The Wilde Lodge Story
Our Story
Wilde Lodge has always been about people. When Kevin and I moved here in 2015 with our two children, we weren’t following a business plan — we were following a feeling. We’d both managed lodges abroad and knew what it looked like when a place truly looked after its guests. So we opened our doors — welcoming families overdue a proper break, friends needing a reunion, hen and stag parties, and anyone who just needed to get away and breathe.
What happened next, we couldn’t have planned.
With every stay, our understanding of what people really need kept growing. We realised early on that no two groups are the same — so we made a decision that has shaped everything since: we would never create a package. No rigid formula. Just a genuine willingness to listen and shape each stay around the people in it.
That spirit has taken us to some wonderful places. When Carianne and David needed the sloped lawn levelled for their stretch tent, we got to work. When Alex and Cathy dreamed of a three-day festival on site, we leaned straight in. These weren’t complications — they were invitations to grow.
In 2022 we opened Glasbury River Cottage — a boutique sister venue on the river, perfect for smaller groups wanting something quieter and closer to the water. Two very different places, held together by the same values.
Our Team
The greatest joy of the past nine years hasn’t been the space itself — it’s been the people we’ve been lucky enough to employ. From Julianna, who joined us aged 14 and still comes back for the odd shift at 22, to the many young people who have grown in confidence and skill under our roof, our team has always been the beating heart of the lodge. Guests feel it from the moment they arrive. Our reviews say it time and again — it’s the warmth, the energy, the genuine care of our team that people remember long after they’ve gone home.
We’re building on this further with a dedicated young person’s coordinator, because we believe deeply in giving young people the space to learn, earn and discover what they’re capable of. The lodge has always been somewhere people feel properly looked after — we want that to extend to everyone who works here too.
Our Vision
We set out to build something different — venues defined by genuine hospitality, rooted in their communities, and built around the people who visit them. Every stay and celebration here is unique, crafted with handpicked local suppliers who share our standards. We champion local businesses, care for the land around us, and believe that a great celebration should leave both guests and the landscape better for it. This is what we think venues should look like.
Our Values
Our Values
People & Planet First — Every decision we make considers our guests, our team, our neighbours and the environment. We believe in celebrating joyfully and responsibly, in equal measure.
Honest & Straightforward — We’re upfront about what we offer, how we price and what’s possible. No hidden surprises — just a calm, reliable foundation so you can relax into your stay.
Flexible & Listening — No two groups are the same, and we never pretend otherwise. We listen carefully, adapt where we can, and keep learning so every stay feels genuinely shaped around you.
Brave & Local — We push boundaries, work with local partners, and back the community around us. If someone suggests something we’ve never tried before, that usually means we’re paying attention.
Trust built over time — Our relationships — with guests, suppliers and our team — are built on transparency and care. Many of our guests come back, and many send their friends. That means everything to us.