01252 339020
About Us
General
Part of our Quirky Collection.
Secret Garden is a light and airy glamping pod located in the peaceful gardens of a small boatyard at Beccles on the River Waveney. It sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms; a double bedroom and a bedroom with 2 full size bunk beds fitted in an 'L' shape. It has a kitchenette with a 2 ring induction hob, a microwave and a small fridge. There is also a wet room with a shower and electric wall heaters.
This unique, timber glamping pod has patio doors that open onto furnished decking. It has a spacious outdoor area which is great for children or pets and offers views over the river. A rowboat is also included with this property for fun adventures on the water.
The lovely town of Beccles has a number of small market squares, with winding streets leading down to the scenic River Waveney. Around every corner there are interesting independent shops, plus a smattering of local pubs, restaurants and cafés – a waterside café / restaurant is within very easy walking distance of Secret Garden. Locally you will find Beccles Lido, various river boat trips, the Friday street market and a local history museum. Further afield there are transport, aviation and naval museums; outdoor karting; stately homes and gardens or medieval churches to explore, so you'll find plenty to do if you like to be busy. The Suffolk Coast is only 20 minutes’ drive away and there are regular trains from Beccles Station to Oulton Broad, Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth.
New for 2024 an Eco wood fired hot tub that can be booked on arrival (costs apply, see facilities tab).
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
One double bedroom.
One bunkbed room.
Family shower room with power shower, W/C & hand basin.
Pets
Pets are welcome (2 max).
Terms & Conditions
£100 deposit is required on booking, balance is due 8 weeks beforehand.
Sorry, no smoking or vaping.
Check in is between 2.30pm - 4.45pm. Check out is 10am.
Minimum 2 night stays, flexible start days depending on availability.
Location Information
Secret Garden is in a great location on the Southern Broads, less than 1 mile from Beccles Station and within easy reach by car or train to Norwich.
The pod is accessed by a part concrete, part gravel and dirt path with grass verges. There can be uneven surfaces, the paths are maintained with natural materials which alter throughout the seasons. There is one iron gate on the path that needs opening and closing by hand.
The Norfolk and Suffolk coastline and sandy beaches are within a short 30 minute drive from the property.
There are numerous family-friendly attractions in the local area including the Lido, river trips and further afield the Mediaeval City of Norwich complete with Castle, Cathedral and open market.
There are also plenty of water activities available at the boatyard, such as canoeing, kayaking or hiring a Stand Up Paddleboards. Guided tours can be booked.
Check Availability & Book
Optional Extras
- Day Hire Canoe (up to 3) £55.
- Single Kayak - half day £35
- Guided Canoe Tour - £80
- Guided Kayak Tour - £70
- Pedal Boat for 3 hours - £75.
- SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) pair 10.30 to 3 - £90
- SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) lesson 2 - 4 pm -£50.
- Canoe Skills Workshop 12.30 to 7.30 by canoe (max 3 persons) - £150.
- Hot tub charge - £15 first night wood, towels and etc, then £10 subsequent nights for wood and firelighters. For 2025 there is no charge for the hot tub, only for additional wood and firelighters.
Terms & Conditions
CHARGES & TERMS:
A contract between you and the owners will come into existence when they receive payment and accept your booking by issuing an email confirming booking for the holiday dates shown in the rental agreement. The contract binds you & all the members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party accept the terms of the contract set out in these terms & conditions of booking. Failure to disclose all relevant information or comply with these terms may lead to termination of the contract & loss of the booking.
A booking deposit of £100 is payable at the time of booking. Bookings made less than 8 weeks before your arrival date must be accompanied by the full amount of the holiday.
The balance must be paid so as to arrive no later than 8 weeks before the commencement of your holiday. If the balance is not received by the due date then your holiday will be treated as a cancellation and you will remain liable to pay the balance of the rent.
Refund Policy:
At Hippersons Boatyard we aim to make your experience as pleasant as possible. We want to look after you. This applies to our refund policy.We know you don’t book a holiday experience intending to cancel, but sometimes life can get in the way. When that happens, we want to make it as easy as we can to help you.
Accommodation for Glamping pods and HouseboatsHolidays booked more than six months in advance.
When you book your holiday, we take a £100 deposit. In the event of cancellation by you 8 weeks or more before your holiday, your £100 booking deposit will be non-refundable and you may be eligible to claim on your holiday cancellation insurance if taken. Cancellation within 8 weeks of your holiday will forfeit the full hire amount paid (or due) unless the owners can re-let the property in which case only the £100 booking deposit will be forfeit to cover administration and re-letting costs. Holiday booked less than six months in advance
When you book your holiday we take a £100 deposit and ask you to pay the balance 8 weeks before your holiday is due to start. In the event of cancellation by you 8 weeks or more before your holiday, your £100 booking deposit will be non-refundable and you may be eligible to claim on your holiday cancellation insurance if taken. Cancellation within 8 weeks of your holiday will forfeit the full hire amount paid (or due) unless the owners can re-let the property in which case only the £100 booking deposit will be forfeit to cover administration and re-letting costs.
Holiday booked less than three months in advance
When you book your holiday we ask you to pay the full amount at the time of booking. In the event of cancellation by you 8 weeks or more before your holiday, your £100 booking deposit will be non-refundable and you may be eligible to claim on your holiday cancellation insurance if taken. Cancellation within 8 weeks of your holiday will forfeit the full hire amount paid (or due) unless the owners can re-let the property in which case only the £100 booking deposit will be forfeit to cover administration and re-letting costs.
Dayboats, Canoes, and Kayaks hire
For our day experience packages, we ask for full payment at point of booking, and you will receive an e mail confirmation. If you find the day you have booked is a challenge, please call us up to 48 hours in advance and we will be happy to rebook to another day subject to availability. If you need to cancel your booking up to 48 hours in advance, we will give you a full refund and hope we see you another time when your calendar permits.
Less than 48 hours notice of cancellation we will only refund if we are able to resell the experience slot. If there is adverse weather on the day of your booking and we deem it unsafe for you to have your experience, we will offer you the choice of a refund or to rebook to another mutually convenient date.
Late arrivals:
Arrivals are between the hours of 3pm and 4.45. Arrivals after these times may be arranged with at least two weeks advance notice, but will incur a cost of £15 an hour to cover the staffing required.
The number of persons using the accommodation at any time must not exceed 4 and only those people listed on the booking form can occupy the apartment. We reserve the right to terminate the booking without notice and without refund in case of a breach of this condition.
The 4 in the party must sleep in the provided beds and under no circumstance use the sofa or other areas without gaining the express permission of the owners.
This permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under eighteen years of age.
We (the owner) reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason.
We or our representative reserve the right to enter the apartment at any time to undertake essential maintenance or for inspection purposes.
Tenancies normally commence at 3pm unless otherwise agreed and guests are required to vacate the apartment by 11am on the day of departure. This allows the accommodation to be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for incoming guests. Guests are required to empty the bins, place recycling in the recycling area, clean dishes and strip the beds.
Smoking or vaping anywhere on the premises will result in immediate termination of occupancy and forfeiture of all payments. This must be strictly adhered to and any damage or extra cleaning caused by smoking or vaping will be at your expense.
Pets:
Pets are only allowed on houseboats. Pets must be kept on a lead at all times around Hipperson's site and must not be allowed on the furniture.
Pets on the pods will result in immediate termination of occupancy and forfeiture of all payments. This must be strictly adhered to and any damage or extra cleaning caused by pets will be at your expense.
Damage deposit:
In making a booking you accept responsibility for any theft, breakage or damage caused by you or any member of your party and agree to indemnify us in full for any loss that we may incur as a result.
Damage to property:
Please treat the facilities & accommodation with due care so that other guests may continue to enjoy them. In the event that you notice damage in your accommodation please let us know immediately so that we can take the appropriate action. If there have been any breakages during your stay, we would be grateful if you could advise us at the time and before you leave. The accommodation will be inspected at the end of the holiday & you may be charged for any loss or damage found.
Please remember to lock the doors and close the windows when you leave the property unoccupied.
The owner reserves the right to make a charge to cover additional cleaning costs if you leave the property in an unacceptable condition.
Please note that in the event that any keys issued are not returned at the end of your stay, then the cost of replacement will be charged to you.
The guest may in no circumstance re-let or sublet the property, even free of charge.
The internet connection is available (at no extra cost) subject to technical availability.
The owner shall not be liable for any temporary defect or malfunction of any equipment, machinery or appliance in the building or grounds.
All inventory must remain in the property it was in at arrival and not be taken to another property.
Children under 18 must be supervised by their parents/carers at all times.
We reserve the right to terminate a holiday without compensation where the unreasonable behaviour of the persons named on the booking (or their guests) may impair the enjoyment, comfort or health of others.
Any problem or complaint which the guest may have concerning their holiday must be immediately reported directly to us/our representatives and we will endeavour to put matters right. Any complaints not reported to us/the property manager at the time and only reported after you have returned from holiday will not be considered by the owner.
This property is privately owned. We expect all guests to enjoy the facilities and treat the property with the same respect that they would with their own house.
We reserve the right to make reasonable amendments or additions to these terms and conditions without notice.
Property Features
- Part of our Quirky Collection.
- Situated onland adjacent to the River Waveney on the tranquil Southern Broads.
- Single storey, timber glamping pod.
- Private row boat included.
- Fishing in the nearby basin.
- Patio doors opening out onto a furnished decking area with waterside views.
- Open plan living, dining & kitchenette.
- Well equipped kitchenette - 2 ring induction hob, small fridge, microwave oven & kettle.
- Pots, pans, glasses, cups, plates & cutlery are provided.
- Smart TV.
- Double bedroom.
- Bunk bedroom.
- Shower room with W/C & hand basin.
- Bed linen & towels provided.
- Heating via electric wall heaters included in hire cost.
- Parking available at the boatyard, approx. 1 minute walk from the pod.
- Eco wood fired hot tub available, bookable on arrival (costs apply).
- Hot tub costs: £15 for first night wood, towels and etc, then £10 subsequent nights for wood and firelighters. For 2025 there is no charge for the hot tub, only for additional wood and firelighters.
- Water-based activities are available onsite for an additional charge, including SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) lessons, guided canoe and kayak tours, pedal boats for 2 and self drive day boat hire.
- Free WiFi available.
- 2 x electric car charging points onsite.
Local Fishing Information
Important Information
- Fishing is available from the boatyard and along the bank.
- The variety of fish on the Broads include: pike, carp, eel, bream, roach, trench, perch and rudd.
- A fishing licence is required, this can be purchased online via the Environment Agency here.
- Fishing available during open season. Closed season is between 14th March - 16th June.
- Use barbless or micro-barb hooks where possible. They are kinder to fish and hook removal is much easier.
- Return your catch carefully, do not slide or tumble fish down the keepnet into the water.
Local Attractions
Beccles - There are Co-op, Morrisons and Tesco supermarkets as well as a wide choice of takeaways, fish and chip shops, restauranst and pubs as well as a couple of well known pizza chains.
Pretty Norfolk & Suffolk Villages & market towns nearby - Southwold, Walberswick, Aldeburgh, Somerleyton, Great Yarmouth.
Norwich - The City of Norwich is a 40 minute drive (20 miles) walk away.
Museum of the Broads - Visit here to discover the history of the Broads. Picnic area next to the river, dog-friendly. Open Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11am - 3pm.
Bike Hire - available locally.
Great Yarmouth - Norfolk's premier sea-side resort. There are miles of golden sandy beaches, traditional sea-side amusements, a pleasure beach with rides and adventure golf and plenty of pubs/cafés/restaurants.
Wildlife - The Broads is home to a large number of species including seals, otters, water vole and Chinese water deer.
Birds - There are many rare species of bird that have made the Broads their home, including bitterns, kingfishers, grebes, marsh harriers and warblers.
Nature Reserves - Carlton Marshes, Gunton Warren, Benacre National Nature Resrve.
Family Days Out - Beccles Lido, Bewilderwood, Easton Farm Park, Waveney River Tours on Oulton Broad.
Boat Hire - The best way to explore the area is by boat! Day boats available to rent locally.
Canoe & Kayak Hire - Canoes and kayaks are available to hire locally.
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Access Information
- A designated parking space is available at the boatyard on a flat, slightly uneven surface.
- A drop off point is also available at the entrance. Please Note: There are 2 steps to gain entry into the reception area.
- Secret Garden is approximately 99 steps from the car park.
- You will exit the car park via an iron gate that requires opening and closing by hand.
- You will then follow an uneven gravel/dirt path on your approach to the glamping pod.
- Assistance can be provided with luggage if requested in advance.
- Access to the land based pod is through a wooden gate into a grass field.
- There are 2 steps to the outside decking, 1 further small step takes you inside the pod.
- Fishing is available from the boatyard or along the river bank, both a short walk away over the gravel and slightly uneven path.