12
5 Rooms
2 (all year)
Yes
Yes
Yes
3+ Dogs
6
Ground floor
Living
The Forest Retreat is one of those places you can’t quite believe exists until you’re there. Hidden away at the end of its own track and surrounded on all sides by the Royal Forest of Dean, it feels wonderfully private yet instantly welcoming. The house itself has been designed to echo the woods outside, with timber, greenery, and soft natural textures running throughout. With space to sleep 12 across five ensuite bedrooms, there’s plenty of space for family gatherings, walking weekends, or a group of friends who’d rather swap city noise for crackling fires and birdsong. The living spaces feel both homely and generous: two woodburners keep things snug, while the huge kitchen-diner, with its long tables, sets the scene for long suppers that stretch into the evening. Outside, kids can test their nerves on the zip wire or toast marshmallows around the sunken fire pit while grown-ups share a bottle under the stars.
You don’t need to get in the car to start enjoying the area. A short walk takes you to The Gamekeepers Inn, a proper local pub serving decent food and real ales. Pick up everyday essentials from Mile End village. The nearby town of Coleford offers a good mix of cafés, bakeries, independent stores, and a country market every Friday and Saturday for fresh produce and plenty of options. The Forest of Dean has a strong sense of community, and whether you’re chatting to a local butcher about the best cuts for the BBQ or picking up picnic bits from the deli, you’ll feel that warmth straight away.
The wider area is packed with things to see and do. Families often make a beeline for Puzzlewood, with its otherworldly paths and moss-covered rocks, while the Sculpture Trail is a brilliant way to combine art with a forest walk. If you’ve got a head for heights, try the Go Ape high ropes course, or for something calmer, hire a canoe on the River Wye at Symonds Yat and drift along watching herons and kingfishers. The forest itself is criss-crossed with miles of walking and cycling trails so that you can set off in a different direction each day. Within half an hour’s drive, you’ve also got Clearwell Caves, the Dean Heritage Centre, and the Wye Valley. All give plenty of fun ways to spend your days, whatever your age or pace. Whether you’re after adventure, fresh air, or just a chance to press pause, this holiday home in the Forest of Dean gives you the best of it all.
Owner details:
Helen Hill joined Independent Cottages in June 2022
Accommodation Comprises: Spacious and welcoming self-catering accommodation for 14 guests.
Outside: Two acres of gardens and forest edge to explore, with space for both adventure and relaxation. Children will love the garden zip wire, while the sunken fire pit with stone seating is perfect for storytelling and marshmallow toasting as the stars come out. The patio deck, reached through the main lounge, is perfect for outdoor meals or simply soaking up the woodland atmosphere. The house is accessible via its own private track, with ample parking available.
Additional Information: WiFi is provided throughout. Dogs are welcome and will love the walks straight from the door. Central heating and woodburners keep the house warm in all seasons. Travel cots and highchairs available on request. Short breaks are offered outside peak season.
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Bourton-on-the-WaterCheltenhamChipping CampdenColefordGloucesterRoss-on-WyeSouth CerneyStow-on-the-WoldStroudTetburyTewkesburyWinchcombe
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