The Lodge

Why you'll love staying here

The Lodge is a delightful stone cottage set on a working farm in a peaceful rural village, ideally suited to families or groups of friends looking to explore the Forest of Dean, the Wye Valley, and the Cotswolds. Thoughtfully restored, it retains many original features, including timber beams and exposed brickwork, which complement the pretty country-style furnishings and fabrics to create a comfortable home-from-home.

The well-equipped kitchen has wooden cabinetry, a full range of contemporary appliances, and lovely views across the surrounding fields, ensuring the designated chef will enjoy preparing home-cooked meals to be shared around the dining table while planning the next day’s adventures.

Next door, the spacious sitting room offers plenty of comfortable seating, with pops of bright pink and floral prints adding a chic touch. Guests can relax in front of the fire, set within a beautiful stone fireplace complete with the original mantel beam. It’s the perfect space for everyone to gather for a cosy film night or a competitive board game.

Both the upstairs and downstairs bedrooms are designed with relaxation in mind, decorated in calming neutral tones and finished with crisp linens. The downstairs accommodation also benefits from a wet room with an accessible shower, making it ideal for guests with limited mobility.

Outside, there is an enclosed lawned garden, secure enough for children to play or dogs to run around in, as well as a terraced patio, a lovely spot for al fresco dining or settling down with a book, while enjoying views of the neighbouring fields where goats and sheep graze. The owners are also happy to offer guests a tour of the farm, with the opportunity to meet the animals and learn more about rural life.

The nearby Forest of Dean, sandwiched between the Rivers Severn and Wye, is one of England’s few remaining ancient woodlands and was designated the country’s first National Forest Park in 1938. The area has an abundance of walking and cycling trails, alongside activities such as rock climbing, paintballing, off-road driving, and a range of water sports. Children will love the magical atmosphere of Puzzlewood, with its twisted trees, moss-covered rocks, wooden bridges, and Roman coin treasure hunt, or the treetop adventures at Go Ape, featuring high ropes, zip wires, and Tarzan swings.

Wildlife enthusiasts should cross the River Severn to visit the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, a 2,000-acre reserve of pastures, reed beds, salt marsh, and lagoons supporting a rich variety of wildlife, from summer warblers to autumn wading birds and wintering ducks, geese and swans. The centre is also home to a collection of captive wildfowl, including flamingos and the Hawaiian goose, the world’s rarest goose. During the warmer months, explore the reserve by water on the Canoe Safari trail, and be sure to catch the hand-feeding sessions and daily otter talks.

The historic city of Gloucester is just over half an hour’s drive from the Lodge and well worth a visit. Rich in Roman, medieval, and Victorian heritage, highlights include the magnificent cathedral, famously used as a filming location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films; The House of the Tailor of Gloucester, a charming shop and museum that inspired Beatrix Potter’s beloved story; and the National Waterways Museum, housed in a 19th-century warehouse that showcases the role of Gloucester Docks and the canal network in transporting goods to the industrial Midlands with a fascinating collection of boats including narrowboats, river barges, tugs, and a steam-powered dredger. After a day of sightseeing, head to the quays for outlet shopping, a multi-screen cinema, and a wide choice of interesting places to eat and drink.