Keeper's Cottage
The Forest of Dean becomes your playground when you stay at Keeper's Cottage near Lydney. The treeline begins at your doorstep opening a world of possibilities from which to explore this mystical natural world. Keeper's Cottage provides a home from home during your time here where you can truly relax and have a proper break from the daily hubbub. Made for family holidays or groups of friends there are two sitting rooms, flexible bed arrangements and space to dine together indoors and out. In the flourishing garden discover the apple orchard where fruit was picked to make cider in days gone by. At any time of year this is a wonderful retreat with a woodburning stove and a conservatory that allows you to appreciate this location no matter the weather. An oasis for walkers, the dogs are more than welcome to join you on this adventure. Within a short drive you can enjoy the Dean Forest Railway, Dean Heritage Centre, the Clearwell Caves or head further to Tintern Abbey and Symonds Yat.
Overview
Escape to Keeper's Cottage, a hidden retreat on the edge of the forest where you feel as if you've entered another world. When you arrive you will want to immediately pull on your walking boots and head into the woodland. Sitting in the village of Viney Hill near Lydney you are within walking distance of The New Inn and just a short drive from Lydney where you’ll find shops, pubs and a station for the heritage steam railway.
Encompassed by garden views, Keeper's Cottage embraces its surroundings. Two sitting rooms and a glorious conservatory let you choose where to spend your time whether you’d prefer to read or watch a film with the family. If you’re staying in, the kitchen has everything you need and you can spend a long evening chatting and drinking wine beside the fire. Three bedrooms, two of which can be arranged as a twin or double, make this house an ideal choice for families. Children can have a bed each while couples can spread out in a super king-size bed. The whole house feels warm and welcoming letting you have a real break of rest and relaxation.
Stepping outside, the garden is a treasure trove of delights. Birds often twitter past and you may spot the woodcocks, goshawks and secretive owls in the evenings. Embracing rewilding the garden is an English cottage delight with native flowers coming to life each season. Explore the apple orchard beside the pond and bring out some loungers to the front lawn to catch some rays. This Forest of Dean haven will become a firm favourite year after year as you discover this magical area.
Ground Floor
Kitchen/Diner
A traditional country kitchen sets the scene at Keeper's Cottage with its characterful blue touches and wooden dining table. You can hideaway here and cook up a storm for the whole group to enjoy together, inside or out. After muddy walks a handy washing machine can handle the load and there is a useful storage cupboard for stashing your luggage.
Shower Room
At the end of the kitchen is one of the three bathrooms, this one has a shower with a rainfall head, WC and basin.
Living Room
Snug and cosy, the living room is a joy to curl up in. Comfortable sofas and a roaring wood burner make you feel at home so you can really relax and enjoy this peaceful spot. A selection of books are here for you to choose from, watch TV, or switch off and listen to the birds outside.
Conservatory
Surrounded by the vibrant garden the conservatory is a fantastic room where you can be immersed in nature no matter what the weather. Spend some time birdwatching and have a quiet moment to yourself.
Snug
If you’re staying as a family, younger guests will enjoy having some space to themselves. There’s plenty of space to get the toys out or to watch their favourite cartoons. Books and games are kept here so there is no end to the entertainment.
First Floor
Bedroom One
The master bedroom has a garden view from the king-size bed, there’s no place better to wake up. Finished in soft olive hues this room brings the outdoors in and is spacious and flooded with light.
En-Suite
This bedroom benefits from an en-suite where you find a bath with a shower over, WC and basin.
Shower Room
With the shower room on the ground floor, each bedroom can have its own bathroom. This shower room has a shower, WC and basin.
Bedroom Two
An exposed stone wall in bedroom two fills this room with character. Once a fireplace it now adds texture and interest. The super king-size bed can be arranged as a twin on request and there is plenty of storage space.
Bedroom Three
The final bedroom looks out across the forest, inviting you to head out first thing and explore. Adding flexibility, the king-size bed can be a twin on request and would be great for younger guests.
Outside
The garden is what gives Keeper's Cottage an extra special touch. Left to embrace nature it blooms with life and colour showcasing snowdrops and bluebells through to roses and magnolia. Hidden spots to have a quiet drink and enjoy the views are scattered across the garden and at the bottom end you will find a small pond and orchard of apple trees. It’s a real hidden gem which the local wildlife makes their own.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - King-size
Bedroom Two - Super-king (can Be Twin On Request)
Bedroom Three - King-size (can Be Twin On Request)
3 Bathrooms - 2 X Shower Room, 1 X Bathroom
Hairdryer
Fire - Logs Provided For Initial Fire 01 Oct To 31 March
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine - Magimix Nespresso Citiz
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 6
Washing Machine
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 12-24 Mbps
TV - Smart
Board Games
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Stair Gates
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 4 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden - Enclosed With Open Pond, Pets And Children To Be Supervised
Outdoor Dining Area
BBQ - Please Provide Your Own Charcoal
Parking - Off-road Parking For 3 Cars
On your Doorstep
Eating Out:
- The New Inn, Viney Hill – a dog friendly local serving simple pub grub (0.3 miles)
- The Rising Sun, Moseley Green – lovely location in the heart of the forest. A great place for walkers and cyclists (2.5 mile walk from cottage)
- The Woodman Inn, Parkend – traditional country inn with beautiful dining space (3.5 miles)
- Speech House, Coleford – historic hunting lodge perfect for relaxed evening meals, afternoon tea or a more formal experience (5 miles)
- Swan House Tea Room, Woolaston – pretty tearoom with super afternoon tea options (7 miles)
You can head straight into the forest on foot or on your bike from the doorstep at Keeper's Cottage. The region is criss-crossed with miles and miles of walking trails where you might be lucky enough to see some of the abundant local wildlife which includes deer, wild boar, and foxes. Sheep also roam freely in the forest so please ensure your dog is under control when exploring. Head to Mallard’s Pike for a lakeside lunch or find The Rising Sun pub. Other walks include the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Puzzlewood Walk and the Beechenhurst Trail.
Places to Visit:
- Mallard’s Pike, Cinderford – walk here from your doorstep and enjoy a picnic beside the lake or an adventurous Go Ape course (3.5 miles)
- RSPB Nag's Head Nature Reserve - hosts to a variety of bird species with a daily bulletin board so you know what to look out for (4 miles)
- Dean Forest Railway, Lydney – journey through the forest on a steam train (4.5 miles)
- Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Cannop – a showcase of unique and contemporary sculptures (6 miles)
- Puzzlewood, Coleford – a magical forest often used as a filming location (6.5 miles)
- Chepstow Racecourse – home of the Welsh Grand National (15 miles)
- Symonds Yat – walk to Symonds Yat Rock for stunning views across the river (15 miles)
- Ross-on-Wye – much-loved market town which hosts local markets (17 miles)
Travel:
Train - Lydney Railway Station (3 miles) has services to/from Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, Chepstow, and Cardiff.
Taxis - Abbey Taxis, CDS Taxi, Moriarty’s Cabs
There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, why not have a look at some of our favourite Bolthole Retreats Experiences.
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 15:00 and a check-out time of 10:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences.
- 4 well-behaved dogs are permitted at the cottage for an additional fee.
- Please supervise pets as while the garden has been secured there is always the chance they may find a way through.
- There is a small, uncovered pond in the garden, children and pets must be supervised.
- Please note, if you would like bedroom two or three to be arranged as a twin bed, please contact us directly 7 days before arrival.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Spacious and welcoming, with two sitting rooms, flexible bedrooms, and a garden with a charming apple orchard.
- Dog-friendly – bring your four-legged friends to explore the trails and grounds.
- Right on the Forest of Dean’s doorstep, with walking, cycling, Dean Forest Railway, Clearwell Caves, and more to explore
Discover more
The Location
Step out the front door of Keeper's Cottage and the majestic forest stretches before you. Following the trails you can walk from the doorstep for miles without reaching another road. It’s an inspiring place for walkers, cyclists and anybody that loves to be surrounded by nature. The Forest of Dean is one of the most interesting places in the UK lying within the embrace of two great tidal rivers, the Severn, and the Wye. The landscape, heritage and culture created are quite unlike anywhere else. Viney Hill is just outside Lydney where you can shop, dine and enjoy a journey on the Dean Forest heritage railway. Further afield, Chepstow, Cheltenham Spa, Bath, and Bristol are all easily accessible.
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Read our reviews
Very good situation, clean and well equipped with a superb garden ideal for dogs.
Stephen
Cosy Cottage wonderful location
A very peaceful location, wonderful garden and woodland walks on the doorstep. A clean, well equiped and comfortable cottage. Easy acess to all areas of the Forest of Dean. A great place for a relaxing break.
Janet
Great Cottage for a Short Break
A lovely cottage, with a fabulous garden in the Forest of Dean. Quite and secluded. Big enough for 6 to eat in the kitchen, with all necessary appliances. Bathrooms compact, but there were 3 of them! Easy to access the Forest, with Pubs, Restaurants and Supermarkets easy to reach by car.
Simone
Peaceful setting for a weekend break
Had a very enjoyable 4 nights stay. The setting is very quiet and peaceful right on the edge of the forest. Lovely walks right from the doorstep. Cottage is extremely well equipped and comfortable, looks like the bath/shower rooms have been newly fitted. It was nice and warm on chilly nights and we loved sitting listening to all the birds when we sat in the conservatory with a morning coffee. It was obviously a much loved home and garden, you feel you are immersed in nature.
Jane
Cottage ideal for our needs. Clean & comfortable. Very well equipped. Great walking right on doorstep. Plenty to do in local area
Nicola
A great stay with family in a lovely cottage
We had a wonderful stay with family and dogs in the Keeper's Cottage on the edge of the Forest of Dean. The cottage was clean, well equipped, warm, and had plenty of space for all of us. We were welcomed with milk, bread, and treats for the dog. Highly recommend, we hope to return.
LISA
A weekend in the forest
We had a great family weekend at Keepers Cottage.
Great walks and days out.
The cottage is perfect for family's wanting to get away in the countryside.
David
Stunning cottage at the foot of the forest, literally. Lovely accommodation, enjoyed by grandparents and children alike. Thank you!
Mai
Cottage is beautiful, stunning location and well stocked. Very pretty garden. Forest of Dean is such an amazing place with Dean Heritage Centre and Mallards Pike. Puzzlewood well worth a visit and so many other places. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will visit again. Thank you for the tasty apples and bread.
Suzanne
Enjoyable stay
Keepers cottage was adequate for our family weekend away and allowed us to spend time together in an area we knew little about. Very pretty location on the edge of a wood, however we felt that the cottage would benefit from a little attention, especially the kitchen. The level if cleanness was adequate but could be better.
Sarah
Warm welcome with complimentary bread & apples. Comfy beds! Lovely walks on the doorstep. Thoughtful touches e.g. dogs toys and blankets. Outstanding garden. Cosy vibes throughout. Great cleanliness. Really useful guest manual. An idyllic and relaxing getaway! Thank you.
Olivia
Good cosy stay in woods
Very good cosy stay! We would love to visit again
Guest
Week in the new forest
Really enjoyed our stay in Keepers cottage it had everything we needed. Lovely secure garden and it was great to walk straight out of the cottage into the forest, our dog loved this. We were a family of 4 adult and there was plenty of space for us to relax. We enjoyed sitting in the conservatory watching the birds.
Sue
Lovely holiday house in wonderful woodland location. Would visit again!
Really relaxing holiday with varied local places of interest. Great place to stay for families. lots to do and see
Gill
Fabulous location. Very peaceful
We had a very relaxing stay. The house is comfortable and the garden really lovely. We appreciated the welcome hamper items thank you. The location is incredible - so many walks right from the door and only a short drive to other interesting places. The dishwasher wasn't doing a great job of washing things so we cleaned out the filters and it seemed to work better. i'd very happily stay again.
Rachel
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Keeper's Cottage . Were very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback regarding the dishwasher has been shared with the owners who have let us know that this is being looked at and will be fixed as soon as possible. We hope to see you in the Forest of Dean again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 14th August 2025
A great location, 3 couples felt very at home. Lots of walks nearby and pubs and restaurants. A really great weekend!
Daniel
Lovely stay on the edge of the forest
Loved staying in this really nice house of the edge of the forest. Well equipped and comfortable. We were very lucky with the weather and ate outside for every meal. Our two dogs loved the walks in the forest where we saw deer but no wild boars. a peaceful break and we'd love to go back
Gill
lovely comfortable cottage in a beautiful, peaceful environment - idyllic
Very comfortable place to stay, with a beautifully tranquil garden setting, right on the edge of the forest. We settled in very quickly as everything was perfect, the garden was a wonderfully restful place to sit and read and listen to the birdsong. The forest tracks are right outside the garden gate, a great place to walk the dog and do some bird spotting and our trip to Lydney Harbour and walk along the Severn estuary was lovely. We would love to come back.
Penny
Incredible place with a beautiful garden and a forest at your feet. Perfect for a peaceful retreat. Great hikes around.
Jorge
Great place to stay few days, very quiet and a lovely basket with goodies waiting for our arrival. And beautiful spots to visit, from Steam Trains to the amazing Wye Valley within 15 to 30 minutes drive!
Marcio
Lovely house in a beautiful location
We had a wonderful long weekend stay for our family of 6 adults. The house is set in a beautiful, rambling garden with the forest quite literally on its doorstep. We enjoyed local walks and relaxing in both the house and garden. The property had everything we needed with 3 lovely double size bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 cosy lounges, a conservatory and a well-equipped kitchen. It was comfy, clean and well appointed. We would definitely recommend and return again.
John
Magical retreat
What a fantastic place to get away from it all. The garden was wonderful, full of interest, large and completely secure for our dog. You could walk straight into the forest from your doorstep and see deer within a few steps. The cottage itself was very comfortable- plenty of space for everyone and very clean. We would go back in a heartbeat!
Claire
Create Memories
Experiences designed to make your stay unforgettable
We have curated not only a portfolio of properties, but also a portfolio of experiences we recommend everyone try the next time they visit the Cotswolds and surrounding counties. This selection of ours is constantly growing as we discover more hidden gems and local stars. Many of the experiences are incredibly popular, and we encourage booking in advance because these little extras can turn your everyday holiday into a fantastic, fond memory, one you aren’t soon to forget.
