It all began with a family holiday, three generations, two dogs, slower mornings and the kind of conversations you only seem to have when life finally gives you space. We stayed in a dog-friendly cottage in Cornwall, and somewhere between the daily adventures and cosy evenings, a thought quietly settled in:
“Imagine if we could create a place like this one day.”
We bought a notebook, filled it with ideas, and then tucked it away… but the dream never left.
Years later, while scrolling through the local paper, a small advert caught our eye. A neglected forest stone stable and hayloft — damp, dark and almost forgotten. Most people would have turned the page. We didn’t.
We drove over, crawled through what would eventually become the front door, and stood in the hayloft where the old floorboards creaked under our feet. Yet even in that state, we could see it:
That abandoned building became Woodland Barn, our first holiday home and the beginning of Willow Forest Stays.
Restoring Woodland Barn taught us something that shaped everything that followed:
a holiday cottage isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a place where memories settle, where routines soften, and where people reconnect in ways everyday life doesn’t always allow.
That understanding guided every decision as we slowly grew Willow Forest Stays from one cottage to four. Nothing happened quickly, and nothing was added just for the sake of it. Each property joined our collection because it had a story, a feeling, or a spark that matched our vision of what a stay should be.
When the chance came to lovingly revive a 200-year-old miners’ cottage at 24 at St John’s, we recognised its potential to bring families together for holidays filled with simple pleasures — shared meals, laughter, games around the table and cosy evenings in. The hand-painted mural in the fireplace became a symbol of everything we love: small, meaningful details that make people stop, smile and feel instantly at home.
Casita Lodge joined next — a calm, romantic hideaway perfect for couples seeking peace, celebration or time to reconnect. Its light-filled bedroom, soft tones and quiet atmosphere made it clear from the start that it wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was a place to nurture connection.
And then came Wyldwood Cottage, with its unique upside-down layout and relaxed, airy feel. Families love how it gives them space — space to breathe, to rest after a day out, to enjoy a film together, or simply to potter around at their own pace. It’s a cottage that feels lived-in in the best possible way: warm, comfortable and effortlessly welcoming.
Together, these four cottages form a small, carefully curated collection — each one different in character, yet all sharing the same heart: comfort that feels like home, thoughtful touches that feel personal, and eco-conscious choices that genuinely matter.
We’ve learnt that guests don’t just remember where they stayed — they remember how they felt, and that belief guides everything we do. From clear, friendly communication to the way each cottage is prepared, our focus is always on creating ease, warmth and a sense of being quietly looked after.
Above all, we’re always available but never intrusive — here when you need us, gently in the background when you don’t. And it’s the little things, the unspoken care, that shape the experience: handwritten celebration cards, generous welcome treats, complimentary logs for the fire.
Every cottage we’ve restored has strengthened our belief that the magic of a holiday isn’t in the number of rooms or the size of a hot tub — it’s in the feeling a place gives you. And creating cottages that offer that feeling is what we care about most.
Some vacation rental owners dream of managing dozens of properties.
We don’t.
Four cottages are enough.
Four gives us time to care about the details.
Four allows us to stay personal, present and truly attentive.
As more guests discover us directly, we can give even better value — thoughtful extras, personal touches and fairer prices without platform fees.
We love welcoming guests directly; it means better value for you and more freedom for us to focus on what really matters.
We’re not chasing growth.
We’re nurturing depth.
More care.
More value.
More moments that make you feel rested, reconnected and at home.
Because we’re not aiming to be the biggest.
We’re here to be the place you return to.
And for us, that means everything.
Here is the small family team behind Willow Forest Stays.
We keep things simple, friendly and genuine, and we hope that comes through when you stay with us.
A shared love of dogs, cosy retreats and thoughtful hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. Together we create warm, comfortable spaces where couples, families and dogs can slow down, reconnect and feel at home.
James is the quiet hero behind the scenes. He keeps every cottage running smoothly so you can settle in and relax without a worry. From the hot tubs to the garden lights, he ensures everything is just right for your stay.
Whether you are looking for local walking routes, dog friendly cafes or the best spot for a sunset view, Zoe is always happy to help. She loves sharing tips to make your stay extra special and is only ever a message away during your visit.
A cosy cottage starts with care and attention. Sarah makes sure every space is spotless, welcoming and ready for you to unwind the moment you step through the door. Her finishing touches help create that home away from home feeling guests always comment on.
From making beds to washing floors and keeping the hot tubs pristine, Josh is our all round helping hand. His hard work ensures everything is prepared to a high standard so your stay feels seamless from start to finish
At Willow Forest Stays, dogs are part of the family. We welcome them with the same warmth and care we offer every guest, and we want them to enjoy their holiday just as much as you do.
To help dogs settle in comfortably, we include a few simple extras in every dog friendly stay:
• Snuggly fleece blankets
• Towels
• Dog bowls
• Poo bags
• A small “I am on holiday” ID tag
• A tug toy handmade by Zoe
These touches are there to make life easier for you and more comforting for your dog.
We never charge extra for dogs at the properties that welcome them. Bringing your dog should feel simple and fair.
We ask that dogs are not left alone in the cottage until they have settled in. After that, leaving them for a few hours is fine if you need to visit somewhere that is not dog friendly. We understand there may be places you want to experience while you are here, but we also recognise that being left in an unfamiliar space can feel unsettling. The Forest of Dean is a very dog friendly area, so in most cases they can happily join you.
Our cottages have plenty of room for dogs to stretch out after a good walk, and the outdoor areas are kept tidy and welcoming. If you would like suggestions for local dog friendly trails, pubs or viewpoints, we are always happy to help.
We have created a detailed map for our guests, with one layer devoted entirely to dog friendly places. It includes welcoming pubs, favourite walking routes, activities and other spots you can enjoy together.
This map is shared exclusively with our guests. We put it together because having everything in one place makes exploring easier and more relaxed. It is there to help you enjoy the Forest of Dean with your dog by your side.
We care about dogs because they are part of our lives too. This pledge is our promise to make your dog feel welcome, safe and comfortable throughout your stay, so they can enjoy their holiday just as much as you do.
Looking after the Forest of Dean feels natural to us. It is our home, the place we walk every day, and the landscape our guests come to enjoy. Because of that, we try to make choices that sit kindly with the environment and support the area we love.
We use eco friendly and low waste products across our cottages. Naked Paper kitchen roll and toilet roll are part of our daily routine. The company has been recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, is certified B Corp and supports Just A Drop through donations that help fund water and sanitation projects around the world. It feels good to use a product that does more than its job.
We also use Ocean Saver cleaning products. Some of their proceeds go to the Blue Marine Foundation, which works to restore marine habitats. They also partner with Ocean Wise to support wider ocean conservation. Method products are used here too. Method is a gold tier partner of The Hygiene Bank, helping people who struggle to afford basic hygiene essentials.
Individually these choices are small, but together they help us keep our hosting as responsible as possible.
Both Woodland Barn and Wyldwood Cottage use air source heat pumps for heating and hot water. We first installed this type of system around fifteen years ago and chose it again when upgrading and retrofitting our hot tubs. It is a quieter, cleaner way to heat the cottages, using far less energy than traditional systems.
In 2025 we added solar panels and backup batteries at 24 St Johns and Woodland Barn. This helps us make use of our own renewable energy, reduces our overall energy footprint and supports a move towards being more independent in how we power our spaces.
The forest gives us so much. Calm walks, clean air and a feeling of space. Making careful choices with our hosting is one way we can give something back. Sustainability is not something we talk about for effect. It is simply part of how we live and part of how we look after the places our guests come to enjoy.
We want your time in the hot tub to feel clean, comfortable and completely relaxing. To make sure of this, we drain, clean and refill each hot tub with fresh water after every single stay, no matter how long the booking has been.
This takes extra time and care, but it feels important. Guests can settle in knowing the water is brand new, the tub has been fully cleaned and everything is ready for them to enjoy from the moment they arrive.
It is a simple promise, but one we keep for every stay.
