Hannah's Guidebook

Hannah
Hannah's Guidebook

Food scene

These guys do the most AMAZING cooked breakfast if you get fed up with continental. The cafe is quite small so check they’re open first due to COVID
12 residents recomanen
Woods of Whitchurch
12 residents recomanen
These guys do the most AMAZING cooked breakfast if you get fed up with continental. The cafe is quite small so check they’re open first due to COVID
Fancy great fish and chips and a view to die for at sunset? Pick up the fish and chips from Lydbrook (the pea fritters are yummy) and then head back up the hill to the viewpoint on Eddy’s lane (just up from the house). You’ll find a bench and a bronze plaque telling you about that amazing view in front of you.
The Wye Fry
Fancy great fish and chips and a view to die for at sunset? Pick up the fish and chips from Lydbrook (the pea fritters are yummy) and then head back up the hill to the viewpoint on Eddy’s lane (just up from the house). You’ll find a bench and a bronze plaque telling you about that amazing view in front of you.
A lovely pub. It’s a little pricey but delicious food. It’s always packed so book in advance.
15 residents recomanen
The Woodman Inn
Folly Road
15 residents recomanen
A lovely pub. It’s a little pricey but delicious food. It’s always packed so book in advance.
If you’re looking for a meal to celebrate a special occasion, this is the place. A lovely location, posh ambience and delicious fancy food.
12 residents recomanen
Tudor Farmhouse
High Street
12 residents recomanen
If you’re looking for a meal to celebrate a special occasion, this is the place. A lovely location, posh ambience and delicious fancy food.
A Michelin 2 star, 4 AA rosettes restaurant. We’ve had some very special evenings here!
31 residents recomanen
The Whitebrook
31 residents recomanen
A Michelin 2 star, 4 AA rosettes restaurant. We’ve had some very special evenings here!
An atmospheric little Mexican restaurant. Great good and prices.
Mokos
8 Church St
An atmospheric little Mexican restaurant. Great good and prices.
What a place! I remember this place when they were a tiny deli and now they have a stunning restaurant, shop, deli and fish counter! They’ve grown because they’re amazing. Suppliers of Harrod’s fish, the fish counter is something to behold. The deli has delicious mini-cakes, cheese counter, and locally made produce. If you don’t fancy cooking the fish yourself, head upstairs to their fabulous restaurant.
32 residents recomanen
Severn & Wye Smokery
32 residents recomanen
What a place! I remember this place when they were a tiny deli and now they have a stunning restaurant, shop, deli and fish counter! They’ve grown because they’re amazing. Suppliers of Harrod’s fish, the fish counter is something to behold. The deli has delicious mini-cakes, cheese counter, and locally made produce. If you don’t fancy cooking the fish yourself, head upstairs to their fabulous restaurant.
A lovely local pub serving award winning pies. These guys have seen us through the Covid lockdown many times with their great delivery service. Get a three-course meal or Sunday roast delivered to the house
13 residents recomanen
The Farmers Boy Longhope
Ross Road
13 residents recomanen
A lovely local pub serving award winning pies. These guys have seen us through the Covid lockdown many times with their great delivery service. Get a three-course meal or Sunday roast delivered to the house
Another wonderful local pub serving great food
36 residents recomanen
The Moody Cow
36 residents recomanen
Another wonderful local pub serving great food
You might wonder why I’m sharing dominoes pizza here but they were amazing during lockdown. 15 mins after ordering over the phone, they met me in the lay-by next to the Inn on the Wye, opened my boot, put the pizza in without any contact with me. All this despite not delivering to this area! If you fancy a movie night with a takeaway pizza, give them a call and see if they’ll do it for you!
Domino's Pizza - Ross on Wye
33 Gloucester Rd
You might wonder why I’m sharing dominoes pizza here but they were amazing during lockdown. 15 mins after ordering over the phone, they met me in the lay-by next to the Inn on the Wye, opened my boot, put the pizza in without any contact with me. All this despite not delivering to this area! If you fancy a movie night with a takeaway pizza, give them a call and see if they’ll do it for you!
Nice Italian. Extensive menu, well cooked and presented food. Reasonable prices.
6 residents recomanen
Amici
Lord's Hill
6 residents recomanen
Nice Italian. Extensive menu, well cooked and presented food. Reasonable prices.
Great for meat lovers, the grills are great. Substantial, hearty, comfort food in a nice atmosphere.
51 residents recomanen
Butchers Arms
51 residents recomanen
Great for meat lovers, the grills are great. Substantial, hearty, comfort food in a nice atmosphere.
Take some cookery lessons to make some delicious food in a gorgeous setting
11 residents recomanen
Harts Barn Cookery School
11 residents recomanen
Take some cookery lessons to make some delicious food in a gorgeous setting
You’re recommending a service station? Are you mad? No. Trust me. We drive MILES out of our way to go here whenever we’re we’re half an hour from it. And at Christmas we go here to stock up on all the Xmas goodies; chocolates, cakes, cheeses, booze tonnes of Christmas present ideas, crafts.... it’s incredible. If only all services were like this. It’s a delicatessen and restaurant that’s on the north and south carriageways on the M5, that will blow your frickin’ mind. The eco architecture has won awards and the building itself is worth the detour, let alone the goodies inside.
Gloucester Services Northbound
You’re recommending a service station? Are you mad? No. Trust me. We drive MILES out of our way to go here whenever we’re we’re half an hour from it. And at Christmas we go here to stock up on all the Xmas goodies; chocolates, cakes, cheeses, booze tonnes of Christmas present ideas, crafts.... it’s incredible. If only all services were like this. It’s a delicatessen and restaurant that’s on the north and south carriageways on the M5, that will blow your frickin’ mind. The eco architecture has won awards and the building itself is worth the detour, let alone the goodies inside.
If you fancy an Indian takeaway then this fits the bill. Only 15 mins away and delicious.
balti hut
29 Gloucester Rd
If you fancy an Indian takeaway then this fits the bill. Only 15 mins away and delicious.

Wine tasting tours and restaurant

The restaurant is lovely. The wines and lovelier!
39 residents recomanen
Three Choirs Vineyards Gloucestershire
39 residents recomanen
Take a tour of the brewery or book an experience day and combine beer tasting with archery (is that even safe?), Pilates or any other random team building thing you fancy.
Hillside Brewery
Ross Road
Take a tour of the brewery or book an experience day and combine beer tasting with archery (is that even safe?), Pilates or any other random team building thing you fancy.

Sightseeing

Want to fly birds of prey? Or have a night with the owls? Then call the bird of prey centre or check out their website to buy a voucher. Having done this ourselves we can highly recommend it. The burrowing owls were our favourites ❤️
29 residents recomanen
El Centre Internacional d'Ocells de Presa
29 residents recomanen
Want to fly birds of prey? Or have a night with the owls? Then call the bird of prey centre or check out their website to buy a voucher. Having done this ourselves we can highly recommend it. The burrowing owls were our favourites ❤️
You’ll find the nearest cinema here and tonnes of restaurants in the docks. The cathedral is stunning and holds the remains of kings. Shopping here isn’t so great but the outlet centre at the docks has some great bargains. The best part of Gloucester is the cathedral. You’ll find old kings buried there sand the ‘blue room’ in inspiring.
180 residents recomanen
Catedral de Gloucester
12 College Grn
180 residents recomanen
You’ll find the nearest cinema here and tonnes of restaurants in the docks. The cathedral is stunning and holds the remains of kings. Shopping here isn’t so great but the outlet centre at the docks has some great bargains. The best part of Gloucester is the cathedral. You’ll find old kings buried there sand the ‘blue room’ in inspiring.
An hour from the house, Cardiff has some of the best shopping in the area. Wander the historic shopping lanes or indoor market, visit the castle or the Millenium Stadium.
218 residents recomanen
Cardiff
218 residents recomanen
An hour from the house, Cardiff has some of the best shopping in the area. Wander the historic shopping lanes or indoor market, visit the castle or the Millenium Stadium.
A beautiful place to visit on a sunny day for a picnic in the park. Head into Cheltenham city centre for great shopping, restaurants and Georgian architecture.
157 residents recomanen
Pittville Park
157 residents recomanen
A beautiful place to visit on a sunny day for a picnic in the park. Head into Cheltenham city centre for great shopping, restaurants and Georgian architecture.
A lovely walk around a lake, a great place to picnic within 30 mins cycling distance from the house
45 residents recomanen
Llac de Mallards Pike
45 residents recomanen
A lovely walk around a lake, a great place to picnic within 30 mins cycling distance from the house
A lovely walk around several lakes. Head across the main road, opposite the quarry at the end of the lakes, to see the memorial to the miners who died in a mine shaft collapse.
42 residents recomanen
Cannop Ponds
42 residents recomanen
A lovely walk around several lakes. Head across the main road, opposite the quarry at the end of the lakes, to see the memorial to the miners who died in a mine shaft collapse.
Can be seen on Netflix’s new series, Cursed, Episode 1. It’s one of our favourite places in the forest. Although it appears to target children with its farm animals and maze, it’s actually great for adults too. Star Wars, Merlin and Dr Who have also been filmed in this magical location and you’ll see why when you get there. The place has giant rock formations called Scowles that you move through. You’ll think you’re imagining the faces in the rock and hobbit doors.
159 residents recomanen
Bosc de Puzzles
Perrygrove Road
159 residents recomanen
Can be seen on Netflix’s new series, Cursed, Episode 1. It’s one of our favourite places in the forest. Although it appears to target children with its farm animals and maze, it’s actually great for adults too. Star Wars, Merlin and Dr Who have also been filmed in this magical location and you’ll see why when you get there. The place has giant rock formations called Scowles that you move through. You’ll think you’re imagining the faces in the rock and hobbit doors.
Take a steam train through the forest
55 residents recomanen
Ferrocaril de Perrygrove
Perrygrove Road
55 residents recomanen
Take a steam train through the forest
Clearwell caves takes you back in time to explore what it was like for the mining community who lived here. Freeminers still mine coal to this day in the Forest of Dean. The caves become a magical Santa’s grotto at Christmas, that adults love as much as kids, thanks to the number of Christmas trees and fairy lights down there.
115 residents recomanen
Clearwell Caves
The Rocks
115 residents recomanen
Clearwell caves takes you back in time to explore what it was like for the mining community who lived here. Freeminers still mine coal to this day in the Forest of Dean. The caves become a magical Santa’s grotto at Christmas, that adults love as much as kids, thanks to the number of Christmas trees and fairy lights down there.
It’s an hour and a half from the house but from November - February at sunset, an incredible phenomenon takes place that is unmissable. Known as a ‘murmuration’, tens of thousands of starlings flock together to nest. Behind Rome it’s the the second largest murmuration in Europe. Some nights we’ve been and seen swirling numbers of birds that blew our minds. Other nights we’ve been they’ve decided to flock too far in the distance to enjoy. It’s a gamble because of the distance but if it pays off you’ll never forget it.
58 residents recomanen
RSPB Ham Wall
58 residents recomanen
It’s an hour and a half from the house but from November - February at sunset, an incredible phenomenon takes place that is unmissable. Known as a ‘murmuration’, tens of thousands of starlings flock together to nest. Behind Rome it’s the the second largest murmuration in Europe. Some nights we’ve been and seen swirling numbers of birds that blew our minds. Other nights we’ve been they’ve decided to flock too far in the distance to enjoy. It’s a gamble because of the distance but if it pays off you’ll never forget it.
A beautiful waterfall walk, 30 mins away by car. The initial climb is steep and winding but the view from the top is stunning.
Cleddon Shoots
A beautiful waterfall walk, 30 mins away by car. The initial climb is steep and winding but the view from the top is stunning.
A pretty place for a picnic, at a beautiful stream in the forest. Great for paddling.
15 residents recomanen
Wenchford Picnic Site
New Road
15 residents recomanen
A pretty place for a picnic, at a beautiful stream in the forest. Great for paddling.
If you love Acers (Japanese Maples) or Autumn leaf colours then there’s no better place to visit than this arboretum. 1 hour away by car. Check the events page of n their website, for your dates, to see what’s on.
340 residents recomanen
Westonbirt, El Jardí Botànic Nacional
340 residents recomanen
If you love Acers (Japanese Maples) or Autumn leaf colours then there’s no better place to visit than this arboretum. 1 hour away by car. Check the events page of n their website, for your dates, to see what’s on.
112 residents recomanen
Chepstow Castle
112 residents recomanen
134 residents recomanen
Castell de Raglan
Castle Road
134 residents recomanen
99 residents recomanen
Castell de Goodrich
Castle Lane
99 residents recomanen
Set beside the river Wye, this abbey is a great place to visit for a step back in time.
167 residents recomanen
Abadia de Tintern / Abaty Tyndryn
167 residents recomanen
Set beside the river Wye, this abbey is a great place to visit for a step back in time.
Take in the breathtaking bend of the river Wye at this stunning location and if you’re lucky, see rare peregrine falcon’s nesting in the cliffs below. The follow the steep path down to the valley floor to the river Wye for a drink in a pub. Cross over the river on a hand-pulled ferry. Watch kayaks take on the rapids or rock climb the famous Symonds Yat rock.
191 residents recomanen
Symonds Yat
191 residents recomanen
Take in the breathtaking bend of the river Wye at this stunning location and if you’re lucky, see rare peregrine falcon’s nesting in the cliffs below. The follow the steep path down to the valley floor to the river Wye for a drink in a pub. Cross over the river on a hand-pulled ferry. Watch kayaks take on the rapids or rock climb the famous Symonds Yat rock.
A beautiful butterfly zoo 🦋 be careful to buy a parking ticket though. The parking system is ruthless!
55 residents recomanen
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
55 residents recomanen
A beautiful butterfly zoo 🦋 be careful to buy a parking ticket though. The parking system is ruthless!
Find the many sculptures in the forest on this walking / cycling trail. The sculptures were intended to ‘…arrest our attention, cause us to pause and contemplate both the isolated object and its surroundings. They were to act as catalysts for our imaginations, releasing new ideas in us about our relationship to nature and the environment, and prompting a sense of awe and wonder.’
90 residents recomanen
Ruta d'escultures del bosc de Dean
Speech House Road
90 residents recomanen
Find the many sculptures in the forest on this walking / cycling trail. The sculptures were intended to ‘…arrest our attention, cause us to pause and contemplate both the isolated object and its surroundings. They were to act as catalysts for our imaginations, releasing new ideas in us about our relationship to nature and the environment, and prompting a sense of awe and wonder.’
This is an unusual place that kids will love to explore. The gardens are a wonderful place to wander in themselves, with beautifully landscaped paths and decorative beds, waterfalls and pools and beneath all this, a labrynth of tunnels and grottoes .
Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes
This is an unusual place that kids will love to explore. The gardens are a wonderful place to wander in themselves, with beautifully landscaped paths and decorative beds, waterfalls and pools and beneath all this, a labrynth of tunnels and grottoes .

Horse riding

Reinhill is a Western riding school with top quality quarter horses who listen to your every move. No plodding old bags here. The instructor is a great character who will keep you entertained!
Reinhill is a western riding school with top quality quarter horses who listen to your every move. No plodding old nags here! A truly unique experience.
Reinhill at the Hyde
Hyde Lane
Reinhill is a western riding school with top quality quarter horses who listen to your every move. No plodding old nags here! A truly unique experience.
For a horse ride along a stunning beach, head to Ogmore-by-sea for a day out. Great for beginners and experienced riders alike. It’s an hour and half by car but you won’t forget it! Forested sand dunes, long stretches of beach to canter along and you can go fossil hunting under the cliffs at Southerndown, 10 mins along the coast. Head back to the hot tub to soothe those after-riding aches!
11 residents recomanen
Ogmore Farm Riding Centre
11 residents recomanen
For a horse ride along a stunning beach, head to Ogmore-by-sea for a day out. Great for beginners and experienced riders alike. It’s an hour and half by car but you won’t forget it! Forested sand dunes, long stretches of beach to canter along and you can go fossil hunting under the cliffs at Southerndown, 10 mins along the coast. Head back to the hot tub to soothe those after-riding aches!
Severnwye Equestrian Centre
Spout Hill

Adventure and food

Go-Ape are based here along with a climbing wall and awesome forest trails for walking or cycling. The cafe is nice but the food is basic.
62 residents recomanen
Beechenhurst Lodge
Speech House Road
62 residents recomanen
Do you scuba dive? Fancy trying free diving? Zorbing? A Giant 3G swing? Zip line across a lake? Flyboard? Stand up paddle boards? Aqua park? And sometimes the tallest bungee jump in the UK? This place has it all! A fully licensed bar and cafe serving meals. Look out for their drive-in cinema events. The bad news is that the dive centre will not be open for the rest of 2020 but hopefully it will be if you’re booking for next year. The good news is that FearFest Evil will be. See you there
28 residents recomanen
National Diving & Activity Centre (NDAC)
A48
28 residents recomanen
Do you scuba dive? Fancy trying free diving? Zorbing? A Giant 3G swing? Zip line across a lake? Flyboard? Stand up paddle boards? Aqua park? And sometimes the tallest bungee jump in the UK? This place has it all! A fully licensed bar and cafe serving meals. Look out for their drive-in cinema events. The bad news is that the dive centre will not be open for the rest of 2020 but hopefully it will be if you’re booking for next year. The good news is that FearFest Evil will be. See you there
This is a place close to my heart having taught freediving here myself. It’s a meditative, quiet sport and at Saltfree you’ll learn to hold your breath and dive at the National Diving & Activity Center in Chepstow. Run by my friend Paul, give him a shout if you fancy it; https://www.saltfreedivers.com
Saltfree Divers
This is a place close to my heart having taught freediving here myself. It’s a meditative, quiet sport and at Saltfree you’ll learn to hold your breath and dive at the National Diving & Activity Center in Chepstow. Run by my friend Paul, give him a shout if you fancy it; https://www.saltfreedivers.com
94 residents recomanen
Go Ape Forest of Dean (Mallards Pike - Treetop Challenge i Forest Segway)
94 residents recomanen
Fancy kayaking? Canoeing? Stand up paddle boarding? Nordic walking ? Raft building? These are the guys to call.
9 residents recomanen
Way2go Adventures Ltd
20 Forest Rd
9 residents recomanen
Fancy kayaking? Canoeing? Stand up paddle boarding? Nordic walking ? Raft building? These are the guys to call.
A lovely farm shop. Check out their events calendar for their outdoor cinema, fairgrounds and more.
Over Farm Market
A lovely farm shop. Check out their events calendar for their outdoor cinema, fairgrounds and more.
If you like being frightened, then you cannot miss this. Throughout October, the National Diving and Activity Centre near Chepstow, host the scariest nights imaginable. Set on an abandoned railway line around the quarry, you’ll move through an hour and half of bum-clenching terror. Guests have actually been known to actually wet themselves. Make up by artists who worked on the Lord of the Rings movies, it’s more realistic than you’d like. You’ll be grabbed, shoved, and slapped in the face by cold clammy, god-knows-what (meat? We still don’t know). You’ll crawl through muddy wet tunnels being chased by horrific creatures. Get ready to scream.
FearFest-Evil
If you like being frightened, then you cannot miss this. Throughout October, the National Diving and Activity Centre near Chepstow, host the scariest nights imaginable. Set on an abandoned railway line around the quarry, you’ll move through an hour and half of bum-clenching terror. Guests have actually been known to actually wet themselves. Make up by artists who worked on the Lord of the Rings movies, it’s more realistic than you’d like. You’ll be grabbed, shoved, and slapped in the face by cold clammy, god-knows-what (meat? We still don’t know). You’ll crawl through muddy wet tunnels being chased by horrific creatures. Get ready to scream.

Garden centre

Leaf Creative is a garden centre with a difference. Curl up on their sofas with book and a baileys hot chocolate on a rainy afternoon and you’ll come away feeling as peaceful as a meditating monk! The cafe serves delicious meals. The garden centre is designed and stocked by 9 x Chelsea gold medal winner, Peter Dowle from Howle Hill. They are a garden centre specialising in Acers so it’s particularly wonderful to visit in Autumn. Try their yoga and brunch on Sundays (book in advance).
7 residents recomanen
Leaf Creative
Ross Road
7 residents recomanen
Leaf Creative is a garden centre with a difference. Curl up on their sofas with book and a baileys hot chocolate on a rainy afternoon and you’ll come away feeling as peaceful as a meditating monk! The cafe serves delicious meals. The garden centre is designed and stocked by 9 x Chelsea gold medal winner, Peter Dowle from Howle Hill. They are a garden centre specialising in Acers so it’s particularly wonderful to visit in Autumn. Try their yoga and brunch on Sundays (book in advance).

My favourite local gardens

A beautiful house and gardens set around a series of pretty lakes. Visit the garden centre afterwards.
Lydney Park Estate
Lydney Park Boulevard
A beautiful house and gardens set around a series of pretty lakes. Visit the garden centre afterwards.