Self catering cottages with Christmas availability

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Anthony - Verified booking

  A good location for a wedding we were attending at Iscoyd Hall.

  The property has some excellent points but also some not so good. The first issue was the not so well made track to get to the property. We contacted the owner once we had the specific directions, to check it was suitable for cars as my son has a sports car. We were told yes it was not an issue that they didn't have 4x4s and it was fine for cars. The track is steep but passable for the first hundred yards but just before you get to the bridge there are 4 very large potholes, with one nearly the width of the track so no option but to go through it. My son's car did scrape the bottom so luckily it was only one trip in and out as we had a taxi to the wedding. The taxi driver mentioned the road was getting worse each time he drove it. It was also dry the weekend we went I am sure it would have been more treacherous if raining. We are aware there needs to be rules but from our experience they are usually in the cottage information. But in this accomodation there were two picture frames in the kitchen with instructions on how and when to leave and they key code was also on display which could be seen through the window. We decided not to risk leaving the key in the safe incase someone used the code to get in. Perhaps due to it's location it is very safe but we have never had this before and even when visiting a property for a second time there has always been a new key code. Also the need to strip the beds seems a little odd as you would not have to do this in a hotel. The instructions seemed to relate to COVID which would have been expected but now COVID is endemic it seems a little odd to have to strip beds. The kitchen is ok, if small, but utensils could have been better to include sharper knives and 8 of the same glasses etc and a few more food recycling bags would have been good. We know the house is old but a lock on both doors of the downstairs bathroom would be helpful, together with a latch that works on the door to the stairs and on the window of the twin room. NOW FOR THE POSITIVES. The house was spotless and it was lovely to have fresh flowers in some of the rooms. The beds were very comfy and we all slept very well. The garden was delightful and we were lucky to have sun to be able to enjoy sitting outside with the gurgling of the Brock. The way the fire was laid with pine cones was also very welcoming and we did enjoy the fire crackling away. We were also just a mile from the wedding venue which was perfect and not far from Malpas (the Lion has an excellent menu) and Whitchurch (with plenty of supermarkets and a lovely main street). We had a comfy weekend and cannot stress that whilst there were some negatives there were also lots of positives about this property.

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• Alan - Verified booking

  The property has been renovated to a high standard and was very comfortably appointed.

  It was spotlessly clean, upon arrival, and we immediately felt at home. The beautiful bathroom/shower for every room was particularly well received. It’s location to nearby beauty spots could not be faulted, despite Sardis Chapel 1, and 2, and The Fisherman’s Cottage being basically placed in a pub car park. The pub wasn’t particularly noisy, however it would put us off visiting in the summer months when more clientele would undoubtedly be sitting outside. The “howling dogs” that was referred to in a previous review was accurate. There are at least six large dogs kennelled in the garden of an adjacent neighbours garden. Overall, they remain silent, however, when something disturbs them, the pack mentality returns and the begin to bark and howl in unison. This isn’t often, but a tad irritating. The top floor, which houses the lounge, and dining kitchen is bright, airy and open. The plentiful Velux windows allow some delightful views across the estuary, and loads of natural light, however we felt that they needed blinds to screen the sunshine to afford shade, when dining or attempting to watch the tv in the bright sunshine. The steep stairs between floors are difficult to negotiate if you have mobility issues, or have toddlers, and I think that prospective clients should be notified of there existence. We had a wonderful week in a delightful property, in a part of the island that we haven’t previously concentrated on. Newborough Forest, and beach are outstanding areas of natural beauty and rightly so. Any of the three properties are perfect for the endless birdwatching and photography opportunities on the estuary. Thank you to the owners and Sykes Cottages for their assistance in arranging the last minute changes that made our holiday so memorable.

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• Suzanne - Verified booking

  I am sorry for my delay in giving a review, but since our return from holiday my son has been moving and life has been chaotic!

  I would like to say a big thank you to the owners of the cottage, it was absolutely lovely, a beautiful setting and our short stay with your cottage was lovely. The cottage itself was perfect, especially for my elderly mother who has mobility issues and was able to have the bedroom and the bathroom downstairs which was a great help and ideal for her, and my dog stayed downstairs with her to keep her company. The house keeper (I think her name was Julie) was lovely and extremely helpful, we had an issue with the shower, I messaged her and while we were out at dinner, her and her husband came out to fix it, which was appreciated and promptly dealt with, she was also very helpful is advising places to eat in the local area. Although, we only stayed for a few days we did have a fire, which was wonderful! as we do not have an open fire at all and there is nothing like it, so that was also enjoyed by all. The decor and the furnishing were very tasteful, it was a fab experience and enjoyed by all of us. We would definitely love to come and stay and your wonderful property again. This note is just for the owners? If I were to come on my own or maybe just my mum or my son (not all of us) do you have any smaller properties of the same standard, and also do they have disability facilities like this one did? Thank you again, wish it had been longer, it was hard to fit in all the places we wanted to see. Many Thanks We stayed Sat 19th August until Tuesday 22nd August. Suzi (Herrington) (please do not put my surname in - many thanks)

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• Carolyn - Verified booking

  There were positives and negatives of Wolvesacre mill cottage.

  The negatives first. The tv whilst a decent size , the guide did not give information and had to keep being turning on and off. The shower needs a curtain as there is nothing to keep the water flowing out into the rest of the room. Although one sofa was adequate and comfortable it’s only a two seater and the chise longue is uncomfortable and unsuitable to sit and watch tv. There were four of us adults that went for Christmas. There were no serving dishes, No serving utensils,no carving knife,no full size carving /chopping board,the oven was very grubby so much so when turned to temperature and the oven door was opened the smoke filled the kitchen and the back door had to be open whilst it was in use. The fry pan,and oven trays had no Teflon left on them and were completely unusable. The garden as nice a space as it was , was unkept and hazardous to our dogs. The private driveway to the property had an array of large and very large pot holes. Had we not been in SUVs we wound of struggled to get to the cottage. Two food caddy bags over Christmas for a week and one black Sack was not enough. For the positives lovely homely warm cottage. Comfortable beds. Well placed for exploring. With some attention to detail would make this cottage great.

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• Lisa - Verified booking

  Lovely stay in Sardis chapel 1 3 generations family and 2 dogs Accommodation is very well thought out with each room having en-suite/private bathroom.

  Would have welcomed option if possible to turn 1 bed into twins Lobby area tiled floors all other floors wooden and stairs carpeted, made easy to keep clean ( if brush provided) Lovely large area as enter property to take off boots, hang coats with underfloor heating to dry everything off. Furniture is all good quality and beds very comfortable. Kitchen area has all equipment you would want for self catering holiday. Although seating is very comfortable you would struggle if there were more than 5 people to sit on sofas. Ideally additional comfy chairs are required as sleeps 8 Private parking for number of vehicles. Great position with easy access to walks from property and short drive away to many more beaches /attractions. Would suggest 1 soft broom/hoover to sweep floors especially as enter property 2 more than 1 bin bag 3 bigger supply logs 4 better control of heating especially downstairs in bedrooms- very warm and difficult to turn it down 5 additional comfortable seating in lounge area However these are all minor points and we had great break, we’re very impressed by standard of the property.

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