Forest Holidays Keldy

The setting was beautiful, though the drive there made us a little nervous. We had a wonderful half-term stay, with good food and fantastic staff who were friendly and kind. We’ll definitely be back!

This is a place I love, and we’ve come for two years now just before Christmas. The lodges are very clean and feel like home, and the hot tubs are well maintained. It’s a great spot to relax without even needing to leave the lodge. Already looking forward to next year’s holiday.

We had a brilliant 3-night stay. The cabin was clean, the facilities modern and the kitchen fully equipped. The hot tub was clean and well maintained too. A small tech issue was sorted quickly, without us having to chase anyone. I’d happily recommend it and book again.

We left after just one night because the poor sleep and general discomfort made staying any longer feel worse than going home. I slept on a very thin spring mattress, and the lodge and site didn’t feel like the Golden Oak standard or the price we’d paid. We sent in a formal complaint afterwards and are still waiting to hear back. The mud around the Classic Golden Oak lodge was thick, clay-like and everywhere, with no gravel or other help to deal with it. Even getting from the car to the cabin was difficult. Our dogs came back covered each time they went out, so we had to hose them down, and with no proper mats or other practical solution, mud kept getting inside. The road in had plenty of potholes and didn’t seem maintained either. The bathrooms didn’t feel clean or looked after. There was visible mould, especially in the ensuite, which badly needs refurbishment. Even after showering, we didn’t feel properly clean or comfortable. At the on-site restaurant, our order was forgotten, and staff started closing up while we were still at the table. They did give us the meal for free, but then asked us to carry it back to the lodge in cardboard containers. It felt like they didn’t want us staying there. The children’s play park was disappointing too, with a swing missing and very little equipment or upkeep. We’d expected more from a premium woodland retreat. If the lodge and grounds had been maintained to the standard we expected, we wouldn’t have cut our stay short. At home, we can at least take countryside walks without coming back coated in thick mud every time.