Nuthatch Retreat

Looking for a unique, stylish holiday home in Gloucestershire? Enjoy laidback luxury at our creative and peaceful eco-retreat. A distinctive self-catering experience where you can fully relax away from the day-to-day.

Nestled on a hillside in the beautiful Forest of Dean you’ll find a unique holiday home of laidback luxury. An architect-designed single-storey cedar-clad space for couples, solo travellers and families with up to 2 children.

You’ll find a peaceful, generous (65m2) private space, filled with art, plants, gorgeous textiles and stunning scenery, with its own private entrance and driveway with EV charger, a generous patio and dining area overlooking terraced gardens and the woodland  beyond. Imagine a sliding door disappears, dissolving the boundary between inside and out, yourself and nature. Steps spiral you down past wildflower borders and herb beds in spring and summer to a private sunny lawn and a cosy deep soaking tub for two, perfect for bathing in dappled sunlight or under the starry night sky. Below, there’s a wilder space with a fire pit ready for more stargazing or outdoor cooking.

After a forest ramble or cycle on the many trails, sink into the comfort of the sofa, ponder upon the grandeur of nature, drop down the generous projection screen ready for a high-definition movie session or run a piping hot outdoor bath to relax into the evening.

And finally, drift off to the sound of owls in a cloud-like bed. Gently awaken to birdsong or springtime lambs after a good nights’ rest, opening the curtains wide to soak in the hillside view over the first cuppa of the day.

Cook and dine

Enjoy a kitchen for cooks and coffee-lovers that’s also perfect for a quick easy dinner after a day of exploring. It features a Neff hide-and-slide oven, rapid AEG induction hob, slimline dishwasher, sharp prep knives and all the tools you’d miss from home.  It is well-stocked with glasses, crockery, pans and utensils and we provide some basics - olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs and spices and breakfast tea.

On arrival you’ll find a welcome hamper of locally made delights from within 15 miles of Nuthatch Retreat including a loaf of sourdough, butter, milk, coffee, eggs (alternatives available based on your dietary needs). A freezer also reveals tasty local add-ons that you can help yourself to via our honesty-bar.

Sleep

The spacious main bedroom has calming decor and linens, a Vispring superking bed and big windows that frame the stunning views.  The second bedroom/playroom can be made up as a twin or a double for up to 2 kids. It can be filled with games and books to keep them happy. A travel cot is available.

Bathe

A cosy Japanese style deep tub for two is located in a tucked away spot in the lower garden with plenty of hot water. We start you off with some bath salts and aromatic bath foam from Neals Yard Remedies for a spa-like soak to aid a relaxing stay. The spacious bathroom inside offers a contemporary walk-in rainfall shower and vintage vanity sink, set amid jungly plants and tasteful tones of green and soft coral.

Relax

Unwind with a book in the window seat, laze in the shade on the patio, stretch out in the sun on the lawn. If it fits the weather or your mood, play a boardgame or curl up the large velvet sofa to enjoy a movie on the UHD home cinema with surround sound. Yoga mats are available for morning sun salutations on the terrace, a bike store is tucked away for secure storage of your cycles and forest walks are on the doorstep, with most of the Forest of Dean's key sites and attractions within a 10-20min drive.

Sustainability

Nuthatch was designed and built with sustainability in mind.  The heating and hot water is provided by an air-source heat-pump using green energy and the building features wraparound insulation, underfloor heating and triple glazing. We use Environmentally-friendly products for cleaning and guests use, refilled to minimise single-use plastic and we include Who Gives a Crap bamboo toilet paper. We have a stylish EV charger available for use at reasonable rates. Beyond rubbish bags, no single-use plastic is used at Nuthatch Retreat. The garden is full of pollinator-friendly plants and wilder areas to encourage biodiversity and support the forestry eco-system.

Accessibility

The layout is step-free on arrival into every room, from the ramped front door entranceway through and out to the patio terrace, with a spacious wet room and generous-sized master bedroom. A full quality assured accessibility statement can be found via the Nuthatch Retreat website. The only areas not accessible are the lower tiers of garden and the outdoor bath.

To find us

Search Nuthatch Retreat, Blakeney on Google maps. Further travel information information can be found on our website