Comments from visitors
…..fantastic walks. Views are breath-taking…..
Caroline and Richard, Hampshire
…..lovely location to chill out. Many thanks
Tony & Vanessa. Taunton, Somerset.
…..we take away fond memories.
Sarah, Martin and family, Cambridge
……a beautiful place for peace and quiet.
Peter & Melissa, York
…….a great place to come back to.
Marcelle. Roleystone, Western Australia.
…..cosy cottage, fantastic location. The perfect getaway….
Christine & Colin. Malvern, Worcs.
…..the perfect base for my family history research….
John. Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Luxury Holiday Accommodation
ORCHARD BARN
3 Bedrooms:
2 Double/1 Twin
2 En Suites
1 Family Bathroom
Access Statement
MEADOW BYRE
2 Bedrooms:
1 Double/ 1 Twin
1 En Suite
1 Family Bathroom
Access Statement
STABLES
3 Bedrooms:
2 Double/ 1 Twin
1 En Suite
1 Half Bathroom
1 Family Bathroom
BRAMBLES
1 Bedroom:
1 Double
1 Bathroom
Non-smoking
Pets by arrangement
Fresh linen & towels
Woodburning stoves
Underfloor heating
Gas cooking
Off-road parking
Outdoor furniture
Wi-Fi
We are short drive to:-
Gloucester (& M5) - 22 mins
Cheltenham - 32 mins
Bristol - 50 mins
Bath - 60 mins
Ross on Wye (& M50) - 20 mins
Monmouth - 25 mins
Symonds Yat - 25 mins
Chepstow (& M48) - 30 mins
Malvern Hills - 50 mins
Brecon Beacons - 70 mins
Famous People & Movie Magic
The Forest of Dean claims many famous names to have been born here, or resided here for a while.
Dame Helen Mirren is the most local, having lived for a time in Littledean. Quickly followed by BBC News presenter Ross Hawkins, born in Soudley and went to school in Cinderford.
Sir Jimmy Young was born in Cinderford and had his first job at the baker’s there. Indie band EMF members; James, Zac, Derry and Mark hail from the town. The writer, Winifred Foley who wrote about her childhood in the forest, was born in Brierley near Cinderford
Dennis Potter was born in Coleford, as was Edna Healey, author and wife of Denis Healey, and Robert Mushet who perfected the modern steel making process before Bessemer. Best-selling author Andrew Taylor is a current resident.
From a historical perspective, we should include the Horlicks brother who invented the eponymous night-time drink whilst living in Ruardean.
Not too far away from us, and still from the Forest of Dean are Ivor Gurney, the poet, Rupert Brooke, John (Boycie) Challis, John Hylon Watts, Sir William Wintour and Sarah Siddons.
Also worthy of a big mention is J K Rowling, author of the famous Harry Potter books, who lived at Tutshill near Chepstow and went to school at Wyedean comprehensive in Sedbury. Some of the scenes for the Harry Potter films are shot in Gloucester Cathedral.
Film and TV Locations in Gloucester and The Forest
Gloucestershire continues to play host to many Film and TV production companies, no doubt because of the combination of a large variety of high quality scenic locations together with the unspoiled nature of its historic buildings. Here is a small list of the more local/memorable ones:-
The Onedin Line- (TV series) Gloucester Docks & Cheltenham
Cast: Peter Gilmore & Anne Stallybrass
Very popular series about young mans rise to wealth and power through the establishing of his own shipping line in the late C19th.
BBC 1972-1980
Pennies from Heaven & The Singing Detective- (Two TV series)
Gloucester, The Forest of Dean and Norchard railway.
Cast: Gemma Craven, Cheryl Kennedy, Bob Hoskins / Michael Gambon & Patrick Malahide.
(Both written by Forest playwright Dennis Potter).
BBC 1978, 1986
Maurice (film)
From a semi-autobiographical novel by E.M Forster
Gloucester Docks + pub in Gloucester
1987
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (film) St Augustine’s Farm, Arlingham.
Based on the popular book for children by Joan Aiken. Starring Stephanie Beacham, Geraldine Page and Mel Smith.
It’a 1820. In a “parallel” Britain things are different, and wolves roam the countryside………
1988
The Choir (TV series) - Gloucester Cathedral
Written by Joanna Trollope
BBC, 1990’s
Shadowlands (film) Symonds Yat
Starring Anthony Hopkins.
The story of author C.S Lewis, and of his love for his wife, who died of cancer.
1993
Martin Chuzzlewit- (TV) Sudeley Castle & Gloucester Docks
Cast: Paul Schofield, Keith Allen, Peter Postlethwaite. Ben Walden, Emma Chambers, Julia Swahala, John Mills, Lynda Bellingham.
Charles Dicken’s novel of victorian London and the contrasting destinies of two descendants of the brothers Chuzzlewit, both born and bred to the same heritage of selfishness.
BBC/WGBH 1994
Berkeley Square- (TV) Gloucester City
Cast: Victoria Smurfitt, Clare Wilkie & Tabitha Wady
Costume Drama Series about three nannies in Edwardian England.
BBC 1997
Vanity Fair- (TV) Cheltenham, Gloucester Docks and Miserden
Cast: Natasha Little, Frances Grey, Nathaniel Parker, Tom Ward, Phillip Glenister & Miriam Margolyes.
The story of Becky Sharp- determined to scale the heights of society at any cost.
Carlton 1998
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (film) - Gloucester Cathedral
Starring Rick Mayall, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson.
J.K Rowling’s world famous boy wizard against the powers of evil. J.K Rowling was brought up in the Forest of Dean.
Warner Brothers 2000
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) Gloucester Cathedral.
Warner Bros, 2002
The Other Bolyn Girl (TV drama) Berkeley Castle
The story of Ann Bolyn, one of Henry VIII’s six wives, and her sister.
2003
How to be a Prince (BBC Documentary) Berkeley Castle
2003
Hung, Drawn and Quartered (TV – five episodes on medieval cookery)
Berkeley Castle, 2003
Henry VIII Period Drama Berkeley Castle
2003
These Foolish Things (film) Gloucester and the Cotswolds.
Starring Lauren Bacall, Anjelica Huston and Terence Stamp.
Romance. Set against the background of the approaching Second World War, the film follows three young hopefuls as they stumble through the pitfalls of London’s theatrical establishment on a rags to riches story.
2006
The Colour of Magic (TV) Gloucester
Starring David Jason, Tim Curry.
Fantasy. An adaptation of the first two “Disc World” novels by Terry Pratchett.
2007
Outlaw (film) Gloucester + Lydney.
Starring Sean Bean, Bob Hoskins
Contemporary vigilante Britain, white knuckle cinema.
2007
Amazing Grace (film) Gloucester Docks
Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell
The story of William Wilberforce, who campaigned to abolish slavery.
2007
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (TV series) Owlpen Manor, Newark Park + Soudley Ponds, Forest of Dean.
Starring Gemma Atherton, Hans Matheson, Eddie Redmayne,
Ruth Jones, Anna Massey
Thomas Hardy’s tale of Tess, who falls from grace after being seduced.
BBC, 2008
Merlin (TV series) Puzzle Wood and other parts of the Forest of Dean.
Starring Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, Colin Morgan & Bradley James.
Fantasy. King Arthur, Camelot, and more….
BBC, 2008
Dr Who (TV series) Episodes filmed at Clearwell Caves and Christmas 08 episode filmed in Gloucester: – Cathedral close.
Starring David Tenant. Hugely popular sci –fi series, in which the Dr defeats a number of threats to the world.
BBC, 2006 – 8
Harry Potter and the Half–Blood Prince (film) Gloucester Cathedral
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Timothy Spall, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Helena Bonham – Carter.
The sixth and penultimate adventure of the boy wizard.
Warner Brothers, 2009.