Dipper’s Hut Guest Information

Welcome to Dean Forest Retreats

We are delighted to welcome you to our beautiful, cosy shepherd’s hut. 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 and 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: 3.00 pm onwards

You may access the property from 15.00 on the day of arrival.  We need this time to ensure that the properties are ready for your arrival, in addition to the preparing the hot tub.  The keys will be in the key safe by the patio doors.  The code is 8659

.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 BBQ is clean and free from grease and taking recycling items to the recycling boxes in the parking area.  Please leave the hut locked with the keys back in the keysafe (code 8659)

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

** Please note that we do not permanently live on site so please do ready the following information carefully as it will most likely answer any questions you may have.  There is also an FAQ below 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 varies from provider to provider in this area but it’s mostly good.  If you can’t get signal, walk  up the hill towards Blakeney and you will usually find signal there.

 

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

 

Locking the Shepherd Hut
To lock the shepherd hut, first lift the left handle, then the right handle while turning the key in an anti-clockwise direction
To unlock, lift the right handle up and at the same time turn the key clockwise

Roman blinds
Take care raising the Roman blinds as they catch on the window handle. Lift blind away from the window
and raise until the blind is clear of the handles

Patio Doors Roller blind
Lower the roller blind only to just below glass level (there is a stop on the mechanism to stop lowering too far) Pulling it too hard past the stop can lead to damaging the blind mechanism

Heating and Hot Water
Heating is via the log burner (all year round) and the panel radiator (programmed to come on during colder months)

Hot water is via a hot water cylinder so if the hot water is used up, you will need to wait for the hot water to get back up to temperature (this should only take around 10 mins). The tank is large enough for approx. 2 x 5 minute showers.

Safety
• The fire extinguisher is fixed to the wall above the fridge in the tall kitchen cupboard.
• A heat/smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector are provided for your safety.
• Please take care when walking around the grounds as some of the banks of the brook are quite steep and unsafe
• Please take care when lighting the log burner, hot tub stove and BBQ

Parking
Please park in the ‘Shepherd Hut Guest Parking’ space by the gates.

*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 (kitchen bin under sink) and placing it in the grey recycling bin on the balcony. It can then be transferred to the green recycling bin in the car parking area once full/when checking out. Food waste should be placed in the small caddy under the kitchen sink. Once full, the food waste can then be transferred to the grey caddy in the car parking area.

Bio Waste Treatment Plant
This newly installed system is extremely 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 bin located in the bathroom.

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 shepherd’s hut is a non-smoking property however you may smoke outside.

Pets
We welcome pets at Dean Forest Retreats.  Due to the shared nature of the overall grounds, pets must be sociable and be under control at all times. A small pet fee of £15 per stay applies.

Kitchen

Kettle
The eco kettle is slightly different to a traditional kettle. Twist the lid to open, lift off, add water, replace lid by twisting to close. Turn on with power button. When the kettle has boiled, repeat the process, twisting the lid to open, lifting the lid (with care due to steam), pouring and then replacing and twisting the lid. The kettle is like a vacuum flask and will then keep the water hot for up to 4 hours.

Induction Hob
The kitchen hob is an induction hob. A Quick Step Guide is provided in this Guest Information Folder.  You can also view our video on how to operate the hob:

Woodburner
To light the woodburner, use the firelighters and kindling provided. A Quick Step Guide to lighting the fire is included in this Guest Information Folder.
DO NOT use coal or unseasoned wood – only seasoned/kiln dried wood. A complimentary basket of logs is provided for you to use, along with kindling, firelighters and matches. Here’s a  video on how to light the stove:

Bathroom
The basin plug is a swivel type. To open the plug simply push down on one side of the plug and it will swivel around.

Hairdryer
The hairdryer is located in the top drawer of the bed.

Fuse Board
This is located in the tall kitchen cupboard. If you have any concerns about the electrical system please contact us immediately.

Barbecue
A BBQ is provided for your use during your stay, however you will need to bring your own charcoal.  The local shop in Blakeney sells charcoal should you need some. Please DO NOT use the barbecue as a firepit as this will damage the BBQ. Please leave it as you would wish to find it, emptying out the cold ash into the bin on departure and cleaning the BBQ grill.

Cushions for Outdoor Adirondack Chairs
The cushions for the outdoor chairs are in the storage area under the bed. Please return them to the storage area when not in use.

Outdoor Lights
The pathway lights are activated using either the black switch by the parking area or the push-button switch by the stone steps. These lights are on a timer and will remain on for 5-10 minutes after activating them. You can manually turn them off by pressing the switch/button again.

The patio lighting is controlled from the switch beside the door inside the shepherd’s hut. Please ensure that you turn the lights off when not required. We have an obligation to protect local wildlife and aim to disrupt their natural habitat as little as possible. Leaving the lights on overnight is highly disruptive to native species.

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 Coop
Coleford (10 minute drive) – Coop & Lidl
Chepstow (25 minute drive) – Large Tesco & M&S Food
Monmouth (20 minute drive) – Waitrose, M&S Food, Aldi