I’ll never forget the drive to Royal Forest Pet Friendly Lodge in the Forest of Dean last autumn – a proper crisp October weekend that turned our three-day getaway into a golden hug from nature. We’d piled into the car from Gloucestershire’s edges, me, my partner, and our daft Labrador, Rufus, who was already panting with excitement before we’d even hit the A4136. The leaves were turning that fiery mix of amber and rust, carpeting the winding roads like someone had scattered a million fivers. But typical me, I’d forgotten to check the petrol gauge properly, and about five miles out from Coleford, the warning light pinged on like a cheeky reminder. “Brilliant,” I muttered, pulling into a layby near Symonds Yat Rock just as the sun dipped low, painting the Wye Valley in that moody, harvest glow. A quick top-up at a nearby garage, and we were off again, Rufus whining impatiently from the boot.

By the time we crunched up the gravel drive to the lodge, late afternoon light was filtering through the trees in that hazy, back-end-of-autumn way – not quite winter bite, but with a chill that nips at your cheeks and makes you crave a cuppa. The Forest of Dean in October is magic, innit? All those ancient oaks and beeches shedding their cloaks, the air thick with that earthy, damp scent of decaying leaves that screams proper British woodland. Royal Forest Pet Friendly Lodge sat there like it belonged, a cosy wooden haven tucked amid the trees, just outside Coleford. Pet-friendly was a godsend for us; Rufus bounded out, tail wagging like a windscreen wiper on full pelt, straight into the fenced garden where he could sniff every fallen acorn without bolting.

First impressions? Blimey, it was love at first sight. The lodge’s exterior, with its timber cladding glowing in the slanting sun, felt like stepping into a fairy tale – think Robin Hood vibes, but with Wi-Fi and a hot tub. We unlocked the door (smooth as, no faffing with keys in the fading light), and inside it was pure snug: exposed beams overhead, a wood-burning stove begging to be lit, and those big windows framing the forest’s autumnal chaos. The seasonal shift made it – outside, the undergrowth was a riot of ferns turning bronze, mushrooms popping up like nature’s confetti, and the odd squirrel darting about, hoarding nuts as if winter was whispering in their ears. I chucked some logs on the fire straight away; within minutes, the room was toasty, flames dancing and casting shadows that made the place feel even more inviting.

We didn’t venture far that first evening – why would you, when the lodge’s deck overlooked a sea of turning leaves? Rufus claimed his spot by the patio doors, nose pressed to the glass, watching deer tiptoe through the twilight mist rolling in from the valley. I cracked open a bottle of local Forest of Dean cider (picked up en route, naturally), and we just sat there, mesmerised by how the October dusk turned the woods into a watercolour painting – coppers fading to purples, the first stars pricking through. Light humour in the air too: Rufus, the numpty, tried chasing his reflection in the glass, only to thump his head and look at us like we’d betrayed him. Laughed till my sides hurt.

Unpacking was a doddle – the kitchen was kitted out brilliantly, with all the mod cons hidden behind rustic charm, perfect for rustling up a stew with whatever veg we’d grabbed from Perrywood market earlier. But honestly, the real star was how the season wrapped around us. That mellow autumn light pouring in at breakfast the next morning (day two dawned misty, with dew jewelling every web), highlighting the plush sofas and the dog beds they’d thoughtfully provided. It got me reflecting gently, sipping my tea as fog lifted off the trees: in the rush of life, we forget these pockets of peace. Here, in the Forest of Dean’s embrace, with leaves swirling like confetti at a woodland wedding, it felt like the year was winding down softly, urging you to slow down too. The lodge wasn’t just a stay; it was a seasonal sanctuary, making our first hours – nay, minutes – unforgettable. If you’re chasing that autumnal bliss with your furry mate, this is your spot.