The Speech House

Hotels
8.3 (657 reviews)
Nr Coleford, The Forest Of Dean , Coleford , gb

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good food
Lovely atmosphere
Great location
Cons:
Room cleanliness issues
Overpriced
Facilities need updating

Categories

Cleanliness
7.95
Some reviewers mentioned cleanliness issues like cobwebs in the room.
Service
8.75
Consistently praised as friendly and helpful by guests.
Location
8.75
Frequently mentioned as excellent, particularly for its close proximity to the Forest of Dean.
Room Quality
8.15
Generally positive but noted that some rooms could use updates.
Amenities
8.45
Standard amenities with a cozy atmosphere, though some facilities need updating.
Value for Money
7.45
Some reviewers found the hotel to be overpriced for what was offered.
Food and Beverage
8.65
Consistently described as delicious and of high quality.
Overall Experience
8.25
Guests reported enjoyable stays with mostly positive experiences.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 08:59

Property Description

Historic Charm and Modern Luxury

The Speech House Hotel, originally a hunting lodge for King Charles II, now offers modern facilities and luxurious rooms while preserving its period features. Situated in the heart of the Forest of Dean, just 5 miles from the stunning Wye Valley, this hotel is a perfect blend of history and comfort.

Elegant Accommodations and Dining

Choose from rooms in the main house or courtyard, some with forest views and four-poster beds. Enjoy traditional decor, Freeview TVs, and tea/coffee facilities. Indulge in modern European cuisine at the Verderer’s Court restaurant with its beamed ceilings, or opt for lighter fare at The Orangery.

Convenient Location for Exploring

Only a short drive from attractions like Dean Forest Steam Railway and Dean Heritage Centre, the hotel also provides easy access to Chepstow Castle, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. With proximity to the M4 and M5 motorways, The Speech House Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the region.

Book your stay now and experience the perfect blend of history and luxury at The Speech House Hotel.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a credit card upon check-in.

There is likely to be music until 24:00 on the weekends, which can be heard from some rooms.

For group bookings, the first nights accommodations will be taken 24 hours prior to arrival at the hotel.

Please note pets are allowed on ground floor courtyard rooms only; excluding four poster rooms.

Charges of £15 per dog per night will be applied.

This property offers 24-hour room service. Between 21:00 - 07:00 it is sandwiches only.

Please note that payments are made on arrival at the hotel. Accepted Payment Methods- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro and Solo. The hotel does not accept Delta Card Payments.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:30 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 657 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.95
Service: 8.75
Location: 8.75
Room Quality: 8.15
Amenities: 8.45
Value for Money: 7.45
Food and Beverage: 8.65
Overall Experience: 8.25
E
E Bailey family_with_children gb
7
Historic hotel in middle of forest
Pros:

Friendly staff.
Interesting dining room
Good breakfast

Cons:

n/a

2026-08-27 via Nuitee
F
fstelly extended_group us
8
I would love to be able to come back in the future.
Pros:

The hotel is quaint and so historical I loved it. The staff was the best and service was amazing. The food was exceptional. The breakfast that was included in our room rate was beyond compare. I was staying for the uke fest and everyday, we ate like kings. Thank you!

Cons:

The Speech House is amazing. My only complaint is that I wish I would have been in the main building instead of in one of the outside buildings. It just didn't have the same ambience as the main house. If I have an opportunity to go to your facility again I will ask for a specific area ,

2026-08-27 via Nuitee
A
Alan solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

A very attractive location in the heart of the Forest. The history of the Hotel is very interesting.

2026-08-26 via Nuitee
D
Dr. Mark solo_traveller gb
7
2026-08-21 via Nuitee
G
George solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

The breakfast was excellent, the location was superb for hiking, and the on-site restaurant was great.

Cons:

My room's showerhead was a bit dodgy — still usable, but needed propping up.

2026-08-19 via Nuitee
J
John couple gb
9
Excellent location lovely aspect
Pros:

Very cool on the hot weather

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-19 via Nuitee
M
Margaret solo_traveller gb
8
2026-08-17 via Nuitee
D
Dominic solo_traveller gb
8
2026-08-16 via Nuitee
S
Sam couple gb
10
2026-08-15 via Nuitee
J
Jessica solo_traveller gb
10
Beautiful and comfortable stay
Pros:

Lovely place to eat, garden to relax in and have a pint, lovely 4 poster bed and all super clean. Great place to stay and only a walk over the main road to the sculpture trail!

Cons:

Choice of lager didn’t suit us

2026-08-13 via Nuitee
K
KAREN MICHELE solo_traveller fr
8
Convenient location but a little tired
Pros:

Lovely staff
The fact that our room had a separate lounge

Cons:

The hotel was a little dated ...tired around the edges
The food was ok but our burgers were a bit overcooked and seemed to try a bit too hard to be different. However the high tea was lovely

2026-08-11 via Nuitee
S
Shari family_with_children us
9
Lovely
Pros:

Staff super friendly and accommodating, breakfast fresh and tasty. Beautiful building and nice grounds.

Cons:

Room very compact.

2026-08-11 via Nuitee
T
Tim extended_group gb
9
2026-08-10 via Nuitee
R
Robin Morgan couple gb
10
Fabulous location, beautiful old historic building and fantastic staff.
Pros:

Location couldn’t be better, Staff are faultless, go above and beyond, so friendly and helpful, nothing is too much for them. Consistently excellent service, great food. Dogs made very welcome.

Cons:

Nothing to dislike, we love this place and so does our dog.

2026-08-09 via Nuitee
X
XIAODONG couple cn
9
2026-08-09 via Nuitee
P
Petro solo_traveller gb
4
2026-08-09 via Nuitee
J
James extended_group gb
10
Very comfortable stay. Staff were exceptional
Pros:

Clean and spacious

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-07 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
9
2026-08-04 via Nuitee
J
JP couple be
6
Nice location and with historical significance. All the amenities are a little outdated and in need
Pros:

Quite a spacy room in a separate cottage. Comfy beds and a nice bathroom. Good breakfast.

Cons:

Quiet at night but becomes noisy with traffic early in the morning. Most of the furniture in the room was covered with white dust (Plaster???) We tried to change rooms but the offered alternatives were really not satisfactory so we stayed in the room by cleaning the furniture by ourselves.

2026-08-03 via Nuitee
R
RICHARD solo_traveller gb
6
It was a last minute booking due to cancellation by previous hotel. Wouldnt recommend.
Pros:

Location. Big room.

Cons:

Hot and noisy due to wedding. Dated.

2026-07-25 via Nuitee