As the days gradually begin to lengthen, Tudor Farmhouse in the Forest of Dean has launched the perfect tonic for those looking to embrace the elements and soak up some much needed winter daylight with a new ‘Winter Walkers Lunch’.
The new offering coincides with the launch of its new winter lunch tasting menu, created and prepared by head chef Rob Cox, who was recently crowned South West Chef of the Year. All lunch guests booking during February and March will be invited to receive a selection of bespoke walks in the area which have been designed especially for Tudor Farmhouse, each with step by step directions, local points of interest and a handy map.
These can be sent by email or posted, whichever is more convenient, with distances ranging from a gentle one hour stroll to more challenging walks of up to three hours, including stops at Slade Brook, Newland Castle, Millennium Green, Mortury Chappel and Lovers Leap. It’s a great way of exploring the surrounding 27,000 acres of forest and setting yourself up for a good lunch.
Of course there is always the option to borrow wellies from the hotel itself and explore its own 14 acres of grassland or head down the road to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. In fact Clearwell, Tudor Farmhouse’s location, offers the perfect base to explore many other features of the Forest of Dean including Clearwell Castle, Clearwell Caves and Puzzlewood; famously used as a location in the Lord of the Rings films.
For more walking, join Mark Bibby Jackson on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
“Winter is a magical time in the Forest and we want to encourage our guests to get out and about and explore as much as possible. We hope our new walks will make this much easier with clear directions and a map which can be tucked into your coat pocket. And what better way to celebrate finishing a walk than a good lunch!” commented Colin Hell, co-owner of Tudor Farmhouse.
The lunch
Lunch is available daily between 12:00-14:00, where guests can choose from two or three courses, or opt for the new six-course tasting menu (with accompanying flight of wines should guests wish). This includes a beetroot and blackberry salad, white onion soup with duck egg, slow roasted Glouceter Old Spot pork belly with smoked apple puree, pan fried cod with hazelnut and truffle pesto, spiced rice pudding with dark chocolate and star anise ganache and coffee with homemade petits fours.
The restaurant is headed up by Rob Cox (who recently won the prestigeous South West Chef of the Year award) and is committed to using quality and locally-produced ingredients, most sourced from within a 20-mile radius of the hotel. It currently boasts two AA rossettes.
Winter walks
Slade Brook Walk: 4.3 miles over 1.5 hours
Starting and ending in Stowe Green (just over a mile from the hotel – with its own parking) this circular walk follows the braided Slade Brook stream as it winds its way through the Forest of Dean. The walk is full of history and as well as spotting the stream’s long series of small waterfalls (known as the Tufa Dams) walkers will come across Stowe Quarry, St Briavels Castle and a large collection of recovered flint; said to be from Mesolithic times. This route can also be combined with the Stowe Walk to give 9.5 miles of walking.
Newland Castle Walk: 5.6 miles over 2.5 hours
Using quiet country lanes and bridleways, this walk leads guests straight from the hotel into the small village of Newland, founded in medieval times. En route walkers can visit the 17th century Tan House and its tanning buildings, the All Saints Church (otherwise known as the Cathedral of the Forest which houses the iconic Freeminer’s Brass statue) and the large Village Well which has provided water here for hundreds of years.
Overnight stays
Guests can also opt to stay overnight in one of the hotel’s 20 boutique bedrooms, relaxing tired muscles with a bath (roll top), shower (monsoon) or in-room massage. Rooms also boast Nespresso coffee machines, widescreen TVs, plush Bramley bathroom products and stylish farmhouse décor. An overnight stay then leads into a long lazy breakfast the next morning, with options from fresh fruit salads and flavoured croissants to oak-smoked salmon, poached eggs, grilled brace kipper and the classic full English.
Prices
Lunch is available from £25pp (two-course) or £30pp (three-course) whilst the winter tasting menu is available from £40pp (add a flight of matching wines from an additional £20pp) all served from 12-2pm daily. A one-night stay can be added from £130pp based on two-sharing a Hatchling Room on a B&B basis.
To book visit www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk or call 01594 833046.
