Rowan Tree Retreat

LUXURY HOLIDAY COTTAGE WITH HOT TUB IN FOREST OF DEAN WITHIN  WYE VALLEY 

Searching for an escape away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Our luxury self-catering holiday cottage with hot tub is situated not only in the Forest of Dean but it also is based in the Wye ValleyNational landscape sitting above the river Wye in a prime tourist location for the area.

Situated in the hamlet of Hillersland where the Forest of Dean overlaps the Wye Valley with the access to acres and acres of ancient forest trails and down to the river Wye for picturesque walks

The internationally renowned  Symonds Yat viewpoint is just a I mile walk away. You can also park at the Symonds Yat Rock carpark if you wish to get straight there.

You have your own private entrance and driveway with EV charger, a generous patio area with the cedar hot tub overlooking the forest.

At the end of an exciting day exploring the sights and sounds of the Wye Valley, retreat to Rowan Tree and unwind in your very own private hot tub under the starry skies. We welcome dogs, reactive dog friendly, please read the dog section on our website for more information.

Minimum stay 3 nights, flexible start day

Romantic Stays

Escape to nature and reconnect with each other in this beautiful forest cabin in the Forest of Dean. Surrounded by ancient woodland, birdsong, and the gentle rustle of the trees, our cosy and stylish retreat offers the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.

Wake up to dappled morning light, enjoy breakfast on the patio overlooking the forest. After a day of adventure, soak under the stars in our cedar hot tub.

Thoughtfully designed for couples, the retreat features a luxurious superking-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchen, plush furnishings, and enchanting touches throughout. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking to escape the everyday, this is a place to slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy time together.

Perfect for anniversaries or spontaneous getaways.

DOGS WELCOME 

Discover the ultimate dogs welcome holiday cottage. We believe a true forest holiday is one shared with your four-legged family members, which is why we have designed our cottage to be a perfect haven for both you and your dogs. We have also be reviewed by this.is.the.spot a website dedicated to reactive dog friendly stays, for more information please go to the dog section on our website. There is no charge for dogs

All breeds welcome

Anxious & Reactive Dog Friendly - check website for more details
2 dogs allowed, NO CHARGE

Welcome pack for dogs - treats, ball, poo bags

ENCLOSED GARDEN
Reduced chance of fireworks
Outdoor mud daddy dog wash
Dog welcome pack
Dogs allowed on sofas
Dog throws provided
Dog bowls provided
Dog beds Provided - check size you need
Dog crate provided small only
Dogs can be left unattended if ok to do so
Raw feeder friendly - has freezer
Endless walks from the doorstep directly into the forest

Mud Daddy provided for those muddy adventures

Lovely Living Area

Rowan Tree Retreat has a lovely open plan kitchen, dining area and sitting area with a high oak beamed ceiling. The warm, comfortable sitting room has 2 large sofas and a smart TV – ideal for snuggling up with your favourite film. For those that need it the wifi is fast!

A washing machine is provided in the hall area. There is underfloor heating throughout the cottage.

Cooking

The well-equipped kitchen offers everything you could need to cook up a delicious feast, including a cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher.

Enjoy  or enjoy food from the award-winning Forest Deli who will deliver food on arrival day (if they are open)

Sleep

2 Bedrooms available:

1 Superking Bed and 1 King Bed

Bathe

The spacious cedar hot tub  is located in a private tucked away spot in the garden.

The spacious shower room inside offers a contemporary walk in shower.

What's Outside?

Outside our luxury self-catering cottage is a totally enclosed garden, surrounded by hedges with a garden table and chairs and hot tub. The cedar hot tub is ideal for relaxing and unwinding under stunning starry skies.

The retreat has comfortable off-road parking for 2 cars and an EV charger. Wander through the gate from our enclosed garden directly into the Forest of Dean and down to the river Wye for many wonderful walks literally on our doorstep.

The garage has a pool table/table tennis and can be used to store cycles securely

Nearby Experiences

Enjoy endless scenic walks from the garden gate and access to pubs walking distance one under 10 mins away and a cafe 15 mins walk away - dog friendly

Symonds Yat Viewpoint - 1 mile away on walk below property with ots own outside cafe.

Access to river Wye from garden gate to enjoy beautiful walks, cruises along the river Wye, enjoying meals at at Saracens Inn or  crossing over to the other side on the hand ferry to Ye Olde Ferrie Inn, cruises and hand ferry are dog friendly.

You can enjoy Wye Valley cruises, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, birds of prey spotting, bushcraft, horseriding, gorge scambling, fishing and wild swimming all along the meandering river Wye.

There are some amazing Forest of Dean adventure sites nearby which offer multiple activities such as adventure challenges and zip wire. If you would like to fish during your stay the 2 nearest locations are on the Lower Wye at Lower Symonds Yat and Wyebank. Fishing permits available.

Puzzlewood a unique ancient enchanted woodland, is well worth a visit. It is a popular filming location and appeared in films such as The Secret Garden, Merlin, Dr Who, Star Wars and more. J.R.R Tolkien himself was apparently inspired by Puzzlewood when writing the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Clearwell Caves also makes for a fantastic day out, with nine magnificent caverns to explore. If wildlife is your thing, you can discover butterflies from around the world at the Wye Valley Butterfly zoo. We also recommend visiting Hopewell Colliery, where a handful of freeminers still work the coal mine. If you fancy a scenic railway journey through the Forest of Dean on a steam train, take a trip on the Dean Forest Railway – an 85 minute journey covering a nine-mile round trip along our forest line.

Historic Sites

Within easy reach are many historic sites including Goodrich castle (4 miles away), Tintern Abbey (8 miles away), Monmouth castle(6 miles away), Usk Castle (13 miles away), Raglan castle(9 miles away), Gloucester Cathedral (18 miles away) and Hereford Catherdral (17 miles away).

Goodrich 3 1/2 miles away with its amazing castle one of the finest and best preserved medieval castles, dog friendly. Enjoy a breakfast, lunch & dinner at The Hostelerie, Goodrich,  Wednesday to Sundays - very dog friendly or a delicious lunch or cake at Hen & Dot cafe open mainly Monday to Fridays.

Places to Eat Nearby

Our luxury adults only self-catering cottage with hot tub is just a stone’s throw away from 3 dog-friendly pubs; the closest being The New Inn at Shortstanding under a 10 minute walk away, followed by The Dog & Muffler at around 25 minutes walk away, and finally the famous Saracens Head Inn at Symonds Yat East & Ye Olde Ferrie Inn, Symonds Yat Wes,t can be found opposite the Saracens Head and can be reached by a hand ferry.

The White Horse at Staunton and The Hostelrie at Goodrich are both around a 10 minute drive away and serve fantastic food.  Speech House hotel and Tudor Farmhouse hotel both 3.5 miles away offer fine dining experience and wonderful afternoon cream teas. All are dog friendly but please book ahead as in some the dog friendly area is limited. Also a wonderful hidden gem in Coleford is Simply Wild a relaxed fine dining restaurant with a tasting menu, well worth a visit but please note that dogs arent allowed here.

To find us

Search Rowan Tree Retreat on Google Maps or ///sardine.nourished.whom using What3Words. Further travel information information can be found on our website Rowan Tree Retreat

Reviews

We have many 5 star reviews on our website, here are just a couple. Please also  find us on instagram under rowantreeretreat and facebook wyevalleyretreat.

'We had a fantastic stay at Rowan Tree Retreat with our dog. A perfect location with plenty of lovely walks right on your doorstep (literally!) with direct access from the property into the Forest Of Dean. No need to venture too far but if, like us, you want to explore the surrounding area, there are lots of places to visit/ things to do really close by. The property itself is modern & cosy with lots of little attentions to detail that make you feel at home. The hot tub was a real treat after long walks & it was lovely to sit under the stars with the forest as a backdrop. Audrey is a great host. Excellent communication before & during our stay. Lots of local information provided about activities, walks, cycle routes, places of interest, places to eat, etc. We would highly recommend a stay at this beautiful property & hope to get chance to return soon.'

'Absolutely fantastic place! Everything has been thought of, attention to detail and little extras that are so lovely. Really easy to book and get information, Audrey was friendly and helpful throughout making it so easy to plan the trip and to help during our stay. Super dog friendly, our 2 four legged companions loved staying here too! They enjoyed the treats left for them, the garden and beautiful walks right on the doorstep. Place was spotless and very comfy (slept like a log!) and we loved relaxing the hot tub. 100% recommend!'

Getting To Us

Using Google Maps

Simply input ‘Rowan Tree Retreat’

Using What 3 Words App

///sardine.nourished.whom this can be input into Apple maps or Google maps directly from the What3Words App

Using Sat Nav

Use postcode GL16 7NY

Address

Rowan Tree Retreat, Woodland Road, Hillersland, GL16 7NY

Next to Peacehaven Cottage which is white (the name of this is on the side facing the wall)

From Coleford side

As you come from the Coleford/Berry Hill/Christchurch direction, take the road signposted to Hillersland and Symonds Yat Rock/Symonds Yat East. Rowan Tree Retreat is on this road and is the first house on the left IMMEDIATELY after the two 40mph signs.

Rowan Tree Retreat is almost opposite Barn Cottage and is next door to Peacehaven Cottage, a white cottage whose name is on the side facing the road.  Opposite to Peacehaven Cottage is a pull-in with a large gate to a farm beside a street light.

Rowan Tree Retreat has a gravel drive with a wooden garage.

The sat nav sometimes takes you past Rowan Tree Retreat to Folly Lane, a right turn by the phone box. If you go that far, turn back with the phone box on your left hand side and drive a little way and Rowan Tree Retreat is the second house on the right (first is Peacehaven Cottage the white cottage), almost directly opposite Barn cottage. It is close to a small 40mph sign on the right, but BEFORE you reach the 30mph sign.

From Symonds Yat East/Rock side

If you’re coming north or via the Hereford direction, you may come off the A40 around Goodrich and go via the B4234. Join the B4229 crossing the narrow single lane Kerne bridge, heading towards Symonds Yat East. Pass Symonds Yat East and Symonds Yat Rock. Rowan Tree Retreat is 1 mile on the right hand side past the Symonds Rock car park. You will see a red phone box on the left and Rowan Tree Retreat is the second property on the right after you pass the red phone box on the left. Rowan Tree Retreat is almost opposite Barn Cottage and BEFORE the 30mph sign. Please note this road is very narrow, and at at some points is a single lane – in peak holiday season, there is often a back up. If you don’t want to risk this, you can continue down the A40 until you see a turning for Forest of Dean and Chepstow. Take the Forest of Dean turn and follow the Coleford side instructions.