The Speech House Hotel

6/10

Pleasant

15 Mar 2026

janette

Friendly staff, good food in the restaurant, lots of parking, close to walking routes.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

Tim

Excellent staff, without exception they were polite, professional and smiled!
This is an old building so the room (14) had lovely old beams and views across the forest. Plenty of parking, easy check-in with welcoming receptionist

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2025

Stewart

Lovely friendly hotel. Excellent food.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Dec 2025

Penelope

We were only there for one night but room was clean, parking good, staff very pleasant and breakfast excellent.

8/10

Excellent

27 Oct 2025

J

I like staying at the Speech House and this wasn't my first visit. Staff are always friendly and efficient.
On this occasion my room had a bit too much of an aroma of wet dog. It was not what I've been used to here. I know it's a dog friendly hotel but this time it felt like the dog was still there with me.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2025

Virginia

Lots of parking. Breakfast was very good ( I did ask for soya milk but they only had oat milk) other wise lots of choice. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Room was suitable for a one night stopover, bed very comfortable. We were out in the rooms outside not in the main part. This is an old quaint countryside hotel this is what we wanted and liked. We didn't have an evening meal so can not comment on it. Other wise all in all would recommend.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2025

Jo

Great breakfast and evening meal, however breakfast on our last day was very dissapointing, overcooked eggs and clearly a different chef from the previous day. The hotel states light cleaning is carried out during your stay but our bed wasnt made and the dirty cups not cleaned. We found this very dissapointing, the only thing the housekeeping did was empty the bin and refill the tea bags, we would of much preferred the bed making. We had a junior four poster room in the main building it was very comfortable and spacious. The hotel has an old charm about it and is situated in an ideal position for exploring the forest of dean. The staff were all warm and welcoming and we would stay here again if in the area.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2025

Nadia

Beautiful place, with excellent staff.
We were unluckily because they celebrate weddings and we arrive with a wedding on-going.
The music was fine (not too loud) the guest were fine, normal noise for a wedding.
The kids fron the wedding were under our window, playing shouting and screaming (normal for kids) but it was very late night and very early morninig so we did not have too much rest.
We will come back but we will make sure is not a wedding day.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2025

R

Scumptious

Slept super well, room sufficient for our needs. Delighted to find an electric fan in the room as the day was very hot.
Food excellent at dinner and much appreciated the gentleman who looked after us- a great sense of humour.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2025

Tara

Very comfortable and accommodating. Good dining and great service.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2025

Melanie

Beautiful old hotel, very friendly staff and great food located in beautiful area

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 May 2025

Verified traveler

Very friendly helpful staff. Good location for walking etc. Hotel needs updating and re furbishing.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2025

Gerald

In the hart of the forest

This is a beautiful hotel in the hart of dean forest
We was part of a large group and there was ample parking
Good food
And a big thanks to the staff for accommodating are easy start

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2025

Cliff

Small room, small shower for shower head. Bed small and uncomfortable.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2025

James

Great time

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2025

David

Ruby Wedding

We booked for our Ruby Wedding Anniversary - the meal was excellent, the rooms were clean and comfortable and the staff were cheerful, helpful and friendly. I cannot recommend Speech House highly enough.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2025

Ross

Staff friendly and helpful. Food excellent. Location great

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2025

andrew

100% recommend staying

Staff were great from the receptionist to the waitress, room was great, food was really good in the evening and breakfast too. would defiantly recommend and stay again in the future

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2025

Ian

Spur of the moment decision!

Booked on the spur of the moment and we weren’t disappointed. The staff are all so welcoming and helpful

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Apr 2025

Verified traveler

Friedly staff, nice environment

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2025

John

In all respects very good. The history of the house was fascinating

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2025

Julie

Excellent dog friendly hotel

Very dog friendly hotel. Made to feel very welcome. Food excellent

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2025

Stephen

Lovely location and unique hotel

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2025

Simon

Great place

Super stay and all staff were lovely

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2025

Stewart

Wonderful Food

Very friendly staff/owners. Fantastic gourmet evening meal - delicious.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Dec 2024

Amy

Staff were great, breakfast was great. I stayed in a double room in the cottage. Room had all the amenities. Bed was a bit soft for me, and none of the TV Channels had any signal. Would stay in the main or another building next time

Self

6/10

Pleasant

19 Dec 2024

Phil

Great location for Forest of Dean

Lovely room in main house, full of character and nice and clean. Being old, it is very creaky and you can hear everyone moving about in the room next door. It is in a great location for Forest of Dean, good parking (with EV charger), two nice restaurants (we ate in the orangery and the food was great). Only thing we expected was shower gel and shampoo to be in the room, (apparently there should have been some but they were missing from our room). Other than that it was a very nice stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2024

Tracey

Pure class

Wonderful conforming hotel with a real air of grace
Meal with friends then a nights stay in the cosy cottage
Wonderful comforts warm and cosy with all beautiful kept x

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

10 Nov 2024

Vivienne

Nothing Special!

Just an overnight stay, nothing special, A very basic room. Quite dark as windows obscured by scaffolding.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2024

Craig

Great stay, great location.

Had a great one night stay here while working away. Staff friendly & welcoming throughout the stay. Had dinner in the orangery which was really nice food & drink.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

15 Oct 2024

Verified traveler

Fantastic location. Restaurant pleasant and friendly staff especially the young lady that sat us to our table and took our order, The food I had was very nice although my hubby’s steak was not of good quality. The cosy courtyard room was quite small. A little tired but we wasn’t looking for posh. My big problem is having to pay £60 for 2 dogs 2 nights when they had very little floor space to be comfortable sleeping on there beds. There’s no special cleaning in this dog friendly room so why the high price for them to stay.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Oct 2024

Alexandre

Great hotel overall

Great hotel, clean, beautiful place, but walls are too thin. I could hear everything from my neighbours

Business

4/10

Poor

10 Oct 2024

Angela

The staff are all lovely and helpful.
Very dog friendly
I found the beds uncomfortable, which as a real problem as I didn't sleep on both nights.
For this reason I will not stay at Speech House in the future.

Business Pet

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2024

Barry

Great Hotel and staff

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2024

Edmund

A pleasant time away

Just a very nice place to stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2024

Margaret

Forest of dean half marathon

Staff were cheerful and very helpful would definitely stay here again

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2024

Lloyd

I’ve stayed at speech house multiple times and it never disappoints

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2024

Tracey

A beautiful old house ,with a fabulous fine dining restuarant.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

15 Sep 2024

Liz

Unfortunately there was a wedding at the property, the dining area was very loud and overrun with wedding guests. We were put in a room right next to the venue and the music was blaring out till midnight - not great when you were up at 6am to travel to The Forest of Dean and then can’t sleep till after the wedding has finished. Very disappointing and now I am very tired for my drive home!!

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2024

Roderick

Parts of the hotel are looking tired. Room had not been properly dusted (dust and cobwebs present). Staff were really friendly and helpful. Food was very good.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Sep 2024

Dalene

The staff is what made our stay great. They were all very friendly and made us feel welcome.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

15 Aug 2024

DARREN

Room was very small and run down. needed a clean and a good paint .

Business

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2024

Steve

Always a nice place to stop over

Another very comfortable stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2024

Andrew

Nice hotel in nice location

All good, nice breakfast

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Jul 2024

Anne Isabel

Steeped in history.
Bang smack in the Forest of Dean & very doggy friendly.
The history needs to remain in the hotel bar & restaurant but the bedrooms & bathrooms certainly need to be updated.
Menu mediocre but sufficient for visiting but you wouldn’t book a table & go out of your way to eat there.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2024

Andrew

Nice hotel

Nice hotel, nice setting ( take an eye mask,light getting in room at night, that’s the trouble with curtain poles and curtains with eyelet holes)
Lovely breakfast very filling so much choice

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2024

Martin

The attention to detail, both with the helpfulness of the staff and the restoration of such a classic historical building.
As the four poster bed was so high, there was even a stool provided to help you climb in.
The room felt of its period in every way, but the bathroom was fully up to date.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Jul 2024

Andy

Appealing Restuarant

The Resturant food was very good indeed. We had a delightful evening meal with attractively priced wine. The ‘four poster’ room was large and well equipped. Just missing water and dressing gowns.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2024

George

Very friendly staff, good clean hotel in a good position for walking

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Jun 2024

ziad

Nice property, friendly staff. Showers need temperature stabilisers. Overall good place to stay

Leisure

2/10

Poor

02 Jun 2024

Pete

Bit slow

Charged twice and very slow. But the food excellent

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2024

Claire

Pleasant and helpful staff. Courtyard rooms compact, but enough room for our stay, with comfy beds. Be aware all courtyard rooms are dog friendly. Lovely breakfast with plenty of choice.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2024

Lynda

Relaxed, enjoyable; brilliant woodland walking with our dog. Food was excellent. We have stayed here many times, and look forward to our next visit.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2024

Lloyd

The best hotel in the Forest

Another excellent stay at Speech House. Great food, comfortable room and the best staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2024

Lloyd

Best hotel in the Forest

Another great stay at Speech House. Comfortable room, excellent service and great food.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2024

Lloyd

Nothing bears Speech House in the Forest

A regular haunt whenever we return to the Forest and always good to stay. Customer service always excellent. Comfortable rooms and great food. Very dog friendly.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2024

Andrew

Beautiful setting in the Forest. Great service and lovely staff.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Apr 2024

Bethan

Basic but clean

Basic but clean. Evening meal was nice. Stayed in a cottage room - bit dated and small bed, but ok for a night.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2024

Nik

Great afternoon tea and breakfast.

Walls a bit too thin in Garden rooms

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2024

Richard

Service excellent staff polite and attentive breakfast had a good choice

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2024

Phill

We only stayed for 1 night but found the experience excellent. Staff were very efficient and friendly. Would definitely stay again if in the area.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2024

COLIN

I have stayed here before and it never disappointing the staff are friendly and room's are immaculate.
The food is excellent with a good choice on the menu. Will return again in the Autumn 🍁.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Mar 2024

Maria

Great place
Food exceeded expectation
Staff friendly and warm

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2024

Jim

Cinderford stay

Lovely rooms great parking great location.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2024

Janet

Everything was excellent

This trip was to see a part of the country we had never visited and to see how well our newly re-homed little dog adjusted to being away. We could not have chosen a more dog friendly hotel and everyone made us and Daisy so welcome. A particular mention to Chaz and Anna who really made our stay feel special. It's a lovely hotel in a beautiful part of the world and even the weather was kind. The food was amazing and nothing was too much trouble.
Thank you to everyone.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2024

Jonathan

This was our second visit to The Speech House. The first was a few years ago as part of a large walking group. On this occasion we had been meeting friends for a lunch a few miles away and wanted a single night stopover. We enjoyed a snack evening meal in The Orangery and made good use of the reading room. It was a bit of a shock the next morning to wake up finding the grounds covered in snow but that gave a magical appearance to the property and the surrounding area. A thoroughly enjoyable stay, albeit very brief.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

21 Feb 2024

Timothy

We had a one night stay, the courtyard room was compact but comfortable.
The bathroom needed a revamp, although it was functional
Staff were friendly and the breakfast was excellent.would stay again

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2023

Lloyd

Best hotel Forest of Dean

Always the best place to stay in the Forest

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Dec 2023

Lloyd

Traditional friendly hotel & restaurant

Speech House used to be my local restaurant and these days I stay when visiting family who still live in the forest. Service is always friendly and of a traditional style with the Orangery being a favourite of my dog. Food always of good quality and they do not skimp on service or quantity. Great to see some new local staff and especially impressed with both Annie and Jayne who both excelled in their respective roles.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2023

Steve

Lovely old place steeped in history.

Been passing this place over a number of years since 1974, and just finished an overnight stay.
Long overdue and defo coming back again.

Partner

2/10

Poor

19 Nov 2023

Malcolm

Smell

My room 30 smelt badly of dogs it was also so hot, so i opened the window, noisy air pump outside window, didnt sleep well, room smelt bad all the time, there was mould in the shower, lets not mention the Wifi in the room as a business person i couldn’t communicate online at all, it was also odd to see one man at dinner feeding his dog at the table from his cutlery odd at best, over a bad night sleep, pick another room i had a better time in 36, food was ok.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2023

Deke

History, staff was great!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2023

Angus

Wonderful food.

Given a nice room on the top floor, but impossible stairs and no lift. Moved us to a ground floor suite across the car park, which was very good.

All the food was excellent, with even simple dishes nicely presented.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Sep 2023

Jacques

My room was far from the reception and Internet very poor.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Sep 2023

Ann

I was disappointed that for £88, the room size was very small. It was also a shock to discover that breakfast was NOT included in this price so that made it even less value for money. The stud walls separating the rooms need some more insulation as we could hear snoring from the next room.
Having said that breakfast was good, there was plenty of hot water for showers and one could walk around outside quite easily to see the Cyril Hart arboretum.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2023

Roxanne

We only stayed one night, but had a lovely stay, lovely room, comfy bed, nice breakfast and friendly staff 😊

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2023

Terence

Typical 2 - 3 star UK hotel building, cheaply renovated, maintained to a basic standard, everywhere feels like things could be better, brighter, cleaner, as expected. Unlike most UK hotels, most staff were quite friendly, very helpful-tried hard to help-provide good service. Mostly an average menu in content/variety in open seating restaurant, never used fine dining. Often specials board empty. Food served was very good. Well cooked, presented, good quantities, always hot. Although menu was limited our family ate at the hotel for 3 days. Bit fed up with limited variety by day 3 but any other restaurants appear to be a drive away. Some family members had requests, assistance given cheerfully-politely by both waiting staff and chef. No complaints about the food, very good, the breakfast probably one of the best I ever came across in a mainland UK hotel. The bar was well stocked-kept going night & day. Nice gardens outside, of course the Forest of Dean outside the door. Location excellent. Seems to be about 40 rooms. About 17 main building rest in car park at rear of hotel. Seemed all family rooms with double bed-two singles were outside. One room had some sort of canopy above the bed, this was very dusty and dropped dust on bed regularly. A bit of the “UK - can’t be bothered” not far away as is usual. Parking not allocated to rooms, any event stopped guests parking, that’s just pitiful. But compared to other UK hotels,very good, I would recommend & definitely stay again.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

14 Aug 2023

Johnathan

?

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2023

Sonia

Beautiful hotel in idealic location, restaurant evening meal superb .service during evening meal and breakfast was amazing, nothing asked was ever too much Our room was comfortable but bathroom layout was a bit snug for a larger or less able person.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jul 2023

Graham

seems to have gone downhill since our last stay

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2023

Peter

Character in the heart of the Forest.

A comfortable & welcoming place to stay. We had a room in the old building, with a four poster, a little faded in places but we loved it. Nice large window in the bathroom. There was a wedding one night but that didn’t affect us at all. Friendly & helpful staff.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2023

Christopher

Stayed in a cottage outside main hotel. Interior could do with some touching up. Staff very good, food very good with two eating choices, a la carte or bar menu (burgers, sandwiches etc). Breakfast adequate. Busy hotel in the heart of the Forest of Dean so a beautiful setting. Recommended

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 May 2023

Tim

Nice Weekend 👍

Nice Hotel, good service and accommodation was fine. Great location for some interesting walks, sadly we didn't have the weather with us.
Menu was a bit limited and a bit on the expensive side but breakfast was spot on.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Apr 2023

Robert

Excellent service .

Staff were very helpful and service was excellent . Food was good too .

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

10 Apr 2023

James

Poor

Felt like it hadn’t been cleaned since it was built in the 1600s. Windows didn’t close so it was draughty and loud. Food options were terrible with very poor options for children. Service was only OK, made worse in our particular visit with the bar staff facilitating a particularly obnoxious group being allowed to treat the bar (and extended hotel area) like their own front room. Would not recommend, even if you were in the area

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2023

Alan

Great Stay! Great Staff!

A few of us visited for a couple of nights while visiting the cheltenham festival. We all had a great stay, all out courtyard rooms were amazing, breakfast was great and the staff and owners were all very welcoming and friendly. Excellent stay and hopefully will be back next year!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2023

PHILIP

SPEECH HOUSE WEEKEND

Service was friendly, food and drink were very good.
Checked in at correct time 2pm, our superior room was cold. We were told the heating was off between 2-5pm but electric heater in the wardrobe. Why when it had been snowing in the week and outside temperature was 3 degrees?
Reception said they would over ride the heating which came on at 4pm. We had to boil kettles of water to make the bath water hot enough.
No compensation offered when discussed at check out.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2023

Paul

We found the prices really good at the bar but the menu not so good.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2023

Colin

Perfect location in the forest, straight onto the trails and less than 10 minutes ride from the bike centre.
The staff are lovely and very helpful. We had a lovely dog friendly room in a cottage next to the main hotel. Plenty of free parking. The

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2022

Michael

Comfortable Stay

Comfortable stay in a Courtyard Double room - smallish, but cosy and warm, totally adequate for a few nights stay.
Food good (we ate in the Orangery). Great service (Emily gets a special mention for her friendliness). Lovely position in Forest of Dean.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2022

Leslie

Historic house

Very enjoyable two nights in a beautiful house with amazing history. Had breakfast and evening meals there. Had a superior room which was very spacious. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2022

Francis

Good Hotel friendly staff.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2022

Paul

A wonderful place in the very heart of the forest. Close to all local attractions. Excellent service and the fine dining is highly recommended. A great place to relax

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2022

Elizabeth

We went at the last minute and just booked a cosy twin. Room was small but fine for a night away. Only problem we found was there was a wedding and our room was very close to the evening disco so was quite noisy til late.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

11 Mar 2022

Colin

The room details stated the room booked was 269sq ft. Large room- great. But the room was less than half this size.
Websites give a plethora of information and ‘sell’ the property really well. What use is this when the information is blatantly false.
Very poor.
Otherwise this is an excellent location and I had a nice stay

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Feb 2022

Verified traveler

The property is obviously very old and it's age is reflected in the condition of various areas within the main hotel building. The more modern room additions available in the nearby courtyard may be better suited to anyone who finds several flights of stairs difficult to climb to access the rooms in the main hotel building. The meals in both the Orangery and Verderer’s Court were very good, the staff were excellent, very friendly and helpful.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2022

Kevin

One night stay

Nice place

Business

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2021

Ann

Lovely break

Great couple of days in the Forest of Dean. Cottage very comfortable & Food very good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2021

Nigel

Really lovely. Would stay again.

Lovely. Well-kept hanging baskets and planters on arrival. A good sign! All staff great - attentive but never overly so. Lovely food. We had various meals and snacks at verifiable times trough out our stay and all was great.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

07 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Question on our paper work and what we booked was'nt the same
' Room Standard Courtyard Double '
we were put in Room 15 top of the main house which ment Three flights of stairs being in our 70's hard work.

Leisure Partner