Taste of the country at the Forest of Dean

Apr 1 2010 By Emily Bridgewater

Emily Bridgewater stays at a beautiful rural retreat in the Forest of Dean hoping to become a destination for foodies.

Clearwell sounds like the name of a place in a J.R.R Tolkien novel.

So it should be no surprise that this picturesque Gloucestershire village is buried in the Royal Forest of Dean, which is thought to have inspired Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

I have to admit, when my other half and I first visited Clearwell in February - to attend a wedding at its regal castle - it felt like the back-end of nowhere

But this time, basking in glorious sunshine and with the evidence that summer is well on the way, we could fully appreciate Clearwell’s natural beauty.

Richly scenic, the area also prides itself in producing some of the country’s finest foods - from cheese (Double Gloucester, Stinking Bishop) to meat (Usk valley beef) and butter (Netherend Farm Butter).

And at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, in the heart of Clearwell, chef Blaine Reed is combining his cooking flair with his depth of knowledge on local produce (he was born in Cinderford).

My partner and I dined there while enjoying a short break at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel.

The food was so good that it seemed sad that most of the restaurant’s diners were - like us - hotel residents. Many were as wedding guests at the castle.

Having spoken to owner, Colin Fell, I know that he’s keen to make the restaurant more of a destination for foodies, and with Reed on side it’s easy to see why.

The hotel is made up of a series of barn conversions (some dating back to the 13th century) I felt the interior - particularly the restaurant - could do with reviving if it is to attract the discerning diners it desires.

I felt a touch of bright boutique chic could turn it into a destination for the Mr and Mrs Smith brigade. Right now it’s a bit dark and a tad too chintzy.