Activities
6 Beautiful Stately Gardens Near the Forest of Dean to Explore This Spring
All six of these stately gardens are within an hour’s drive of our holiday cottages in the Forest of Dean. Five warmly welcome dogs on
Tucked between the Rivers Severn and Wye, our four holiday cottages sit on the edge of one of England’s oldest forests.
Each one has its own character, 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 dogs, children, or each other, everything you need is already here. Private hot tubs, enclosed gardens, log burners, and woodland just moments away.
Book direct for the best rate, with everything included and no hidden fees.
Step inside each cottage and you’ll find a slightly different way to slow down. From cosy couples retreats to spacious homes for family stays.
This is Willow. She knows our holiday cottages and the Forest of Dean and she’s here to help.
Just press the button below, ask her anything, whether it’s finding the right cottage for you, what to expect when you arrive, or the best local walks and eateries, Willow’s got you covered.
Just a quick note : Willow can help with Woodland Barn, Casita Lodge and 24 at St. John’s. For Wyldwood Cottage, press the chat button and come straight through to us.
Every holiday cottage is ready when you arrive. Fresh bed linen, soft towels, a fully equipped kitchen, Smart TV and WiFi all included.
The hot tub is warmed, and complimentary refreshments are waiting for you in the kitchen, so you can walk in, put the kettle on, and truly start your break.
No fuss. Just a comfortable space that feels like home.
There's something special about a hot tub surrounded by clean forest air, something worth protecting. All our hot tubs run on air-source heat pumps, offering quiet, efficient warmth.
Woodland Barn and Wyldwood Cottage use air-source heating, and Woodland Barn and 24 at St. John's also harness solar power.
Plus, we use eco-friendly cleaning products, so your stay is both comfortable and kind to the planet.
The Forest of Dean isn't just a place I discovered; it's where I grew up, and every path here is part of me. And now, I get to share that with you.
When you book direct, you get the best price, no hidden fees and no extra charges. You'll be in touch with me directly, and I'll help you plan your stay from start to finish.
Simply pricing, personal service, just the way it should be.
The forest is truly better with a dog by your side; we truly believe that.
Wyldwood Cottage, Woodland Barn, and 24 at St. John’s all welcome up to two dogs, any size, completely free. When you arrive, a dog-friendly pack awaits: bowls, towels, a handmade tug toy, and a small ID tag with all the holiday cottage details.
So, from the moment you arrive, both you and your pup can settle right in and explore together.
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 some of the best local gems. 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:
Just a 0 – 5 minute drive away, you’ll find all your local amenities: shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, coffee shops, a cashpoint, a medical centre and local hospital, a leisure centre with a pool and even an independent cinema.
5 – 30 minutes drive away
Local Attractions :
Just 5 – 30 minutes away, you’ll find a wealth of local attractions: ancient forests, the arboretum, nature reserves, gardens, museums, sculpture and art installations, steam railways, mines, craft workshops, caves, castles and sweeping hills with breathtaking viewpoints.
Local Activities :
Local activities range from gentle walks and scenic running routes to challenging cycling trails. Try canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, or take a dip in the swimming spots. For thrill seekers, there are tree-top adventures, zip wires, and off-road driving. You can also enjoy fishing, birdwatching, archery, clay pigeon shooting, battle sports, laser tag and even crazy golf.
Local Experiences :
Local experiences bring the Forest to life. Enjoy a river cruise, a sensory garden walk, or a pony trek. Spot wildlife on a safari, unwind at the floatation centre or catch a film at an outdoor cinema. You can even join a cookery school, visit nearby vineyards and breweries or tour the local produce scene.
30 – 45 minutes drive away
Within 30 – 45 minutes drive, you can explore historic cities like Cheltenham Spa, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Chepstow, Bristol, Monmouth and the Wye Valley. For even more inspiration, check out the local attractions page.
If you fancy a change of scene, within an hour and a half, you can head to the coast for a beach day at Porthcawl.
Join The Inside Track for a monthly email with early access to late availability, special extras and a free seasonal map to inspire your planning. No clutter, just a simple guide to help you enjoy the forest at your own pace.
All six of these stately gardens are within an hour’s drive of our holiday cottages in the Forest of Dean. Five warmly welcome dogs on
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You can book directly through our website by choosing the cottage and dates that work for you and following the booking steps.
We take a £100 pre-payment when you book, with the remaining balance due 40 days before you arrive. There is no booking deposit and we don’t take a separate damage or security deposit either and there is no pet fee.
Most direct bookings are paid by card, so the remaining balance is usually taken automatically when it becomes due.
If you would rather speak to us first, click on the WhatsApp button on the right of the screen and send us a message. We are always happy to check dates, talk through anything you’re unsure about or help you with the booking.
We know plans can sometimes change, so our cancellation policy is:
We always recommend taking out suitable travel insurance when you book, just in case something unexpected means you’re unable to travel.
Absolutely. Wyldwood Cottage, Woodland Barn and 24 at St John’s welcome up to two dogs of any size, and there’s no extra charge for bringing them.
We leave a few useful things ready for them too, including bowls, blankets, towels, poo bags, a little holiday ID tag and one of my handmade tug toys.
The gardens at our dog-friendly cottages are fenced and enclosed.
We do ask that dogs aren’t left alone in the cottage unless you’ve agreed it with us beforehand. If you’re planning something where your dog can’t come with you, just have a chat with us first.
Casita Lodge is our one completely dog-free stay, which is worth knowing if you prefer somewhere that hasn’t had dogs staying.
Yes. All four cottages have fast Wi-Fi and there’s no extra charge for using it.
It’s perfectly good for planning your days out, streaming a film or keeping an eye on emails if you need to.
The Wi-Fi details are included in the guest information we send before your stay and are also available at the cottage.
Our standard check-in time is from 4pm and check-out is by 10am.
All four cottages have a key safe, so you can let yourselves in without having to arrange a meeting time with us.
We send your arrival information and key-safe code before your stay, along with clear directions and everything you need to find the cottage.
If you have any problems when you arrive, just message or call us. We’re never far away.
We can often offer an earlier check-in from around 3pm, but we can only confirm this closer to your arrival because it depends on our changeovers and how much time we need to get the cottage ready for you.
Inside Track members receive early check-in and late check-out as a free benefit whenever we’re able to offer them. Late check-out is usually around 11am.
If you’re not an Inside Track member, you are welcome to ask and we will try to accommodate when we can.
We’d always rather promise you a beautifully prepared cottage at 4pm and then give you the nice surprise of getting in a little earlier if we can.
Yes. All four cottages have parking available, although the arrangement is slightly different at each property.
We don’t currently have EV chargers at the cottages, but there are charging points nearby and we include the most useful options in our online guest guides.
Full parking and arrival information is sent before your stay so you know exactly where you’re going and where to leave the car when you arrive.
If you’re bringing more than one vehicle or have a particularly large vehicle, just let us know and we can talk you through the best option.
Every cottage has its own private hot tub, just for the guests staying there.
Our hot tubs are outdoors and open to the sky rather than sitting underneath a permanent gazebo or fixed cover. We actually think that’s part of the appeal. You get the fresh Forest air around you, and on a clear evening it’s lovely to sit out under the stars.
We take the care of our hot tubs really seriously too. After every stay, each hot tub is fully drained, cleaned and refilled with fresh water, with a clean filter fitted.
While you’re staying with us, we also check the hot tub every day and test the water to make sure the quality and chemical levels are exactly where they should be.
Yes, we love knowing when someone is coming away for a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.
If you let us know beforehand, we can usually put up a banner and leave a handwritten card ready for when you arrive.
They’re only small touches, but we think they make arriving somewhere for a celebration feel that little bit more personal.
Our minimum stays vary slightly depending on the cottage and time of year.
Casita Lodge and Wyldwood Cottage are normally available for 2-night stays. Between November and February, their mid-week minimum increases to 3 nights, while weekend stays remain at 2 nights.
Woodland Barn and 24 at St John’s have a 3-night minimum stay throughout the year.
There can occasionally be different arrangements around bank holidays, Christmas and New Year, but the booking calendar will always show what’s available for the dates you’re looking at.
The maximum stay at all four cottages is 28 nights.
If steps and stairs are difficult for you, Casita Lodge is likely to be the best choice. Everything is on one level and there are no steps to negotiate, so it is the easiest of our four cottages to get around.
Our other cottages all have steps or stairs as part of their layout. Wyldwood Cottage has steps up to the entrance as well as an internal staircase, Woodland Barn is split over three levels with six steps between them, and 24 at St John’s has several changes of level as well as a full flight of stairs.
If mobility is something you need to consider, please have a chat with us before you book. We will be happy to talk you through the layout so you can decide whether it will work comfortably for you.
We try to make arriving as easy as possible, so the main things you need are already there.
You’ll have fresh bed linen and towels, a fully equipped kitchen fast Wi-Fi, Smart TV and your own private hot tub.
We also leave a starter supply of everyday essentials such as toilet roll, kitchen roll, washing-up products, dishwasher and washing tablets, tea, coffee, milk and sugar, along with a few other items for when you arrive.
All cottages have a charcoal BBQ and we provide the BBQ and utensils, but you’ll need to bring or buy your own charcoal.
Our dog-friendly cottages also include a few useful extras for your dogs, so you don’t have to bring absolutely everything from home including : blankets, towels, bowls, poo bags, ID tags, stair gates, hand-made tuggie toy. We do not provide dog beds or treats but may have a spare lead if you forget yours.
When you book direct you’ll enjoy the best rates. Join our VIP Club for more ways to save!