THE LOWDOWN

Tucked away on the sleepy fringes of the Forest of Dean – where all you can hear is the rustle of trees, the twitter of birds and the WiFi behaves itself (just enough) – you’ll find White Birch Manor, a 10-bedroom haven that’s strictly for your private party only.

Set in seven stunning acres of landscaped gardens, with glimpses over to the Severn Estuary, this Grade-II listed, exclusive-use getaway is a real find. Owners Ruth Hepburn and Symon Gallagher snapped up the place in 2019, with a dream to combine their CVs of Events Manager and Head Chef respectively, to create an extraordinary rural retreat.

Fast forward six years and White Birch Manor has become a party pad for intimate wedding parties, chic get-togethers, (no cheese) hen-dos and family mini-breaks, scooping an array of awards, including Best Event Venue in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2025, no less.

Located a few miles west of the ‘needs no intro’ Cotswolds scene, just across the Severn, I was intrigued to find out what a ‘do in the Dean’ could look like. Little over half an hour’s drive from Cheltenham – super accessible – and I was gliding up the crunchy gravel driveway. Squirelled away down a network of idyllic country lanes in Awre, Newnham, it’s so peaceful you could hear a hedgehog yawn.

The 16th century manor is a stunner, a fairytale vision of black and white wonky timbers. Rumour has it Henry II even had a few cheeky trysts here, and many of the building’s beams come from shipwrecks dramatically washed up along the River Severn, so it oozes with historical charm.

Outside it’s riotously rustic – with wild flowers, a tinkling fountain and lily pads – and the grounds beyond are peak English country garden; bushy lavenders, manicured lawns and swaying trees – it was butterfly and bee central. Add to that an azure blue, St Tropez-style, heated outdoor pool, a private hot tub and space for 18 of you to hang out, and this retreat has quite the resumé.

THE VIBE

Countryside-chic, without the chintz. The aesthetic is calm, curated and quietly luxe, all putty tones and churned-butter hues it’s like stepping into a Farrow & Ball dream with your slippers still on.

Ten sumptuous bedrooms snake off from the main party area, which includes three dining rooms, a lounge, countless snugs, a bar for mixing up those frozen Margs and a well equipped kitchen.

Each room is beautifully finished yet homely, with lots of places to loaf. I loved the little touches too, from expertly folded robes, towels and slippers on every bed, to the delicious, homemade carrot cake the team had left out as an arrival treat.

If you’re a fan of quirky features you’re in luck, it’s full of them, from original 16th century fireplaces and casement window seats to Hobbit-esque wooden doors. One of the coolest rooms we saw is accessed through a purpose built bookcase – serious Narnia vibes!

The layout of the house is mind-boggling at first, but that’s its 16th century charm, a labyrinth of centuries-old corners, and rooms that lead onto more rooms. But it’s actually quite clever too, every area or staircase seems to lead back to the main family space, and it’s so spacious and tardis-like you won’t be on top of each other.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Now this is where things get seriously tasty. Co-owner Symon is the culinary wizard behind the scenes. He has spent his life in the catering industry, including Michelin star restaurants and 5* hotels. And, whilst you can opt for self-catering if you want, who wouldn’t want to be cooked for with their feet up and a cocktail in hand?!

Upon request he’ll craft you a bespoke menu that’s fine-dining fabulous but relaxed enough to enjoy barefoot by the pool too should you wish.

It felt like such a treat to get dolled up for dinner and only have to totter into the dining room next door for a fine-dining feast. Having given our likes and dislikes ahead of arriving (and I’m quite picky), we were met with a framed set menu on the table, which had us immediately salivating.

food at white birch manor in forest of dean

A flavour bomb of a dinner kicked off with saffron and pesto arancini atop a rich tomato ragù. It was a huge serving, no piddly morsels leaving you hungry here, and utterly delicious.

This was followed by oriental-style belly pork with a soy and ginger glaze for my date – with a top notch crackling. As a veggie I loved the parsley and parmesan roulade which was full of punchy flavours – and swimming in a red pepper cream that I could have hoovered up with a straw it was so good.

Dessert came – not that we actually had any room reader – and it was a heavenly gooseberry and blackcurrant frangipane with caramel anglaise and lashings of vanilla ice cream. We cleared our plates.

I love that the menu is foraged from White Birch Manor’s own organic kitchen garden and orchard, which you can wander round in the grounds, along with locally sourced meat and fish, so it gets a big tick for sustainability.

If you’re coming en-masse, there’s a dining room next door with a huge 18-20 seater table too. Chef Symon writes new menus constantly, so expect a seasonally changing feast, whether it’s a meal for the family or picky bits on the lawn. You can also book a brunch, cocktail masterclass, or relaxed sharing platters. Whatever your vibe, Symon will cook it up.

PILLOW TALK

The flop factor here gets a solid 10 out of 10. Each of the rooms is a luxe-rustic sanctuary, with views across the grounds, plush bedding and thoughtful touches, it’s all incredibly peaceful too – we slept like logs wrapped in the cloud-like duvets. It also passed my secret pillow test with flying colours – no stiff necks – there are real feather pillows on every bed.

I loved the woodburner in the room for chiller days, but during our 30 degree stay the thick stone walls meant the place was a blissful retreat from the heat. The bathrooms are equally stylish too, with the winner trophy going to the dreamiest of freestanding bathtubs with a view, on the first floor.

Outside our room was another of White Birch Manor’s big pluses – the Olympic sized hot tub! We peeled back the cover as the sun was setting, poured ourselves a glass of Champagne – generously stocked in the house fridge – and soaked ourselves into literal prunes until we could soak no more.

THE GARDENS

Step outside the house and you’re in your own fancy-pants private resort for the whole stay. Can we just take a minute for the stunning heated pool! We’re talking swaying palms, padded sun loungers and a tropical twist that would look right at home at Nikki Beach Ibiza.

The best bit? Not having to fight for sunbeds feels so boujee. As I starfished on the lounger by the pool, cocktail in hand (whipped up in the house bar obvs) it was giving serious Côte d’Azur energy.

Yours truly soaking up the White Birch Manor vibe

The pool also has jacuzzi jets which worked miracles pummelling my shoulder knots into oblivion and there’s even a big basket of inflatables – pool noodles and feather-filled rings galore – for hours of fun.

There’s an awesome outdoor kitchen for alfresco feasts, and a banquet-level dining table for balmy summer evening suppers with friends, along with a fabulous L-shaped sofa area for decadent lounging in the day or star-gazing at night.

At the other end of the property there’s another magical spot. Strung with twinkly fairy lights, with a huge firepit and logs on tap, it’s a gorgeous clearing for a gathering, perfect for a starry night and a giant tub of marshmallows.

WHAT ELSE?

There’s a roll-call of spoiling extras at White Birch Manor available on demand – from yoga sessions, meditation workshops and candle-lit craft workshops, to in-house massages and spa treatments. Perfect for a gaggle of friends, you can also tailor a weekend-long Wellness Package however you like.

ACCESSIBILITY

Very good for accessibility. There are two ground-floor bedrooms, with walk-in wet room and wide doorways, along with the main dining areas. The grounds are also lovely and flat, so easy for time in the fresh air. The team here are super helpful, just flag any specific needs ahead of your visit.

KID-FRIENDLY?

Totally! There’s space to roam, board games and woodland adventures on tap. Plus you can arrange a babysitter or kids’ entertainer if the grown-ups want downtime. Oh – and did we mention the pool?

PET-FRIENDLY?

Ruth and Symon have their own spaniels (very much kept out of the way though), so they welcome dogs with open arms. There’s a field to run in, paw-friendly routes, and doggy bowls.

We’d daftly forgotten our dog food when we arrived, and they went out of their way to whip him up a bowl of food fresh from the kitchen. There’s also a lovely 45-minute circular walk that takes you down to the estuary via the pretty village of Awre.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

So much to do and see here, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The Forest of Dean itself is mere minutes away, and the ancient Puzzlewood here has been a backdrop to several Star Wars films. A haven for walkers, wildlife lovers and those seeking a leafy reset. Book horse-riding, go mountain-biking or do the cool outdoor art and sculpture trail.

Symonds Yat is very close by (get ready for jaw-dropping views), go for a kayak, or just take in the panorama – with a refuel at the Log Cabin Café. Continue the thrills at the spectacular Clearwell Caves, just 20 minutes away, an incredible underground world to explore, or, visit the boutiques and bars of Regency Cheltenham, half an hour’s drive east.

Right around the corner, a brief walk away in Awre, is Severn Cider where you can enjoy a pint or two relaxing in the peaceful orchard or under blankets in the marquee. The welcome pack is brimming with curated ideas, from river adventures to artisan delis and cosy country pubs, so it’s well worth a look.

MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR:

White Birch Manor is one of those rare finds that hits every note – heritage beauty, foodie goals and soul-soothing calm all under one roof. Whether you’re plotting a girls’ weekend, wedding party, or stylish family bash, it’s a welcoming and unpretentious choice. No surprise the guest book is full of love notes from past guests. Honestly? Leaving was the hardest part.

NOT FOR:

If you prefer entertainment on tap and a buzzing bar scene a walk away, it won’t be for you, White Birch Manor is a bespoke hideaway for those that prefer quiet, not crowds.

THE DAMAGE

A weekend stay for up to 18 people with exclusive use of the house, grounds and all facilities starts from £3,420.

White Birch Manor, Awre, Newnham, Gloucestershire. GL14 1EH

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