The General Stores, Mill End Mitcheldean is a historic Grade II listed building in the Royal Forest of Dean which dates to the 1400′s and includes many original features combined with all the modern comforts within it’s lovingly restored interior.

Currently available as a 4 star holiday or business let sleeping up to 36 over five units, or on an individual B&B basis, the inter-connected, five unit properties offer easy access to a range of fantastic outdoor attractions within the Forest of Dean area.  There are currrently four units which can be offered as self-catering or B&B mid week or on weekends when the house isn’t booked by large groups.

The General Stores is situated on the edge of a village, which has all the amenities one might need for a weekend away, and the courtyard garden is completely private and not overlooked, other than by George Cottage, part of the complex, with great views up the hills behind.

The General Stores, Mill End Mitcheldean has been featured in Grand Designs magazine, received a small restoration grant from the Forest of Dean Council to help with additional bathroom facilities and is open to the public annually, on a voluntary basis, as part of National Heritage Week. The building has also been approved for Ramblers and those with pets.

The General Stores successfully merges the old with the new – leaving features which tell the story of the building exposed and through the use of beautiful and sensitive decoration by fashion and textile designer Liz Lewitt.

There are many fascinating original features still in evidence throughout, which help to tell the story of the buildings long and varied history, including the remains of a rifle range in the barn  which was used for gunfire practice during the Second World War, Dad’s Army style.

And the series of bee ‘skeps’ inset into the outside walls of the barn into which small hives would be placed to protect them from the elements, then be smoked out from inside the barn to get rid of the bees prior to removing the dripping honey combs.

And not forgetting the owl hole – a small circular stone window in the barn which would have been left un-glazed, to allow owls in and out to control the mouse population from when it was used to store grain.

Other points of interest are an internal Edwardian sliding casement window in the sitting room, dating back to when part of the house was The Jovial Colliers Pub,  doors and butterfly hinges which date back to the 1650’s and an old bread oven from one of the General Stores previous incarnations as the village bakers.

Combining modern comfort and facilities with a unique historical setting, Mill End Mitcheldean is a quirky yet comfortable home from home, and an unforgettable business, pleasure or wedding reception venue.