SURREy HILLS, Lower Ham Lane
ELSTEAD, GU8 6HQ■
We’re creating a community haven in the Surrey countryside where people can come to improve wellbeing, slow down and reconnect.
Who We Are
River Oaks Farm is a small community farm.
Our vision is to create a calm, welcoming place where people can come to improve wellbeing.
Over time the farm will host animal-assisted wellbeing experiences, retreats, wellness sessions and events — offering space to rest, learn new skills and spend meaningful time outdoors.
■
Wellbeing
Emotional Wellbeing
Availability: Summer 2026
Format: Weekly Sessions and Workshops
Day and weekend retreats to slow down, unwind and focus on you. Lead by a range of wellness practitioners, let our animals and the healing power of nature ground you and help you to reconnect with yourself.
Physical Wellbeing
Availability: Summer 2026
Format: Weekly Sessions and Workshops
Yoga and Fitness Sessions in the great outdoors.
Leave rigid studio spaces behind and devote time to your physical health as nature intended. Overlooking the river in our riverside paddock or in our animal paddock surrounded by grazing animals.
Holidays…
Glamping & Equestrian Stays
Availability: Summer 2026
Escape to the Surrey countryside with a stay in one of our bell tents, with walking, cycling and horse riding across nearby Thursley and Hankley Commons.
Bringing your horse? Stay together with a paddock beside your tent and enjoy miles of off-road riding. Guided rides and riding or groundwork lessons are also available from in-house classical instructor Rosie Bensley.
Elstead village and its pubs are within walking distance.
Community Farm Projects
Launching Late 2026
Community farm programmes for adults and young people aged 16+.
Building confidence, learn practical skills, and feel the benefits of spending time with animals and nature.
■
Occupational Therapy
Bespoke Occupational Therapy sessions for adults looking to rebuild confidence, independence and everyday functioning following illness, injury or a period of difficulty.
Led by a qualified Occupational Therapist, sessions use meaningful, practical activities alongside our animals to support individual rehabilitation goals.
Each programme is tailored to the person, helping them gradually reconnect with the activities, routines and roles that matter to them.
Animal Assisted Learning
Bespoke learning packages for young people aged 16+ to build employability and life skills, connect with others and improve wellbeing through working alongside our animals.
Sessions are led by a qualified teaching professional alongside Rosie Bensley, who brings 15 years’ experience developing and leading award-winning animal assisted learning programmes at Strength & Learning Through Horses, one of the UK’s largest equine assisted services centres.
Connection
Animal Experiences
Coming Autumn 2026
Come and spend some time with the animals at River Oaks.
Walk our alpacas, meet and care for our friendly farm animals, or enjoy some quiet time grooming the horses. Our animal experiences are a lovely way for families to slow down, get outdoors and enjoy connecting with animals and nature together.
Parent & Toddler Sessions
Coming Spring 2027
Relaxed drop-in sessions for parents and little ones to enjoy some time outdoors together.
Let toddlers delight in meeting our friendly farm animals while parents slow down, enjoy a herbal tea and connect with others.
Kids’ Parties
Coming Spring 2027
Give them a party to remember with the animals at River Oaks.
Our relaxed, outdoor parties give children the chance to meet and interact with our friendly farm animals, enjoy time in nature and celebrate together in our beautiful farm setting.
Team Building
Coming Spring 2027
An away day with a difference. Work with our horses on practical teamwork challenges, guided by experienced equine-assisted facilitator and leadership mentor Rosie Bensley.
The horses bring team dynamics and leadership styles to life, helping people drop their barriers, communicate differently and get to know each other beyond the workplace.
Available Sessions
■
Book now to attend a session at River Oaks Community Farm.
Work with us
At our heart is collaboration. We are looking to partner with dedicated practitioners, from yoga instructors, sound healers, and breathwork facilitators to equine professionals and retreat organisers.
If you are interested in partnering with us at River Oaks, we would love to hear from you.
■