Cirencester Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• John - Verified booking

  We were surprised on arriving at Mayfly cottage that the photos on which we had judged it for our holiday in the Cotswolds were largely inaccurate.

  The location, property and garden were essentially as shown but otherwise the inside was changed and not all for the better. The dining set for example had been changed to hard plastic chairs and a PVC covered table, something the owner, to his credit was quick to remedy when we talked to him but it did cause us to wonder when Manor Cottages( through whom we booked) had last inspected the property. We blame them for not better advising the owners about what a five star property should offer. When I asked the owner if he would holiday here, the silence was deafening. Not his fault if he prefers and can obviously afford more salubrious holidays away but Manor cottages should therefore tell him bluntly what guests expect for 5* SC accommodation as this wasn’t it. It is a very, very small barn conversion which does present significant challenges when moving about on the mezzanine upstairs- and in fairness these had been alluded to. However, the lack of head height up there really is very difficult to manage and it is disappointing when on holiday not to be able to relax sitting up in bed with a cuppa. What was most difficult to manage in the property was the erratic hot water in the shower in a largely tired bathroom, badly planned kitchenette and the constant issue with live wasps. When we arrived there were a number of dead wasps in the sitting room and we assumed that they had come in after the cleaner had left. As it turned out there was a wasp nest and we did not have a single day there where we were not significantly bothered by wasps in the property, the low point being when we were stung in bed at 4am in the morning. Not the owners fault you may think but they were actually coming in THROUGH the small alcove wall in the sitting room ( it’s all open plan so we couldn’t shut the door on them when going to bed). Worse,there was evidence that previous guests had also tried to block up entry points so it was clearly a long-standing issue. Some basic building maintenance would sort it but pushing tissue into the entry holes we could see didn’t help much, if at all. It was a hot week and the wasps meant we kept everything closed up, thinking initially that the wasps were getting in through window frames and the door. We refused entry therefore when the owner, aware of our “disappointment” around the property had offered to arrange some further maintenance and cleaning ( of dirty grout around the bath etc., something that surely should occur before guests arrive anyway). He asked for our bank details and sent around around 18% of what we had paid Manor cottages back to us and arranged for some remedial work when we were out daytimes - plus there were some treats left in the fridge - but sorry, it wasn’t enough to rescue the holiday and we were never so glad to leave somewhere and get home. We would have left far sooner but we had friends house sitting in our own property back in Cornwall ( also 200 years old, so we do understand the issues with old property) and didn’t want to affect their holiday too. We simply do not understand the apparently ‘positive’ reviews we had read on the Manor Cottages site before booking ( late last year ) and on closer study since have found more poor reviews on different sites. Had it not purported to be a five star establishment we would have been far less annoyed but this was supposed to be a very special anniversary break for us. We enjoyed stunning weather and the Cotswolds were as beautiful as always so we could be out much of the time but the experience with this property has been extremely disappointing and we feel very let down by Manor Cottages.

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• Caroline - Verified booking

  I’m disappointed and furious about Mayfly holiday cottage where I’ve just spent a week.

  I spent over £500 for this awful holiday. What a waste of my money. I’d previously had a good holiday at nearby Shrove Cottage, Pancake Hill, via Manor Cottages and everything at Shrove Cottage in 2023 was up to expected standard including a comfy bed, but Mayfly by contrast was not. Here’s a list of the disappointing issues found in Mayfly that need addressing: Firstly, the location post code given doesn’t even lead to the cottage. It clearly hasn’t been tested out by anyone. Unresolved issues: 1. The most disappointing issue was the bed. A good bed to sleep on is the most basic fundamental item on the list for any holiday let. The Manor cottages listing says ‘double bedroom’ indicating a double mattress as is normally the case. At Mayfly I found two worn out uncomfortable bumpy old twin bed mattress. The mattress topper is worn out too. I came home with backache. 2. It was unseasonably chilly this June. Only one thin duvet was provided, insufficient for a cold weather summer June 2024. Fortunately I brought a 10 tog duvet with me. 3. Toilet doesn’t flush strongly enough to flush away waste. 4. Unsafe broken electrical bedside light, last PAT test 5/4/2019, it wouldn’t pass a PAT test now. 5. Torch provided for emergencies doesn’t work, the battery had not been checked. 6. Damp coming through bedroom ceiling and various places at skirting board level. 7. Old floor vinyl rucking up. 8. No thought given to interior décor furnishings, just leftovers chucked together. Pictures on walls covered in dust and cobwebs. The Manor cottages photographs are out of date too. I expect Manor Cottages doesn’t check properties. Resolved issues: 1. A continually flowing bathroom sink hot tap, (more than just a drip) it woke me at night. So much for a tranquil holiday. The tap was wasting gallons of water continually and has obviously been dripping for about a year judging by the constant water flow. It’s just neglectful to leave it un-repaired. I complained and the taps were replaced according to my advice. 2. No sofa blanket provided, a blanket is usually provided in holiday cottages. I requested one and one was brought to me. This is a cold building inside. I am only 5’ 2” tall yet the very low beams around the bed were bothersome even for me. I’m very disappointed in Manor Cottages. I’m so relieved to return to the comforts of home where I can recover from this holiday endurance test before returning to work. I cannot book again with Manor Cottages because I now don’t trust them as a holiday business. I can’t recommend Manor Cottages or Mayfly to my friends. I’ll have to mention this review on Manor Cottages website.

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• Peter - Verified booking

  A wonderful family three days was spent by us at Arlington Mill.

  (There were ten of us). It is an amazing building and is just right for a large family group. There is so much space that everyone was satisfied with their own en suite accommodation. We ate in on two nights, preparing huge banquets in the massive and well-equipped kitchen (two freezers and two fridges!). The Catherine Wheel Inn is a stone's throw up the road and did us proud on one evening. This mill is an amazing place and there is so much to see in the village and surrounding area. It is a delightful part of the Cotswolds. Just one or two minor gripes. When using previous rented accommodation we have usually had a TV set in the bedrooms. Arlington Mill does not, though we were probably too tired to bother, anyway! The TV in the lounge appears only to receive programmes via Sky as Freeview failed to pick up any signal. The soundbar failed to switch on and is very precariously attached to the set. I am familiar with the model and it seemed to be inverted? We tried everything to get it into action, but it seemed dead. We brought DVD's with us for the grandchildren but were unable to use them as the player was not connected to the set and the leads appeared to be missing. The heating system is quite complex and not to be messed with! The timer appeared to be incorrectly set though we were frightened to fiddle with it and left it well alone! In leaving it as it was the heating seemed to come on very late in the evening and hardly at all in the morning when we were getting up. The master bedroom, however, was always warm. As a result, we had to purchase heaps of logs and used the very efficient log burner to heat the dinning and associated lounge area where we spent most of our time. These are only minor gripes about a holiday let which is second to none. It certainly has the 'wow factor' and is well worth the money. Congratulations to the owners who have done a great restoration job on what is a wonderful old building of some significance.

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• Carol - Verified booking

  The cottage is fantastic.

  It is extrememly well-appointed - one of the best we have ever stayed in. From the fresh flowers, welcome food and drink and Jo Malone toiletries to the tasteful furnishings with high quality bed linen, fluffy towels and comfy beds, there is nothing we would change. It smelt lovely as we walked in, and was spotlessly clean. There was snow outside but it was very cosy and welcoming. Sky TV was included which was a treat for us! The cottage was great for our dog, with a safe enclosed garden and a practical utility room. The rolling Cotswolds countryside is beautiful with plenty of walks and pubs on the doorstep. We had our toddler grandson with us - there was a good quality highchair, travel cot and stairgate, with a small selection of thoughtfully chosen children's books and soft toys which he loved. In fact, he wanted to take one of them home....! The dining kitchen is on the ground floor whilst the main living space is upstairs, so the stairgate was essential. This layout may not suit everyone, but it worked well for us. Claire the housekeeper was very responsive and helpful, but unintrusive which is just the way we like it. We had to shorten our stay at short notice and the owners were very understanding, which we appreciated. Thank you for a wonderful stay - I'm sure we will return.

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• Stephen - Verified booking

  We had booked a week, but left after 4 nights as we had 2 days when the Hot water wouldn’t work.

  Coming back wet and cold from a cycle ride to no hot water was the final straw. The property is owner-run so Sykes only take bookings and are not liable, the owner by his own admission said it ‘probably needs a service!’. He takes no responsibility for the shortcomings and refused to pay any compensation. The best he offered was “You can walk across in the rain to another outbuilding and shower there!” Definitely not what we paid for. The building is a ‘prefab’ , glass all along the front , no opening windows in the bedroom, lounge or kitchen. Bit of a goldfish bowl as walkers on the road can look in, stuffy at night as only option was to leave door completely open and then the local dog walks in. The outlying property ‘walks’ have a neglected air about them as well as being a Scrapyard of old vans and tractors, broken machinery and glass. The ‘tennis court ‘ needs a good clear up - extension leads to the ‘Box’ running across it. Also the trainline passes 100 yards away, not mentioned in the information. The outside ‘Bar’ is a derelict shed and the ‘Swimming lake’ is a pond! It has potential to be a lot better but needs more investment and maintenance to bring it up to standard.

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