Speech House

What a find! Driving through the Forest of Dean, we happened upon this historical spot. We expected very little as we sat down in their quaint Orangery overlooking a jewelled green lawn and garden and even greener fields beyond. After yesterday’s experience in Oxford we were wary when eying the menu and finding «cream tea» for only 5.95£ but three of us decided to risk it. It just felt right. It was perfect! The teas were delicious and hot (and the pots were ceramic and of the right size). Additional hot water was served on the side. The scones were warm and flaky. The clotted cream was just that — cream! Clotted! And the strawberry preserves were sweet perfection. Our server was attentive but not obsequious. The building was beautiful (having been constructed as a hunting lodge in the 17^th century). If we’d had more time we would have stayed the night and spent more time. Highly recommended for those on a road trip!

In the heart of the Forest of Dean, Speech House Hotel is a delightful and welcoming 17^th century hunting lodge. We were here on this occasion for a celebratory meal in the Verderers Court Restaurant. We remembered the place having stayed in the hotel a couple of years prior.
From booking to leaving, dining here was a pleasure. There were 8 of us (including a 9 year old nephew!). Starters included plump smoked mackerel, generous and chunky game pâté, parma ham and melon and chunky shrimps in a marie rose dressing. Delicious, generous and delightfully ‘English’ — this food wasn’t pretending to be anything else than good.
Main courses included Wild Boar Tournedos in a Madeira and Star Anise jus, Duck Breast with plums and a Mushroom Risotto. Again, largely ‘English’ dishes (excepting the Risotto) done well and served in generous proportion.
Puddings ranged from ice cream to Almond and Cherry Pithivier via Lemon Pannacotta Tart with Strawberries and Profiteroles with Chocolate — delicious, we all agreed.
Price wise we did not feel cheated. Including a bottle of Chateuneuf du Pape, a couple of glasses of Cote du Rhone and a couple of Pints, we paid around £25 a head. The food and attentive service justified the price.
Though the Speech House has had a slight makeover, the spirit of the place has not been lost. As with so much of the Forest of Dean, there is a palpable atmosphere. .. . a sense of being alone (in the nicest way). The comfort here more than makes up for any feeling of loneliness! Curl up after a hearty meal with a book or one of the many magazines or papers besides one of the many roaring fires.
The Speech House is so called as in addition to being a hunting lodge and later an inn, it also functioned as the place where free miners and verderers (forest dwellers) came to have their disputes heard by the monarch or his/​her representative. That sense of place and history still remains. It’s a delight, long may it stay that way.