First Impressions
Nestled on the North Wales-Cheshire border, lays a luxury glamping experience like no other. Rackery Retreat is home to three fully-equipped safari tents which are all set within a beautiful field away from the rest of the world. They all have a built-in kitchen and bathroom, so you are completely self-sufficient in these incredible Safari tents. If that already sounds like a dream, then wait till you see the huge decking, which is filled with candles and comfy seats and leads to the biggest, most luxurious Jacuzzi I have ever seen! We couldn’t help but spend hours just lazying around in there and watching the stars come out with a glass of fizz.
When we arrived at Rackery Retreat we instantly fell in love as we had never stayed in a safari tent before so they just looked amazing stood on the top of the fields. We meet Andrew, the owner, who was the most delightful, friendly host we have ever met and just made the stay more special. He gave us such a warm welcome and helped us with tips on where to go and even gave us coal for the BBQ from his home so that we didn’t have to go back out.
Interiors
The structure of the safari tent is amazing and one you will keep admiring throughout your stay here. Don’t expect many decorations as you need to remember you are still inside a huge tent but they make up for it with a beautifully decorated dining table and romantic bedroom so there is still a wow factor when you arrive. The soft furnishings and wooden accessories are all in keeping with the style and theme of the place. They have managed to create a fun, and adventurous yet relaxing place to stay.
Rooms
We stayed in The Beech, which is their 6 person safari tent and it was just gorgeous. Once we stepped into the safari tent, we were taken away by the beautiful furnishings, the wooden detail throughout the tent, and the welcome we received with a bottle of prosecco and our names on a light board.
There is a kitchen with all the basics such as a kettle, crockery, and utensils as well as a gas hob and a fridge. There is a huge table that nicely seats 6 people for all your meals, which then leads to the living area. This is on the smaller side and would more comfortably seat 4 people but to be fair you will be spending all your time in the Jacuzzi so it doesn’t matter. There is a beautiful 4 poster, King size bed downstairs, which is very romantic, two single beds up the stairs, and the most adorable treehouse double bed In the living room. This is a great space for children or even young at heart adults.
I absolutely loved the fact the bathroom was inside the safari tent, as some glamping experiences have the bathroom away from the main accommodation, which I personally don’t enjoy. The bathroom was a wonderful space with not only a shower, but a free-standing roll-top bath too, so you really can’t get more luxurious than this.
Two of their tents can accommodate 4 people and the other accommodates six, so these make perfect staycations if you are looking for a luxury escape to the country with the whole family, a romantic break for a couple, or a why not hire out the whole of Rackery Retreat for a fun holiday with a big group of friends.
Extras
Your four-legged friends are more than welcome to join you too, which means no one is left out on your adventure to Rackery Retreat. Under the treehouse bed is a storage space that is great for your dog bed so they too have a cute place to dream the night away. You are also surrounded by lush countryside so they will love running around and sniffing out all the new smells.
We decided both nights to eat in as we had been out exploring all day, but to be honest, you just want to get in the jacuzzi and relax when you arrive home. This meant we could get on the prosecco nice and early and with a gas hob and BBQ you could rustle up lots of wonderful food.
Overall Impression
Overall we were really impressed by our stay here at Rackery Retreat. From our warm welcome, little extras, and the setting of the safari tent, it was all amazing. If you aren’t a camper but want to still spend the night in the middle of the countryside this is a great luxurious alternative and one the whole family will enjoy.
Nearby
Towns
- Chester
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Nantwich
- Northwich
- Shrewsbury
Attractions
Alderford Lake – Swim, walk and stay around this wonderful Lake. They also have a great cafe offering tasty breakfasts and homemade cakes in a glass and wood building overlooking the lake.
Bickerton Hill Walk – Explore the diverse landscape and breathtaking views of the Bickerton Hills. You can see all the way to Liverpool when you reach the tops, so well worth the hike up.
Dee River Kayaking – The Dee is the perfect river to come to for your first kayaking adventures. The river winds its way from the heart of Snowdonia, into Liverpool Bay. It navigates great lakes, beautiful meandering flats, man-made waterfalls, and natural rapids.
Delamere Forest – With walks, bike hire, segway, and go ape among some of the activities available here, you really will be busy all day exploring this amazing woodland.
Chester Zoo – You may recognise this zoo from channel 4’s, ‘The Secret Life of the Zoo’, and with over 35,000 animals and 128 acres of zoological gardens to explore you are definitely in for a treat
Crocky Trail – This mile-long adventure trail for kids will have you screaming with excitement and laughing with joy as you race down slides, journey across rope swings, and master climbs.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – Cross the stream in the sky for the most amazing views of the valley below. There are many walks around this area which take you right from the top of this aqueduct to below in the woodlands.
The Ice Cream Farm – This wonderful Farm is a great day out for the whole family. Not only do they make more than 40 flavours of ice cream, but they also have a kids’ play area, farm animals, and quad bikes.
Pubs
The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall – This is a dog-friendly pub, offering some exceptional food and 3 wonderful walks. All 3 walks start at the front door of the pub and are all different lengths depending on how far you want to go, but all meander around woodland and fields. Follow the route here or pop into the pub for a leaflet detailing the walks.
The Swan, Marbury – Set in a little gem of a village, this much loved country pub is great on a sunny day to sip cocktails in their courtyard or get cosy in the heart of the pub for a delicious Sunday lunch.
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