Activities
6 Stunning Stately Gardens to Explore
All six of these stunning stately gardens are located within an hour’s drive of our holiday cottages. Five of them warmly welcome your furry friends on
Tucked between the Rivers Severn and Wye, our four cottages sit on the edge of one of England’s oldest forests. Each one is a little different, but they all share the same thing:a proper place to slow down and remember what a good break feels like.
Whether you’re coming with the dogs, the kids, or just each other, you’ll find everything you need waiting for you. Private hot tubs, enclosed gardens, log burners, woodland close by. And when you book direct, everything is included. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Four cottages, each with their own character. From a tucked-away couples lodge to a three-bedroom family cottage with space for six.
This is Willow. She knows our cottages and the Forest of Dean well, and she’s here to help. Press the smiling face, wait for her to speak, and ask her anything. The right cottage for your group, what to expect when you arrive, where to walk, where to eat. She’s got you.
One thing to note : Willow can help with Woodland Barn, Casita Lodge and 24 at St John’s. For Wyldwood Cottage press the blue chat button to come straight to us.
Every cottage is ready when you arrive. Fresh bed linen, soft towels, a fully equipped kitchen, Smart TV and WiFi are all included. The hot tub is already heated, and complimentary refreshments are waiting for you in the kitchen. The kind of practical things that mean you can walk through the door, put the kettle on, and actually be on holiday.
No fuss. No rushing around. Just a comfortable space that feels like somewhere you belong.
There's something about stepping into a hot tub surrounded by clean forest air that feels worth protecting.
Woodland Barn and Wyldwood Cottage are heated by air-source heat pumps, our hot tubs too, with solar panels running quietly at Woodland Barn and 24 at St John's.
The forest takes care of us. At the same time, we do our best to take care of it.
When you book direct with us, you get the best available price. No hidden fees, no platform charges, no surprises at checkout.
It also means you're talking to us directly from the moment you enquire. Someone who knows the cottages, knows the area, and is happy to help you plan your stay, answer questions, or sort anything that comes up along the way.
Simple pricing. Personal service. Just the way it should be.
The forest is better with a dog beside you. We firmly believe that. Wyldwood Cottage, Woodland Barn and 24 at St. John’s welcome up to two dogs of any size, completely free.
A Dog Welcome Pack is waiting when you arrive : bowls, fleece blankets, towels, a handmade tug toy, and a small ‘I’m on holiday’ ID tag with out details. Woodland Barn and Wyldwood Cottage have a cold water hose outside for muddy paws.
Settle in. The walks are waiting.
The cottages sit between the Rivers Severn and Wye, in the heart of the Forest of Dean, close to Cinderford, Littledean and Ruspidge. Scenic walks start from the door, and shops, pubs and supermarkets are within five minutes by car.
From there, the Forest opens up. Ancient woodland, sculpture trails, steam railways, viewpoints, cycling routes, canoeing, zip wires and some of the quietest walking in the country. And when you’ve had enough of the outdoors, Cheltenham Spa,
Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, Bristol, Cardiff and Hereford are all within an hour.
We put together a personal guest guide for every booking with our own recommendations for where to eat, what to do and what’s worth the detour. And if you’d like to start exploring before you arrive, our interactive Forest of Dean map is waiting for you on the Local Attractions page
0 – 5 minutes drive away
Local Amenities:
Shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants / takeaways, coffee shops, bank, medical centre, leisure centre with swimming pool and our independent cinema.
5 – 30 minutes drive away
Local Attractions :
Ancient forests, arboretum, nature reserves, gardens, museums, sculpture / art installations, steam railways, mines, art and craft workshops, caves, castles and varying landscapes including hills with stunning viewpoints.
Local Activities :
Walking/running routes and cycling trails from beginners to advanced, canoeing / kayaking / SUP (Stand-Up and Paddle), swimming, golf, tree top adventure and zip wire, fishing, abseiling, bird watching, archery, clay pigeon shooting, battle sports / laser ops and off-road driving.
Local Experiences :
River cruise, Segway experience, pony & llama trekking, wildlife safari, floatation centre, birds of prey centre, outdoor cinemas, cookery school, vineyard, brewery and local produce tours.
30 – 45 minutes drive away
Gloucester City and Cheltenham, Ross-on-Wye and Hereford, Chepstow and Bristol, Monmouth, Newport and the Wye Valley. For further inspiration, see our recommendations in your personal guest guide.
Join our VIP Club for one calm email a month: early access to availability, occasional extras, and a free interactive Seasonal Map of the area to help you start planning your trip. No noise. Just the good stuff.
All six of these stunning stately gardens are located within an hour’s drive of our holiday cottages. Five of them warmly welcome your furry friends on
5 Stunning Spring Moments. Best spring walks, wildlife moments, and dog-friendly notes Plan a holiday full of stunning spring moments in the Forest of Dean
5 Reasons You’ll Love a September Getaway in the Forest of Dean There is something atmospheric about September in the Forest of Dean. The hustle
Ready to get your Forest of Dean break in the diary? Simply choose your holiday cottage and your preferred dates and follow the on-screen steps to complete your booking using Instant Booking.
If you’d prefer a more personal option, you can also book directly with us. We’re happy to help and can confirm everything with you. Click the Chat Button, and we will check availability, confirm price and book you in directly via text / WhatsApp.
Our Cancellation Policy:
We recommend that guests take out suitable travel insurance when booking their stay
Bringing the dogs? We’ve made it easy from the moment you arrive. Most of our dog-friendly holiday cottages welcome up to two dogs, and we provide a Dog Welcome Pack to help them settle in quickly and comfortably. Your Dog Welcome Pack includes fleece blankets, dog bowls, poo bags, an ID tag with our contact details, and a home-made tug toy — thoughtful extras that mean you don’t have to pack quite as much.
For practical muddy-paw moments, Woodland Barn and Wyldwood Cottage also have an outdoor hose and towels, and 24 at St. John’s has a downstairs shower, which many guests find especially helpful after walks in the Forest of Dean.
If you’re planning a break with your dog, choose a cottage and your dates and book your stay. Click the Chat Button if you’re unsure which cottage is best for your setup. We are happy to discuss things with you.
Need to stay connected while you’re away? All of our properties have Fast Wi-Fi at no extra cost. Whether you’re planning days out, streaming a film, or keeping an eye on emails, you’ll have reliable access without any added charges. We keep things simple: your log-in details are provided in your guest guide at your holiday cottage and in your online guide, which we send out the day before you arrive.
Arriving late, or want a fuss-free check-in? All of our holiday cottages have a key safe for smooth self-check-in, so you can arrive at a time that suits you. To keep things simple, we email and text / WhatsApp your key-safe code the day before arrival, so it’s easy to find when you need it. You’ll also have clear arrival and departure instructions in your Guest Guide , helping everything feel straightforward from start to finish.
Want a little more time to settle in? Early check-in and/or late check-out is available exclusively to VIP Club members, giving you extra breathing space to arrive, unpack and start your break at a calmer pace. Joining the VIP Club is a simple way to access small perks like this. If you’d like early check-in, you can join the VIP Club using the sign-up button at the top of this page.
Not quite ready to head home? Late check-out and extended stays are available exclusively to our VIP Club members, giving you the option to slow things down and enjoy a little more time away. If you’d love an extra morning without rushing, or want to extend your stay for just £65 per additional night, joining the VIP Club is a simple way to access these added-flexibility perks. It’s ideal if you prefer a more relaxed departure or spot availability you’d like to take advantage of. To extend your stay or arrange a later check-out, simply join the VIP Club using the link above, and we’ll be happy to help you secure the extra time.
Arrive, unload, and settle in without the parking hassle. All of our holiday cottages have off-road parking right on site. That means your car is close by for easy unpacking, day trips, and bringing the dog, bikes or shopping in and out with minimal fuss. Choose your dates, and enjoy a straightforward arrival with free parking already sorted.
After each departure, our Housekeeping Manager carries out a thorough, full-property clean, ensuring every area is carefully prepared and left fresh, tidy and ready for the next guests to arrive. We follow enhanced cleaning practices to give you confidence in your stay. To help you feel comfortable throughout your visit, we also provide SMOL multi-purpose cleaning spray and a cleaning cloth for your own use during your stay.
Our aim is simple: for you to arrive knowing your holiday home has been properly cared for and thoughtfully prepared. If you have any specific questions about our cleaning process before booking, we’re always happy to help.
Our hot tubs are set outdoors without a gazebo or fixed cover, so you can enjoy the fresh Forest of Dean air and the open sky while you soak.
On clear nights, it’s a simple pleasure: warm water, quiet surroundings, and the chance to take in the stars. It also keeps the space feeling open and private, rather than enclosed.
Yes, we put up a banner and we leave a bespoke celebratory card. Just let us know you are celebrating during your stay and we will do the rest.
When you book direct you’ll enjoy the best rates. Join our VIP Club for more ways to save!