Local Information
We are located in a great area with some fantastic things to do. I'm sure you can google your own stuff but here are some of our favourites
Food – Our favourite local restaurant is The Wild Hare at The Royal George in Tintern. Dog friendly and has vegetarian and vegan options.
https://www.theroyalgeorgetintern.co.uk/
We also love The Globe at Alvington (15 minute drive) they use lots of local produce and have a lovely beer garden. If taking a dog please let hem know when booking a table as only certain tables are dog friendly.
Extra Special is The Whitebrook a Michelin Star restaurant. For an indulgent treat try the Taster Menu
http://www.thewhitebrook.co.uk/
Foraging - One of our favourite activities is foraging the local woods for food. Chloe at Gourmet Gatherings offers guided courses and walks and her Forage and Feast days are exceptional. You spend a few hours on a local forage then enjoy a gourmet feast of foraged delights. www.gourmetgatherings.co.uk
Wild Swimming - The river Wye offers some great wild swimming opportunities but please speak to us about the best places to swim as it changes day to day depending on river conditions and it is not always safe to swim. We highly recommend joining local expert Angela Jones https://www.angelajonesswimwild.co.uk/ on one of her activities including intro to Ice Swimming! - And if you want to start acclimatising to cold water there is always the outside bath with ice and thermometer available on request!!
Jewellery Workshop – What could be more romantic than designing your own wedding rings or friendship bracelets. Chris Lewis will come to the cottage for a morning or afternoon and work with you to produce your own bespoke jewellery
http://www.the-secretwardrobe.com/workshops/4594243384
A Massage – Eternal Therapies will come to the cottage and give a fantastic deep tissue or aromatherapy massage using wonderful locally grown herbal products. Perfect gift for a loved one
http://www.eternaltherapies.com
Also recommended is Lucy Fear on 07853251887
Canoe Hire – There are a number of options to canoe the Wye but our favourite is
https://wyevalleyexperience.co.uk/canoe-hire
Other options are canoeing back to Monmouth https://www.monmouthcanoe.co.uk/
Or canoe back to Symonds Yat http://www.canoehire.com/
All are dog friendly with great pub/picnic stops along the way.
Stand Up Paddleboard – A beautiful and peaceful way to experience the Wye or local ponds. Or why not try SUP Yoga which is fun yet challenging and allows you to really connect with nature and your own body. The team at https://paddleboardingadventures.co.uk/ run classes and private sessions which are thoroughly recommended.
Cycling – You can cycle from the door and head to some fantastic forest trails (beware its hilly!) You can hire bikes at www.wyevalleyexperience.co.uk who may be able to deliver to the door and also recommend some great local trails. They also have ebikes for hire which is a brilliant way to tackle those hills!
For some flatter cycling head to Pedalabikeaway and see some of the Forest of Dean or brave it on the mountain bike trails - dare you to attempt the famous GBU!
Mountainbiking and Mountainboarding - Learn to mountainboard or take on some downhill mountainbiking
http://www.redhillextreme.com/
Flowers - Wye Valley Flowers in St Briavels are an artisan flower grower and floral designer offering workshops and have a lovely little shop selling vintage gifts and flowers.
https://www.wyevalleyflowers.com/flower-school/
Shopping - Monmouth is a lovely market town and still has some individual shops and theatre
http://www.monmouth-savoy.co.uk/
https://www.welcometomonmouth.co.uk
For the foodies amongst you Marches Deli has some amazing cheeses. The owner will talk you through all the cheeses and let you try before you buy.
Drink - If alcohol is your thing you you can visit the vineyard in Tintern
or the microbrewery that does some amazing beers
https://kingstonebrewery.co.uk/
or the vineyard in Monmouth
Or why not have a tour of the local gin distillery as featured on Country File. 2 The Make Your Own Gin class is something very special email them to see if they can do a date to suit you.
https://silvercircledistillery.com/
Walking - So many fantastic walks and lots of information at the property. Download the walks from the links below or follow us on Strava or komoot. Here is a great website if you want to plan some walks in advance
https://www.visitmonmouthshire.com/things-to-do/short-walks-in-monmouthshire.aspx
Forest Bathing - Forest Therapy (also called Forest Bathing -translated from the Japanese Shinrin- Yoku or Forest Medicine) is a slow walking activity that prioritizes sensory experiences over intellectual ones and is designed to be pleasurable and relaxing. Small (2km), tranquil, Forest sites are carefully selected by Carina, a local, experienced and certified Forest Therapy Guide/ Forestry England (FE) Learning Provider.
Much More – There is so much to do here so check out the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Website that has up to date information on everything local
http://www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/
