Family Cottages in the UK

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Sue - Verified booking

  We book cottage breaks quite regularly and I always look at the reviews to make a decision.

  After reading some and then also seeing The Folly was significantly cheaper than other comparable cottages I was really on the fence about booking. The distance from home was my decider (we wanted somewhere in easy travel, but still with a remote feel). We arrived with fingers crossed. All is can say is WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I would have never known but been so gutted to have missed this gem. Absolutely now number one my favourite break list. Location - fantastic. Detached and remote but only 2 minutes from local post office/shop, coffee shop, Castle and Gardens in Belsay and 4 minutes to Bolam Lake. Access information/directions from owner - spot on. We had no problem finding the Folly and getting in. The access is across a field from the main road, so I would advise weatherproof footwear to open the gate. The track across the field is perfectly drivable stone. We were welcomed on arrival and throughout our stay by sheep (we never had a visit from the cows). The cottage itself is really well equipped. I don't think the photos do it justice. Often I find rooms/cottages/gardens smaller in reality with some clever camera angles at play. Not the case here. All rooms are great sizes and ample garden space. Large garden to front and small patio to rear. If you have a large dog or a dog that will jump walls, then definitely keep on a lead in the front garden (as advised). The bottom wall is lower than the sides and the sheep are literally at the other side. Our dog is big (lab/husky) but doesn't jump and is very used to/unbothered by sheep. The back yard/patio is super dog proof! Loads of outside space for parking and undercover barn type area for anything else (I think this is what is described in the listing as undercover games area). Heating was fab, we turned it down so we could justify the log burners (post office sells additional logs and kindling). Water red hot, shower excellent. Kitchen had everything we needed. Outside sensor security lighting (needs to be switched on on arrival) meant even in the dark the gates were easy to manage You can walk for miles through the fields (dog on lead obviously) if you don't want to travel far. We went to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens but didn't feel with the dog it justified the entry fee. Bolam Lake was a fabulous walk though (free, but car park charge) There's a couple of comments about cobwebs, yes there are a few here and there but I'm not sure in a building like this you'd ever get rid of them all! Everything we used was clean and the towels, bedding perfect. The quilt in the master bedroom was so snuggly. We didn't have a problem with the mattress, it was really firm but didn't cause us any issues. The basics were all there (loo roll, washing up liquid, dishwasher and washing tablets, salt pepper, tea coffee, sugar). There wasn't any welcome pack to speak of (unless these things were it), even though the text from the owner mentioned it (I only noticed this when I was re-reading the message for leaving instructions) but that was fine I'd ordered an Asda delivery to land shortly after we did so we were quickly stocked with milk, bread and all the other essentials. (We met the driver at the gate and transferred to our car to save him driving through the field) If I could change anything I'd say get a bigger TV in the lounge. We so enjoyed a Netflix binge/catch up on a night and it would have been amazing on a bigger screen. The Folly would literally be 11/10 then! Since arriving home yesterday I've already been looking when we can rebook.

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• Claire - Verified booking

  We were not contacted with regards to our stay until we got in touch with the owners before we left home to find out the details.

  Our booking was most definitely forgotten. The directions to get to The Folly from Belsay were poor, on the basis that the 'burn' we are told to turn left after, is really hard to notice, and actually, when you miss it, and follow the directions from the next obvious, 2nd burn, you end up in another property. It took us a while to find the property, only with the help of a local resident, who advised us of the phantom burn used in directions. If you go over a little bridge and swing to the left..you need to turn around. Once we found the entrance gate, with the tiniest signs possible, the lane was easy to navigate, and the cows and sheep were very welcoming and amicable. The key safe was very, very difficult to find. I know other guests have mentioned it was difficult for 'oldies', but actually no, its hard for anyone. It is small, disguised amongst fuse/socket boxes, and in the darkest corner of a brick shed,..oh, and black, not even where the diminishing light can fall...check in from 3:30pm, not 3pm! Had it been any darker, we would not have found it. (Once it was located, even in the daylight as we left, the phone torches had to be used to put in codes) It was during this search that we found the log shed, of which the door could not be opened fully to get logs. Not that it mattered for us, as we had forgotten to bring matches, and the only provision made for us was an empty box. The log baskets had not been replenished either. Confirming that the booking was forgotten. On our second evening, the electricty went off. It came back on again, 30 seconds later, and then back off again. This on and off lasted a couple of minutes, and then it just went off. It was just as night was falling. We anticpated an evening of no heat source, and so after contacting the owners, we decided it was better to pack and leave for home. The owners said it was a power cut, which, after experiencing these before, and managing with 5 small children, we found it to be an odd, and somewhat patronising explanation. Had we been prepared for the possibilty, we would have coped...TAKE MATCHES!! It was then that the electricity came back on, but our trust in the property was now completely gone, and the lack of care to ensure we were okay during the aleged power cut was actually alarmingly rude. It turned the the whole break into a farse. The Folly is beautiful. It is well decorated with gorgeous facbrics and adequate furniture. The garden is enclosed, however the yard at the back of the house does have a gate which requires supervision of determined escapees...children or doggos. We were not aware of outside games area? and parking is generous. The box room which is described as suitable for a cot bed or the zbed provided is actually a through room to the bathroom, and so would really only be suitable for really small children. The 'welcome pack' folder itemises all kitchen utensils, however some of these are still missing, which makes you feel guilty to be honest. As a property and location, The Folly is gorgeous, and comfortable, just be aware of the difficulties we've mentioned, be fully prepared, and it should be a good time. Oh, and maybe take wellies for the opening of the gates.....

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• Jean - Verified booking

  My husband snd myself teavel north from Lincolnshire, my brother and wife travelled south from Fife.

  Meeting up somewhere in the middle for our annual pre christmas break. What a marvelous find this was. This is a lovely cottage, quite remote, (make sure you take what you need with you, you arent popping out to the shop f you forget anything. ) there is a well stocked village shop a few miles away in the nearest village, The cottage is surrounded by stunning views cosy, yet spacious. and exceptionally clean and well equipped to a high standard . One point to highlight , the beds have orthopaedic mattress, very firm, if you like a soft mattress you may struggle. We were contacted by our hosts two days before travelling , with detailed direction on how to get there. Key safe numbers etc. Our queries were promptly responded to. You do indeed (as advised) need your wellies if it is wet weather, opening gates (two) to get from the road, through the sheep field , to reach the cottage, not digfficult to do, the men sat in the cars while the women opened the gates, in the rain... the courtyard is well contained and was well suited to our small dog. (Lots of walks in the area). The weather wasn't great , to be expected at this time of the year, but the warm welcome from our hosts, cosy cottage open fires and good company made for a great long weekend break. Would highly recommend. We plan to return.

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• Ruth - Verified booking

  Lovely cottage decorated to a high and elegant standard ( I took a photo of one bedroom's curtains to try and track the fabric down for home!

  ) The real Christmas tree and the foliage in the sitting room was a lovely touch and very much appreciated . The bath towels were big and fluffy and having a bath ( so many cottages today seem to just have showers ) was just what you need in the winter after a walk. My only gripe is a recurrent one- form self catering the provision of pots and pans is never adequate- there was no casserole dish for the oven for the sort of hearty meal wanted to cook ( we improvised with a roasting tin and foil) and only one decent sized saucepan meant juggling veg etc Finally and this is a dig at Sykes and not the owner; when will letting companies abandon this paranoia that a bag of flour/ bottle of oil/ stock cubes/ salt/pepper/ vinegar and any other basis non perishable food stuffs which make it easier to cook away from home without a massive shop,is a health risk? When was the last time anyone died of botulism in one of your cottages from the dried mixed herbs left behind by the previous guest? It is so depressing to arrive to find that the one tablespoon of flour you need means a trip to the shops. You allow tea. coffee and sugar to be left so why not allow the rest of the inert foodstuffs?

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• Pam - Verified booking

  Beautiful cottage in a very peaceful surrounding, clean & had everything you would need.

  We met both the owners who were lovely & very accommodating. Only thing is we found the 2 settees too low & hard to get up from although very comfy & the blinds in my bedroom let in a lot of light so found it hard to sleep after daybreak as I like a dark bedroom, but that’s just my personal preference. Beds were extremely comfy with lovely soft duvets. Lovely powerful shower. Water pressure a lot better than here at home sadly. The garden was perfect for the dogs & we loved seeing the sheep in the next field. The dogs were very intrigued with the robotic lawnmower lol. The lake on the farm is idyllic & we spent a lot of happy peaceful hours there taking a picnic with us. Hubby was sorry he hadn’t packed his fishing gear! Would highly recommend. All in all just the break we were looking for. Rest & relaxation. My choice was perfect! We left the cottage as we found it. Clean & tidy. I even hoovered before we left. ☺️

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