Guests say
The Orchard in Bideford offers stunning views and spacious accommodation with a well-equipped lounge and comfortable bedrooms. While some guests have highlighted issues with maintenance and cleanliness, others have had excellent stays, appreciating the property's cleanliness and welcome pack.
Reviews indicate significant cleanliness issues, including a filthy kitchen, dirty carpets, and an unclean en-suite. However, one review mentions the property being very clean, suggesting inconsistency in cleaning standards.
The property's location is generally praised for its stunning views and perfect setting, although access via a steep drive is noted. No negative comments about the location itself were provided.
Comfort receives mixed reviews. Guests appreciate the comfortable furnishings and bedrooms, but also report uncomfortable beds with mattress springs coming through and issues with light in the bedrooms.
Facilities are noted to be of good quality, but maintenance issues are prevalent, including a rickety decking, tired en-suite, and small shower cubicles. The need for updates and repairs is a common theme.
Thoughtfulness is difficult to score as reviews are conflicting regarding the welcome pack; one mentions its absence, while another appreciates it. As gifts are not consistently mentioned, it is politely noted that they are not guaranteed.
About this property
A lovely detached bungalow located in an elevated position on a private road benefiting from beautiful views over the River Torridge and historic Bideford town.. All on the
Ground Floor:
Living room: Smart TV, Patio Doors Leading To Large Decking With Estuary Views.
Kitchen/dining room: Smart TV, Gas Oven, Gas Hob, Coffee Machine, Patio Doors Leading To Large Decking With Estuary Views And A Door To Utility Room.
Utility Room: Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Dishwasher, Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer
Bedroom 1: Zip And Link Super Kingsize Bed (2 x Singles On Request), 32" Smart TV
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 2: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, 32" Smart TV
Bedroom 3: Zip And Link Super Kingsize Bed (2 x Singles On Request), Pull Out Single (2ft 6in) Bed, 32" Smart TV
Bathroom: Bath, Cubicle Shower, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet.
Gas central heating, electricity, gas, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Cot and highchair. Welcome pack. Enclosed back garden with patio, sitting out area, terrace and garden furniture. No smoking. Please note: 17 steps in garden.. The Orchard is a well presented spacious bungalow with enviable views over the River Torridge which flows past Bideford joining the Taw Estuary at Instow and out into the Atlantic. The property is accessed via a steep driveway which has ample space for several cars (in a row). Access to the bungalow is either via the steps or convenient ramp leading down to the front door and garden. Inside the accommodation is all on one level and comprises three bedrooms, 2 super kings with zip & link beds (one with an additional 2’6 pull out single and a king size. The main bedroom has an en-suite shower room and lovely river and town views and there’s a family bathroom with a bath and shower cubicle. There’s a comfortable lounge with smart TV, a wood burner and patio doors leading out onto the large decking where you can enjoy the beautiful views and some al-fresco meals, breakfast or an evening drink. The kitchen/diner is the centrepiece of this property and offers everything you need to entertain and cater for your friends or family with patio doors so you can let the outside in, a sofa so you can enjoy the smart TV, dining table and a coffee machine for some real barista style beverages. Other than the oven and hob, the rest of the main appliances including washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer are all in the adjacent utility room.
Spending time outdoors at The Orchard is a pleasure, what with the amazing views from the decking and the well maintained lawned garden. Bideford is the 2nd largest town in N Devon with plenty to see and do with a lovely river front and port, which was once Britain’s 3rd largest. Beaches, such as Westward Ho! and Instow are firm favourites locally and are less than 4 miles away and the South West Coastal Path is a must for keen walkers & runners as is the popular Tarka Trail, which stretches for 180 miles and can be accessed via the same side of the river. It provides the unique opportunity to follow a disused railway line by foot or bicycle, allowing you to enjoy some of Devon’s finest countryside and river views and enjoy various treats along the way through Instow, Fremington Quay and onto Barnstaple, North Devon’s historical regional centre. Swimming, surfing, canoeing and entertainment for all the family plus fishing are all close by and the for a day with a difference why not take a trip across to Lundy Island? With regular trips from Bideford, you can enjoy the home to England’s first statutory
Marine Nature Reserve, due to its unique flora and fauna. Measuring just 3 miles by ¾ mile, this entire island has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Westward Ho!, the nearest seaside village offers an array of seaside amenities including some fascinating curiosity shops and a range of restaurants and cafes. Within easy reach are 2 popular top attractions, The Big Sheep amusement farm park and if you fancy some high ropes, wall climbing, surfing or even a spot of coasteering, The Ultimate Adventure Centre is the place to visit! The beaches are a main attraction for many with surfer-friendly Westward Ho! and slightly further afield, award winning Saunton Sands, Woolacombe & Croyde are also a must for your itinerary. Being very close to the A39 Atlantic Highway, Bideford is conveniently located for day trips to other beautiful places such as Exmoor National Park with stunning dark skies for great star gazing & locations such as Clovelly, Hartland and North Cornwall.
Free WiFi
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Nearby points of interest
- Clovelly Village
- Woolacombe Beach
Reviews (5)
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Confirmed Guest
Just a 'heads up' to start...access to the property is via Grange Road. We have a medium sized car. It was impossible to turn into Grange Road from the main road. So we had to travel further along the main road to turn around to afford easier access into Grange Road. Once at the property, we had to negotiate a very steep drive and small turning circle at the bottom.However, we arrived.The property, at first glance, was stunning. Detached and great views. A large lawned area and easy access to the property. The key lock was easy to find.Thereafter, it will be easier to list pro's and cons.Pro's.Very clean throughout.Good quality kitchen equipmentGood quality furnishibgsPlenty of roomTV in every roomLounge well equipped and very comfortable) with X Box (Dvd player), TV, CD player TVVery comfortable bedrooms. Main bedroom en suite (but tired tiling in shower cubicle) Lovely bathroom (but small shower cubicle) Great views.Cons.No welcome pack (that was disappointing.Outside decking/fencing/furniture very tired.
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Confirmed Guest
Well what can we say, the cleaner MelSaid that we asked her to leave and not finish cleaning however the bungalow was filthy I have pictures to prove. The beds we found an earring in the bed in one room so we don’t even think they had been changed, the en-suite tiles were a hazard to health and dangerous also smelt off wee. The beds were very uncomfortable and mattress springs came through. The decking was unsafe and the balcony railings were going to fall through to the garden and would have been unsafe for kids. The kitchen was filthy in fact every room was full of dust and dirty he needs toget a new cleaner and someone who takes pride in her work. The patio door handle was coming off. The bungalow is on the market or was and people were coming down to the property whilst we were there so I didn’t feel happy leaving belongings. I went there because my mumAnd dad are terminally ill and we needed a family base away from there home due to there illnesses. We had to wash all the kitchen items as they were manky I don’t even know how you can rent somewhere out like this. The bathroom was rusty and old again needed good scrubbing and updating throughout the whole place. Carpets manky and dirty with stains. The light pull in the bathroom was ceramic and had broken so someone taped it up rather than replaced it and my son cut his fingers on it so we had to change it. I paid a lot for the week and the owner still thought ok to even let it out like the condition it was in but unfortunately not a lot else I could do on a bank holiday weekend…… please do not book this needs a complete overhaul
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Confirmed Guest
We love the location of the Orchard but there are a few niggles . 1 . The en suite shower room needs attention 2. The curtains in the front bedroom are far too small and let lots of light in , in fact we went and bought a bigger , dark pair as the person in that room was being woken up early by the light coming in . 3. The kitchen could do with a few more serving type bowls.4. The outside decking is looking very rickety and also could do with attention.5. There is currently no shade in the garden as the owners have taken down the sun canopies , the umbrella they left was too tall, non-adjustable and offered no shade at all . All things considered we do love the bungalow and its location is perfect it’s a pity it’s spoiled by the above problems .