1 Woodchester Lodge

Woodchester Lodge is a Victorian property built by a prosperous timber merchant, Henry Workman. The house was constructed from local stone, with large high ceilinged rooms, attractive bay windows, and an abundance of delicately carved woodwork throughout. The main reception rooms still house the original cast iron fireplaces with decorative tiles, and a welcoming fire will always be lit whenever the weather is cold. The back porch, with carved canopy, and the front porch, with stone pedestal still contain the original stained glass windows. The kitchen, now warmed by an Aga, was once the the snooker room with a glass topped, vaulted ceiling. The spacious, comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms are traditionally furnished and decorated to a high standard, with full central heating, colour TV, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers, a range of toiletries, and plenty of storage.

Downstairs, there is a large guest living/dining room with two aspects to the garden, an open fire and Sky TV. Recently refurbished, this room is an ideal place to peruse the papers or watch a favourite programme. Meals will also be served from this room, cooked by an experienced chef. Breakfast might be creamy home cooked porridge followed by a traditional full English or continental breakfast, with a choice of breads, jams, fruits, yoghurts etc. Dinner, in the evening, is always available at a cost of approximately £10 for two courses including coffee; beef carbonade, creamed potatoes and vegetables from the garden followed by melt-in-the-mouth apple and plum pie perhaps, or spiced cod fillet on a bed of roasted vegetables and rich chocolate mousse for dessert. All food is home cooked using eggs from our chickens and fruit and vegetables from the garden when available. Guests who wish to eat out can choose from a selection of local pubs and restaurants.

There is a productive kitchen garden to the back of the property with well maintained lawns and herbaceous beds to the side and front. Summer produces a show of flowering annuals in tubs, and borders. There is plenty of space for visitors to relax, either by the pond, on the back lawn, or on the sunny front patio. Ample parking is available on the drive.

Set in a peaceful Cotswold village, surrounded by hills, valleys and areas of open common land, Woodchester Lodge is an ideal base for anyone who enjoys walking, golfing (4 local clubs) cycling, riding or even hang gliding. There are plenty of local villages to visit, each with its own well kept pub serving food and drink. Nearby are the small towns of Stroud and Nailsworth offering a comprehensive range of shops and eateries. Painswick, with interesting craft shops and a famous yew planted churchyard is 4 miles away. Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bath and Bristol can be reached by car in 20-40 minutes; each with its own theatre, restaurants, shopping centres and a wealth of historic attractions. Cardiff is one hour's drive, London 2.5 hours, the M5 10 minutes and M4 30 minutes. Stroud has bus and train services.

Single rates from £40 - £45 per night.

Grading

• 4 AA Yellow Stars
• 4 Visit Britain Stars

Awards

• Regional and Miscellaneous Cotswolds & Forest of Dean Tourism - Member 2009
• Visit Britain Silver 2009

Accommodation Information

Number of Rooms/Units:

2

* As a guide, prices are per room per night for hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and serviced apartments and per week for self-catering accommodation.

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Road Directions

From Stroud on M5 take A46 turn into Selsey Road by the piano works. Take 2nd turning on the left opposite a phone box, Southfield Road, pass turning to Church Road on right hand side. Follow a long wooden fence on left. Turn into a drive with a tree in the middle and 1 Woodchester Lodge is round to the left.

Public Transport Directions

From Stroud station, take a taxi from station forecourt.