There are some places that feel as though they've grown gently from the landscape itself. Shaped by history, tended with care and deeply connected to their surrounding. Nestled where Gloucestershire's Forest of Dean meets the Wye Valley, the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel is exactly that kind of place. A former working farm with roots reaching back to the 13th century, it has been lovingly restored and evolved over the years into a boutique rural retreat with 20 individually styled bedrooms, a much-loved restaurant and a commitment to quality, seasonality and warm hospitality.
For nearly two decades, husband-and-wife team Hari and Colin Fell have been at the helm, bringing together heritage and modern comfort, and inviting guests to slow down, explore and reconnect with the natural world. From mapped walks straight from the doorstep to wildlife safaris and kitchen garden foraging, Tudor Farmhouse is a place that invites curious minds and calm hearts alike.
Here, we talk to Hari and Colin about their journey, their place in the landscape and how experiences, from food to forest, shape a stay here.
Tudor Farmhouse is nestled in the heart of the Wye Valley. Could you share the story behind the hotel and what first drew you to create something so rooted in its surroundings?
Records show there have been buildings on the site of the hotel as far back as the 13th century, though the farmhouse you see today dates to the 16th century. Fast forward to 1983, when the buildings were first converted into a three-bedroom B&B and twenty years on property was bought by Hari’s parents with the dream of making something really special. Hari soon joined her parents beginning the next chapter in the farmhouse’s life as a hotel being with her husband Colin coming to take over with her a few years later.
Beautiful new suites were added in the 2010s as the hotel gently evolved into that it is today now offering 20 bedrooms, all individually designed alongside a very well respected 2-AA Rosette restaurant. The furnishings and interiors are all connected to the area as much as possible with a nod to the farmhouse heritage wherever possible which guests seem to really enjoy.
How does a stay at Tudor Farmhouse allow guests to truly connect with the Forest of Dean and surrounding countryside?
The hotel's deep connection to nature and the countryside is very much celebrated through the experiences they have developed for guests, whether they are staying or just coming for a visit during the day. Strong and long partnerships have been forged with some exceptional local guides and creatives who offer wildlife safaris and foraging to craft retreats, nature journaling, and star safaris. The hotel acts as a base to slow down, explore and reconnect, whether you’re staying overnight or just coming to enjoy a meal or experience. The location is exquisite, as the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty meets the Forest of Dean, one of the UK’s largest and most ancient forests.
The hotel has also developed mapped walks for guests to enjoy directly from their door as well as partnerships with bike hire companies who will deliver to the hotel for guests to enjoy cycling safaris, exploring the road routes as well as the many off road trails of the Forest of Dean.
Many guests first discover Bramley while staying somewhere special. How do our products compliment the experience you create at Tudor Farmhouse?
Bramley is a perfect partner for Tudor Farmhouse being deeply rooted in the countryside and our glorious British landscapes inspired by hedgerows, herbs and fields ! Our kitchen garden is very much at the heart of the hotel and our 20 mile radius menu from where we source as much of our produce as possible. Our guests love exploring our gardens as well as the wider land we have which has been designated as SSSI, a site of special scientific interest recognised for its ecological value. We connect guests to this area through our mapped out ‘Bank’ walk, as well as our foraging and wild food experiences which explore the beauty and bounty of this area.
Your restaurant has been described as a ‘culinary oasis’. How do you bring the flavours of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire to life through your menus?
We are so lucky to have Arron as our head chef and a very talented team producing some incredibly inventive cuisine. Local seasonal produce is the main pillar of our menus, prepared with passion and flair. And, we are blessed by our location with talented producers surrounding us. We have a food map which we make available to our guests and encourage them to get out and about to explore and visit our producers as much as possible. So many guests love discovering the stories behind the dishes.
Our drinks menu is just as important, deeply rooted to our location with local wines, ales and ciders as well as a huge range of cocktails for those who enjoy alcohol and for those who are looking for an exciting non-alcoholic alternative. We pride ourselves for catering for everyone. We are even able to source seasonal syrups from a lovely company located in the village who come and pick from our orchards during harvest time.
If you could describe the perfect day at Tudor Farmhouse, from a slow morning to an evening by candlelight, what would it look like? This is tricky as there are so many choices!
Maybe a late breakfast of Eggs Benedict in our Garden Room followed by a walk up to the top of our bank to enjoy the glorious views, stopping to stay hello to our hens on the return route. Now it’s time to order a coffee and check the walking routes and pick up your delicious packed lunch which you can pre-order to take with you for deeper exploration of the Forest of Dean trails. But, make sure to be back in time for afternoon tea, that’s not to be missed and maybe a spoiling facial or massage. Follow this with a long relaxing bath, and we mean very long (with all our Bramley products of course!), before settling down to one of the highlights of most stays with us, our dinner tasting menu.
What feeling do you hope guests take home with them after a stay with you?
Deep rest. This can come from enjoying new activities just as much as classic relaxation. So, whether they have enjoyed a wildlife safari with our guide Ed Drewitt followed by exploring Tintern Abbey and the Offa's Dyke trail on foot, or have opted for a relaxing massage in our treatment hut combined with a afternoon reading in our gardens or in front of the fire, we want everyone to leave having that sensation of deep rest.
Whether it's lingering over a tasting menu inspired by local producers, wandering through ancient woodland or simply savouring a long bath with Bramley products, a stay at Tudor Farmhouse feels like a gentle return to what matter most: nature, nourishment and a deep sense of rest.
