The Speech House

Hotels
8.3 (630 reviews)
Nr Coleford, The Forest Of Dean , Coleford , gb

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Free
Children allowed
Pets 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

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 1 year old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 4 years old to 15 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 630 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
J
Jay • solo_traveller • gb
10
Really lovely, welcoming staff, wonderful location, tasty food.
Pros:

Beautiful historic house in wonderful location.

Cons:

Nothing - it was lovely.

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
F
Farnham • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Great location . Fantastic room with lovely ensuite, and the food is excellent. Would def stay here again.

Cons:

Sunday morning breakfast staff were not as helpful as the previous morning. Empty tables were cleared first, even though guests were stacking used plates, bowls etc as they finished.

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
K
kevin • couple • gb
9
beautiful and worth the money
Pros:

great quality

Cons:

nothing

2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
S
Serendipitous Simone • solo_traveller • gb
9
Fantastic in heart of forest
Pros:

The staff were utterly amazing, Sarah on reception and Sue and the three gentlemen who advised us about wild boar.
The location is 2nd to none.
Nice traditional Verderers dining room dating to 1500s
Our ensuite was large modern and clean
Parking
Good breakfast
Hospitality tray in room

Cons:

No plugs by bed to charge phones
Room small

2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
8
One night at Speech House
Pros:

Nice hotel. Beautiful location. Friendly staff. Excellent restaurant and very good check-in service 👌

Cons:

N/A

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
T
timothy • extended_group • gb
9
Pros:

A most interesting historic hotel. Decent rooms and good food at both dinner and breakfast. Very kind and well informed staff.

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
G
Geoff • couple • gb
9
2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
8
A comfortable stay with good food in a great period property in the centre of the forest
Pros:

Excellent location in the centre of the forest in a beautiful period building. A pleasant evening meal in the orangey on arrival and lovely Sunday lunch after my half marathon race

Cons:

I would say the room that we had located in the courtyard buildings was comfortable but fairly basic

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • couple • gb
8
We stayed 2nights, the room was adequate, the food was very good and the staff were all friendly and helpful.
Pros:

Good location, very picturesque.

Cons:

The courtyard rooms are very compact and quite gloomy, the bathroom window was in need of replacement, it was old and the paintwork dirty.

2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
4
Would not stay again
Pros:

Location

Cons:

An historic building part of which has inappropriately been ‘modernised ’ much character lost. Noisy location

2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
D
Deborah • couple • gb
8
Pros:

The historical nature of the place

Cons:

A little tired and dated in places

2026-06-04 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • couple • gb
8
Pros:

We attended a wedding

Cons:

Cottages need updating
Very old fashioned
Tv didn’t work
Half eaten packet of biscuits left no milk

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
R
Robin • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-05-28 • via Nuitee
J
Jonathan • family_with_children • gb
9
Lovely stay with cosy atmosphere and very accommodating staff.
Pros:

Lovely hotel with nice bar area and restaurant. Fabulous breakfast. Breakfast normally served from 8am on a weekend but when we explained our group needed to be at an early event in Chepstow we were advised they would put breakfast on earlier for us. This was greatly appreciated by our group.

Cons:

Coach Yard rooms quite small.

2026-05-24 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
9
2026-05-24 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
J
Jean Wickens • couple • gb
8
Enjoyable stay with the Forest all around.
Pros:

Very generous Full English Breakfast, Other options good. EMILY in Orangery was exceptional. She was very helpful to us.
Orangery food was good. Beautiful gardens and flower beds.

Cons:

In no way did the Hotel acknowledge it was my 80th birthday, apart from Receptionist wishing me a Happy Birthday. Most hotels we have stayed in throughout the World have celebrated my birthday in some small or big way.
Room was tiny, but we had to have a ground floor room as there is no hotel lift. Verderers' Restaurant was closed during our stay.

2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
C
Coral • couple • gb
9
2026-05-20 • via Nuitee