Bluebell Quarry, the Dog, and the Quiet: A Dog-Friendly Glamping & Wellness Retreat in the UK
- Anna McCracken
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
In spring, we traded the city noise for something far more magical — a glamping and wellness retreat tucked away in the enchanting woodland of Tracebridge. With my partner, Hank the dog and a craving for some serious forest therapy, we packed the car and hit the road for a long-awaited escape into nature. And let me tell you: Bluebell Quarry did not disappoint.
Why Bluebell Quarry is the Perfect Dog-Friendly Glamping UK Escape
You don’t stumble across Bluebell Quarry. You follow narrow roads, signal fading from your phone, until the world feels soft again. It’s the kind of dog-friendly UK destination that doesn’t shout about itself - it doesn’t have to. There are trees, a converted horse carriage (Falcon Nest), and a wood-fire hot tub that felt less like bathing and more like forgetting.
There was a dog bowl already waiting. A small gesture, but it told us we were not just allowed to bring our dog — we were meant to.
Two Dogs Meet in the Trees
The owners’ dog, Boris, met us at the edge of the clearing. Calm and assured, the kind of dog that doesn’t ask, just knows. Hank followed him into the woods like they’d met before. By nightfall, they were side by side at the fire, two shadows warming their paws. We watched them tumble through the underbrush, noses down, tails high, never out of sight for long. It became clear, quickly, that Boris had taken Hank under his paw, showing him the trails, the smells, the rhythm of this slower world.
We’d come for the quiet. Hank found something better: a friend.
Wellness Retreat in Nature (Yes, with Your Dog)
They offered yoga in the woods, and we took it — slow stretches in the cold morning light, forest all around. We moved in silence while our dogs trotted the perimeter, watching, not barking.
Later, a forest walk, listening to the leaves, the wind, and the dog’s feet in the shrubs. There is something about walking without an agenda that animals understand better than we do.
Among the Trees: The Woodland Spa
Tucked into the woods without fanfare was the woodland spa, a place you don’t find so much as stumble upon. There was a wood-fired hot tub, already steaming. A sauna, cedar-warm and hushed. And a cold plunge barrel, daring and still. We moved between them without hurry. Heat. Cold. Silence. Hank lay just beyond the steam, stretched across the pine needles, watching. He didn’t try to follow, and didn't need to. He stayed close, steady. Always where we could find him.
We caught the sunset from the woodland spa, half-wrapped in towels, feet bare on the earth. The sky didn’t flare, it just softened, turning the tops of the trees gold and then, just as easily, midnight blue. The steam from the hot tub caught the last of the light, drifting upward like something that couldn’t stay. Hank lay nearby, head resting on his paws, watching the sky with the same stillness he brought to everything. It was magical, light on water, warm wood underfoot, the silence between the end of the day and the beginning of night.
Potjie Pot and Marshmallows: Campfire Rituals
The owners had left us a Potjie Pot, heavy and blackened by past fires. They had filled the pot for us with: vegetables, lentils, chicken and South African spices. We let it bubble over the flames as the day disappeared. Hank lay by the fire, nose twitching with every new scent.
Later, we roasted marshmallows. The fire snapped softly, the sugar blistered and browned.
A Film Beneath the Trees
There was an outdoor projector, stretched out, flickering against the dark. We watched a film, not closely, just enough. The sound low, the stars louder. Hank curled into the blanket, dozing with one ear always listening. It wasn’t about the film. It was about the stillness between us. The kind that doesn’t ask to be named.
The Goodbye That Wasn’t Quite Goodbye
On the last morning, Boris and Hank walked ahead of us one final time. No leash. No commands. Just two dogs in the woods, moving like they’d always known each other. When it was time to go, Boris came to the edge of the trail and sat. He didn’t follow. He didn’t turn back. Just waited while we loaded the car. Watching. Present. As if he knew we’d return, or maybe that Hank would.
And maybe that was enough.
The Truth About Dog-Friendly Retreats in Nature
Bluebell Quarry doesn’t sell you anything. It offers you the chance to slow down with your dog and choose stillness.
This wasn’t a five-star hotel. It wasn’t an influencer’s weekend. It was mud and trees and silence, and a dog who was, for once, allowed to lead the way.
Planning Your Dog-Friendly Glamping Escape at Tracebridge
Location: Tracebridge, Somerset, UK
Ideal for: Dog-friendly glamping, forest wellness retreats, digital detox weekends, slow living with your dog
Accommodation:
• Two unique, beautifully simple lodgings nestled in the trees
• A converted horse carriage and a smaller handcrafted treehouse, each designed to sleep up to two guests
• Both come with bed linen, bathrobes, and towels provided
Wellness & Nature Features:
• Woodland spa: wood-fired hot tub, cedar sauna, and cold plunge barrel
• Outdoor spring-fed shower and compost toilet (clean, natural, and chemical-free)
• Yoga in the woods, and forest walks
• Chemical-free toiletries provided - Faith and Nature; Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
Communal Space:
• A snug, shared area tucked into the trees with board games, books, herbal teas, and fresh coffee
• Limited signal, but plenty of conversation
• Optional Potjie Pot experience by the fire available at additional cost
Dog policy:
• 1 dog per booking, welcome for an additional £15
• Bluebell Quarry is not just dog-friendly — it’s dog-attuned
• Free to roam, explore, and rest (alongside Boris, the calm and knowing host dog)
What to bring:
Boots. Layers. Nothing urgent. Let your dog lead the first walk. Let the forest keep time. And maybe leave space in your bag for something you didn’t know you needed.
Useful links:
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