Welcome to South West Maritime Academy’s dedicated page showcasing a selection of local accommodation providers. We understand the importance of comfortable and convenient lodging during your training with us, and we are pleased to present a range of recommended options situated in the vicinity of our training facility and the charming surrounding villages of Charfield, Cromhall, Wickwar, Wotton-Under-Edge, Falfield and Berkeley.

Our curated list includes a variety of establishments to suit different preferences and budgets, from welcoming Bed & Breakfasts offering a personal touch, to well-appointed Hotels and comfortable Guesthouses. Each option has been chosen with consideration for its proximity to our training locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise within the course details, the local accommodation options listed below are recommended for all courses primarily taking place at our main training facility located at South West Maritime Academy, Cromhall Quarry, Cromhall, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8AA.

We believe in supporting the local economy and are proud to partner with these businesses as a key component of our training provision, ensuring our students have access to quality local amenities during their time with us.

Pepper Pot Caravan Park

The Pepper Pot Caravan Park – Convenient and Comfortable Accommodation

Just an 8-minute drive from the South West Maritime Academy in Cromhall, The Pepper Pot Caravan Park offers an ideal base for your training. Choose from spacious hard standing or grass pitches, or enjoy the comfort of their recently refurbished static caravans. Featuring self-catering facilities, comfortable living areas, and private bathrooms, the caravans provide a home-from-home experience. On-site amenities include excellent shower and wash facilities, laundry, and the convenience of The Pepper Pot Pub with delicious food and a children’s play area.

For more information and to book, visit: quality-inns.co.uk/pubs/pepper-pot-caravan-park-dursley/ or call: 07519 335357

The Snug

The Snug – A Charming and Contemporary Retreat

Originally dating back to 1769, The Snug offers a delightful blend of historical charm and modern convenience. Guests can relax in the inviting snug lounge, complete with its original fireplace, or unwind in the spacious and contemporary kitchen, which was extended in 2024.

Upstairs, you’ll find a charming bedroom and a newly installed bathroom featuring a refreshing and powerful shower. Throughout your stay, you can enjoy modern comforts such as underfloor heating and central heating, all while appreciating original features like exposed brickwork and characterful wooden beams.

Outside, a spacious shared patio awaits, providing the perfect spot to relax and unwind after a day of training at the South West Maritime Academy.

For further details and to make a booking, please visit: http://airbnb.co.uk/h/the-snug-luxury-cottage-retreat.

The Piggery

The Piggery – Boutique Self-Catering Studio

For those seeking a charming and peaceful self-catering option, The Piggery offers a beautifully converted one-bedroom studio-style cottage. Formerly the piggery of a lovely 250-year-old cottage, it has been renovated to a high standard, retaining original features such as a beautiful vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a wrought iron chandelier.

The Piggery features a cosy studio layout that includes a kitchenette, a dining area, and flexible sleeping arrangements with double or twin bed options available. Guests can also enjoy a spacious and luxurious en-suite wet room, as well as the convenience of Freeview TV and Wi-Fi. The cottage benefits from a private entrance and off-street parking. Guests also have access to their own private patio, offering amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

Run by Melissa and Wayne, The Piggery is located less than four miles from the South West Maritime Academy. This is an ideal choice if you appreciate rural peace and the flexibility of self-catering. The kitchenette is equipped with a kettle, fridge, and microwave.

Bookings for The Piggery can be made through Air BnB via the following link: https://airbnb.com/h/-cosy-country-boutique-studio-on-the-edge-of-the-cotswolds.

The Gables

The Gables is a charming, family-run hotel that forms part of the well-regarded Best Western group. Situated in the peaceful countryside of Falfield, it’s conveniently located just a short drive of approximately six minutes (3.3 miles) from our training facility at Cromhall Quarry. We are pleased to have secured a preferential rate for students of the South West Maritime Academy.

Accommodation at The Gables is available to SWMA students at a rate of £89 per person per night, which includes a hearty breakfast to start your day. For those requiring lunch, The Gables offers a selection of freshly prepared packed lunches with a variety of options to choose from. Please feel free to enquire about these either by telephone prior to your arrival or upon check-in at reception. Check-in time at the hotel is from 15:00, and check-out is by 11:00.

To benefit from our special agreed SWMA student rate, please ensure you quote ‘South West Maritime Academy’ when making your booking. This discounted rate is exclusively available for telephone bookings, so simply give Anthony and his friendly team a call on the number provided below.

For SWMA clients looking to book accommodation for larger groups of eight rooms or more, an even further discounted rate may be available. Please contact Lorna via email (lsaunders@webbht.co.uk) to discuss your specific requirements.

Contact Details for The Gables:

Tel: +44 (0)1454 260502 Email: reception@thegablesbristol.co.uk Address: The Gables Hotel, Bristol Road, Falfield, Gloucestershire, GL12 8DL Website: https://www.thegablesbristol.co.uk/

Swan Hotel

The Swan Hotel is a charming 17th-century establishment situated conveniently less than four miles (under a ten-minute drive) from our SWMA training facility. They boast a selection of 15 en-suite rooms, ensuring a comfortable option for every guest, and kindly offer a discounted rate for our students.

For those arriving by car, there is a free public car park located just 100 yards from the hotel. Guests can also enjoy freshly prepared meals in the hotel’s restaurant, and the CAMRA award-winning bar offers a variety of excellent local beers.

Special rates are available per night for SWMA students and include a light breakfast*. These discounted prices during non-peak periods are: Standard Room £90 (regularly £105), Superior Room £100 (regularly £115), and Executive Room £115 (regularly £135).

To access the SWMA Student discounted rate, please either quote ‘South West Maritime Academy’ when booking by telephone or mention that you are attending a course with us if booking via email. Please be aware that all bookings are subject to the Swan Hotel’s standard Terms and Conditions.

Contact Details for The Swan Hotel:

Email: info@swanhotelwotton.com Tel: 01453 843004 Address: Swan Hotel, 16 Market Street, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7AE

*A cooked breakfast can be added for an additional charge, as per the menu. Please note that these offered prices are applicable during non-peak periods only, and further details are available upon request.

Forthay Bed & Breakfast

Nestled in the picturesque hamlet of North Nibley, Forthay Bed and Breakfast offers a delightful country house experience and is conveniently situated approximately two miles from our training facility. Debs and Charles offer a range of comfortable rooms, including both en-suite and twin options, ensuring a pleasant stay for our students.

Beyond comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation, guests at Forthay can also opt to book in for evening dinners. Furthermore, there is a welcoming guest snug where you can relax and enjoy complimentary WiFi, a selection of books and magazines, and even a bar.

Debs and Charles are pleased to extend a special rate of £90 per night to individuals training with the South West Maritime Academy. This inclusive rate covers both breakfast and a delicious single-course dinner. To take advantage of this offer, simply mention ‘South West Maritime Academy’ when you contact them to make your booking.

For information regarding availability and any further details you may require, please do not hesitate to call them on 01453 549016, send an email to forthaybandb@gmail.com, or visit their website using the link provided below.

Contact Details for Forthay Bed and Breakfast:

Tel: 01453 549016 Email: forthaybandb@gmail.com Address: Forthay Bed and Breakfast, Forthay, North Nibley, South Gloucestershire, GL11 6EA Website: https://www.forthaybedandbreakfast.co.uk/contact

Ramada by Wyndham

Ramada Bristol West – Convenient for Portishead Marina Training

The Ramada by Wyndham hotel is conveniently located just off Junction 19 of the M5 near Gordano. This makes it an excellent accommodation option if you are attending our STCW Fast Rescue Boat (days 2 and 3) or RYA Powerboat Level 2 courses, which take place at our berth in Portishead Marina.

The hotel is situated a short distance of approximately 3.6 miles from Portishead Marina, ensuring easy access to your training.

South West Maritime Academy students can benefit from an exclusive 15% discount off the cheapest available rate at the time of booking. To access this discount, please contact the Hotel directly and quote our unique discount code, which can be obtained from us upon request. Please note that this discount is currently only available for telephone bookings.

Contact Details for Ramada by Wyndham Gordano:

Tel: +44 (0)1275 373709 Address: Ramada by Wyndham, Motorway Service Area M5 J19, Portbury, Bristol, BS20 7XG.

Couzens Close B&B

Local Bed & Breakfast in Chipping Sodbury – Female Guests Preferred

This is a lovely bed and breakfast option available just a convenient 12-minute drive (approximately 6.4 miles) from the SWMA training site. This accommodation is hosted by a female SWMA instructor and is offered to female guests for stays of two nights or more.

Guests will have a double bed for single occupancy and sole use of the family bathroom. The house is situated in a quiet residential close in Chipping Sodbury, offering a peaceful environment.

Amenities include Wi-Fi access, a hairdryer, and full use of the kitchen and dining room, as well as a garden. Off-road parking is also available. Please be aware that there is a small dog and a cat residing at the property.

The rate is £42 per night, which includes a self-serve continental breakfast.

Contact Sabrina for bookings and further information:

Tel: 07730 355690 Email: sabsdunk@yahoo.co.uk Address: 45 Couzens Close, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, S. Gloucestershire, BS37 6BT.

Days Inn, Michaelwood Services

Days Inn by Wyndham Michaelwood – Convenient Motorway Location

The Days Inn is a hotel conveniently located within the Michaelwood Services area on the northbound side of the M5 motorway, which is approximately four miles (an eight-minute drive) from the SWMA training facility.

As part of the Ramada Group, they are pleased to offer our students a discounted corporate rate. To access this special rate, please request the dedicated SWMA code from our reception team prior to making your booking.

Contact Details for Days Inn by Wyndham Michaelwood:

Address: Days Inn by Wyndham Michaelwood, M5 Northbound Welcome Break Service Area, GL13 9JS Phone: 01454 261513

Days Inn Michaelwood

Tortworth Estate - Keepers Cottage

Tortworth Estate Keepers Cottage – Ideal for Group Bookings

For those training with us at SWMA and particularly suited to crew or company groups, the Tortworth Estate Keepers Cottage offers a fantastic self-catering option. Enjoying a superb location overlooking the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside within the Tortworth Estate, the cottage is conveniently less than 1.5 miles from our training facility, making it approximately a 4-minute drive or a pleasant 25-minute walk. The cottage features three bedrooms and can comfortably accommodate up to six people.

Inside, you’ll find a warm and inviting open-plan lounge, kitchen, and dining area. The lounge provides a relaxing space with a traditional wood burner and a TV/DVD player, perfect for unwinding or socialising. There is both a lovely dining area and a practical kitchen island. The well-equipped and stylish kitchen includes an electric oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge/freezer. Additionally, the cottage offers a charmingly furnished snug with a TV/DVD, a utility room with a washing machine and tumble dryer, and a separate shower room with WC.

On the first floor, you’ll discover two bedrooms, both featuring original exposed beams. One is a comfortable king-size room, and the other is a versatile twin zip-and-link room which can be configured as a super-king-size bed upon request at the time of booking. A bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC is also located on this floor. The second floor, accessed via a steep staircase, offers two cosy attic rooms, each with a single bed and some limited headroom.

Outside, guests can enjoy a large, enclosed garden, fully furnished and equipped with a BBQ, ideal for al fresco dining. Ample off-road parking is also available.

This self-catering accommodation is priced between £565 and £1271 for a 4-night stay, which works out to an excellent value of just £23.54 to £52.96 per person per night when booked as a group or crew.

For more details and to book, please contact Beth on 01608 692575. You can also find further information on their website: https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/46671-tortworth-estate–keepers-cottage.

*Please note that Keepers Cottage is one of several excellent options available through Holidays in the Cotswolds, many of which are located nearby and offer varying sizes and capacities. These properties are particularly well-suited for group or crew accommodation and are an ideal consideration for companies booking group or bespoke courses with us. Other local options include:

  • Tortworth Estate – Church Cottage (3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6)
  • The Tortworth Shepherds Hut (1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2)
  • Earl Barton Cottage, Charfield (1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2)
  • Thousand Acres Coach House, Wotton-Under-Edge (2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4)

To explore these and other options, and to check prices and availability, please visit https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/

De Vere Tortworth Court

Tortworth Court, part of the prestigious De Vere hotel group, offers beautiful accommodation within the stunning 30-acre Tortworth Estate. Its location is exceptionally convenient, being just a short five-minute drive (1.4 miles) from our training facility. Guests booking accommodation here will also benefit from access to the hotel’s excellent leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, and sauna.

We have secured a special rate for South West Maritime Academy students of £92 per person per night for Bed and Breakfast from Sunday to Thursday. For Friday and Saturday nights, the rate is £139 per person per night. These rates are based on single occupancy of a standard double or twin room.

To take advantage of this agreed-upon rate, please ensure you quote ‘South West Maritime Academy’ when making your reservation. If you’d like to get a feel for the hotel before booking, you can take a virtual tour of Tortworth Court Hotel via the following link: https://www.devere.co.uk/smart-space/virtual-experience/. Please note that this discounted rate is available on telephone bookings only.

Contact Details for Tortworth Court:

Tel: +44 (0)1454 263000 Address: Tortworth Court, Tortworth, Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 8HH Website: devere.co.uk/tortworth-court