Rainforest Chapel

Sleeps 4
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Pets No
View on map

Features

Ground floor accommodation
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Sky TV
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities

* Based on a combined average customer score

43 Customer Review(s)

Lesley
April 2022

“We loved our stay at Rainforest Chapel - a lovely characterful property right on the doorstep of the forest.”

Stuart, the owner, was brilliant with communication and even arranged for complementary celebration balloons for my husband's 60th birthday! The chapel was a little cold on arrival but soon warmed up after instructions from Stuart via text (there was even underfloor heating in the mezzanine bedroom). A brilliant chipshop within walking distance and a local shop. Cinderford, a very short drive away, has lots of food outlets (some with delivery) and a supermarket. We walked, canoed and ...

Stuart, the owner, was brilliant with communication and even arranged for complementary celebration balloons for my husband's 60th birthday! The chapel was a little cold on arrival but soon warmed up after instructions from Stuart via text (there was even underfloor heating in the mezzanine bedroom). A brilliant chipshop within walking distance and a local shop. Cinderford, a very short drive away, has lots of food outlets (some with delivery) and a supermarket. We walked, canoed and cycled - there really is so much to do!

- Lesley, April 2022
Stevie February 2022

“Well presented and clean.”

Very nice welcome hamper - thank you. Good amount of cooking utensils (good sharp knives!) and pans. Would have liked more support for encouraging recycling (there was no recycling box and we had no car - I put our recycling into a neighbours box, but I am sure that would not be appreciated if a regular occurance!). Despite the weather (we arrived during storm Gladys and had storm Franklin!) we had a pleasant stay. Thank you.

- Stevie, February 2022
Tina December 2021

“The person we support and staff had a great holiday.”

Cottage was beautiful and we would use again. Many thanks :)

- Tina, December 2021
Verity October 2021

“The accommodation was excellent for a relaxing break.”

Fabulous and well equipped kitchen. Lovely welcome hamper. Very comfortable and stylish, loved the colour change lights. Only issue was lack of recycling facilities which needs to be remedied.

- Verity, October 2021
Jo October 2021

“A quirky holiday rental, ideally located for exploring the area, also great to have the chip shop so bear along with pubs and shop.”

The traffic was quite noisy but not intrusive. It’s worth noting that the double bed is only a double, but is comfortable, and that did cause us problems, but only because we have bad backs and a super king bed at home, the home is well stocked and it’s great to have access to SKY & WiFi and other entertainment sources. If renting in the summer it would have been nice to have better outside space but early October it was fine for us. ps ... the underfloor heating in the bathroom is a real treat!

- Jo, October 2021
Tim September 2021

“Contact prior to rental with comprehensive instructions was very helpful, access on the day was simple and hassle free.”

Property was as described and suited our purposes admirably. No issues whatsoever.

- Tim, September 2021
Claire June 2021

“We had a fabulous stay at the Rainforest Chapel which we chose as it was close to family who we hadn't seen for over 18 months due to the pandemic.”

We weren't disappointed! The Chapel has been designed very well with lots of lovely, quirky touches and it was a very relaxing space. The bed was comfortable and the kitchen had everything we needed during our stay. The welcome hamper was a lovely touch too. The village is small but has a convenience store and a pub, I would recommend the Fish & Chip shop, good price and the portions were very generous. We were very close to the Forest of Dean and enjoyed a few walks from the cottage during our stay.

- Claire, June 2021
Anna June 2021

“Very sad to see that there is a new no pet policy at this property.”

- Anna, June 2021
Hollie June 2021

“The floorboards were very squeaky, but aside from that, an absolutely lovely stay”

- Hollie, June 2021
Nathaniel May 2021

“The property is great.”

The space perfect for a family. Location for short trips round the Forest of Dean ideal. There is a lack of food serving equipment though, no serving bowls, no serving spoons, and I’m not sure why anyone would want knives that leave green paint in your food. Also the shower needs fixing.

- Nathaniel, May 2021

Thank you so much for your comments. We have since fixed the loose shower as broken by another guest, however Covid had delayed repair. Knifes have been replaced and we have updated the diner set with larger bowls. Property Owner
Ross May 2021

“Overall the cottage was very nice and situated in an area extremely close to some very nice forestry.”

Stuart (the person with whom I dealt in any matters relating to the cottage) was friendly and helpful and went out of his way to make sure I had a few things that were not there that I would have expected. The cottage was a little cold (as we were told it probably would be). My only minor issues were things like we could have done with more hand towels or kitchen towels for drying plates etc. The place could do with larger bowls for eating breakfast or dinner, new knives and a chopping board (there was no chopping board at all...?). But overall these are very minor issues in what was a lovely cottage with good facilities. I would recommend this place and I'd happily go back.

- Ross, May 2021

Thank you for your kind comments. In support we have replaced the knifes and updated the diner set with larger bowls. We had removed the chopping wood boards due to Covid and replaced these with glass tops to protect our guests. Property Owner
Donna May 2021

“A beautiful and unusual accommodation that we mostly enjoyed.”

It’s an old building and as such certain considerations must be made. Downstairs floorboards are original wood and therefore creak, a lot, so anyone going to the loo during the night will quite possibly wake everyone. Original windows means early morning weekday traffic is noisy and will wake you. As long as you consider these things everything will be fine! Local people are friendly and there are multitudes of forest areas/walks nearby. Acoustics in the chapel are amazing, say a word in a normal voice and you can hear it anywhere. Chapel is well equipped to keep you entertained if the weather is bad.

- Donna, May 2021
Julie April 2021

“This is a fabulous holiday let.”

It was lovely and clean and it was very tastefully done. It had everything you needed. Highly recommend.

- Julie, April 2021
Monique October 2020

“We absolutely loved our stay and will definitely be back!”

- Monique, October 2020
Lauren August 2020

“This was a truly beautiful place, the Chapel has been converted in a very tasteful way, retaining and enhancing original features whilst also being very modern and comfortable.”

Well stocked with games and our 6 year old loved the colour changing lights which looked amazing with the high ceiling. Lovely park just a short walk away and tasty food at the local fish and chip/Indian takeaway and restaurant. Location is great for lots of outdoor activities, we all had an amazing time.

- Lauren, August 2020
David August 2020

“The chapel is a quirky and fun place to stay, providing a good base to explore the Forest of Dean / River Wye / Gloucester.”

Useful to have takeaway and pub with small garden so close by, and we found everyone exceptionally friendly locally, in a village where you are in the only holiday let. House is kitted out well enough, plenty of games and tech, kitchen stocked fine. Worth considering that you are living in one space in the chapel, so you will hear each other's movements and TV-watching at night, best if you are a group with the same bed time hours. I concur that it does get very warm for sleeping in hot weather, but we were there in exceptionally warm weather. Small things, it is a fun place to stay.

- David, August 2020
Lisa July 2020

“The Rainforest Chapel is beautiful, exactly what we expected from the listing and photos.”

With Some areas even better, eg new sofas and a very well Equipped kitchen. It was so spacious and tastefully decorated and on hot days was lovey and cool (the windows upstairs do open). We had a wonderful stay, with access to the forest just a short walk away as well as being close to so many local attractions. Thank you.

- Lisa, July 2020
Linda July 2020

“Lovely accommodation situated perfectly for the forests.”

Could have been a little cleaner but was acceptable. Welcome pack was a lovely gesture. We were comfortable for the week and would recommend it. There is a manhole cover outside the property (not the owner’s responsibility) that makes a noise like someone knocking on the door every time it was driven over! Made the dogs jump up for the first few days until they got used to it! Personally I would be contacting the local authorities (who have marked it as an issue) to push them into repairing it! Okay for a week but I would hate to live with it!

- Linda, July 2020
Sam March 2020

“Very unusual building that has a snug in the mezzanine bedroom and TV as well as a living room and kitchen downstairs that my parents found really charming.”

Both cosy and warm in an ideal location the chapel was a superb treat and my parents spent much of the time just enjoying the property. They were delighted by the food hamper left behind with nice treats and had a fish and chip shop and Indian take away a short walk away. The local food store was well stocked and with forests surround the village plenty of walks or cycling were available. But despite all of this the property was a real star. I would highly recommend the place and my parents already want to work out a way to return.

- Sam, March 2020
Anita February 2020

“Not happy I couldn't get hold of the key holder to get the safe code until half an hour after I could have checked in, especially as we were in the middle of storm Dennis so I didn't know whether to even set off.”

However Lisa and her colleagues at Sykes were super helpful and eventually between us we managed to get him. Can't praise skyes enough for their help

- Anita, February 2020
Penelope December 2019

“This old chapel is a lovely building, beautifully converted, and the owners have worked on the heating so it is now cosy in Winter - the underfloor heating upstairs is amazing!”

The area is surrounded by forests, with so many walks - you could do a different walk every day for a year I think! The locals were friendly and relaxed, we and the dog loved it!

- Penelope, December 2019
Miranda November 2019

“Perfect location to explore the area.”

Perfect for dogs. Very friendly and helpful people in the village.

- Miranda, November 2019
Francis September 2019

“Along with a number of properties we have stayed in, it would be useful to have recycling instructions rather than leaving everything in a general bin.”

This property is cleverly converted but the outside is small and not secure, and the bath has very high sides which make it challenging to get into. Also it is only single glazed so you do hear traffic early morning.

- Francis, September 2019
Heather July 2019

“Rainforest Chapel is a well presented renovation.”

It was very clean, dog friendly , with a well equipped , modern kitchen and bathroom, Sky TV package on two large screen TV's and Xbox upstairs in the second mezzanine bedroom. The shower is over the bath , which is quite high , so may not suit the less able. Sykes website photos were very accurate in their presentation of the accommodation,which did not disappoint. Ruspidge is not a holiday destination , and there is little to do there, but the stunningly beautiful Forest of Dean is on the doorstep, plus the chapel is central to day trips to Wales, Gloucester, Hereford ,Ross on Wye and the Cotswolds.The views at Symonds Yat are breathtaking. The small towns of Coleford and Cinderford are a short drive away for supplies.Parking is on the road opposite and there is no outside space as such, except for the gravel frontage, but that was not really a problem. Handy little pub and takeaway just down the road....I would highly recommend the quirky Rainforest Chapel for a break away.

- Heather, July 2019
Hannah June 2019

“The chapel was the most breathtaking place we have ever stayed.”

It's bigger than you'd think inside with lots of space. The area itself is absolutely beautiful and it's amazing for walking or you can explore so many different places. Our favourites were; Clearwell Caves (20 minutes away, spent 2 hours there), International Birds Of Prey Centre (1 hour away - very awkward to get to, spent 1 hour there), The Forest of Dean (5 minutes away, the biggest one is pay and display and does not accept cards !!, the best trail was the Sculpture Trail, 5 Miles and took about 2 hours). We found the best and nearest supermarket was Tesco, Lydney (20 minute drive and was a large shop which had everything we needed(. Every interaction we had with the owner was helpful and polite, he was a really lovely person. The downsides to the property are: There isn't off road parking - you park next to the chapel and have to carry all your luggage across and it isn't guaranteed that you can park right outside so may have to park down the road, there isn't a garden- when it states garden/patio it means the small patio outside the front door, finally bring your own fans if you're visiting in the summer as it gets really really hot - the bathroom windows open but the rest of the windows are the beautiful chapel style ones which do not open. If anyone is looking to visit the area, it's a really gorgeous place to stay and we would definitely return.

- Hannah, June 2019
Andrew June 2019

“The sofa and chair smelt awful.”

We couldn't sit on them. Could do with a couple of outside chairs as we couldn't sit out at all.

- Andrew, June 2019
Julie May 2019

“Great base for walks with the dogs.”

The local pub The New Inn was just two minutes walk away and the landlord and locals very friendly . The cottage was comfortable and had everything that you needed.

- Julie, May 2019
Carolyn May 2019

“Facilities to do recycling would have been good.”

- Carolyn, May 2019
Karen April 2019

“Very quirky accommodation beautifully decorated and almost everything there to make your stay comfortable.”

Lack of outdoor space despite being advertised as having a garden .... it doesn’t. Great base for walks into the Forrest, not much in the town itself but lots of nice places further afield.

- Karen, April 2019
Jake February 2019

“Perfect location for beautiful walks into the forest of Dean!”

- Jake, February 2019
Steven December 2018

“The chapel was beautiful and comfortable, but there was a lot of pet hair in places but overall, we loved our trip.”

- Steven, December 2018
Andrew October 2018

“Lovely chapel.”

Plenty of room for 4 people. Boys loved having their own floor to themselves. Had a problem with one radiator not working in the living room but this was rectified by the owner quickly. Chapel in an ideal location for exploring the beautiful forest, didn't have to travel far. This was about the 6th time we've visited the forest, different accomodation each time and we've never been disappointed. Would highly recommend the location & this accommodation.

- Andrew, October 2018
Holger September 2018

“The Chapel is realy amazing!”

There is anything you need, including two big Flatscreen-TV, X-Box and so on. You'll find a warm welcome - it's like coming home. The Rainforest Chapel is a great place to see the forest of Dean, visiting Wales and lots of other places (Stratford-upon-avon 90min, Oxford 90min). The host is realy generous and friendly. Highly recommended!!!

- Holger, September 2018
Rowena August 2018

“Rainforest chapel is a lovely place which is kept in high standards.”

It is about 5 minute walk away from the Forest of Dean. There is a nearby fish and chip shop and a convenience store for food shopping. Tourist attractions are easily accessible by car. We recommend go ape adventures for teenagers, the forest itself for nice walks and some lovely meal in Hopewell Colliery. Gloucester is easily accessible by car for shopping and sightseeing, lots of shops and restaurants. The Cathedral is worth a visit. A very lovely holiday!

- Rowena, August 2018
Angela July 2018

“We loved the Chapel as the location was fab for us with the dog as there are so many places to take them.”

The local pub and the Indian are so friendly and I would love to go back. I would recommend this for a couple only though as the top open bedroom doesn't give much privacy. The welcome pack was amazing and the owner was so helpful. Had the best week and would definitely go back.

- Angela, July 2018
Amanda June 2018

“Fabulous house to stay in.”

Only 5 minutes walk and you are in acres of woodland. The house was gorgeous, clean and we were spoilt with the welcome pack. Kids lived the Xbox and having SKY!

- Amanda, June 2018
John June 2018

“I made this booking on recommendation from your online assistant.”

This was the first time I had used this facility, happily locating my own accommodation from your website in the past. I was looking for a cottage in Gloucestershire with a large double bed and was given several options, Rainforest Chapel being one of them. The name Rainforest Chapel conjured up an image of a peaceful location and the one exterior photo on the listing did not dispel this. We arrived in the village of Ruspidge to find our accommodation in an industrial village, a most unlikely holiday location, with the chapel sitting on a a fork in the road. The interior was as per the listing - an excellent kitchen, the property well fitted out and comfortable, but just a touch cool. The problem really lay in the lack of sleep, particularly the first two nights. The bed was indeed large - super king size but the bed covers were for a smaller bed. We alternated between sweating under the duvet and shivering as the covers were not large enough. Then there was the traffic noise from the road outside, perhaps 6 feet from the bedhead that woke us just after 6am each morning. This is not holiday standard! My emailed complaint to your office lead to text messages from the owner whereby bed covers to suit a super king bed were provided. That solved one problem but not the traffic noise. The owner explained that as it was a Grade 2 listed building he could not do anything such as double glazing to deal with this issue. So there you have it, we spent a week in a unique holiday building situated in the middle of a working class village being woken just after 6 each morning. But at least we had suitable bedding for the last 5 nights. Overall experience - VERY DISAPPOINTING.

- John, June 2018
Carole May 2018

“An ideal spot for exploring the forest of dean and dean valley railway.”

The Rain Forest Chapel was very comfortable and had a relaxing peacefull atmosphere at the end of the day. The local pub The New Inn was very friendly and inviting. We were able to eat out fish and chips from the chip shop opposite in the outside seating area of the pub so we could enjoy the lovely evening sunshine after a day on the railway. Also parking was not a problem, plenty of road space.

- Carole, May 2018
Nigel April 2018

“We had a comfortable and pleasant stay at Rainforest Chapel.”

Situated in The Forest of Dean, with good walking. The chapel itself gave good space and light and was clean and well equipped. The village where it is located is very ordinary, having a convenience store, an Indian restaurant, pub and fish and chip shop. You are however located close enough to places of interest (Monmouth, Ross on Wye, Gloucester etc.)

- Nigel, April 2018
Fern February 2018

“We loved the location for the beautiful forest walks and attractions such as Puzzlewood, Clearwell caves and Symonds Yat were an easy drive to get to.”

We also used the Lidl in Cinderford. The indian restaurant and chip shop was very good and very close to the chapel. We really enjoyed staying in the chapel. It had great facilities, a huge range of toys and games to entertain the children. The kitchen was lovely and the peninsula was great to sit at and watch telly at the end of the day. We missed not having salt and pepper and a pizza wheel but the property was very well equipped otherwise. The chapel is a real pleasure to stay at, a beautiful space beautifully decorated.

- Fern, February 2018
Joanne September 2017

“Great location and brilliant walks for the dog.”

The chapel was well equipped with everything we needed.

- Joanne, September 2017
Lucy August 2017

“The Rainforest Chapel is quirky and incredibly comfortable - a lovely venue from which to explore the stunning Forest of Dean and beautiful attractions in the surrounding area.”

Would highly recommend.

- Lucy, August 2017
Wendy July 2017

“Well equipped and clean property - would recommend but wouldn't go again as we would want to 'do' a different area”

- Wendy, July 2017
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Rainforest Cottages

Resting in the delightful Forest of Dean village of Ruspidge are these two wonderful properties, Rainforest Cottage and Rainforest Chapel, each enjoying their own unique features and style and perfectly positioned for an outdoor adventure in Gloucestershire. One is Grade II Listed chapel, renovated and brought into the 21st century with quirky furnishings, rustic style and original features, while the other has its history rooted 200 years ago when it was first built, now presenting a mix of classic and contemporary to offer a fantastic holiday home. Being positioned in Ruspidge means you have all you need for a self-catered stay on your doorstep, with the village home to a local shop and a pub, and the nearby town of Cinderford, just under two-miles away, hosting even more selection. Both cottage boast views over the Forest of Dean National Park with access into numerous beautiful forest walks, as well as interesting attractions like the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail which sees visitors meander through a tranquil woodland art trail discovering 16 discreet and nature-inspired sculptures along the way, can you spot them all? Excitement can be found at the fantastic Go Ape Forest of Dean, challenge your fears by swinging through the forest canopy along a treetop adventure trail, or for another perspective enjoy a Forest Segway tour taking in the idyllic scenery as you go. Ruspidge is also well-positioned for day visits to Cheltenham and the famous Cheltenham Races, get dressed up and place your bets at this prestigious ground. Embark on some riverside walks along the River Severn and the Severn Bore, wander around Gloucester Docks and Cathedral, and further afield Symonds Yat, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the banks of the River Wye, makes an extremely scenic spot for a picnic. Brecon Beacons, Oxfordshire, Bourton-on-the-water, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and much more can all be found within driving distance, promising attractions of all kinds to suit all ages and tastes. Enjoy an adventure from Rainforest Cottages.

The property

Rainforest Chapel is a lovely converted chapel in the village of Ruspidge near Cinderford.

The cottage sleeps four people in two bedrooms which are a ground floor super king-size double (which can be a twin room on request) which has an electric fire, and a mezzanine twin room (can be a super king-size double on request).

There is also a spacious open plan living area with a kitchen, dining area and a sitting area with an electric fire.

Completing the accommodation is a ground floor bathroom.

Outside there is a front patio and roadside parking for one car on a first come, first served basis.

Rainforest Chapel is a fantastic base within the Forest of Dean.

Summary

Mostly ground floor
Two bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor double, 1 x mezzanine twin (zip/link, can be super king-size double on request) with seating area
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and separate WC
Open plan living area with kitchen with breakfast bar (seats 2), dining area and sitting area with electric fire
Electric radiators throughout, underfloor heating in bedrooms and bathroom and electric fires
Electric double oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, TV with full Sky, Xbox, WiFi, selection of books and games
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Ample roadside parking
Front courtyard area
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 10 mins walk, pub 2 mins walk
Note: There is one step up to the dining and sitting area and two steps to the ground floor bathroom
Note - Please find that the Rainforest Chapel is a grade 2 star listed building and is over 160 years old, thus there is a degree of charm and character that comes with living in such a unique dwelling, and that it may not be suitable to all guests that might expect the very highest living standards of a new dwelling thus
The living room fire place is a 'feature' fireplace only for visual purposes
The bath hot water has been restricted in temperature and is very slow filling
You might feel a chill or draft on 'very cold' days due to the original windows and solid walls
Note: Rainforest Cottage is 0.2 miles from Rainforest Chapel

About the location

RUSPIDGE

10.4 miles Ross on Wye , 15 miles Gloucester, 13.2 miles Symonds Yat

Ruspidge is a lovely little village situated in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The village offers its guests a wonderful selection of amenities, with local shops, pubs, and a children's play area, it offers everything you could need for a self-catered stay, while nearby Cinderford boasts a wider selection. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activity within the local area, with the Lightmoor Pool (Royal Forest of Dean Angling Club) being just a short trip from the village, as well as Soudley Ponds being home to a a raft of ducks, making a lovely spot for a morning stroll. Situated between the River Severn and the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can expect to find a plethora of wonders just a stone's throw away; take a trip to the Clearwell Caves, a hidden world where you can learn of the iron ore mining, the main industry in the Forest of Dean, up close on a tour, or give beer pilates a go for an experience like no other! You will also find a good selection of sporting opportunities including archery, paddle boarding, scrambling and rock climbing just to name a few, or if you're seeking a more relaxed day out venture to the cathedral city of Gloucester; explore its history in the Blackfriars Priory site, Museum of Gloucester and the Jet Age Museum, or indulge in a day of retail therapy with plenty of shops to take your pick from. In easy reach, you can find Cheltenham too, home to Cheltenham Racecourse with its wonderful races and various events throughout the year, as well as the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty being just a scenic drive away too.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“We loved our stay at Rainforest Chapel - a lovely characterful property right on the doorstep of the forest.”

“Well presented and clean.”

“The person we support and staff had a great holiday.”

“The accommodation was excellent for a relaxing break.”

“A quirky holiday rental, ideally located for exploring the area, also great to have the chip shop so bear along with pubs and shop.”

“Contact prior to rental with comprehensive instructions was very helpful, access on the day was simple and hassle free.”

“We had a fabulous stay at the Rainforest Chapel which we chose as it was close to family who we hadn't seen for over 18 months due to the pandemic.”

“Very sad to see that there is a new no pet policy at this property.”

“The floorboards were very squeaky, but aside from that, an absolutely lovely stay”

“The property is great.”

“Overall the cottage was very nice and situated in an area extremely close to some very nice forestry.”

“A beautiful and unusual accommodation that we mostly enjoyed.”

“This is a fabulous holiday let.”

“We absolutely loved our stay and will definitely be back!”

“This was a truly beautiful place, the Chapel has been converted in a very tasteful way, retaining and enhancing original features whilst also being very modern and comfortable.”

“The chapel is a quirky and fun place to stay, providing a good base to explore the Forest of Dean / River Wye / Gloucester.”

“The Rainforest Chapel is beautiful, exactly what we expected from the listing and photos.”

“Lovely accommodation situated perfectly for the forests.”

“Very unusual building that has a snug in the mezzanine bedroom and TV as well as a living room and kitchen downstairs that my parents found really charming.”

“Not happy I couldn't get hold of the key holder to get the safe code until half an hour after I could have checked in, especially as we were in the middle of storm Dennis so I didn't know whether to even set off.”

“This old chapel is a lovely building, beautifully converted, and the owners have worked on the heating so it is now cosy in Winter - the underfloor heating upstairs is amazing!”

“Perfect location to explore the area.”

“Along with a number of properties we have stayed in, it would be useful to have recycling instructions rather than leaving everything in a general bin.”