Readers are drawn back time and again to this hotel in ancient grassland, with rustic-chic bedrooms in a farmhouse, cider house and barn, and the magical Forest of Dean on the doorstep. 'The staff were as friendly, the bedrooms newly decorated,' reported one. 'Our fifth visit to this lovely little hotel,' wrote another. Bedrooms range from 'hatchling' to 'cockerel' and suites. All have a minibar fridge, espresso machine, Bramley toiletries. 'A hatchling room was plenty big enough for one and probably okay for two,' a third reader related, noting that an umbrella was provided for a scoot through the rain for dinner. A 'spacious, comfortable four-poster room' had 'a fairly small, low window, not much of a view', a big bathroom with freestanding bath and monsoon shower. The food receives consistent praise. 'We had delicious lamb with vegetables from the garden.' 'Duck hash with a poached egg was very tasty; poached and torched salmon excellent; passion fruit mousse with mango sorbet very good indeed.' The resident sheep, ponies, chickens and ducks seem equally happy with their lot. (Sara Price, Peter Anderson, John Gibbon, Martin Daly)