Tastes of the Forest – A weekend of foodie heaven in the Royal Forest of Dean – 18th & 19th November 2011

We are very excited about our next event which is taking place on 18th & 19th November.

We have teamed up with Harts Barn Cookery School and Kingstone Brewery to present a weekend of foodie treats.

 Starting on Friday evening with a tasting of local ales from award winning local brewers Kingstone Brewery.  Edward Biggs from Kingstone will give an informal tasting of his delicious local ales followed by a mouth-watering three course meal prepared by our head-chef Blaine Reed.

Following breakfast on Saturday morning, guests will head off to the Forest of Dean’s newest attraction, Harts Barn Cookery School, for a half day cookery lesson and demonstrations with lots of ideas of what to cook with brilliant local produce (lunch is included).

After breakfast on Sunday morning, you will be taken on a guided walk with a local  expert starting at 10am, the walk, of approximately 5 to 6 miles, will finish back at the hotel at 1pm, where a hearty Sunday lunch will be waiting.

 Price for a two people is £450, single occupancy of a double room £300

To book please call 01594 833046

SEVERN BORE

The Severn Bore is a spectacular naturally occurring tidal wave which forms as the rising tide forces a large volume of water through a narrowing river channel with a rising river bed. The Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range the world and produces one of the biggest bores. With an average speed of 16km per hour the wave can reach two metres in height making it a major attraction for both sight seers and surfers.

The size of the waves are categorised by a star system (1 = small, 5 = large and very rare), with 3 and 4 star bores being well worth the effort to see.  Why not make a day and night of it by booking a stay at the Tudor Farmhouse to coincide with the forthcoming 3 and 4 star bores in August, September and October 2011:

August 30^th, 31^st, September 27^th, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, October 27^th, 28^th, 29^th

Spring Foraging Day 17th April 2010

Spring is just around the corner and its the perfect time to blow away the cobwebs with a guided walk through the local woodlands and hedgerows. You will be expertly guided by local foraging guru Raoul van Den Broucke identifying and collecting edible mushrooms, herbs, berries and plants. Returning to the hotel you will have the opportunity to partake of a set lunch menu featuring wild local foods.

Please note you may need to use own transport for transit between hotel and foraging locations.

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£25 per head (foraging only).

£40 per head including foraging and 3 course lunch.

To book please call: 01594 833 046
or
Email: info@tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk

Website: www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk

Forest of Dean Daffodil Weekends

Saturday 6 to Sunday 28 March 2010

Explore the Forest of Dean’s famous floral displays in Oxenhall, Kempley and Dymock, when wild daffodils start to bloom across the golden triangle this spring 2010.

See delightful daffodils in their true glory, during the three Forest of Dean weekend events.Visitors from across Gloucestershire, the UK and beyond will be descending on the Forest of Dean in March 2010, when stunning wild daffodils can be seen in all their glory and a number of activities will celebrate the enchanting native flower.

Taking place in an area known as the golden triangle; Oxenhall, Kempley and Dymock will all be hosting their own weekend events, giving visitors the chance to enjoy and learn more about daffodils.

Guided walks will be led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, taking in places of interest including the Daffodil Way footpath, Betty Daws Wood, Gwen & Vera’s Fields Nature Reserve and the former Daffodil Line Railway – which used to run the Daffodil Specials when local children would pick the wild flowers to be sent by train from Gloucester to London for the capital’s hospitals and markets.

Oxenhall Daffodil Weekend
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March 2010
For more information contact Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust on (01452) 383333.

Kempley Daffodil Weekend
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March 2010

Dymock Daffodil Weekend
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March 2010
For more information contact Dymock Parish Hall on (01531) 890453.

Winter Owl Evenings

We had a poster come through from the International Centre for Birds of Prey based in Newent and it sounded so interesting that I thought I would share the information with you. You will see the owls at the natural time of their lives – in the dark, and watch them fly at night. It makes for an exciting evening. The tickets are £18 for adults and £10 for children and includes:
A guided tour of the owls by torchlight
Hot mulled wine and Hog Roast
Flying demonstration with small owls indoors
Outside flying demonstration of owls to finish

They are taking place now through to December 19th on every Friday and Saturday evening from 6.30.
Remember to wrap up warm and take a torch. Tickets must be booked in advance.
For more details phone 01531 820286 or visit their website:
www.icbp.org.uk

Perrygrove Railway

Perrygrove Railway Museum Train

Last weekend Matthew and I went to Perrygrove Railway. Matthew loves trains and it is a really sweet railway with different play areas suitable for different ages as well as the trains. You can do a treasure hunt as well – although Matthew is still a bit young for it. They do a series of events through the year, from enthusiasts events to the Hunt for Father Christmas. I must book my tickets – Matthew will love it. I also love the fact that it is really well priced. For more information, visit their website:
www.perrygrove.co.uk

Matthew holding tightly onto his ticket

Clearwell Caves

The beautiful cavern at Clearwell Caves

Many people will have heard of Clearwell Caves. They were voted the ‘Best Family Attraction in Gloucestershire’ by the Good Britain Guide 2003. The Caves are part of an extensive natural cave system surrounding the Forest of Dean and have been worked for ochre (natural paint pigment) and iron ore since the Neolithic period over 5000 years ago. Mining has created a cave/mine complex consisting of many miles of passageways, with hundreds of caverns. At Clearwell Caves, nine impressive caverns are open to visitors, with mining and geological displays throughout.

The wonderful atmosphere in the caves is never more evident than for the annual candle – lit Halloween party for 300 people. Colin & I went a few years ago – dressed as cartoon characters (we left it quite late to organise any costumes!) – and had a wonderful time. It really is highly recommended.

We also love the caves at Christmas, and have gone every year (even before Matthew was born). It is always beautifully decorated and the children can visit Father Christmas and choose a toy. There is also a craft fair. Then the last section of the caves is used to illustrate a story. It is always beautifully done and throughout the caves are “presents” marked with names. It’s always a challenge to find your name. Colin and Matthew always do better than me!

The Entrance Churn at Clearwell Caves

Even if you haven’t visited Clearwell Caves, you may have already seen it as in the past few years, the cavern has been used by the BBC to film four separate Dr Who episodes, two Merlin episodes and also Dalziel and Pascoe.

Clearwell Caves does provide an unusual day out for all the family as well as an exciting underground experience for all ages. We will post more information on any special events they hold throughout the year but in the meantime please visit their website for more details:
www.clearwellcaves.com