The Zion Chapel
Step away from the everyday to escape to Zion Chapel in the heart of the Forest of Dean where adventures are on your doorstep. The chapel is beautifully spacious with high ceilings and an open plan layout. A woodburning stove is at the centre and a mezzanine seating area shows off the spectacular views. Bring the dogs along for a stay with family or friends making use of the flexible sleeping arrangements. With walking routes passing by your front door, a dining terrace overlooking the valley and woodland in every direction, you can make the most of your forest location. The Dean Heritage Centre is a short walk, Beechenhurst is home to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail and Go Ape and is just a 15-minute drive and magical Puzzlewood is 9 miles.
Overview
When you stay at Zion Chapel you are immersed in the heritage of the Forest of Dean. Built from local stone in the 1800s it is today an eclectic mix of the old and new. You can see the old stonework which would have been the aisle between the pews, and the initials of those who contributed to the building of the old school house are still on show in the brickwork.
Set across an open plan split level with a mezzanine seating area, Zion Chapel is made for couples looking to get away from it all and groups of family or friends who want to spend quality time together. There are so many eye-catching and intriguing details here you are spoilt for choice of where to spend your time. A bright and spacious kitchen with a beamed ceiling is a communal space to serve meals at the dining table. Flit between here and the dining terrace outside where you will be captivated by the view. The sleeping area has a double bed and there is a choice of double or single futons which create three seating areas. Curl up to watch TV, sit beside the fire together or head up to the mezzanine to watch the scenery no matter what the weather brings.
Stepping out of the old church doors you find yourselves on a footpath which heads into the forest behind you, or follow it into the village to explore. These paths wrap around the cottage and you can follow them from the side gates as well. Beside the chapel is an orchard where there may be sheep grazing, a charming country view to start the day. The terrace leads behind the house to a quiet corner with a bistro set where you can start or end your day with a moment to yourself.
Ground floor
Open plan living, kitchen, dining, sleeping area
Kitchen
Sitting beneath the exposed beams above, the kitchen has more than enough space to unpack your essentials. Light and bright there is a central island with a sink, perfect for prepping vegetables for dinner, an oven and hob, microwave and a feature AGA which is available during the winter months to add some extra warmth to the room. It’s a great space to cook in with everything you could ever need close at hand. An old arched and two circular windows
Dining Area
Seating six, the dining table sits alongside the kitchen. Set the table and gather your guests for elegant evening meals and quick hearty breakfasts before going for a long walk. The table is also perfect for board games on rainy days.
Sitting Area
The main seating area flanks the woodburning stove making it a cosy spot. At the end of the day you can spend some time away from the TV and appreciate each other’s company. The settees here can be converted to beds for two guests and as this area is split level you have some privacy from those in the sleeping area beyond.
Sleeping Area
Down a couple of steps is the sleeping area. A comfortable double bed is in the middle with bedside tables and a choice of armchairs. Storage space can be found in a chest of drawers and there is a hanging rail to one side. Overhead spotlights have been arranged to mimic the stars and a bible quote “I am the true vine” is a nod to the history of this impressive building.
TV Area
Perfect for couples to snuggle up, there is a two-seater sofa by the TV. Get some snacks and bundle up for a film night.
Shower Room
The spacious shower room is tiled in whites and greys with a wonderfully patterned floor. There is a rainfall shower, WC and basin. Refresh here after a long walk or get ready to head out for dinner at one of the nearby country pubs.
First Floor Mezzanine
Sitting Area
Up an open tread spiral staircase is a mezzanine with two single futons. It’s a lovely spot to enjoy the views, starting the day here with a cup of coffee spotting the birdlife that flits by the arched windows. You can gaze across the apple trees and resident sheep in the orchard to the village of Soudley and hills beyond.
Outside
Dining on the terrace at Zion Chapel you can enjoy the far reaching views across Soudley and the surrounding countryside. Set the table for a feast and soak in this beautiful location. Behind the chapel is a lovely secluded area with a bistro set where you can start your day flicking through a magazine with a cup of coffee. You will spot footpaths weaving their way around the chapel so pull on your walking boots and head straight out to get lost amongst the forest pathways.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - Double
Additional Beds - 2 Single Futons On Mezzanine, 2 Double Futons
1 Bathroom - Shower, WC And Basin
Hairdryer
Fire - Logs Provided Year Round
AGA - Winter Months Only
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 6
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 25-49 Mbps
TV - Smart
DVD Player
Board Games
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Highchair
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 2 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden - Paved Terrace And Rear Garden. Enclosed But Pets To Be Supervised.
Outdoor Dining Area
No BBQ Available
Parking - Off-road Parking For 4 Cars
On your Doorstep
Eating Out:
- The Forest of Dean Heritage Museum Café – pop in for breakfast, lunch, or just a hot drink and a slice of cake (5 min walk)
- The Speech House Hotel – visit for a relaxed meal or a fine dining experience, or book a cosy outdoor dining den (6 miles)
- Severn and Wye Smokery, Westbury on Severn – fish counter, deli, food hall and restaurant (7.5 miles)
- The White Hart, Broadoak – enjoy panoramic views of the Severn Estuary at this traditional pub (8 miles)
A selection of maps are available at the chapel and a public footpath runs directly past the front door. A great place to start is by following a route to Soudley Ponds. Heading along Cinderford Road towards the Heritage Centre you will see a parking area on your left. This is the entrance to Soudley Ponds where you can loop around the ponds on a short 35-minute circular route. Longer routes can be followed along Soudley Brook and into the surrounding forest.
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 11:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts for top attractions and experiences.
- 2 well-behaved dogs are permitted at the cottage free of charge.
- Zion Chapel has a permanent double bed, two double futons and two single futons. Please include at the time of booking which additional beds you will require.
- Barbecues are not provided or permitted at Zion Chapel due to the forest location.
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Spread the cost of your holiday balance with our flexible payment plan
Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Spacious, stylish chapel with high ceilings, mezzanine, and a woodburning stove
- Dining terrace and floor-to-ceiling views over the Forest of Dean
- Walking routes and forest adventures on your doorstep, perfect for dogs and families
Discover more
The Location
Just 10-minutes outside Cinderford, Soudley is a haven for walkers. The Dean Heritage Centre tells the story of the heritage of the Forest of Dean with a museum, Gruffalo trail, cafe and gift shop. In Soudley you can also explore Soudley Ponds, the Blue Rock Trail and so many other easily followed walks. Nearby Beechenhurst, Mallards Pike and Puzzlewood are popular spots for walks and more and you’re only a 30 minute drive from Symonds Yat.
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Read our reviews
Fantastic stay
We had a fantastic stay at the zion chapel. The chapel had everything and more to make a lovely comfortable stay. The food hamper and gorgeous chocolate cake was a lovely surprise. The dogs were not forgotten either and loved their treat left for them.
We will definitely be returning, hopefully soon.
Amanda
What a wonderful place to stay - relaxing reading and listening to the bird song. We have stayed in numerous cottages the past eleven years, this one is the star! It is so comfortable. Thank you for breakfast food and the wonderful chocolate cake.
Ian
Had a great week at Zion Chapel despite pretty wet weather for most of it! A very peaceful and relaxing time reading and listening to the rain! Some lovely walks in the woods and good pub lunches - The Cross in Aylburton does a wonderful Sunday lunch. Also visited Hay-On-Wye, Ross-On-Wye and Symonds Yat - all worth an afternoon at least. Thankyou.
Gil
Had a lovely and peaceful relaxing time here in the chapel. Visited lots of great places including Tintern, Monmouth, and Symonds Yat amongst others. The trees lined country roads are amazing in colour this time of year. Would love to come back and stay again.
Trevor,
We were so lucky Zion Chapel was available for a last minute booking. Vicky is the first host that has ever asked about dietary requirements (as a coeliac this is something I hugely appreciate!) Turn up at the beautiful venue to a home cooked cake, milk, bacon, eggs, prosecco and more! The renovation that has been done on this Chapel is absolutely beautiful. We loved being in the space, the kitchen is just a hub you want to spend all of your time. The log burner heats the large space with ease! Shout out to the pub in Soudley, honestly the kindest welcome we’ve had in a village pub! Such a lovely bunch of people. Loved walking around Soudley Pond which is just 5 mins walk down the road. We sat out on the patio every afternoon just listening to all the birds and watching the world go by. We both said we will certainly love to go back. A really perfect home from home holiday retreat.
Kelly
Thank you so much for the thoughtful touches - they truly made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. This stay will always be extra special for us, as it's the place where we found out we're expecting twins, a memory we'll never forget. We will definitely be back for a longer stay!!
Cristina
Pure peace in Zion Chapel
My son (12yrs old), my Jack Russell and me all had the most wonderful time staying at Zion Chapel. So spacious, yet warm and cosy, so comfortable and peaceful with everything we needed in the chapel. Stepping outside directly into the stunning forest to find easy trails to walk for hours was a blessing. The dog was in heaven! We felt totally emotionally reset and recharged to head back to the city after our 4 days there. Simply magical. We will definitely be back! Thank you!
Claudia
Amazing accommodation with a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere and absolute solitude. The only sounds from outside were birds singing and the occasional pheasant. Comforts were everywhere: from a very comfortable bed, sofas and cushions to sink into around a huge wood burner with a massive pile of wood and clear instructions for using it, a great sound system for when we wanted music, a luxurious kitchen with an Aga plus all the modern facilities, wonderful little touches in the decor and restoration of the chapel including many original features lovingly preserved, and some treats to eat and drink while we sat outside in privacy or upstairs on the mezzanine enjoying wonderful views and a great pair of binoculars. Our host was just the right level of great communication and hospitality, and leaving us in privacy to enjoy the run of the place all to ourselves. Lots of beautiful walks close by, and plenty of places to visit within a walk or short drive. Parking was easy and convenient. Clean, comfortable, beautiful and atmospheric; we will look to return to enjoy this wonderful place again
Paul
Magical Hideaway
What a gem! We knew we were getting something special from the photos, but the attention to detail at Zion is exceptional - such wonderful restoration and taste. The welcome pack and huge basket of logs was so generous - above and beyond our expectations. Amazing walks from the door and such a cosy fireplace to return to meant that we didnt use the car - and we didnt even switch the TV on. Loved cooking in the well-equipped kitchen, great shower and toiletries, very comfy bed and nice outside space too which our terrier enjoyed. We are even converts to the futon. Looking forward to future visits.
Pip
The most beautiful chapel with the most beautiful surrounding. Best place to escape from the world! Our host Vicky was friendly and helpful going above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Hopefully we will be back to explore more !
Florence
Homely and peaceful haven in the forest
The chapel has been beautifully restored with real care and attention, and we felt at home the moment we arrived. The interior strikes a perfect balance between modern and cosy, with a wonderful log burner and Aga that made it especially inviting on the grey, wet days when we were more than happy to stay in and relax. Despite spending time indoors, it never felt at all claustrophobic the space is generous and the large windows flood the building with natural light.
Everything we needed was thoughtfully provided, along with some very welcome extras, including a delicious homemade cake. One of the highlights was being able to step straight outside and begin walking in the Forest of Dean.
Although the accommodation is dog-friendly, it was impeccably clean with no trace of previous four-legged guests. The hosts were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. We had a truly lovely week and would happily return at any time of year.
David
The chapel has been beautifully restored with real care and attention, and we felt at home the moment we arrived. The interior strikes a perfect balance between modern and cosy, with a wonderful log burner and Aga that made it especially inviting on the grey, wet days when we were more than happy to stay in and relax. Despite spending time indoors, it never felt at all claustrophobic — the space is generous and the large windows flood the building with natural light.
Everything we needed was thoughtfully provided, along with some very welcome extras, including a delicious homemade cake. One of the highlights was being able to step straight outside and begin walking in the Forest of Dean.
Although the accommodation is dog-friendly, it was impeccably clean with no trace of previous four-legged guests. The hosts were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. We had a truly lovely week and would happily return at any time of year.
David
Amazing place to chill out
What an amazing place to relax and chill. Read a book in front of the fire, go for walks in the forest which are right outside the door.
The house has everything you need. There is a local pub walking distance (no food, friendly locals).
Lovely open space vibe in the chapel. Dog loved it too. The host Vicky was great too.
If there was a spa pool or a bath that would have been perfect. But overall it was great.
Boyd
We loved our short stay at the chapel! Thank you so much the place was so festive and cosy. We all gasped on arrival, then did a lovely unwind with our dear friends. Very sure we'll be back.
Menna
Zion Chapel is new to Bolthole Retreats - be the first to stay and leave a review.
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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.
