Exploring the Serene Nuthatch Retreat | Soak&Sleep

Summer is just around the corner, & to celebrate brighter days ahead we’ve partnered with the serene Nuthatch Retreat, located in the idyllic Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.


Nuthatch Retreat is a self-catering experience of laidback luxury, featuring warm & stylish interiors greatly inspired by the foliage & natural beauty of the surrounding areas. As well as bursting with soul & character, Nuthatch is a single-storey cedar-clad eco retreat, with sustainable credentials. 

 

We recently had the pleasure of speaking to owners, Nemia & Rod, where we delved into their journey & inspirations, as well as asking some top tips for guests looking to make the most out of their stay.

What are your top tips of things to do when staying at Nuthatch?

No.1 

A visit to Puzzlewood is a must, especially for families. An especially magical bit of temperate rainforest in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one that features in many a well-known movie too!

 

No.2 

Grab a picnic and wander up the hill from Nuthatch, into the woodland, and enjoy a slow descent through varied trees and terrain to arrive at the Forestry England picnic spot known as Wenchford, with streams to paddle in, or meander along for further exploration.

No.3

Hire a Bike from Pedalabikeaway and enjoy the Colliers Bike Trail or follow your nose on various other cycle trails around the forest.


No.4

Enjoy a lovely lunch at Tudor Farmhouse Hotel where their non-alcoholic cocktails are especially good or if you enjoy fish, head to the Severn & Wye Smokery for a Masterchef level meal. Their food truck does great takeaway too, which you can grab and take to eat by the river in Newnham-on-Severn on a warm evening.


No.5

Just chill! Nuthatch Retreat truly offers a lot for relaxation. Have a gentle stretch on a yoga mat with the sunrise, read a book in the window nook, enjoy a cocktail or a snooze on the terrace, listen to the birds, watch the weather roll by. In the evening you can drop the cinema screen down and catch up on the latest movies before a late night bathe under the stars to get you all set for a soothing night’s sleep.

What's the story behind Nuthatch?

We (Rod and Nemia) moved to the Forest of Dean in 2015, ready to embrace the fresh air, peace and lush green views of the area having both grown up in rural settings. We were both working in the creative sector in Bristol - Rod doing lighting and video design for music and theatre, Nemia working with artists and creative businesses across the city, but with a secret desire to be running her own venture one day. Having decided we were done with city living, in part because we wanted our kids to be running around outside rather than be fearful of the back garden, as was the case, we began searching for a place to call home.

 

We were often viewing rustic cottages in the area - charming on the outside, but dark and damp on the inside. Eventually we were taken by the big windows, light and views from a classic 70’s bungalow! Not an obvious choice, but it was a plot that had space around it for us to create something special. As it was for many, the lockdowns of 2020/21 were a catalyst for change and Nuthatch began to take shape. 

We wished to create a unique space for guests, a departure from many others that can be found in the area and on the holiday market in general. A place that offered something fresh, characterful, warm and inviting. A holiday home with soul and sustainable credentials. One that would be a nod to the artists we’ve met or worked with over the years, and encompass our enduring love of foliage, meaningful objects, beautiful textures and natural materials. A place of laidback luxury that celebrates the natural heritage, creativity, beauty and food of the Forest of Dean and the wider Wye Valley and Gloucestershire environs. And so Nuthatch Retreat was born.

Where did you find your interior inspiration when creating Nuthatch?

We are both keen on vintage finds and mid-century treasures and are obviously keen followers of the arts having worked with such a variety of makers and creators through our work. We’d already tested a lot of colours in our own space - and made plenty of errors in judgement along the way - so knew what palettes would work with the hillside light in this location. We wanted warm earthy tones as a canvas and to bring in texture and character through the art and textiles in the space. The architect/interiors team, Hills & Co., whom we worked with were also great at helping us bring clarity to our ideas.

Which Soak&Sleep products do you use?

We love the range that Soak&Sleep offer - the supima cotton towels and robes we use for guests have such a luxuriously deep pile, and the 600TC Egyptian cotton bedding feels super smooth and special. We also use a mixture of their Soft As Down (with Silk) and Feather pillows with their quilted cotton pillow protectors for a perfect night’s sleep. We love natural fibres and currently use hemp duvet covers from another brand but looking forward to trying Soak&Sleep’s new linen range now that they have a lovely mix of colours available :)

How do you bring Hotel at Home quality to guests?

By using Soak&Sleep products of-course : ) And by ensuring everything that we provide has a feel of quality and style. From the cutlery to the towels; the fabrics on the cushions, the art on the walls, to the night-lights in the children’s room. And the items we provide in our welcome hampers are top quality, locally made delights rather than supermarket packaged foods. We try to be thoughtful in every detail. 

What are your top tips for someone who wants to set up a holiday home?

If you want people to enjoy and respect your place, buy quality, buy once, and charge accordingly. And let your personality shine through. We know we’re not the cheapest place on the market, but guests have consistently noted the attention to detail, the quality of the offering and the uniqueness of the space. And have looked after the place as a result. They’re tired of bland and soulless holiday homes and want something worth paying for, so hold your nerve and create something beautiful!

Visiting the Nuthatch Retreat is undoubtedly a must-do experience this Summer & all year round! This peaceful getaway has been carefully curated by Rod & Nemia with love, creativity & a commitment to quality.

Don't forget to enter our collaboration, closes midnight on 16th June. 

 
So, soak in the beautiful hillside views of the Wye Valley, embark on a cycling adventure through lush trails & sink into sumptuous Soak&Sleep bedding at the end of the day.