New Year Cottages in the Lake District

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Petula - Verified booking

  This is an absolutely fabulous location.

  However, we were very disappointed with the cottage itself. After looking back on the website listing, we now realise that the photographs taken inside were taken with every light being on downstairs. On arrival, we walked into a dark and dingy room with no natural light save that from the one small window. This meant that lights had to constantly be on and althougn the weather was gloriously warm outside, the cottage itself was quite cold. This in turn meant that we needed to put some heating on. Working the central heating was no minor feat and the electric fire had a mind of its own. Putting one vent on low was giving some heat off but trying to turn it up and putting two vents on, switched the whole thing off. We couldn't get the cooker hood to work therefore, there was no ventilation or direct light over the cooker therefore, door and window needed to be open to get rid of the steam from cooking. Upstairs, both in the bathroom and the second bedroom, the skylight was difficult to reach, even with the window pole, and the double bed dipped on the right hand side, as did the headboard. It was only on the morning of departure we realised that the castor was broken and there was no washer on the the slat holding the headboard in place. Going outside, the lack of privacy was quite intrusive. Gilpin View front door and Bobbin Mill front door are very close together with a joint path leading to both. Outside of Bobbin Mill cottage, there is a wooden table and bench which, quite rightly, their guests can enjoy sitting on. However, this afforded no privacy when coming out of Gilpin View and was quite uncomfortable. I would suspect that those staying at Bobbin Mill would also feel the same way. Gilpin View's seating area was quite unkempt and not very pleasant to relax in, and obviously hadn't been tended to for some time e.g. weeds, overgrown and generally messy and untidy. As one time owners and managers of a holidy let further up into the Gyhll, we were looking forward to revisiting this picturesque hamlet, sadly, on this occasion, Gilpin View dulled what we had hoped, would have been and enjoyable week.

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• Georgia - Verified booking

  Stayed in Abbots Reading Mews 2 for a week of hiking and exploring the Lakes.

  I’ve been using Sykes for 9 years now so always have trust in them. The cottage itself is in a lovely location, grounds are lovely and the farmer next door is a welcoming man! Just very basic inside unfortunately. First cottage I’ve come to where we didn’t have a little welcome pint of milk/ treat etc waiting as a thank you and hello for the cost you pay, each to their own on how they welcome guests but after a 270mile 7hour traffic filled car journey, it was a little upsetting that this wasn’t there as then we needed to go back out to get a pint of milk.. We had 5 hangers in the very large wardrobe, it has been brought up over past comments but it’s not been sorted a minimum of 10-15 hangers should be in there. The WiFi wasn’t the best- although states a stone cottage and the routers is far from the signal etc this day and age there are ways of getting a strong connection with plug in signal extenders so had to drive /walk half way up the road to get signal to then plan our day. Also the bed is extremely uncomfortable, I had a spring pop into my side one night and had to spend the rest of the week on the sofa with a towel as a cover. The room is huge so could easily fit a king size bed too with a good thick topper. We had window cleaners on the Thursday early morning which isn’t the best when walking around after just showering and no warning from the cottage owner. Quite a shame as the cottage and service could be wonderful if a little thought and love went into their business. The little things make such a difference

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• Jayne - Verified booking

  Firstly may I say an idyllic peaceful place, ideal for a well earned rest away from the busy life, birds singing and the noise of that beautiful running water, lovely and thank you.

  Directions for us worked well and great for access to other parts of the Lake District and surrounding places of interest for us. Key collection great and easy to find. Just a couple of suggestions if I may, entering the property we thought the patio sitting area could of been tidied up (shrubs cut back, weeds taken out and table and chairs maybe painted) first impression a little untidy but easily sorted. Inside just again a little TLC and attention to detail required, pictures very faded and not all relating to the area, I think I would take them down and maybe have 1/2 new ones. Artificial flowers replace, fresh plant or flowers. Bedrooms again little touches would make all the difference, remove old pictures, attention to details when finishing off the decor fill in gaps, emulsion over marked areas on walls and either paint gloss or make sure it's washed down thoroughly removing brown stains of bathroom door, and I do hope this is used as constructive feedback in a positive manner as I have wrote it. Lastly we have and would certainly recommend this holiday cottage as a peaceful, relaxing central base for your stay that will help you unwind with very pleasing surroundings, we will go back again. thank you Jayne

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• Clare - Verified booking

  The twin bedroom had brown leak stains on the ceiling below the Velux and plaster damage and leak stains on the ceiling above the beds, as well as mould on one of the bedroom pictures.

  Although the leak ingress had been fixed, the source of the leak had not, resulting in the twin bedroom being unusable for the duration of our stay due to leaking water hammering off the roof whenever it rained. On reporting this we didn't get as much as an apology from the owners once it had been brought to their attention. The property was not cleaned to expected standards - we found dog hairs and dog treats from previous visitors on the living room floor. In addition, each evening was accompanied by the sound of vermin scuttling around behind the kitchen units (which were not sealed off). The private patio seating area is only private in the sense that is is for sole use of the cottage guests - it is in full view of the entire courtyard and is separated from the neighbour's patio by a path and 8 feet of air. Although the owners agreed to a partial refund, it was nowhere near acceptable given the state of the accommodation and the discomfort caused by having to camp out in the living room as one bedroom was unusable. PS Nothing says welcome like a cleaning pack - complete with dish washer tablets for a non-existent dishwasher!

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• Maggie - Verified booking

  Booked cottage through Sykes who said no pets.

  Arrived at cottage and information pack stated that 2 dogs were welcome at Gilpin View. So I spent over £140 to have my dog housed in kennels for nothing. Booking stated that we had access to pool and leisure centre - but there was no information at the cottage. The pool and leisure centre was offsite. ( Not clear when booking.) Called Sykes Cottages to discuss not having access to pool. They found the number for the leisure centre and said to discuss access with leisure centre directly. Called the leisure centre numerous times with no answer. We could not access pool during our stay. The downstairs of cottage ( particularly kitchen) is very dated and expensive in my opinion. The electric fire didn't work ( blows hot for 30 seconds and then just blows cold air) and only half the grill works. Also, only a minor detail but we could not find any chopping boards. On a positive note the cottage was cleaned to a high standard and the upstairs was quite comfortable and the views and surround of the cottage are very picturesque

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