Horse Gin, Castlemain Mill, Forest of Dean

Situated in the middle of the Forest of Dean and the quiet village of Parkend, Gloucestershire, Horse Gin offers fully equipped self-catering accommodation all year round. Horse Gin is named after an old local coal shaft as the owners main house, Castlemain Mill, on the same site was previously the Parkend Deep Navigation Collieries office. With spacious gardens and dog friendly, it is an Ideal relaxing break as a base for walking, bird watching and mountain biking with direct forest access. On the edge of the forest with plenty of walks and cycle trails. With 4 Pubs within 40 minutes walk (5, 8, 25, 40 mins) there is no need to drive to find refreshment. We often see deer and wild boar and our secure garden has a variety of visiting and nesting birds including Woodpecker, nuthatch, goldfinch, hawfinch, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, swallow, and many more. The cottage has a cycle shed and bike washing facilities available. There are 2 cycle centres nearby where new tubes etc. can be purchased. Garden with picnic benches and BBQ facilities (gas and charcoal). Separate parking space. additional space available on site if required. We are on-site and available to help and give advice on things to do and see. There are maps and information leaflets in the cottage but we have other maps available if required. Parkend is in the heart of the forest and a great base for exploring the Forest of Dean with walking and cycling trails direct from the cottage. A short drive to Lydbrook canoe launch site where you can park your car and canoe to Monmouth or Symonds Yat. We have a large garden area with picnic tables and other outdoor furniture for you to enjoy the special location of Castlemain Mill, watch the deer, wild boar and sheep that often walk past our gates or see the beautiful changing leaves in Autumn. This is truly a stunning location to experience all year. Parkend is a popular tourist village with two great pubs, village shop/post office with the Postage Stamp cafe, Dean Cycle Hire (including electric bikes) and café. Ride a steam train to Lydney and visit the historic docks with amazing views over the River Severn or come for the Dean Forest Railway Footplate experience or the popular family events Paw Patrol, Thomas and Peppa Pig. There is an amazing range of birdlife around Parkend including Buzzards, Goshawks and the elusive Hawfinch and Dipper with RSPB Nagshead a short walk from our cottage. Peregrine Falcons can be seen at the top of Symonds Yat and the RSPB are often there with their telescope to show you the best viewpoint. Enjoy sitting around the chimnea listening to the owls, watch the bats and even catch the swallows nesting and calling to each other. Parkend is the start of the Family Cycle trail extension and you can ride to Pedalabikeway in about 15 mins (call it a warmup!) and then experience the thrill of the Verderers or Freeminer Trails, alternatively continue of the easier Family Trail 11mile loop. There are maps, guides and local attraction information to help you get the most from your trip and we are on site to advise the best routes, parking and experiences the local area has to offer. In the cottage you will also find suggestions from previous guests on different activities, walks, food places they have tried. The nearest mainline train station is at Lydney and we can collect guests on request. Walking - forest on doorstep. Cycling - general trails from our gates or bike trails minutes away (for all levels) at Pedalabikeway. Dean Forest Railway - Steam trains run between Parkend and Lydney Junction on certain days.