Nuthatch Retreat — House Manual

House Manual

Useful information for your stay. If anything is unclear, call Rod or Nemia (contacts at the end).

Check-in / Check-out

We aim to make arrivals and departures relaxed and straightforward. Please tell us your approximate arrival time the day before so we can have the retreat ready for you.

  • Check-in: 3pm–11pm. Please confirm ETA the day before.
  • Check-out: 11am. Later departures may be possible if arranged in advance.

Getting Here & Arrival

You’ll find us by searching “Nuthatch Retreat, Blakeney” on Google Maps, or using what3words: ///expert.bother.completed. The property sits down a quiet single-track lane — look for the sign.

  • Postcode: GL15 4AJ.
  • From the main road: take the second driveway on the left as you turn down the lane; it is signposted ‘Nuthatch Retreat’.
  • If approaching from Blakeney: drive uphill past a cream house, turn right onto the single-track lane, then second left.

Public Transport

If you’re not driving, the area is still accessible — here are the usual options.

  • Train: Lydney Station (approx. 5 miles) — links to Gloucester, Newport and Cardiff.
  • Bus: No.72 and The Robin stop at Ayleford Turn (near the top of the lane). You can book The Robin via app/phone.
  • Bike: About 40 minutes from Lydney station; scenic but hilly in parts.
  • Air: Nearest airports: Bristol (~40 mi), Cardiff (~60 mi), Birmingham (~75 mi).

Parking & EV Charging

Park on the gravel driveway in front of the house. Please close the gate at night to reduce the chance of deer or free-roaming sheep entering the garden.

  • You can turn in the driveway or reverse out — there is space to manoeuvre at the bottom of the lane.
  • EV charging: golden charge point on the wall at the far right of the entrance. Bring your own cable.
  • Charging fee: we ask £20–£30 for a full charge depending on battery size. Let us know if you charge and we’ll send a PayPal payment link.
  • Please avoid parking in the layby on the main road — it is privately owned.

Keys & Access

The front-door key is kept in a keysafe to the left of the entrance. The patio-door key should be left in the lock during your stay and returned there on departure.

  • Keysafe: flip the black flap, press the central clear switch, enter the code B0137 (buttons can be pressed in any order), and turn the knob labelled “open”.
  • After use, close the safe and ensure the knob is returned to its locked position.

Wi-Fi

Superfast fibre broadband is available throughout the property.

  • Network: VV Eero
  • Password: Stanley75

During Your Stay — Rules & Welcome

We want Nuthatch to be calm, comfortable and welcoming for all guests. Please follow these simple requests so everyone enjoys their stay.

  • No dogs or other pets — we keep the property allergen-free.
  • No smoking or vaping indoors; no burning of candles or naked flames inside. If you smoke, please do so well away from the building and dispose of waste responsibly.
  • Supervise young children at all times in the garden and when using the outdoor bath (it is deep and the garden is terraced).
  • This is not a party house — please be considerate of neighbours and avoid loud or amplified music after 11pm.

Welcome hamper & basics: A small hamper awaits you with coffee, bread, eggs and something to enjoy, plus local milk and butter in the fridge. There are basics in the kitchen (salt, pepper, olive oil, tea and sugar).

Honesty bar: Locally reared sausages and bacon (if available) can be found in the hallway cupboard freezer. Tell us if you use any and we’ll send a PayPal link for payment.

Leaving — Check-out Tasks

Before you go, a few quick tasks help our cleaning team prepare for the next guests.

  • Load the dishwasher and set it if there are any dirty items.
  • Place general waste in the large black bin and recycling in the large green bin — both are located at the bottom of some steps in the driveway.
  • Food waste bags may be left in the small black caddy also in the driveway.
  • Lock the patio (leave the patio key in the lock) and front door, and place the front door key back in the keysafe.

Hallway / Utility Cupboard

The hallway/utility cupboard contains practical items for guests and cleaning staff. Please return anything you use to the cupboard.

  • Washer-dryer (manual in the folder)
  • Freezer, iron, clothes airer, cordless vacuum, spare fan and cleaning materials

Heating, Water & Light

Underfloor heating keeps things cosy and hot water is supplied from a tank with a circulating pump.

  • UFH schedule (cooler months): typically active daytimes — 6:30am–11:30pm.
  • Living areas target around 21°C; bedroom target ~18–18.5°C. Use the thermostat ↑/↓ and press A to confirm. Settings revert at the next programmed period.
  • Bedroom 2 (if booked) has independent electric UFH plus a radiator with TRV valve you can turn on if needed.
  • Hot water: the pump is triggered by bathroom occupancy; kitchen taps may take slightly longer — entering the bathroom usually triggers the pump for faster hot water in the kitchen.
  • Electrical fuse box: behind the front door in the hallway (opposite coat hooks).
  • Master stop-cocks (H&C) in the utility cupboard for emergencies (stool in bathroom to reach them).

Power Cuts & Emergency Lighting

We are rural and can occasionally lose power. If this happens, follow these steps and contact us.

General Emergency Contacts & Health

In urgent situations call the emergency services and give the postcode GL15 4AJ and the property name 'Nuthatch Retreat'.

  • Police: 999 emergency / 101 non-emergency. Nearest station: 5 High St, Lydney GL15 5DP.
  • Fire / Ambulance: 999.
  • NHS 111 for non-urgent medical advice.
  • First aid kit: vanity unit under the bathroom sink.
  • GP: Blakeney Surgery — 01594 510225 (call 8am for emergency same-day appointments).
  • Minor Injuries Unit: Forest of Dean Community Hospital, Cinderford GL14 3HY.
  • A&E: Gloucester Royal Hospital (GL1 3NN) or Royal Gwent Hospital depending on direction of travel.

Fire Safety & Evacuation

Please familiarise yourself with the detectors and exits when you arrive.

  • Smoke detectors: in the main living space, hallway and second bedroom (linked where applicable). Heat sensor in hallway.
  • No CO₂ sensor needed — there is no gas on site.
  • Main exits: front door (twist knob), patio doors (key left in lock), bedroom windows (open wide for egress).
  • Fire blanket and small multi-purpose extinguisher under the kitchen sink.
  • If a fire occurs: prioritise safety, evacuate via the nearest exit, gather at the main gate on the driveway and call 999 (postcode GL15 4AJ).

Bedroom

The bedroom is cosy and practical — blinds, wide-opening windows and convenient storage make it easy to relax.

  • Electric blind: white wall control on the left of the bed operates the small window blind.
  • Windows open wide for fresh air and emergency exit; dewy mornings may cause external condensation — there’s a long-handled squeegee in the utility cupboard.
  • Corner cupboard: contains the UFH manifold — no guest access required.
  • Yoga/exercise mats stored in the corner cupboard, for indoor or patio use.

Bathroom

Fixtures include a towel radiator, a vanity mirror light with adjustable colour temperature, and a sensor for hot water circulation.

  • Towel radiator: press and hold the bottom button to activate a 2-hour cycle (red pulsing light). Hold the on/off button to cycle 45°C (yellow), 60°C (red), then off.
  • Mirror light: press the square button to toggle; hold to change warm/cool temperature.
  • Night sensor light: detaches and doubles as a torch if needed.

Kitchen

The kitchen is well equipped and includes a welcome supply of basic items. Manuals for appliances are in the folder.

  • Extractor: press and hold the up arrow for 2–3 seconds to raise; hold down to lower.
  • Bins: kitchen bin and recycling bin under the sink; larger general and recycling bins are at the bottom of steps in the driveway.
  • Recycling accepted locally: cans, plastic bottles, glass, foil, paper, cardboard and batteries. Not collected: yoghurt pots and some plastic trays.
  • Cleaning: please leave the house tidy; cleaning materials are in the utility cupboard.
  • Kids crockery/picnic ware stored in the lower cupboard of the room divider.

Living Area & AV

Lighting and AV are simple to use — a quick guide sits by the amplifier for ease.

  • Lighting: multi-switch panel in corridor controls kitchen lights, pendant lamps and corner lamps. A second panel by the patio controls spotlights and outside lighting.
  • Dimmer switches: to the left of the window seat for pendant and lamp bulbs.
  • Blinds: the window seat blind has a set stop; remove cushions to close fully or press the 'my' button on the controller.
  • Music: turn on the amp, select CD; for Bluetooth pairing hold the receiver power for 3 seconds to enter pairing mode and pair with 'DS200 Pro'.
  • Films: lower the screen, turn on amp and projector, select TV and use Chromecast for streaming. Nuthatch profiles are available for Netflix & BBC iPlayer.

Relaxation

Two yoga/exercise mats are provided in the main bedroom cupboard for indoor or outdoor use on the patio when dry.

Garden

The garden sits on three levels: top patio, middle lawn with outdoor bath and a lower wilder area with BBQ/firepit. Planting is managed to encourage biodiversity beside the Forestry land.

  • Top patio: level access from living space, deep flower beds and seating.
  • Middle lawn: outdoor bath access — please supervise children.
  • Lower area: BBQ and firepit seating with wilder planting.

Safety notes:

  • Do not walk or stand on bark-covered flower beds.
  • Low fence beyond patio marks a ~6ft drop — supervise children and take care.
  • Oak sleepers on steps can be slippery in winter — step on the gravel portion if unsure.

Outdoor Bath & Firepit

The deep soak tub is on the middle level; it has hot and cold water. The firepit lives on the lower level with starter supplies provided.

  • Outdoor bath: running hot only will almost fill the tub but may deplete the tank. Use both hot & cold to reach your preferred temperature. There’s a long wooden spoon to press the pop-up plug and stir the water for even heat.
  • Lights: switches for the tub and steps are the large grey switches nearby.
  • Firepit starter kit: logs, kindling, firelighters and gauntlets in a plastic box near the gravel area behind the window seat.
  • How to light: make a ~20cm square kindling stack, place twisted firelighters in the middle, lean logs around and light. Guidance: firepitsuk — how to light a fire pit.
  • Charcoal & extras: sustainably produced charcoal can be purchased at Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley. Additional logs/kindling available from us (£4) or from Blakeney One-Stop.
  • BBQ tools: lower kitchen drawer. Use the long silicone brush to oil the grill and wipe down when cool. Do not tip ash out — fires may be left to smoulder and rebuilt on the ash.

Pets & Wildlife

To keep the property allergen-free we do not accept pets, though our own cat Buca may occasionally visit the patio. The site borders Forestry land so wildlife sightings are common.

  • Wild boar: have been heard locally — do not approach if observed.
  • Deer: fallow deer often graze near the Ash tree and may appear on roads at night — drive carefully.
  • Free-roaming sheep: normal in the Forest due to long-standing commoning rights.
  • Other wildlife: squirrels, woodpeckers, lizards, slow worms, bats, owls, nuthatches and many butterflies and insects.

Walks & Wanderings

There are many loops from the doorstep — from short 30-minute strolls to a couple of hours exploring the woods and ridge.

  • 30-minute loop: Ayleford Farm loop (rope swing | wild garlic in spring) — route link.
  • 1-hour loop: woodland ridge route towards the River Severn — route link.
  • 1–2 hour: Wenchford and Soudley routes — route link.
  • Short drives: Mallards Pike, Soudley Ponds, Puzzlewood, Symonds Yat, Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.

With Children

Family days out are easy from Nuthatch — nearby attractions suit a range of ages.

  • Puzzlewood — ancient woodland with play areas and trails.
  • Perrygrove Railway — family train rides and play space.
  • Clearwell Caves — historic guided tours and exhibits.

Food & Drink

Local supplies and eateries make dining simple — from basics to great local produce and restaurants.

  • Blakeney: One-Stop convenience (6a High St) for basics, logs and kindling; Blakeney Chip-In (fish & chips); The Cock Inn (pub).
  • Lydney: Tesco, Co-op, Lidl and independents; Hips Social and Hips Harbourside for cafes.
  • Recommended: Tudor Farmhouse Hotel (Clearwell), Severn & Wye (Chaxhill) deli, Bespoke Brewery and Forest Bakehouse for excellent bread.

Drinking Spots & Tap Rooms

Local breweries and taprooms offer seasonal events and good local ales.

  • The Forest Brewery — Lydney Park Estate.
  • Bespoke Brewery — Church Farm, Littledean (check opening times).
  • Coinros Garden Centre / Taurus Crafts — occasional taproom events.

Final Notes & Contact

If you need anything during your stay — advice, a local tip, or help with an issue — please contact us and we’ll do our best to help quickly.

Thank you for choosing Nuthatch Retreat. We hope you have a peaceful and restorative stay.