Nestled away within West Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean is the beautiful and petit village of Clearwell. A couple of pubs, a couple of hotels, a cave, and a castle fill up the things-to-do-list but what a to-do list it is.
The most mental fact about Clearwell is that in the 70s the castle was used as a recording studio and hosted bands including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, and the mighty Queen!
So, we were in great company when we booked ourselves into one of the two hotels for a couple of nights of absolute bliss.
The Tudor Farmhouse is magical, really magical. Once you’re in, you’re transported away to a holiday island of calm and relaxation.
This award-winning boutique hotel is a former working farm that dates as far back as the 13th Century. The site has been transformed into luxury rooms and suites, as well as a stunning restaurant and patio area, gardens, and chicken coop (where old battery chickens come to live out their luxury retirement!).
We stayed in the suite called The Cottage. It’s basically the same size as my house (I have a fairly small house but still!). the Cottage seems to be every staff members favourite and I can see why.
Old oak beams, a cosy fireplace, and sublime textures throughout, The Cottage is a home from home with class. The bedroom features a huge skylight above the bed, a monsoon shower, and a roll top bath. Small details like the old telephones, traditional radio, and giant fans also add to the list of ticks.
So, when you’re not laying around in your fluffy white dressing gown, drinking a Nespresso, and enjoying the peace what else is there to do at Tudor Farmhouse?
We indulged in an Afternoon tea on the patio. Surrounded by beautiful gigantic greenery (The South really is a different climate!) tables are organised so as not to encroach on each other and offer a level of indescribable privacy considering the small size of the place overall.
At dinner we enjoyed an al fresco feast with wine and blankets.
Tudor Farmhouse’s kitchen uses as much quality, locally sourced ingredients as possible from suppliers within a twenty-mile radius. With elements coming in from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire.
The menu glows with seasonality, naming where every ingredient has come from.
The result is striking. With every mouthful you really can taste the freshness of each ingredient used.
The truth is, life after our stay at Tudor Farmhouse may never be the same again. The calmness of the space, the cheeriness of the friendly staff, and the remarkable refurbishment that this once probably chaotic working farmhouse was revitalising.
Book your stay now at Tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk.
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