In the 1950s the property was an approximately 30 acre smallholding farmed by Harold Griffin, milk producer. In 1975 it was bought by Philip Fisher who farmed it with the adjoining Park Farm. After being denied planning permission five times he sold it in 1990 to developer Peter Thomas who built the current house and adjacent barn. The property was used by the first owners to breed and sell alpacas.
The property was sold again in circa 2009, and racehorse trainer Harry Chisman rented the stables and paddocks at The Retreat from 2010 to the mid 2010's. In 2012 after another change of ownership, permission was gained for residential development of the adjacent barn. The house and paddocks were sold with the name "The Retreat" and the converted barn and woodland is named "Woodland Court". See "Woodland Court" for information on the historical significance of the Retreat.