Luxury Wilderness Escape
Wilderness Reserve is an extraordinary 8,000-acre private estate located in the unspoiled Suffolk countryside, just 2 hours from London and 45 minutes from Stansted Airport. This exclusive retreat features a collection of meticulously restored heritage properties, from thatched cottages to grand country houses, each offering ultimate privacy while maintaining the highest standards of luxury. Chapel Barn, your accommodation for this program, is a magnificent restored 15th-century barn conversion that sleeps up to 18 guests across 8 beautifully appointed bedrooms, featuring exposed ancient beams, contemporary designer furnishings, and expansive glass walls offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The estate boasts ancient woodlands, natural swimming lakes, wildflower meadows, and formal gardens, providing the perfect backdrop for reconnecting with nature without sacrificing comfort. Wilderness Reserve combines the exclusivity of a private estate with the service and amenities of a five-star hotel, creating a truly unique setting for our immersive countryside experience
This Package Includes
- 4 nights exclusive accommodation in Chapel Barn at Wilderness Reserve
- Daily continental and full English breakfast at your private residence
- Welcome dinner on arrival night prepared by private chef
- Two al fresco lunches in the estate grounds
- Wine tasting experience with dinner on Day 3
- Estate-to-table farewell feast on final evening
- Personalized dietary accommodations (all preferences catered to)
- Private chauffeured transfers from London Stansted Airport
- Electric estate vehicles for on-site transportation
- Complimentary parking for self-drive guests
- Guided nature walk through ancient woodlands (2.5 hours)
- Wild swimming session in natural lakes (1.5 hours, towels provided)
- Clay pigeon shooting experience (2 hours, all equipment provided)
- Paddleboarding on the estate's lakes (1 hour, equipment provided)
- Estate foraging session with resident chef (3 hours)
- Full access to heated outdoor swimming pool (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
- Unlimited use of estate bicycles for independent exploration
- Tennis court access (8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, equipment provided)
- 24-hour access to estate grounds for walks and wildlife spotting
- Dedicated estate host throughout your stay
- Professional naturalist for guided activities
- Private chef for included meals
- In-residence spa treatments (additional cost £120-£180)
- Archery masterclass (additional cost £85 per person, book 24 hours in advance)
- Private helicopter tours of Suffolk coastline (additional cost £650, weather dependent)
Itinerary
Your Wilderness Reserve experience begins with private chauffeured transfers meeting you at London Stansted Airport at 1:00 PM, arriving at the estate by 2:00 PM. Upon arrival at the gated entrance, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated estate host who will escort you to Chapel Barn. After settling into your luxurious accommodations, enjoy a welcome refreshment of champagne and locally sourced canapés on your private terrace at 3:30 PM while your host provides an orientation of the estate and your personalized itinerary. At 5:00 PM, join a guided walking tour of the immediate estate grounds, familiarizing yourself with the facilities and natural features accessible during your stay. Return to Chapel Barn at 6:30 PM to freshen up before your welcome dinner at 7:30 PM, prepared by your private chef in the open-plan kitchen and served in the vaulted dining room. The evening menu features Suffolk’s finest seasonal ingredients paired with selected English wines. After dinner, enjoy stargazing from your private hot tub or gather around the outdoor fire pit with digestifs until you’re ready to retire. Overnight at Chapel Barn, Wilderness Reserve.
Begin your day with breakfast served in your residence between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM, with options ranging from continental selections to a full Suffolk breakfast featuring estate-produced ingredients. At 10:00 AM, meet your naturalist guide at the estate office for a 2.5-hour exploration of Wilderness Reserve’s ancient woodlands, learning about the estate’s conservation efforts and diverse ecosystem. Return to Chapel Barn at 12:30 PM for a light lunch served on your private terrace. At 2:30 PM, change into swimming attire for a guided wild swimming experience in the estate’s natural lakes, with the option to try paddleboarding for those interested. Return to your accommodation by 4:30 PM with time to relax before dinner. At 7:00 PM, your private chef will prepare a seasonal Suffolk dinner served in the orangery-style dining space. The evening concludes with optional drinks around the outdoor fire pit where your naturalist will lead a discussion on nocturnal wildlife that can be spotted on the estate. Overnight at Chapel Barn, Wilderness Reserve.
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM before gathering at the estate’s shooting ground at 10:30 AM for a clay pigeon shooting session. Under expert instruction, both beginners and experienced shooters will enjoy this quintessential countryside pursuit. Following the morning’s activities, at 1:00 PM join an estate foraging session where the resident chef will guide you through identifying edible plants, mushrooms, and berries throughout the grounds. The foraged ingredients will feature in your lunch served picnic-style in a secluded meadow at 2:30 PM. Return to Chapel Barn by 4:00 PM with free time to enjoy the estate’s facilities, perhaps taking the provided bicycles to explore independently or relaxing by the heated outdoor pool. At 7:30 PM, gather in the vaulted wine cellar for a tasting of English wines paired with artisanal local cheeses before proceeding to dinner at 8:30 PM, which incorporates elements from your foraging experience. The evening concludes with digestifs beside the indoor fireplace. Overnight at Chapel Barn, Wilderness Reserve.
Start your day with breakfast served between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, followed by free time to enjoy the estate at your own pace. Options include tennis on the private court, cycling through the estate’s trails, or simply relaxing with a book beside the natural swimming lakes. At 12:00 PM, gather for a paddleboarding session on the estate’s largest lake, suitable for all skill levels with instruction provided. Return to Chapel Barn at 1:30 PM for a light lunch on the terrace. The afternoon is reserved for individual relaxation, with the option to book in-residence spa treatments in your private treatment room (additional cost, subject to availability). At 5:00 PM, join an optional wildlife spotting walk focusing on the estate’s diverse bird species and deer population. Your farewell dinner begins at 7:30 PM with champagne and canapés in the walled garden (weather permitting), followed by an estate-to-table feast prepared by your private chef using ingredients sourced entirely from Wilderness Reserve and neighboring farms. Dinner concludes with a special dessert service around the outdoor fire pit under the stars. Overnight at Chapel Barn, Wilderness Reserve.
Your final day begins with a leisurely breakfast served between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Those who wish may join a sunrise yoga session on the private terrace at 7:00 AM (weather permitting), or enjoy a final self-guided walk around the estate’s lakes. Check-out time from Chapel Barn is 11:00 AM, with luggage assistance provided by the estate staff. Private transfers to London Stansted Airport depart at 11:30 AM, arriving approximately 45 minutes later. For guests wishing to extend their countryside experience, the estate host can arrange late departure up to 2:00 PM (subject to availability) or recommend local attractions to visit before returning to London.
Enhance your Wilderness Reserve experience with a selection of premium activities available throughout your stay. Private in-residence spa treatments can be arranged in your dedicated treatment room, with options including deep tissue massage, hot stone therapy, and bespoke facials (£120-£180 per treatment, advance booking required at least 48 hours prior). For those interested in traditional country pursuits, an archery masterclass with a championship-level instructor can be arranged on the estate’s dedicated range (£85 per person, all equipment provided, suitable for beginners and experienced archers alike, book 24 hours in advance). Experience the Suffolk coastline and countryside from above with a private helicopter tour departing directly from the estate’s helipad (£650 for a 30-minute flight for up to 3 guests, weather dependent, book 72 hours in advance). The estate can also arrange bespoke experiences including private painting classes in the meadows, astronomical evenings with a professional astronomer, or private tours of nearby historic properties including Framlingham Castle (pricing varies, please inquire with your estate host at least 48 hours in advance). All optional activities are subject to weather conditions and availability.
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
