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Bethnal&Bec: What is it?
Less than an hour from London, Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays are located in the serene countryside of Hertfordshire, offering three boutique, adult-only cabins designed for a true escape.
In each of these award-winning cabins, city style and indulgent sensory treats meet pure countryside tranquillity. Book as a place to switch-off, a place to enjoy long walks, or a place to simply bed-in and unwind in the middle of a picturesque wildflower meadow while enjoying uninterrupted countryside views.
The Bethnal Retreat and The Bec Retreat both are dog-friendly, while the newest and latest spa cabin, The Foaling Box, is humans-only. Inside, all feature king-sized beds, wood burning stoves, luxury bathrooms with roll-top bath and rainforest showers. Outdoor space includes deep-soaking jacuzzi baths, parasols and fire pits. An honesty pantry stocked with everything from snacks and frozen meals to locally-crafted gin and vodka means you have everything you need for for cosy nights indoors and outdoors.
Should you wish to make the weekend extra-special, Bethnal&Bec’s Pimp My Stay service allows you to pre-stock your cabin with a variety of locally-sourced food and drink from brunch grazing boards for the morning to cocktail-kits for the evening. Experiences such as massages and cooking classes can also be arranged.
For those looking to explore Hertfordshire, guests can hire electric bikes with a 40-mile range, ideal for visiting nearby towns and villages with ease. Additionally, an EV charger in the carport supports electric vehicle use.
Bethnal&Bec best-sellers:
Exclusive offer for Live Frankly readers: use code LIVEFRANKLY15 for 15% off your stay. (available on full priced stays until end 2025)
Bethnal Retreat
One Nights stays from £265
Weekends from £660
Bec Retreat
One Nights stays from £265
Weekends from £660
The Foaling Box
One Nights stays from £265
Weekends from £660
Bethnal&Bec: How Sustainable is it?
Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays is guided by a vision: that luxury can coexist with sustainability. Their three self-catering retreats were crafted with eco-consciousness at their heart, utilising reclaimed, repurposed, recycled, and rescued materials to create a unique and beautiful experience for guests.
Founders Vicky and Chris have carefully incorporated sustainable practices into every part of their retreats. From rescuing surplus furnishings destined for landfill to installing hot composters for food waste, Bethnal&Bec makes every effort to minimise their environmental footprint. Their hope is that guests feel inspired to take some of these sustainable practices home with them.
The latest overnight stay, The Foaling Box, is an example of their commitment, with 95% of its furnishings either recycled or saved from landfill. Recycled tiles, grout, bathroom flooring, wood, doors, kitchenware, and furniture make up the space, and the innovative greywater system reuses water from washing facilities.
Each retreat features a Staples Pantry stocked with bulk-purchased, sustainably sourced items from other eco-friendly businesses to reduce packaging waste. To conserve water, Vicky and Chris harvest rainwater for the gardens at their home and retreats, and instead of commercial weed killers, they use manual weeding and natural methods. Every plant, both inside and out, is propagated, minimising the need for new purchases.
In March 2021, they transitioned all cleaning products to the Ingenious Probiotics line, made from plant-based, vegan-certified ingredients that are hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin, and free from harmful chemicals. These products naturally reduce harmful bacteria, odours, and bio-allergens, maintaining a healthy environment for both guests and the surrounding habitat.
Beyond their retreats, Vicky and Chris are dedicated to protecting their scenic Hertfordshire surroundings. Three years ago, they started cultivating a wildflower meadow just outside the retreats and have installed a bumblebee villa to house a colony of British bumblebees, allowing them to grow more vegetables for guests.
Bethnal&Bec also proudly supports local small businesses, sourcing nearly all food, drink, and experience add-ons from Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Essex suppliers. Vicky even took part in Visit Herts’ ‘Welcome Back’ campaign, promoting the vibrant local community.
Vicky and Chris regularly donate stays to cancer charities and offer discounts to NHS, care home, and hospice staff.
In response to Lockdown 3, they offered free accommodation as respite for those escaping domestic abuse, helping 30 families, including pets and children. The local community responded with overwhelming support, offering donations and assistance.
Bethnal&Bec: where can I book?
Book online at: https://www.bethnalandbec.com/
