As well as being England’s oldest oak forest, the UK’s first National Park, and an inspiration for all sorts of well known literature and lore, the Forest of Dean is also an amazing place to holiday. Beautiful, even a little mysterious at times, this ancient woodland is a wonderful place to walk, bike or even paddle through. And there’s quite a number of appetising properties on our Guru’s list of the best hotels for the Forest of Dean.

Flickr user kennysarmy

As well as the forest itself, we’ve also included properties in the Gloucestershire district of the Forest of Dean in our list of the best hotels for the Forest of Dean, and a couple of properties which are close enough to make a great base for forest explorers.

As well as having wonderful access to the peace and beauty of the woods, guests staying at the best hotels for the Forest of Dean are also surrounded by a number of fascinating prehistoric monuments, a Roman one or two and numerous castles and cathedrals dating from the time when this was a royal hunting ground. This is also a wonderful place for bird and butterfly watchers.

Best Hotels for the Forest of Dean

For a country escape

• 21 room, Tudor Farmhouse is a picture perfect country house hotel with charming rooms and suites and an acclaimed British restaurant. As well as being surrounded by the Forest of Dean, the farmhouse has its own beautiful grounds and gardens.
• Or you might go slightly out of the forest for Wilton Court, a country restaurant with rooms right on the River Wye. There are just eleven peaceful, elegant rooms beautiful gardens and access to excellent fishing.

For a special occasion

• The Three Choirs Vineyards is a working vineyard with 100 rolling acres, and a hilltop restaurant with eleven rooms. Perfect for foodies and wine lovers, of course, but also great for walkers and fisher-folk.

For foodies

• The Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms is just over the Welsh border, but still within the forest’s ‘green belt’, and is a Michelin starred restaurant with eight rooms.

If you haven’t found your idea of the perfect place to stay in, or around, the Forest of Dean on our Guru’s list of the best hotels for the Forest of Dean you could:

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Forest of Dean,
• expand further to include all the best places to stay in Gloucestershire,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.