Located in the heart of the Royal Forest of Dean, The Speech House has stood as an impressive landmark since 1669 when it was built as a hunting lodge for King Charles II. Its idyllic setting, in one of England’s last remaining ancient woodlands, makes it the perfect base for walking, cycling, adventures on the Rive Wye and exploring the attractions in and around the Forest. Coleford is 3 miles away, the pretty market town of Monmouth is just over the Welsh border, 20 minutes’ away and the cathedral city of Gloucester and M5 are a 30-minute drive.
Verderers’ Restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes for its excellent food, served up with a slice of history – the Forest of Dean Verderers used this wooden-beamed room as a courthouse for dealing with matters of the Forest, the modern-day Verderers continuing to meet here. The menus change with the seasons, featuring special dishes and placing an emphasis on fresh, local produce. Head for The Orangery for a light lunch, tasty meal – including sourdough pizzas and salads – or a quintessentially English afternoon tea served on fine bone china, with garden views all-round. Garden dining dens offer cosy spaces for intimate dining and small groups, magical when the fairylights switch on in the evenings.
Check-in to a bedroom with period charm and antique furnishings in the original hunting lodge, or one of the modern courtyard rooms. Master Four Poster Suites in the hunting lodge feature original fireplaces and super king antique four-poster beds, with modern amenities including free W-Fi and a Tassimo coffee machine. There are dog friendly rooms if you’re exploring the area with your furry friend. A wheelchair accessible room with full wet room is also available.
The area offers a huge array of visitor attractions and outdoor activities. Immerse yourself in nature and explore the enchanting pathways through Puzzlewood; marvel at the sensational river views from atop Symonds Yat Rock; discover what lies beneath the forest floor as you wander Clearwell Caves; take a trip on a narrow gauge adventure steam railway; or a tour of the castles and fortifications dotted along the Welsh borderlands.
Purpose-built meeting and event spaces offer a unique opportunity to host an event for up to 200 delegates or transport your team to a spectacular forest setting.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free parking
- EV charging point
- 2 Restaurants
- Bar
- Garden
- 35 Bedrooms
- Accessible bedroom
- 3 Meeting rooms
- Check-in: 14:00
- Check-out: 10:30
- Dogs welcome
- 24-hour front desk
- Room service
- Safe deposit
- Luggage storage
- Accessible public areas
- Packed lunches
Short Breaks & Special Offers
Bedrooms & Suites
Cosy Courtyard Double Room
Our courtyard double guestrooms are decorated in a traditional style with modern amenities. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room • These rooms are dog friendly, suitable for a small to medium size dog • All have standard sized double beds • These rooms are perfect for a short stay
Cosy Courtyard Twin Room
Our courtyard Twin guestrooms are decorated in a traditional style with modern amenities. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room • These rooms are dog friendly, suitable for a small to medium size dog • All have standard sized double beds • These rooms are perfect for a short stay
Courtyard Double Room
Our courtyard double guestrooms are decorated in a traditional style with modern amenities. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room • All but one room has a shower ensuite. • One double is situated in the cottage and has a full ensuite bathroom • All rooms are dog friendly, and suitable for all size dogs • All have standard sized double beds
Courtyard Twin Room
Our courtyard twin guestrooms are decorated in a traditional style with modern amenities. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room • All but one room has a shower ensuite. • One twin is situated in the cottage and has a full ensuite bathroom • All rooms are dog friendly • One room has a full wet room ensuite and is suitable for guests with a wheelchair • All have standard sized single beds
Main House Standard Double Room
These rooms are described as cosy as they are situated at the top of the hotel and offer sloping ceilings and beams. Room Features; • All rooms have king sized double beds • All these rooms have character sloping ceilings • All have bathrooms with showers over the bath • Not suitable for guests with mobility issues as no lift is available * Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Courtyard 4 Poster
Our courtyard 4 poster guestrooms are spacious and furnished with a modern king-sized four poster bed and modern traditional furniture. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room and parking in front of the room • These are modern four poster king sized beds • Modern full bathroom en suite with shower over the bath • Double vanity wash hand basins in all bathrooms • Each of these rooms has two arm chairs in a seating area and a cosy fireplace with an electric heater in the corner of the room * Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Main House Superior Double Room
Our superior main house double rooms are situated in the main house of the hotel boasting period-style décor Room Features; • Situated on the top floor of the hotel • Full bathroom with shower over the bath • Will take an extra bed for children • Individually decorated and furnished * Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Main House Superior Twin Room
Our superior main house twin rooms are situated in the main house of the hotel and are accessed by stairs. Rooms Features; • Situated on the first and second floors top floor of the hotel • Full bathroom with shower over the bath • Will take an extra bed for children * Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Courtyard Family Room
Our courtyard family guestrooms are decorated in a traditional style with modern amenities. Room Features; • All rooms are on the ground floor • All rooms are situated with easy proximity of the car park for access to room • All rooms are shower ensuite. • This room is dog friendly • Each room has a standard double bed with two standard single beds (Room 17 has a set of adult bunkbeds instead of two singles) • Each room has a partition wall between the double bed and the two single beds
Junior 4 Poster
An antique four poster bedroom traditionally furnished. Room Features; • Unique Antique Four Poster • Full bathroom en suite with shower over the bath • First floor of Hotel • Individually decorated and furnished * Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Junior Suite
This room is located on the second floor of the main house. It offers a sitting room, comfortably furnished with a sofa bed and two arm chairs. Room Features; • Character rooms with sloping ceilings • Antique Furniture • Full bathroom en suite with shower over the bath • Second floor of Hotel • Individually decorated and furnished • Separate sitting room with sofa bed suitable for children *Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Master 4 Poster
These rooms are special as they each offer seven foot antique, unique four poster beds. Room Features; • Unique Antique Super King Four Poster • Beds are high off the ground with stools to assist stepping on to • Full bathroom en suite with shower over the bath • First floor of Hotel • Individually decorated and furnished with antique furniture • Comfortable settees and or arm chairs *Unfortunately these rooms are not dog friendly
Food & Drink
Verderers' Restaurant
Enjoy sumptuous food in an historic setting. Verderers' Restaurant serves award-winning menus which capture the season's finest flavours. This is fine dining with a modern twist, showcasing locally produced ingredients. The room was originally the Forest of Dean Verderers' courthouse where judgements were passed on misdemeanours in the Forest. Although their role has changed, the Verderers' continue to meet here to discuss conservation, wildlife, heritage and forest management.
The Orangery
Sunlit dining and garden views. Take a seat in the bright and airy Orangery with full height windows looking onto the lush green gardens. It's a relaxed setting and the perfect spot for a freshly cooked light lunch, supper or homemade cake with a tea or coffee. Enjoy a slice of tradition with a Speech House afternoon tea – three tiers of indulgent treats served on fine bone china and silver tea service. The Orangery is dog friendly.
Outdoor Dining Experience
Book an outdoor dining den for an intimate meal for two, a small family gathering or birthday, or a catch up with close friends. The cosy dens are dotted around the hotel gardens and offer private spaces to eat, drink and chat. The dens are heated and decked out with fairy lights for an added a touch of magic. The Orangery, afternoon tea and bar menus are available, with the fine dining menu served after 6pm. The outdoor dens seat up to 6 people.
Location
- Lydney Train Station (8.7 mi)
- Bristol Airport (45.2 mi)
- Cardiff Airport (59.2 mi)
- Birmingham Airport (77.2 mi)
Places to Visit
- Royal Forest of Dean & Wye Valley -
- Goodrich Castle -
- Great Western Railway Museum Coleford -
- St Briavel’s Castle -
- Perrygrove Railway Adventure -
- Westbury Court Garden (NT) -
- Puzzlewood -
- Tintern Abbey -
- Clearwell Caves -
- Chepstow Castle -
- Symonds Yat -
- Chepstow Racecourse -
- Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo -
- Raglan Castle -
Meetings & Events
The Pavilion
Theatre
Boardroom
- Ground floor
- Natural daylight
- Wheelchair access
The Edwin Tauber Suite
Banquet
- Ground floor
- Natural daylight
- Wheelchair access
Outdoor Dens
Boardroom
- Ground floor
- Natural daylight
Reviews
