Feather Down

Options & prices

Layer Marney Tower

Essex, Colchester

★

Rated with 9.4

(168 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 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. 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 stay, 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

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

9.4

flags

Mr Coulson

28/08/2023

Chilled and peaceful.

8.8

flags

ms langdon

21/08/2023

We definitely made some core memories at Later Marney!

10

flags

Mrs Jackson

18/08/2023

a true adventure for the family with all the confort

10

flags

Mrs cardona munoz

18/08/2023

The perfect weekend escape for all the family, the kids enjoyed it a lot everything was perfect, our favourite thing was the showerthank you

10

flags

Mrs Bitmead

18/08/2023

Great fun with the family, kids loved running around in the woods and getting the fires going. Really enjoyed the location, felt like we were able to really relax and slow down, the free entry to the tower was a great bonus and only 10 mins from Colchester zoo.

10

flags

mevrouw Van Gassen

14/08/2023

Wij hadden een heel fijne vakantie tussen de dieren. We werden vriendelijk onthaald en Nick gaf ons met plezier informatie over de dieren en de tower. We konden verschillende culturele uitstapjes doen en de kinderen zaten uren in de hot tub.

10

flags

Ms Argyle

07/08/2023

Fantastic! So many lovely memories: Watching deer graze opposite the tent as the sun went down; the BBQ and cowboy stew meals which were so thoughtfully put together and delivered (and delicious); exploring the beautiful Layer Marney Tower and grounds, to name just a few. Then on top of that the immense fun we all had in the hot tub. Can’t wait to go back.

10

flags

Mr Ure

04/08/2023

Great experience

8.8

flags

fam Dickerson

14/07/2023

The most relaxing holiday, despite the fact I was on my own with 5 children.

10

flags

Mrs Cooper

23/06/2023

Relaxing, chilled, fun, calm, stress free, able to switch off. Lazy days and evenings. Loved the fire pit, hot tub and outdoor stove

10

flags

Mrs Mackay

09/06/2023

I’m not the camping type, but this stay changed my mind. The facilities were amazing, with everything you need. We enjoyed building fires and cooking outside. My son loved feeding the animals on the farm. A fantastic weekend of making incredible memories.

10

flags

Mr Daniels

02/06/2023

A great bonding experience - far , far away from electronic devices!

8.8

flags

Mrs Mpambawashe

19/05/2023

A wonderful off grid experience. Our very first time camping and it was so wonderful to wake up to the sound of birds and go to sleep to the sound of nature. The location was perfect and the amenities were spot on. We enjoyed the whole experience. We became professionals at starting the fires for the hot tub, s’mores and warming the place as well as the cooker. The hot shower is a great addition love the bucket idea so cool. Everything you need is there so there wasn’t much to pack and the honesty shop on site was great for the few things we forgot to get. We also got to pay before we left which was excellent. You’re left to be free no one checking in which is a great escape.

10

flags

Mr Butragueno

28/04/2023

Fabulous

10

flags

Miss Shoria

07/04/2023

Brilliant to go off grid at such a lovely location

10

flags

Mrs Hopkins

31/03/2023

Very organised and simple site. Super easy to get to from London!

8.8

flags

Mr. Hambrook

07/10/2022

Really lovely family getaway. Kids loved the Cupboard bed and Hot Tub.

8.8

flags

mrs Brannon

30/08/2022

Great place to unwind and enjoy history with layer tower onsite, along with the beautiful surroundings & spending family time & all nature has to offer!.

10

flags

miss march

30/08/2022

Brilliant. Was a lovely break away.

10

flags

Mevrouw Verhagen

12/08/2022

Later Marney Tower is een fantastische vakantiebestemming! De eigenaren zijn zeer vriendelijk. Er zijn 6 tenten, sommigen hebben ook een hot tub. De tenten liggen heerlijk in de schaduw of aan de rand van het bos. De ontbijtbox en fruitbox zijn heerlijk! Buiten koken is heel leuk :-) De Layer Marney Tower heeft heel veel geschiedenis en is heel leuk om te bezoeken. De kerk is nog in gebruik. Elke ochtend worden alle dieren gevoerd waar de kinderen aan mee kunnen doen. In de omgeving zijn andere leuke steden/dorpjes om te bezoeken allemaal binnen een uur rijden (behalve Cambridge). Sowieso is door het Engelse platteland rijden een leuke belevenis.

10

flags

Mevrouw Elbertsen

08/08/2022

Rust, ruimte, buiten... Het was erg warm in de week van ons verblijf. We waren dan ook erg blij met onze tent en de schaduwrijke omgeving! Ook een gezellige pizza-avond en cultuur opsnuiven bij Layer Marney Tower. Genoten!

10

flags

ms noble

08/07/2022

Am absolutely idyllic weekend. Ticked all the boxes for the children and the adults too. The hot tub, table tennis, bbqs, comfy beds, use of shared fridges and power points, the children loved the honesty shop too.

10

flags

Mrs O’grady

24/06/2022

The most wholesome of family weekends

10

flags

Mrs Smith

27/05/2022

Back to basics excellent together time

10

flags

Mrs Wright

22/10/2021

Excellent site, super friendly & helpful hosts and set in a beautiful location. My kids loved feeding the animals and the regular visits from the owners dogs. Hot tub was a winner with us all. The honesty shop had the basic essentials and there are larger supermarkets approx. 10 mins away in Tiptree.

10

flags

Mr Gladstone

22/10/2021

The best way to disconnect from the day to day and enjoy a simpler life in beautiful surroundings

10

flags

Mrs Owen

23/08/2021

Great family fun

8.8

flags

Mr Grech

23/08/2021

Nick and Sheila saved our summer! Wonderful glamping in the stunning grounds of their Tudor stately home, complete with lush gardens, deer park, farmyard and chapel. Friendly vibe, gorgeous setting. Top marks all round!

10

flags

Ms McAllister

20/08/2021

Fantastic! The place & hosts are amazing

10

flags

Mrs Morgan

13/08/2021

Fun time had by all! Great way to escape the big smoke!

8.8

flags

Ms Gunn

09/08/2021

Wonderfully relaxing. A real switch off. The kids kept themselves amused with ping pong and nature walks, I read 3 books! 🙏

10

flags

Mrs Kelly

09/08/2021

As a family we had a great time forgetting modern technology and back to basics spending quality time together. The children enjoyed having the chickens and caring for them.We visited so many lovely places around Layer Marney. Lovely relaxed place with stunning surroundings. Thank you, The Kellys.

10

flags

Mrs James

02/08/2021

beautiful views. Very relaxing

8.8

flags

Mrs Toms

30/07/2021

Brilliant getaway, highly recommend the hot tub and cowboy supper. Lovely hot shower too! Our chickens laid every morning and the setting immediately in front of the deer was fab!

10

flags

Mr Smith

30/07/2021

We did not know what to expect as this was our first clamping experience. We were so pleased with what we found and we had a wonderful experience. We had two little ones with us (3 years and 1 year) and they found so much to enjoy, some of it for the first time in their young lives. The facilities were really good and provided everything we needed in every way. Our daughter and her husband and the granddaughters are all very keen to go clamping again - they really enjoyed the experience. We would all like to give our thanks to Christine who checked us in, showed us how to work everything, was there if we had questions and helped us if we had special needs. She was brilliant and a credit to the support team at Layer Marney Tower

10

flags

Dr Cannon

18/06/2021

I booked the entire campsite for my family and we all enjoyed a very relaxing and social weekend. The hot tubs were a huge hit, as were the rental chickens, and everyone remarked on how comfortable they found the tents. We really didn't have to think about anything which made our stay that much easier.

10

flags

Mr Lucas

11/06/2021

Really great all round experience

10

flags

Ms. Spillman

31/05/2021

restorative

8.8

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 chickens and let our place be your escape from modern-day living.
Layer Marney e1551180097791
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.

Fruit Box
Fruit Box
i

Upon arrival, a fruit box with fresh seasonal/regional fruit will be waiting for you in your tent.

Hot tub
Hot tub
i

Treat yourself by booking a hot tub! You can use it throughout your stay. Remember to bring your swimsuit!

Nearby the farm

Mersea Island

Colchester

The Essex salt marsh coast

Book your unique experience

View options and prices