St Whites Road

Forest Lodge & The Coach House

This generously proportioned three-storey Victorian lodge house and neighbouring two-bedroom coach house annexe are nestled within approximately 1.5 acres of land - perfect for those seeking space and privacy. The stone-built properties are surrounded by ancient woodland, offering stunning views, and both provide great potential for personalisation. Within the grounds, there is ample garaging, and the gated driveway includes a turning circle, making it an excellent prospect for car collectors.

Location

Ruspidge lies on the eastern fringe of the Royal Forest of Dean - a place of timeless beauty and untamed nature. These woodlands offer 24,000 acres of magnificent countryside, award-winning picnic sites, family cycle routes and gorgeous walks, as well as a huge selection of outdoor pursuits. As such, the area is popular with tourists, particularly during the warmer months, so The Coach House specifically could offer a prime holiday rental opportunity. There may also be potential for additional development within the expansive grounds.
The village of Ruspidge is well-appointed - offering a convenience store, a recreation ground, and a public house - The New Inn. The nearby town of Cinderford, approximately one mile away, gives a wealth of amenities such as three primary schools, a high school, a college, plus various supermarkets, shops, public houses, leisure facilities and the Forest of Dean Community Hospital.

The Homes at a Glance
A set of iron gates secures the grounds, creating a sense of seclusion and the properties are surrounded by a large stone wall which gives excellent privacy and security. The long winding driveway extends through the wooded front garden, presenting occupants with their own secret corner of the countryside. A turning circle is positioned between the two homes, and there are multiple double and single garages.
Originally constructed in 1850 for the "head miner" of the Forest of Dean, Forest Lodge boasts a wealth of timelessly elegant period features, yet there is an opportunity for a new owner to make their own mark on the property. The ground floor could benefit from a degree of refurbishment, but the bare bones are lovely; there are high ceilings, picture rails and handsome fireplaces on display. The spacious reception hall immediately sets this scene as a patterned Victorian tiled floor flowing throughout the expanse.
This level of the main home includes three dual-aspect reception rooms and plenty of natural light cascades into each one. The kitchen has base-and-wall-mounted shaker-style units, a central island, a 1+1/2 sink with a mixer tap and an Elan range cooker. At the far end of the room, there is provision for additional utilities. The ground floor also includes a shower room and a door which gives access to the cellar, affording an excellent opportunity for a wine collector.
The first floor has been modernised by the current owner. This level features a bathroom - complete with a spa corner bath - plus a study/nursery and three bedrooms, one of which currently serves as an expansive reception room, and another is utilised as the master bedroom, owing to its substantial size and potential to install en-suite facilities.
The top floor of the property features three additional bedrooms, all of which have pitched ceilings and dormer windows.
It is worth noting that Forest Lodge also has a games room/study with separate external access from the main accommodation, with a cloakroom and a lobby. The largest room in this zone carries an original cast-iron Victorian fireplace, framed by ornate tiling.
The Coach House is detached from the main home and is fully self-contained. The main entrance leads into a reception hall, and the ground floor offers a kitchen with base and wall units, a basin with a mixer tap and provision for a dishwasher or washing machine. A door in the far corner gives access to a large larder.
The sitting room is flooded with plenty of light, as it includes a set of French doors as well as a conventional window.
The first floor houses two double bedrooms, both of which exhibit excellent views over the ancient woodland. Both bedrooms also feature built-in storage. The bathroom on this level features a three-piece suite, and the landing has a loft hatch, presenting a large storage area.

General
Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Mains gas central heating. Three air conditioning units (air-to-air heat pumps). Telephone line and fibre broadband direct to the premises (FTTP). DNO approval for exporting solar energy up to 5.5kW.
Local Authority: Forest of Dean District Council. Tax band F.
Tenure: Freehold
What3Words: camps.ambushed.leopard

Distances:
Coleford 5 miles
Ross-on-Wye 10 miles
Monmouth 13 miles
Gloucester 15 miles
Cheltenham 22 miles
Bristol 48 miles

Agent's notes: Japanese knotweed was previously found but was removed via a five-year warrantied treatment plan. There are TPOs on several specimen trees within the front garden. The half-acre development plot beyond the garden has planning permission for seven new homes.