awre / the river severn
The Area
Awre lies largely unspoilt and almost hidden, on a small piece of land between Blakeney and the River Severn. Situated on the edge of the Forest of Dean, the village is conveniently placed to explore this scenic and dramatic part of the world.
a stone’s throw
Watch the famous Severn Bore at the foot of the garden or join the Severn-side public footpath - follow the river west to Bullo Pill, Newnham on Severn and lunch at the White Hart. Alternatively, walk east across the fields to the village of Awre with its Saxon church, working farms and the award-winning cider maker - Severn Cider.
a short drive
The Priory Cottages are on the edge of the Royal Forest of Dean, with its rich opportunities for walking, cycling and even treetop climbing
Blaize Bailey viewpoint overlooks the famous meandering horseshoe bend in the River Severn and can be combined with walks round Soudley Ponds or a trip to Dean Heritage Centre (the Gruffalo’s forest trail particularly encouraging for littler legs). A marked route from Dean Heritage towards Wenchford also leads you to one of the Forest’s best Spring spots for great swathes of bluebells. Another honeypot of spring flowering are the tens of thousands of green winged orchid flowers which populate Clarke’s Pool traditional hay meadow. But perhaps the forest is at its best in the autumn when the majestic oaks, beeches and larches turn golden and russet (The Cyril Hart Arboretum another highlight) and forest foraging unearths autumn fruits and fungi.
The setting of the Priory Cottages is in itself a birdwatcher’s paradise, sharing its outlook onto the same waters as WWT Slimbridge. RSPB’s Nagshead and Symonds Yat Rock - the best site to see peregrine falcons - are both within half an hour’s drive.
Meanwhile, Nationals Trust’s Westbury Court Gardens - the only restored Dutch style water garden in the country - is a ten minutes drive from the Priory. Carry on along this road for a further five minutes to visit the Severn & Wye Smokery (cafe, restaurant and an excellent fishmongers and deli)
further afield
Though only 3 miles away as the ‘falcon’ flies, WWT Slimbridge, on the opposite side of the Estuary, still lies within an hour’s drive. En route, visit Gloucester - the soaring columns, stained glass and fan vaulting of Gloucester Cathedral attract admirers of ecclesiastical architecture, while its use as a film location draws Harry Potter fans from across the world.
Alternatively, explore the border castles as you cross into Wales, delve deeper into the Wye valley or brace yourself for some wild swimming near Ross-on-Wye.
The Priory
The property was first recorded as “Hamstall” around 1710 and enlarged some 20 years later. The origin of name Hamstall is uncertain, either deriving from the Saxon word for ‘homestead’ or ‘hamm’ meaning ‘meadow in the bend of a river’, ‘water meadow’ or ‘flood plain’. Bryant’s 1824 map of Glos. marks it as an inn - The 3 Doves - serving thirsty trowmen waiting for the tide to change or the river to fill. In the mid 19th century it was a boatyard run by shipwright and thereafter occupied as multiple dwellings until becoming a single residence in the early 20th century. It was likely not until the 1920s, when The Rev. Edward G. Courtman, vicar of Blakeney, lived there that it was renamed ‘The Priory’.
the house
