Welcome to 24 at St John’s, a dog-friendly cottage where there’s room to spend time together and find a quiet corner when you fancy one. Gather around the table for supper, settle beside the log burner or head outside for a soak in the hot tub.



You’ll find us opposite St John’s Church, in a peaceful square on the edge of Cinderford and Ruspidge. It’s a handy base for exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, with woodland walks, riverside days out and plenty of places to stop for lunch.



This former miner’s cottage sleeps up to six in three bedrooms, with two bathrooms, a snug and a sunroom. Come for a family holiday, a few days with friends or a birthday or anniversary together. Up to two dogs stay free.



A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO



- An open-air hot tub, exclusively yours throughout your stay

- Up to two dogs welcome at no extra charge

- An enclosed garden with outdoor seating and a charcoal BBQ

- A cosy snug with reclining chairs, a log burner and Smart TV

- A bright sunroom with extra seating, another Smart TV and games

- Three bedrooms with flexible sleeping arrangements

- Two bathrooms, including a downstairs shower room

- A well-equipped kitchen and dining space for meals together

- A breakfast bar with USB charging points and fast Wi-Fi

- Off-road parking for up to two cars

- Local artwork and thoughtful touches throughout



A COTTAGE WITH CHARACTER



24 at St John’s was a family home before it became part of Willow Forest Stays. We wanted to keep that welcoming feel while making it comfortable for guests.



The dining area sits in the older part of the cottage. Look out for the mural in the original fireplace, painted by local artist Sian. Her artwork and cushion covers bring colour and a little local character into the rooms too.



COOK, EAT AND CATCH UP



The bright kitchen and dining space make it easy to spend time together. Put the kettle on while someone prepares breakfast, pack a picnic or cook supper after a day exploring.



Two skylights bring natural light into the kitchen, and underfloor heating keeps it comfortable on cooler days. There’s plenty of useful equipment for self-catering, whether you’re making a quick lunch or sitting down for a celebratory meal.



Pull up a stool at the breakfast bar for a cuppa and a chat. It also works as a spot to plan tomorrow’s outing or catch up on a few emails, with USB charging points and fast Wi-Fi.



TWO PLACES TO PUT YOUR FEET UP



In the snug, get comfortable in a reclining chair and enjoy the warmth of the log burner. Choose something on the Smart TV or settle down with your book.



The sunroom gives you another place to relax. There’s extra seating, a second Smart TV and games and puzzles tucked inside the coffee table. French doors open onto the garden.



Glass doors connect the two rooms. Leave them open when you all want to gather together or close them when someone would prefer a quieter space. It’s useful when the children fancy a film and the adults want to catch up.



BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS



The main bedroom has a king-size bed and a Smart TV. The second bedroom can be arranged with a king-size bed or twin beds. Let us know which you’d prefer before your stay.



The third room has a bunk bed with a double below and a single above (child's bed) Together, the three bedrooms accommodate a maximum of six guests.



There are two bathrooms. Downstairs, you’ll find a walk-in shower room. Upstairs, there’s a bathroom with a bath and rain-head shower. Having both makes mornings a little easier when everyone is getting ready.



YOUR GARDEN AND HOT TUB



Take your first cuppa into the enclosed garden, sit down for lunch outside or cook something on the charcoal BBQ. The raised seating area is somewhere to linger when the weather suits.



Your hot tub is exclusively yours and will be heated ready for your arrival. After a woodland walk or a busy day out, ease into the warm water and give your legs a rest.



The hot tub is open to the sky. On a clear evening, look up at the stars before heading inside for supper or an evening beside the fire.



We briefly access the garden each day to check the hot tub water. We keep our visit short and aim to cause as little interruption as possible.



BRING THE DOGS ALONG



Up to two dogs stay at no extra charge. You’ll find bowls, blankets, holiday ID tags and a tug toy to help them settle in.



The enclosed garden gives you space to spend time outside together. When you’re ready to explore, our interactive area map will help you choose walks, welcoming pubs and places to visit. Dog-friendly stops are marked with a paw.



EXPLORE THE FOREST OF DEAN AND WYE VALLEY



Spend a morning following the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst, take a picnic to a lakeside spot or head to Symonds Yat Rock for views over the Wye.



Hire bikes to explore the forest trails, try canoeing or kayaking, or discover the area’s caves and mining heritage. Puzzlewood is another lovely day out, although dogs aren’t permitted.



There are cafés for coffee and cake, traditional pubs for lunch and restaurants for an evening when you fancy making an occasion of it.



We strongly recommend bringing a car. A few useful places are within walking distance, while a short drive gives you much more choice for woodland walks, attractions and places to eat.



FURTHER AFIELD



For a change of scene, explore Gloucester’s cathedral and docks, browse the shops in Hereford or Cheltenham, or head into the Cotswolds for pretty villages and a leisurely lunch.



Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth are lovely for a wander too. Bristol and Cardiff offer more options for a day out.



If you fancy some sea air, Porthcawl is around an hour and a half away by car, depending on traffic. Pink Bay and Newton Beach welcome dogs throughout the year. Rest Bay has seasonal dog restrictions.



HELPING YOU SETTLE IN



Before your stay, we’ll send clear arrival details, your online House Guide and our interactive Forest of Dean map. Have a browse before you travel or choose something over breakfast once you’re here.



There’s off-road parking for up to two cars, and check-in is via a key safe. We live locally if you need anything or would like a recommendation.



BRINGING A LARGER FAMILY GROUP?



Casita Lodge is next door and sleeps two adults. Subject to availability, booking both properties gives a larger family group space for up to eight guests across the two properties. Casita is dog-free, so dogs would need to stay at 24.



TIME TOGETHER



Some days might be full of walks, picnics and adventures. Others might be spent over a long breakfast, a game around the table or another chapter of your book.



However you spend your stay, we hope you’ll feel at home at 24 at St John’s.