Down a tree-lined drive in the heart of the Forest of Dean, Ashwell Hall emerges with quiet grandeur. This Grade II listed Georgian manor has stood for over 400 years, and stepping inside feels like crossing into a living storybook. Light spills through tall sash windows, warming the aged floorboards and casting shadows across hand-carved panels. Yet there’s nothing stuffy here, this is a house with heart, where history meets soul.
Inside, the interiors shift from stately to playful, with richly panelled rooms giving way to bursts of personality. The dining room is a showstopper: dark wood panelling, a salvaged medieval carving from Clearwell Castle, and a candlelit oak table that comfortably seats sixteen. Upstairs, eight distinctive bedrooms offer bold wallpapers, vintage linens, and just the right amount of mischief. Each space tells its own story, no two are alike, and that’s precisely the charm.
In the farmhouse kitchen, mornings begin around the AGA with coffee and chatter. The hearth is huge, the air warm, and the table built for hearty breakfasts or wine-fuelled evenings. There’s a morning lounge with a baby grand piano for impromptu carols, and a cosier evening lounge where deep sofas and an open fire encourage you to do absolutely nothing.
Step outside and the grounds unfold, walled lawns, old trees and sunlit corners perfect for garden games or stargazing. The wood-fired hot tub is a crowd favourite, especially on frosty nights, while the firepit nearby invites marshmallows and late-night stories. For celebrations that call for something special, the cellar nightclub is truly unexpected, a vaulted hideaway with full DJ setup, lights, and sound system ready to host unforgettable evenings.
Tucked within Coleford in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean, Ashwell Hall offers more than just a place to stay. It’s a stage for milestone moments, laughter-filled weekends, and memories that root themselves deep. Whether it’s a family reunion, birthday bash, or just an excuse to gather, this is a house built for togetherness, warm, soulful, and never ordinary.
Features:
House InteriorsGround Floor- Entrance Hall/ Foyer- Evening lounge with two enormous sofas and an open log fire- Morning lounge with baby grand piano and log burner- Dining room
- Fully equipped kitchen with AGA, fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, kettle and breakfast table- Pantry
- Laundry room
- WCFirst Floor- Bedroom with King-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with bath/shower and WC - 3 bedrooms with King-sized beds- Bathroom with bath/shower and WCSecond Floor- 2 bedrooms with King-sized beds- Bedroom with Super-King sized bed- Bedroom with twin beds and a bunk bed - Bathroom with bath/shower and WCLower Ground Floor- Cellar Bar and nightclub with professional DJ equipment, a full sound system, disco ball, and atmospheric lighting (bar access is subject to an additional fee)Outside Grounds- Barbecue (charcoal)- Firepit
- Hot tub (can be pre-lit and pre-heated for an additional fee)
- Play area with swing, slide, sand pit and outdoor toys
- Parking for 6 cars
Location:
Ashwell Hall is tucked just outside Coleford, a market town in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of England’s oldest surviving woodlands. This ancient forest, once a royal hunting ground, is now a playground of towering oaks, meandering trails and natural wonders waiting to be explored.
Whether on foot, by bike, or even on a paddleboard, the forest reveals a new story with every turn.
Just a short stroll or drive from the house, Coleford offers the essentials with a side of charm. You’ll find independent shops, friendly pubs, and a handful of cafés perfect for a late breakfast or lazy afternoon tea. The Angel Hotel and The Dog House are popular with locals, while the Tudor Farmhouse restaurant just outside town is well worth booking for something more special.
For families, Puzzlewood, a magical, moss-draped woodland that inspired Tolkien and featured in Star Wars, is just a few minutes away. Clearwell Caves offer underground adventures through old iron mines, while the Dean Heritage Centre brings the region’s rich history to life with hands-on exhibits and walking trails.
The area is also a haven for active explorers. The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre has routes for all levels, from scenic trails to adrenaline-filled downhill runs. Canoeing on the River Wye provides a more tranquil way to explore the landscape, especially with a picnic stop at Symonds Yat, where the views are spectacular. For something slower paced, the nearby Sculpture Trail offers a gentle walk through the forest with surprising art installations around each corner.
Historically, this region is steeped in character. From Roman roads and medieval mines to Victorian railways, layers of industry and folklore intertwine across the land. The forest has long drawn artists, poets, and those seeking a slower rhythm, and it still does.
Whether you're here to hike, feast, celebrate or simply sit with a coffee under ancient trees, Ashwell Hall’s location offers the best of the Forest of Dean on your doorstep, peaceful, storied and endlessly enriching.
Terms & Conditions:
?
£750 (plus £250 if using the cellar bar) charged to client's credit card by Oliver’s Travels as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
3.00 p.m.
12.00 p.m.
Yes.
Yes.
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner.
For use of the cellar bar there is an additional cost of £500 (plus an additional £250 security deposit). Please enquire at time of booking.
Extra £300, payable to Oliver's Travels with the balance payment. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Outside only.
The hot tub can be pre-heated for an additional £30 fee (payable locally in cash). This must be requested in advance.
Two cots and high chairs are available on request.
5 nights during Easter, Christmas and New Year. 2 nights during all other periods.
Yes.
Wi-Fi internet access included.
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed
