We’ve noticed that our guests who stay longer are keen to explore further afield and we’re perfectly positioned for you to reach some of the most iconic landscapes in the South West region.

You can start in the capital, perhaps arriving into London Heathrow or coming in via the Eurostar, and begin ticking off major historic sites, before sinking into a relaxing woodland base, winding up in the charm of the Cotswolds and Oxford.

Experience a beautifully balanced journey —historic university cities, golden-stone villages, ancient monuments, and the lush borderlands of Wales—all centred around a restorative, multi-night stay at Nuthatch Retreat, your peaceful, award-winning hideaway in the Forest of Dean.

Day 1 – Arrival, London & Southward Journey via Stonehenge

Heathrow/St Pancras (London) → Journey South (Approx. 2 hrs to the south-west)
Take time to enjoy London's iconic landmarks if this is your first time, or head west immediately, avoiding London traffic and heading directly towards the main historical sites.
Recommendation: Drive directly to Stonehenge to enjoy the majesty of this pre-historic site with it’s ancient and magical stone formation, before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath for an evening at the Thermae Spa and a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants, ready for an early start tomorrow.

Day 2 – Roman Splendour: Bath

Spend the day exploring the city beloved by international visitors for its elegant crescents and Roman history.
- Breakfast top tip - grab a beautiful bake from Landrace Bakery and maybe get a reservation for lunch/dinner.
- Highlights: The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent & Jane Austen landscapes and for any Bridgerton fans, there are many a tour and experience to fully embrace the backdrop and storylines of the Netflix drama.
- Enjoy dinner in the above or one of Bath’s Georgian-era taverns.
Stay overnight in Bath.

Day 3 – Check-in & Woodland Sanctuary: Arrival at Nuthatch Retreat

Bath → Nuthatch Retreat (1 hour 15 min) **
Enjoy a leisurely drive west to the Forest of Dean. Pop into Dyrham Park en route if 17th Century grandeur appeals!
Check in at Nuthatch Retreat, your peaceful, design-led base for the next several nights.
Take a slow evening: Sit on the terrace overlooking the stunning fields and woodland beyond, enjoy some curated local delights, and unwind from your travels. The switch from city pace to forest stillness is exactly what many visitors crave.

Days 4–6 – Explore from Nuthatch Retreat

Perfectly placed between Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire, Nuthatch Retreat gives travellers easy access to both quintessential English countryside and dramatic Welsh history.

The beauty of The Wye valley is the backdrop to the Netflix series Sex Education

Focus: The Welsh Borderlands & Wye Valley

Tintern Abbey (20 min): A must-visit. The romantic riverside ruins inspired Wordsworth and countless artists—a favourite with US travellers discovering Welsh heritage.
Castles & Welsh History: Explore Chepstow Castle (one of the oldest surviving stone fortresses) or Raglan Castle (a magnificent late-medieval castle).
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley: Right on your doorstep: Symonds Yat Rock (for iconic views), Canoeing the River Wye, and Puzzlewood (a magical ancient woodland beloved by film crews - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Doctor Who, and The Witcher). The landscape of The Wye valley is a big part of the Sex Education Netflix series. Plus, enjoy tastings of local delights including cheese, wine, cider and gin.
For visitors seeking more: You can also easily reach Gloucester Cathedral (Harry Potter filming location) or Hereford Cathedral (home of the Mappa Mundi).

Day Trip Focus: The Cotswolds (Accessible from Nuthatch)

Nuthatch is ideally placed for day trips into the Cotswolds, famous for its picture-postcard golden-stone villages that visitors adore.
- Highlights: Bibury (Arlington Row), Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Chipping Campden.
Bonus: Visit Cheltenham, the elegant Regency spa town known for culture, dining, and fantastic festivals. Dunkertons is a fun stop-off en route home.

Return each evening to the tranquillity of Nuthatch Retreat—deep soak bath, woodland stillness, and starry skies.

Day 7 – Academic Spires & Departure

Nuthatch Retreat → Oxford (1 hr 20 min) **
Say goodbye to the forest and drive east to Oxford, stopping off for brunch at the Burford Garden Company enroute, before you head to the famous university city known for its honey-coloured colleges.
Highlights:
- A final taste of English history: Christ Church & the Bodleian Library.
- A gentle wander through the historic Covered Market for souvenirs.
Late Afternoon: Drive from Oxford to Heathrow (1 hour 15 min) for your evening flight home, filled with memories of ancient stones, Roman history, peaceful woods, and elegant cities.

Why Nuthatch Retreat Makes the Journey

Nestled in the Forest of Dean, Nuthatch Retreat is the perfect midpoint for a trip that blends iconic UK highlights with lesser-known gems. By positioning the retreat in the middle of the journey, guests can avoid moving accommodation daily. With its eco-design, spacious layout, curated interiors, and peaceful woodland setting, it offers a slower, restorative pace—exactly what many visitors have said they crave between days of sightseeing and moving around.

The perfect itinerary for our international visitors