Woodpecker Cottage Guest Information

Welcome to Dean Forest Retreats

We are delighted to welcome you to our beautiful, cosy cottage. We hope you will love staying here and enjoying the peaceful and idyllic surroundings as much as we do!

We endeavour to provide everything you could need during your stay, but please don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything missing or you need any advice.

We have an eco-friendly ethos and try to use as many eco products as possible. If you can help us by recycling your plastics/glass/cans and card/paper in the grey recycling bin inside, it would be much appreciated.

At the end of your stay, we would be very grateful if you could share your experience of the cottage and surrounding area in the Guest Book. It’s great for us to have feedback and it’s also great for helping other guests with recommendations for places to visit/eat out, etc,

Enclosed you’ll find a brief summary of the facilities and also some local information…

Have a wonderful stay!

Kind regards,
Paul & Annette

Check In:   4.00 pm onwards

You may access the property from 16.00 on the day of arrival.  We need this time to ensure that the properties are cleaned and ready for your arrival in addition to preparing the hot tub.  The keys will be in the key safe at the back door near the hot tub.  The code is 1959

Check out:   by 10.00 am 

 On departure, you are requested to leave the accommodation in a clean and tidy condition. This includes washing up and putting away items, ensuring the oven is clean and free from grease and placing rubbish in outside bins and placing recycling items into the recycling boxes in the parking area. Please leave the cottage locked with the keys back in the keysafe (code 1959)

WiFi:     Select ‘Dean Forest Retreats’  – No password required

**Please note that we do not permanently live on site so please do read the following information carefully as it will most likely answer any questions you may have. There is also an FAQ to answer the most common questions.

In case of an emergency, please contact us on the following phone or email

Annette: 07919 962864                         E-mail:  info@deanforestretreats.co.uk

Mobile Phone Reception
Reception is mostly good but does vary from provider to provider.  If you can’t get signal, walk  up the hill towards Blakeney and you’ll most likely get a signal there.

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HOT TUB GUIDANCE

 

Hot Tub Model: Ofuro Hot tub heated by air source heat pump
Capacity: Maximum 2 persons
Target temperature: 38℃
Features: LED light (switch in top centre of tub – front)

  • HOT TUB INFORMATION

    • The hot tub is a 2 person electrically heated (air source heat pump) hot tub
    • Please contact us if you have any concerns about the hot tub during your stay.

    HOT TUB USE

    • The hot tub is heated to a constant temperature of 38 ℃ 
    • On the morning of check out, the heat pump will automatically turn off at 6am to allow the water to cool before staff begin emptying and cleaning the hot tub at check out. 

 

⚠︎  DO NOT DRAIN THE HOT TUB UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

⚠︎ DO NOT TOUCH ANY OF THE CONTROLS TO THE PUMP OR  HEAT PUMP AT REAR

⚠︎ THE INSULATED COVER MUST REMAIN ON THE HOT TUB WHEN NOT IN USE

⚠︎ FOLD THE COVER OVER AND SLIDE ONTO CRADLE – DO NOT LIFT OFF COVER

⚠︎  AFTER USE, REPLACE THE COVER AND FASTEN 2 ANCHORING CLIPS AT FRONT OF TUB

⚠︎  PLEASE SHOWER BEFORE ENTERING TUB

⚠︎  STRICTLY NO GLASSWARE IN/AROUND THE TUB (USE PLASTIC ONES PROVIDED)

⚠︎ RECOMMENDED USE OF HOT TUB  FOR AN ADULT IS BETWEEEN 15 AND 30 MINUTES

⚠︎   IF YOU FEEL DIZZY OR UNWELL, GET OUT OF THE TUB IMMEDIATELY

✖︎   DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, ARE PREGNANT, OR HAVE   UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS (CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FIRST

✖︎ CHILDREN UNDER 12 MUST NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN/AROUND TUB

 ✖︎ STRICTLY NO PETS IN THE HOT TUB

Heating and Hot Water
Heating is via electric heaters (living area and bedroom) which are set on a 24 hour programme. Apart from the summer season when these are switched off, the heaters are set to highs of 21.5 degrees (peak time) and lows of 19 degrees (off peak time).  We do ask guests not to tamper with the settings. The system logs daily usage and room temperatures and we reserve the right to charge for any use considered to be excessive as a result of manually changing the settings.

The log burner is an integral part of the heating system, particularly during prolonged periods of cold. A complementary basket of wood, kindling and firelighters is provided at check in (except during summer months).

Hot water is via a cylinder system (not a combi boiler) so if the hot water is used up, you will need to wait for the hot water to get back up to temperature.

Heat Recovery Ventilation System
The cottage has a heat recovery system which extracts humid air replacing it with a constant supply of heated fresh filtered air. When you have a shower, you may notice that the noise increases as the system detects a high humidity level. This will return to its normal quiet hum once the humidity levels have returned to normal.

Safety
There is a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher fixed to the wall above the fridge.

A smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are provided for your safety.

The 3 steps outside the kitchen door and the wooden sleepers can be slippery when wet.

When walking around the island, some of the edges of the brook are quite steep so children must be supervised at all times

Parking
Please park in the ‘Cottage Guest Parking’ space by the gates. If you have an additional vehicle this can be parked on the gravelled part of the island area just over the bridge.

*Please keep the gate shut at all times as we have wild boar and deer roaming the area and they can be very destructive if they get inside the grounds.

Recycling
Please recycle plastics/glass/cans/card/paper by separating it from the landfill rubbish (black bin in the kitchen) and placing it in the grey recycling bin in the kitchen. When checking out, please ensure that all recycling & food waste is placed in the appropiate bin/recycling box in the parking area.

Bio Waste Treatment Plant
This newly installed system is extrememly sensitive and only the eco products (toiletries and cleaning products) provided in the cottage should be used. ONLY flush toilet paper down the toilet as other items can block up and damage the system. Wipes, sanitary towels, etc. should be placed in the small bins located in both bathrooms.

Breakages
It would be appreciated if you could let us know of any breakages/damage so that we can replace the items straight away. We will not charge for the odd broken glass or plate but any significant damage/breakage must be paid for.

Smoking
The cottage is a non-smoking property however you may smoke/vape outside

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Pets
We are dog friendly and accept one well behaved dog for which there is a small fee of £20. As the large grounds are shared, pets must be well behaved and sociable and under control at all times.

Pet Terms and Conditions

We are very proud to be able to offer high quality pet-friendly accommodation and in order to maintain this high standard we ask all our guests to adhere to the following conditions:-

  1 Dogs must be sociable and under control at all times while in or at the Property (the 3/4 acre grounds are shared with our shepherd hut guests and it is essential dogs remain with owners under control while in the grounds);

2 Any fouling must be cleared up at the earliest opportunity

3 The dog owner must bring the dog’s bed or basket for sleeping in;

4 Dogs must not be left alone in or at the Property or elsewhere at any time unless in a crate;

5 Dogs are not allowed on the bed(s) or on the sofa

6 The dog owner will be liable for any damage caused by their dog. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately

 

TV
The TV is a Smart TV with FreeView. You can also log into your own iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix, etc. accounts. Instructions are in the cabinet by the sofa. Please remember to log out of your accounts before checking out.

Radio
There is a DAB radio in the kitchen (instructions are in the bottom draw of the small sideboard next to the fridge)

Kitchen

Washing Machine/Tumble Dryer
Washing machine instructions are in the bottom draw of the small sideboard next to the fridge. Laundry liquid is located in the under the sink unit. There is also an airer in the tall kitchen cupboard near the back door.

Dishwasher
Full instructions are in the bottom draw of the small sideboard next to the fridge
Dishwasher tablets are provided in the box under the sink.

Induction Hob
The hob in the cottage is a 4 ring induction hob.  A Quick Start Guide can be found in the Guest Information folder in the cottage.  You can also view our video on how to operate the hob:

Microwave & Oven
The instruction manual for the microwave and the oven are in the bottom draw of the small sideboard next to the fridge.

Iron/Ironing Board/Vacuum Cleaner/Broom
All of these items can be found in the tall kitchen cupboard near the back door.

Woodburner
To light the woodburner, use the firelighters and kindling provided.

See Quick Start Instructions on how to operate the woodburner which are in the brown Guest Information folder. Here’s a  video on how to light the stove:

Please do not use coal – only seasoned/kiln dried wood.

A complimentary basket of logs, kindling are provided. Blakeney Stores in the village stocks these items should you run out.

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Ensuite Bathroom
The bath plug is open/closed by turning the round chrome overflow.
The sink plugs are push button (push down to close and push again to open).
Due to the head of water, when using the shower, take the shower head off the holder and lower it before starting the shower.
There is a non-slip mat provided.

Hairdryer
The hairdryer is located in the chest of drawers in the bedroom.

Fuse Board
This is located in the small wooden cupboard above the fridge. If you have any concerns about the electrical system please contact us immediately.

Blakeney Village

The village is a few minutes drive away or a 20 minute walk. Turn left out of the drive up the hill and follow the road until you get to the old railway bridge. Turn left going over the bridge and then follow the road round until you reach a T junction (where Furnace Valley meets New Road). Turn right onto New Road and continue until you reach the A48. Turn left to go into Blakeney Village where you will find Blakeney Stores (local shop), the King’s Head pub, Blakeney Chippy, Post Office and also a doctors surgery.

Lydney

Lydney is a 5 minute drive away and is the closest local town. Follow the instruction for going into Blakeney until reaching the A48. Turn right to go to Lydney. Lydney has a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, takeaways and 3 supermarkets (Tesco, Lidl and Co-op). There is also a park (Bathurst Park) with a small lake and Lydney also has an old harbour which is a good vantage point for viewing the Severn Estuary. Just south of Lydney centre is Taurus Crafts, which has a range of arts and crafts shops and workshops, a cafe and there is also Krazy Golf Lydney located next door to Taurus Crafts.

Important and Useful Phone Numbers

Doctors – Blakeney Surgery, Millend, Blakeney, 01594 510225

Pharmacy – Lloyds Pharmacy, Newerne St, Lydney, 01594 842847

Hospital – Lydney Hospital (Minor Injuries 8am – 8pm) Grove Rd, Lydney 0300 4218722
– Gloucester Royal Hospital (24hr A&E) Great Western Rd, Gloucester 03004 222 222

Transport Links

By Car
Dean Forest Retreats is less than 1 mile from Blakeney village and is easily accessible from the A48 from Gloucester (northbound) and Chepstow (southbound).

By Rail
Lydney Train Station (5 miles)
Gloucester Train Station (17 miles)

By Bus
Stagecoach operates a number of services (22, 23 and 24) that run throughout the Forest of Dean (from Gloucester and Chepstow) stopping at Blakeney The nearest bus stop is in Blakeney and is a 10-15 minute walk.

Local Taxi Services
K&T Taxis Lydney, Lydney 01594 845913
CDS Taxis & Private Hire, Coleford 01594 834834

Local Supermarkets

Blakeney has a local shop for essentials
Lydney (5 minute drive) – Large Tesco, Lidl and Co-op
Coleford (10 minute drive) – Coop & Lidl
Chepstow (25 minute drive) – Large Tesco & M&S Food
Monmouth (20 minute drive) – Waitrose, M&S Food, Aldi