The Old Church

Reviews (3)

• Confirmed Guest

  Great setting. Impressive interior.Plenty of space, lovely additions of the cinema room and pool table.Kitchen could do with an update on pans and equipment to cater for larger groups who want to prepare full meals. We managed but it would of been easy with bigger pans representative of the bigger party staying.

• Gavin Thomas

  Our family has a tradition of finding charming locations and traditional homes to escape to for Christmas each year. This time, we decided on The Old Church in Rossendale, travelling as a group of five adults and three children. On paper, it seemed we had hit the jackpot. The property looked stunning, with excellent reviews and plenty of facilities that promised a festive and relaxing retreat. Sadly, it didn’t quite live up to our expectations.The first issue we faced was the temperature of the house. We arrived on 21st December to find it absolutely freezing. It took several days for the property to feel remotely warm, which was far from the cosy atmosphere we were hoping for. In the meantime, we resorted to bundling up in layers and huddling around small portable electric fires that had been provided. The main hall log burner, which could have added some much-needed warmth and ambience, ended up being completely unusable. When we lit it and closed the doors, smoke filled the room instead of venting through the chimney. Fortunately, I had only started with a small amount of kindling and managed to transfer it to another log burner at the rear of the property. The property manager assured us that the issue had been checked and resolved before, but I wasn’t keen on trying again and risking another smoke-filled room.The radiators in the house added to the frustration. When they did work, they were lukewarm at best, and there was no thermostat to regulate the overall temperature. This meant that the heating often came on at inconvenient times, like during the night, making the bedrooms far too hot. We found ourselves constantly turning radiators on and off in a bid to create a comfortable environment.Hot water was another major issue. The house only provided hot water twice a day, which simply wasn’t enough for a family of eight. According to the house rules, guests were allowed to boost the hot water, but only for a maximum of 30 minutes. This restriction made even basic things like showering feel like a logistical challenge. It would have made a world of difference if guests were given more control over the heating and hot water systems to suit their needs.Another disappointment was the tumble dryer, which wasn’t working during our stay. The property manager admitted they were aware of the issue but explained that, being Christmas week, it was unlikely to be repaired in time. This left us unable to wash and dry clothes or towels, especially after outdoor activities like walks and park visits left us with muddy, wet gear. There wasn’t even a clothes airer provided as a replacement. Each guest was given just one small bath towel for the entire stay, with no extras for use in the hot tub. With no way to wash and dry them, it would have been much easier if the property provided extra towels or at least recommended that guests bring their own.The property advertises as suitable for up to ten guests, but the available cookware didn’t reflect that. There was only a small pan, a milk pan, and a small frying pan, which would make cooking a Christmas dinner for eight people very challenging. The property manager did kindly purchase a set of three small pans for us, but they were far from adequate for preparing large meals.Perhaps the most upsetting part of our stay was the response we received from the property owner. When we contacted the property manager to report the issues we were experiencing, we received an email from the owner reprimanding us for using the provided contact number, stating it was for emergencies only. We were instead directed to an app with general house rules, which was of no help in resolving the problems we were facing. This lack of support left us feeling abandoned during what should have been a relaxing and memorable holiday.On a positive note, the house itself is undeniably stunning, and its facilities have the potential to make for an amazing stay. The cinema room and games room were particularly popular with the children, keeping them entertained for hours. The hot tub was a highlight for the adults, providing a great way to unwind, and the bedrooms were clean and comfortable. The surrounding area also offered plenty of charm, with beautiful walks and views to enjoy. A visit to The Hargreaves Arms, a pub just down the road, was another bright spot in our trip; the staff and locals were incredibly welcoming and friendly.In summary, The Old Church is a lovely property with great potential, but it was let down by a lack of basic amenities and poor communication from the owner. For Christmas week, when you pay a premium to stay, you expect a higher level of comfort and a willingness from the hosts to ensure guests are happy. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for us. While the property could be a fantastic choice in the summer months, we wouldn’t recommend it for a winter stay, as it doesn’t deliver the cosy and functional experience you’d hope for during the colder season.

• Lynsey Perry

  I stayed here for my friends surprise birthday and it was stunning. Plenty of space for everyone and good sized bedrooms. With it being an old church it was very cold and the heating only comes on at certain times. I would recommend taking extra comfy clothes especially in the winter months. However I would stay here again and it was really good value for money for a group of people.