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Sitting just on the outskirts of Cinderford, this lovely mid terraced cottage is an ideal spot for a couple to use as a base for the fantastic outdoor opportunities on their doorstep in the Royal Forest of Dean. This former mining village is within the original royal hunting forest and retains the remnants of its industrial history with many of the old rail links having been turned into wonderful walking and cycling paths. Bring your own bicycles or hire from the nearby cycle centre and take either the leisurely paths for relaxation or the more challenging off road trails or visit the Redhill Bike Centre for some excitement.
If you are a thrill seeker then you couldn’t be better placed to take advantage of the many activities geared for you. Everything from flying along on a zip wire high above the forest floor at Go Ape to archery and clay pigeon shooting, both within 10 miles, to rock wall climbing, abseiling or rope climbing at either of the two Motiva locations just over 5 miles away. Or even the ultimate challenge at Battle Sports Gloucestershire where you can unleash your inner soldier. Watersports enthusiasts should catch the tidal bore surfing on the River Severn. If a slower pace on the water is more your style then there is something for you too; less than 20 minutes away from Blake Cottage you can canoe or kayak on the calm waters of the River Wye taking in the gorgeous scenery and towering cliffs of Symonds Yat Gorge.
Perhaps you would rather stay on shore? If you have not yet tried your hand at angling then here is your chance to learn a new skill and relax at the same time. At just over 7 miles away in Whitecroft, Angling4acatch offers tuition from beginner to expert and a quiet way to while away the day. Superbly placed within the region, this is the perfect spot from which to access the Severn Estuary and River Wye and borders Herefordshire and South Wales. No matter what you want to do it is within easy reach of Blake Cottage and it is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is truly an outdoor lovers’ paradise.
With all this activity perhaps a quiet day would be a relaxing change of pace. Spend a day searching the craft markets in Harts Barn in nearby Longhope or admire works of art as you stroll along the forest walk on the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst Lodge, just 5 miles away, and follow it up with either a quick bite at the onsite café or drive just minutes further on into the village of Coleford and sample the delicious menu at the Bluebell Restaurant. Closer to Blake Cottage there are many local pubs and restaurants in Cinderford to sample.
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- 1 bedroom (double)
- Sleeps 2
- 1 bathroom + 1 toilet downstairs
- 2 Digital TVs with Freeview (one with DVD player)
- CD players or radios in most rooms
- Books and board games
- Wi-Fi internet access and landline telephone
- Welcome information provided
- Ceramic hob and electric oven
- Microwave
- Fridge/freezer
- Dishwasher
- Washer/dryer
- Central heating
- Solar hot water heating
- Gas BBQ and garden furniture
- Utility room and bike store
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- Dogs welcome
- Coleford 5 miles
- Gloucester 14 miles
- Chepstow 14 miles
- Bristol Airport 44 miles
- Lydney railway station 7 miles
- Pub 0.3 miles (White Hart Inn)
- Fine dining 5.8 miles (Bluebell Restaurant)
- Waitrose and Tesco will deliver
- Co-op with pharmacy and post office (0.8 miles)
- Walking and cycling from doorstep
- Go Ape 4.5 miles
- Golf course, abseiling, climbing and cycle hire 5 miles
- Puzzlewood and RSPB 6 miles
- Archery and clay pigeon shooting 7 miles
- Clearwell Caves 7 miles
- Tintern Abbey 15 miles
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Accommodation:
Blake Cottage is formerly part of the “British School” and has been thoughtfully developed as a delightful self-catering holiday home. It sits on a gentle slope overlooking the Forest of Dean and is accessed by passing through a courtyard garden into a small front porch. This opens onto the sitting room which is flooded with light and decorated in calm neutrals highlighting the original Victorian fireplace and its electric coal effect fire. The sitting room also boasts an original terracotta floor to which a large rug has been added for cosiness underfoot. Seating for 2-3 people on the sofa with an extra chair by the fireplace for the evenings that you simply want to stay in and watch a movie or your favourite shows after a long day in the great outdoors.
Behind the sitting room is a modern fitted kitchen. All the mod cons are available for you including a microwave and fridge/freezer in addition to the ceramic hob and electric oven. There is plenty of space for you to prepare a lovely meal as all the appliances are built in under the work surfaces. The calm colour scheme is continued from the sitting room and the back splash is tiled with gorgeous russet tiles. A table sits in the corner and can accommodate 4 people so having friends round for dinner would be a lovely way to end the day.
Upstairs is the bedroom and bathroom and a small study. A very comfortable wooden double bed is the focus for this lovely room which is flooded with light thanks to the large window. There are two handy bedside tables with lamps for night time reading and a small TV sits on the chest of drawers . In addition there is plenty of storage space in the dressing table/wardrobe and additional wardrobe in the small room.
In the bathroom you can soak away the aches of all your exertions in the bath or have a quick revitalizing shower. A basin with storage below and WC complete the suite. Blake Cottage is committed to being eco-friendly and gallons of hot water are provided by the solar panels the owners have installed. Also on the upper floor is a small study/dressing room which receives the morning sun and is a wonderful place to retire to and sit on the small sofa with a cup of coffee a book or the newspaper or to plan your day. A CD player and books have been thoughtfully provided for your relaxation.
From the kitchen you can access the outdoor utility room through a small porch area. Here bicycles can be stored and wet clothes dried and this can be reached without going through the cottage. The washer/dryer is housed here along with drying racks and an extremely useful second WC. Recycling boxes and extra garden furniture are housed in the store room at the back. From there the enclosed garden is accessible. The garden is furnished with an outdoor table and chairs and a gas BBQ and are perfect for dining al fresco, cooking burgers or just enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day.
What’s included:
The cottage is fully gas central heated with solar panels providing the hot water. Electricity, Wi-Fi internet access, all towels and bed linens are provided, including anti-allergy if requested. Dogs are welcome by arrangement. As it is spread over two floors and there are steps up to and down from the gardens, it is not wheelchair accessible. Blake Cottage provides a welcome tea tray including a homemade cake and is strictly non-smoking.
Directions:
Blake Cottage is on the outskirts of Cinderford which is about 130 miles from London, 77 miles from Birmingham and 50 miles from Cardiff.
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