with 9.3

(183 Reviews)

Escape to a simpler life with Sheila and Nick

Discover Layer Marney Tower in Essex, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England with 500 years of history, privately owned by Nick and Sheila. You will be introduced to the grazing animals during feeding time each morning – meet at the Tower’s courtyard at 8am. Your cosy canvas hideaways are nestled in birch, ash and alder trees that you’ll share with pheasants, woodpeckers, muntjac deer and owls. All in all, this country estate is the ideal spot for a family holiday in Essex that allows you to unwind and enjoy the slower pace of life in the Essex countryside.

Surprising Essex

Layer Marney Tower is well placed for you to explore some little-known gems of the Essex coastline, one of the longest of any county in England. If you like bird watching, Abberton Reservoir is just a ten-minute drive away. Blackwater Estuary National Nature Reserve for some wildlife watching. Colchester, the first city founded in England, is well worth a visit, both for its history and for its zoo, recently voted one of the best in the country. Oyster lovers will already know all about Mersea Island. Constable Country is a short drive away at Dedham Vale, where you can see where the Haywain was painted, one of the most famous paintings in the National Gallery.

What to do at Layer Marney Tower

During your holiday in this stunning Essex farm, you will have free access to the Tower when it is open, where you can learn about the ups and downs in its history, join in the fun and get a stunning view all the way to the sea from the top. For the adventurous, fly your kites, organise your own cricket or football in the big fields or climb up the farm’s spider web frame, the choice is yours! Some tents come with a hot tub (bookable extra), a truly indulgent way to get back to nature. When the sun sets, grab some marshmallows from the honesty shop and gather around the campfire. You may be able to book in for a pizza night (date and availability dependent) where you can meet Nick and Sheila the owners, create your own pizza toppings and socialise with fellow guests. After a long day of exploration, you can collapse into your comfy bed for a good night’s sleep at one of the best places for a family holiday in Essex.

What can you expect?

  • •

    Hot tub

  • •

    Honesty shop

  • •

    Pizza oven

  • •

    Private shower

  • •

    Outdoor playground

  • •

    Cannot accept dogs

What animals will you find on this farm?

Sheep

Chickens

Goats

Lambs

Dogs

<
You too?

What our guests like

  • ✓ Historic monument
  • ✓ 6 canvas hideaways
  • ✓ No electricity
  • ✓ A firepit next to each tent
  • ✓ Close to London
  • ✓ Feed the animals

Explore our canvas hideaway

Lines Options & prices
Safari tent interior glamping England
Boerenbed UK 1279 copy
Glamping cooking
Glamping tent inside
Glamping cupboard bed
Check A unique off-grid experience
Check The perfect adventure for children
Check Quality family time
Check Small scale farms
  • •

    Including wood for the wood-burning stove (1 pack per day)

  • •

    Including welcome package with bed-linen, towels, candles, matches, washing-up liquid and other basic items

  • •

    Private showers

What do our guests think?

<
Average rating
background

9.3

Meet your hosts

Sheila and Nick

We are Nick and Sheila and together with our team (and our menagerie of animals), we will welcome you to the beautiful Layer Marney Tower.

"
Dip into your private hot tub, spoil some goats and let our place be your escape from modern-day living.
Untitled design 4
Boerenbed Kalverwijde Marion Stoffels Fotografie 3814

Highlight

Pizza night

The farmer will usually fire up the pizza oven during your stay (availability dependant). Everyone gathers round to tell their stories of the day’s adventures and invent pizza toppings you’ll never find on the high street.

Web web LMT tractor

Highlight

Ask the farmer

Learn more about farm life and the animals at Layer Marney during the animal feed each morning. If you miss this opportunity, the hosts will be delighted to tell you more about farm life when you see them around.

FD Layer Marney small 021

Highlight

Honesty shop

The honesty shop is great for the basics and often has local produce with low food miles, perfect for your short break. And every Feather Down shop operates on an honesty basis, with the bill settled at the end of your stay.

Web shoes group CHH

Highlight

Group takeover weekend

Take exclusive use of the whole campsite in Essex for you and your friends & family on selected dates. Enjoy the freedom to roam and create treasured memories with a group glamping experience.

"
If John Lewis sold holidays, they'd look like this

Options during your stay

Stove and lamp service
Stove and lamp service
i

Your stove and lamps are lit before arrival, when you arrive before 6 p.m.

Farmers Stew
Farmers Stew
>

Recommended!

i

You will receive the recipe, ingredients and cooking utensils to prepare a delicious Farmers Stew at your tent, enough for 4-6 people.

Nearby the farm

Mersea Island

Colchester

The Essex salt marsh coast

Book your unique experience

View options and prices