We strive to ensure our guests are happy and get the most from their stay - here's what they're saying about Johnson Cottage

These are some of the lovely comments we have received about our cottage and the area. We thank our guests for taking the time to write of their experiences, either while in the cottage, or afterwards by email - all comments are very much appreciated. And no, we haven't made any of them up!

"Thank you for such a lovely cottage - we all loved staying here for the week. Great choice of games, DVDs and books - there was something for everyone, the breakfast was a treat too! Really loved all the walks, beautiful area which we hope to return to soon. Thanks again."

EMMA, ANDREW, THOMAS & ELLA | AUGUST '10

"Thank you for the lovely welcome - sunflowers are so beautiful. We loved bacon, eggs etc. too. Sorry we didn't drink the wine - I'm pregnant... Loved all the books and CDs and Tom devoured your DVDs. Never seen such a happy man on arrival... Highly recommend the "Flowerpatch" books [by local author Flora Klickmann] - she writes beautifully and they're so evocative of Brockweir in the war years. Fab. Actually went and bought a copy at the Tintern bookshop. Was great to find her house too! We had some great walks - thanks for all the walky guides and maps - really helpful. Thank you for creating such a lovely place - what a great escape from London! XXX. PS. The sparrow showmen on the vine - viewed out of the bedroom window - beats any breakfast TV..."

CAROLINE & TOM, LONDON | AUGUST '10
[Caroline is the author of 'The Star Qualities' and runs the personal and theatrical training company Loud and Clear]

"The Johnson Cottage is a beautiful place, lovely big rooms, it is a very cosy cottage. I would love to come back again." [Feedback from Victoria]

"The Johnson Cottage is very nice, it is so cosy. I like how even if it is a rainy day you can go to the pub next door. I would love to come back." [Feedback from Melissa]

"Just to let you know we had a great time at the cottage which is beautiful. Hope to be back again one day." [Subsequent email from Alan]

CATHERINE, ALAN, VICTORIA & MELISSA, EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE | AUGUST '10

"Thank you for a wonderful week in your lovely cottage - agree with all the comments. It was so nice we sometimes had to 'force' ourselves out to explore the area, which we loved - a beautiful part of the country. Thank you once again for a brilliant stay and your exceptional hospitality, food, drink, robes etc."

LAURA & ROSS, READING | JULY '10

"Johnson Cottage is beautiful, you have paid such attention to detail and it really makes all the difference. We loved the food and drink you left for us. We loved the robes and slippers too! Your books and games, CDs and DVDs collections are amazing (and eclectic!) Brockweir is an excellent base for exploring the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, which is an amazing part of the country - we'll definitely be back. PS. For a nice meal we would recommend The Ostrich at Newland (£35 - 2 main meals + 3 alcoholic drinks) and The George at St Briavels is also nice (and a bit cheaper - £25 for 2 mainmeals + 3 drinks)." [Feedback left in cottage]

"We had a lovely week in the Wye Valley and we wanted to thank you for letting us stay at your cottage. Johnson Cottage is beautiful, and we have written this in the guest book too. It's obvious that you have spent a lot of time thinking about what to put in the cottage and what your guests would like. Your attention to detail makes a huge difference. The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean are fabulous and we found that Brockweir was a good place to start exploring from on foot or by car. We hope to visit the area again soon." [Subsequent email]

PAUL & ESTHER, NORFOLK | JULY '10

"Wonderful stay in beautiful surroundings."

CAROL, JOHN & CHESTER (THE DOG), LEICESTERSHIRE | JULY '10

"The week went pretty much like this...wake to birdsong & sunshine, walk legs off, relax (in bath, beer optional)...eat...sit on quay (beer compulsory)...sleep like a king...wake to birdsong & sunshine... The upstairs is spot-on - cottage charm meets boutique hotel. Loved the village shop...even though it's half a mile away I enjoyed the walk up the hill. The view makes it worthwhile, and the staff are helpful and friendly." [Feedback left in cottage]

"Had a fabulous week!! You are very lucky to have this." [Note left on blackboard]

VICTORIA & STUART, DERBY | JUNE '10

"Thank you for a wondeful stay at your cottage. The area is lovely - just right to walk our Westie."

RAY & DOREEN | JUNE '10

"We have had a fantastic week in your beautiful cottage. We have stayed at many cottages, but this is the top of our list. Would recommend The George at St Briavels and the Old Station, Tintern, does the best flapjack. We would love to come back. Thank you Pete and Ali for all the special touches around the cottage and the wine was perfect."

TRACEY & STEPHEN | JUNE '10

"Thank you for a lovely break in your cottage. Love the fire and the special touches (bath robes, flowers, etc). Would recommend the pub behind you and The Ostrich for food and friendliness. Village shop is well stocked but doesn't sell daily papers and I found out how unfit I am when my legs ached after the short uphill walk there! Really pretty surroundings and we would love to come back again one day."

THE GASSON FAMILY, ESSEX | JUNE '10

"Thank you so much for this little piece of heaven. Myself and Chris enjoyed it so much. The fresh bread and red wine went down a treat. Richard and Lyn at the local pub are so lovely, made us feel really welcome. We enjoyed the lovely walks especially Devil's Pulpit and Symonds Yat. Again thanks, the flowers were so pretty dotted around the cottage. I am sad to step back to reality. Once again, many thanks. PS Don't wasnt to leave - check your cupboards for 2 little people!" [Feedback left in cottage]

"Just wanted to say me and Chris had a great time in your cottage. So lovely, if I could bottle memories I would cork this visit to Wales forever, thanks again." [Subsequent email]

LYNETTE & CHRIS, ALTON, HANTS | MAY '10

"Thank you so much Pete & Ali for another wonderful stay in your beautiful cottage. Last time a week was not long enough. 3 days certainly were not, however had the desired effect of destressing with some R&R! Tried The Crown at Whitebrook for lunch and was fantastic and a great value set menu. The weather has been perfect and even had a slightly chilly night last night - a good excuse to use the stove. Thank you for all the thoughtful touches - bread, milk, eggs and a great bottle of red. We will definately be back again...and again...thank you so much!" [Feedback left in cottage]

"Just thought I'd drop you a quick line to thank you for another wonderful stay at Johnson cottage. We had a truly relaxing stay and were so lucky with the weather. It was great to see the Wye Valley looking so lush and green. Still didn't manage to do much reading so will have to come back again ;-) The cottage was looking great and is in as good a condition as last time I was there; it is obviously taken very good care of. Thank you also for organising the non-feather bedding, it is so much appreciated. I hope that we will be back again in the not too distant future. Many thanks!" [Subsequent email]

JADE & LEIGH, NANTWICH, CHESHIRE | MAY '10

"We had a lovely stay (we didn't want to leave)!"

JOHN, SHOKO & IVY, BRISTOL | MAY '10

"We've enjoyed very much our stay in the cottage. Beautiful place you've got. Thanks a mill for the warm welcome - everything was perfect! The Wye Valley is an amazing place and we were happy to be here in May - with those outstanding bluebells. And we are very impressed of the Tintern Abbey! Thank you very much for everything."

INGRID & CLAUDIA, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND | MAY '10

"Thanks for a lovely stay in your wonderful cottage!"

NEVILLE & EMMA | APRIL '10

"A delightful cottage in a beautiful setting; we enjoyed a lovely picnic by the river. Pub next door is very welcoming and cosy - food OK. Thank you for letting us enjoy your lovely cottage. PS - thanks for the lovely food, wine and bath robes on our arrival!"

CAROLINE & ANDI (SOMERSET), JANE & JOHN (SEDGLEY, WEST MIDLANDS) | APRIL '10

"Johnson Cottage was the perfect place to start our recovery from a 30-hour trip from Australia. The cottage is beautifully situated for: walks in the English and Welsh countryside, eating out - we enjoyed both the Ostrich Inn at Newland and The Crown at Whitebrook, and relaxing in front of the fire and in the bath. Thanks for the food, wine and flowers - all were appreciated."

FIONA & MICHAEL, AUSTRALIA | APRIL '10

"A beautiful house, which is beautifully appointed! Would advise anyone to walk up to the Devil's Pulpit for a view to remember, but would caution against watching Gosford Park in front of the stove - the combination is so soporific as to make us doze off two nights in succession."

HELEN & TIM | MARCH '10

"Lovely cottage, really well equipped. Surrounding countryside gorgeous. Would recommend The Mill Race pub in Walford for food."

CLAIRE & STEVE, SUFFOLK | MARCH '10

"The cottage was brilliant, the attention to detail superb. We have had an excellent time, thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable. The DVD collection is extremely impressive. It truly is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and would recommend the cycling in the Forest of Dean. Thanks for making us welcome."

JO & RICHARD, SURREY | MARCH '10

"What a wonderful 1st break as a 'family'. A gorgeous cottage with ideal walks from the front door which the whippets loved - along with the log burner which they staked claim to after a day's walking. A well needed relaxing weekend with a new baby. The wine and provisions were a lovely touch. We will definately be back!"

CLARE, CHRISTIAN & AVA (+ PICKLE & LILY THE WHIPPETS), LONDON | MARCH '10

"Loved the cottage and all the lovely little touches. Very well kitted out and if we were staying longer than 2 days could have really got into some of the extensive book range. Walk to Tintern was lovely and great food at The Anchor next to the Abbey, good value too. Walked back along river and saw an otter, was well happy with that. Walk up to Devil's Pulpit was strenuous for us soft city southerners but well worth it. Pub next door extremely friendly, met some colourful characters. Food good wholesome fayre. We very much enjoyed our break. Thanks very much."

MALCOLM & JUSTINE, HERTFORDSHIRE | FEBRUARY '10

"What more can we say, thank you, thank you for a wonderful stay in your lovely cottage. So relaxing - you forget the outside world and the rat-race! Pete has loved the woodburner (he now wants one - thanks!) It's been lovely and cosy. Your website does it proud. How did you know that Aussie wine was our favourite? Thank you for a 5-star cottage with all the little touches that make it so, so special - we'll be back."

DEBBIE & PETE, HAMPSHIRE | FEBRUARY '10

"We were very lucky to have a sunny weekend in February which made the walks even more beautiful. Especially recommend "Brockweir Delight" [from Lower Wye Rambles book] and walks around Offa's Dyke. Sorry that we broke a glass celebrating Stoke City's (our team's) equaliser in the FA Cup against Man City! In fact there were far too many sporting distractions on the TV - rugby, football, Winter Olympics - it's amazing we managed to get out at all. Lovely cottage with nice homely little touches. We had to play the "Dice Game" over which DVDs to put on and we had a great disco evening re-visiting some old favourites amongst your CDs! Thanks for everything. Hope to be back."

KATE & MIKE (BATH), LIZ & ANDY (TAUNTON) | FEBRUARY '10

"Thank you so much for a lovely cottage. Our stay was very restful and the area fantastic. Fabulous weather - cold and bright."

PETER, RENA, JOLENE & SIMON (AND PERCY & JESSIE THE DOGS) | FEBRUARY '10

"We just wanted to say a big thank you for making our stay so special. The cottage is so lovely and cozy and the eggs, wine etc went down a treat. This was a break to beat the January blues and it did just that! We're sure we'll come back."

KATHERINE & ADNAN | JANUARY '10

"We have had a brilliant weekend, 'the worst snow for a generation' has only added to the fun! This is a truly beautiful place in the dead of winter, we'll be back in the summer to compare. Lunch at The Crown in Whitebrook was excellent; far cheaper than dinner (£28 for 3 courses) and with loads of fancy extras - I recommend it."

LOU & TOM, BRISTOL | JANUARY '10

"Thanks for all the little touches that have made our stay here so comfortable and special. We could not have asked for a more lovely place to stay for our honeymoon - who needs the Bahamas when we have frosty snow-capped hills and a woodburner to come home to. A beautiful cottage which we hope to return to again for future anniversaries!! We can't wait!!!"

EMMA & LEWIS, PORTSMOUTH | JANUARY '10

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