Ever fancy a bit of R&R somewhere new? Somewhere to entertain the kids while also enjoying a restful break yourself? ME TOO! And I found the perfect place!
Myself, my husband and two boys were booked in for a 3 night stay at Whitemead Forest Park. A Family weekend away in the Forest, ditching the daily grind, exploring somewhere new and spending some quality time together.
Whitemead is nestled in the forests of the charming little town of Lydney; better known as the gateway to the Royal Forest of Dean. The town is situated on the banks of the River Severn and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, not far from the welsh border. Sounds peaceful right?
With our hearts set on a little weekend getaway, we headed to Whitemead with much excitement!
We make our way through rolling countryside along a country lane lined with trees and forestry giving way to endless green meadows – exactly what we were hoping for! We had arrived a little later than expected due to some well needed stops along the way – ARE WE THERE YET! If you know, you know!
Heading to check in at the main reception area, we were greeted by friendly staff and in no time handed two key cards and a site map for navigation. We were also provided with a welcome tote bag, which included cleaning essentials; a tea towel, cloth, sponge and washing up liquid, together with morning necessities – coffee, tea, sugar and milk. NICE TOUCH!
ACCOMMODATION AT WHITEMEAD
We headed on to our home for the weekend, a very pleasant modern first-floor 2-bed apartment.
Our accommodation was clean, spacious and bright with beautiful views of the surrounding forest. Inside the decor has been carefully designed in keeping with the woodland holiday theme with exposed wooden beams and huge windows filling the rooms with light. Warm furnishings in jewel tones make the place feel inviting and homely.
The apartment boasts a spacious open-plan kitchen, lounge and diner with floor-to-ceiling windows, double doors and stylish draped curtains. Dining for 6 on a large wooden table, two comfortable sofas with one converting to a double pull-out bed and a well-positioned television. The Kitchen was well equipped, featuring an oven, 4-ring hob, fridge, freezer, kettle, toaster and microwave.
The main bathroom is immaculate, light and airy with a modern shower over bath suite. The master bedroom is bright and airy with views of the fields, comprising a comfortable kingsize bed, contemporary mood lighting lamps placed on bedside tables, a perfectly placed armchair for gazing into the forest and a convenient dressing table and mirror. There is also an ensuite shower room with freshly folded towels and a heated towel rail.
The second bedroom is a twin, perfect for our two kids and again full of natural light. There is also plenty of storage for clothing and belongings. Our weekend holiday home was pretty perfect, a real home from home.
Various accommodation options are available at Whitemead, so whether it’s a romantic weekend in tranquil privacy you’re seeking or you are touring, tenting, glamping or lodging, Whitemead has the facilities to suit your stay. You can check out the many options here.
DINING AT WHITEMEAD
Inviting area – Foresters Bar
There are various dining options at Whitemead, starting with the Al fresco seating, a large tiled area with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, it is dog-friendly with various covered sections to enjoy a little shelter from midday sun!
There is also a funky outdoor kiosk serving hot & cold beverages and tasty sweet treats.
On an evening the exterior is beautifully illuminated with twinkling fairy lights while relaxing music permeates the atmosphere, I definitely found myself relaxing and enjoying the country air!
AND THAT’S JUST OUTSIDE….
The Foresters Bar offers a lively and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is spacious with sophisticated decor and plenty of seating in nice sections giving a little intimacy.
Section 1 – I would describe as the quieter, intimate side, ideal for those having a family get together, with thoughtful paneling between tables for the privacy of diners.
Section 2 – This area houses the well stocked bar, poser tables and comfy sofa’s with multiple televisions available for those of you that enjoy major sporting events. The bar not only stocks popular lagers and lesser-known crafts, but also houses a children’s bar with pre-made lunch boxes, fruits and sweet treats including delicious cakes, buns, brownies and indulgent milkshakes.
Section 3 is undoubtedly a wonderful children’s section, with carpeted flooring and more comfy seating, together with football tables, televisions, interactive consoles and fun Montessori play equipment. Happy Child, Happy Parent, right?
The food at Whitemead is to a high standard and the offer of an eat-in, pre-order and takeaway service makes it very convenient. Food is served from 8am to 9:30pm and there are so many dishes on offer here, from your obligatory full english breakfast and delicious Sunday roasts, to bulging burgers, wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads and creative street food. See for yourself and check out their expansive range of food offerings here.
A small self-serve section sits alongside the bar, with clean cutlery and children’s plastic cutlery, napkins and sauces – for anyone fancying a little ketchup with their Sunday lunch…
The food at Foresters Bar was really very tasty, the ingredients were fresh and the portion sizes generous. The service was superb and the staff couldn’t be more friendly and accommodating.
Whitemead has a separate entertainment space which is set apart from the restaurant area, with an additional two bars, centre stage and ample seating. A perfect venue for an evening of quizzes, game shows, live music and acts.
FANTASTIC FACILITIES AT WHITEMEAD
Whitemead has captured the “holiday in the woods” theme perfectly, with acres of land for ball games, ping pong tables situated throughout the site alongside two play parks. It’s a back to enjoying nature and strip away the tech kind of holiday.
We couldn’t possibly experience all that Whitemead had to offer during our short stay. Whitemead have curated activities that cater for all ages and the list is extremely impressive. From archery, adventure trails, treasure hunts and golf carting, to splashing around in the on-site pool.
Whitemead is home to extensive leisure facilities, featuring a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and a well-equipped gymnasium.
During our stay we enjoyed a family game of adventure golf, which I have to say is the best crazy golf course I have ever had the pleasure to take part in. In my ten years of being a parent, I have sampled many! It’s a charming little 12 hole course, with a running stream, rockery and self pull bridge with an interactive sound system. The whole family loved it!
ON SITE SHOP
A convenience shop is located on-site and has a small selection of essential food, drink, and cleaning products, ideal for those on a self-catering holiday.
You’ll also find a great range of souvenirs and gifts, together with swim essentials such as swimwear, swim nappies, arm bands, goggles and more – all the bits a stressed parent can potentially forget.
LOCAL AREA
Staying at The Forest of Dean is the perfect opportunity to explore the local area, whether on foot, by bike or by car it’s the idyllic setting for nature reserves and parks. There are some fantastic things to explore in the forest and the surrounding areas. For the history buffs, there’s the roman ruins and local museums. For nature enthusiasts there are the many hiking and cycling routes. Or if you are seeking something a little different, you can definitely get a thrill out of cave exploring! Forest of Dean is a Win Win! Anyone staying at Whitemead can benefit from the discounted rates at some of the top attractions!
Would I go Back?
Without a doubt! Whitemead offers all types of getaways, I would go back in a heartbeat for a fun filled family stay or a quiet romantic weekend – not many resorts can offer both. We felt well rested and rejuvenated – SAID NO PARENT EVER! We didn’t want to leave and it felt like our weekend went so quick – time flies when you’re having fun, right?
From the never-ending activities, the beautiful picturesque scenery, superb food and friendly staff our stay was truly memorable for all the right reasons. Whitemead really have thought of it all – a place for the grown ups and a place for kids to be entertained. A real go with the Flow kind of break away and I would recommend a staycation here any day.
If you don’t know, then get to know.
Words By Hannah Parnaby