School Holidays 2017 Cottages In Hartland

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Betty - Verified booking

  The renovation of this property is stunning with many attractive features but it is sadly let down by the absence of expected up-to-date facilities and hygiene which severely and adversely affected our enjoyment.

  This lovely home is downgraded with the many and various annoying niggles that become preeminent in your feelings of enjoyment, safety, comfort and relaxation. Nothing could have been resolved by a phone call to the owners or Sykes. We took the view that our stay should not be interrupted as we were also visiting a terminally ill relative each day. In the kitchen there is one mismatched chipped mug and one large chipped plate. Some old crazed plates and bowls distract from the food placed in them. The induction hob does well with the bumpy, dirty bottoms of most of the provided old frying pans. Weak plastic utensils and blunt knives add to the frustration of cooking for 8 with several inadequate, small pans. We shopped for satisfactory implements and fly spray (see later). The microwave oven had someone else’s leftovers stuck to the plate. The fridge had a huge clump of ice with something stuck in it; it needs defrosting and cleaning. The fan oven never reaches the required temperature: meals had to be cooked using the ordinary oven. Several of the kitchen cabinet handles are pitted and uncomfortable in the hand and are ready for replacement. The door to the utility room toilet area was difficult to open at the beginning of the week as it caught on the floor and injured a guest’s chest as she anticipated it opening. The table mats in the dining area were sticky to touch so these and the table were cleaned. In the lounge unsecured rugs presented a trip hazard for several of the party. After one of the party had to be saved from a dangerous fall against the fireplace we put the rugs in the corner of the room for the rest of the stay. All the beds in the bedrooms were basic but the pillows were thin and unwelcoming. In the en-suite in the main bedroom the lock is still suspect despite notes in the log (August 2019, July 2022). The toilet seat doesn’t fit and is twisted. The extractor fan doesn’t work so towels were always damp and this was the same in the other bedroom on the first floor. The ‘balcony’ has no seating area and there are no seats in the bedroom. The floor area above the garages is uneven. On Tuesday night four of us were woken by the gate from the balcony down to the kitchen area banging. It had to be secured by a chair from outside the kitchen being placed against the gate as the lock was completely ineffective: the latch was misaligned, rusty and cannot be fastened. The outside security light constantly illuminates the bedroom window and needs attention. In the second bedroom on the first floor the hanging rail is so close to the shelf that you endanger fingers when hanging a garment up. The extent of the grounds is clearly advertised but its suitability for walking on is not indicated. Where was the boundary? Could we reach the coast? What features were worth noting? The proximity and access to prominent places of interest is exaggerated, for example, access to nearby towns as mentioned by others in the log. Outside the kitchen there are 3 rickety chairs with a small damaged and dangerous table which we cleaned as all were covered with bird faeces: the remains of the plasterer’s work is still on the wooden planking in front of you. Four chairs and an equally inadequate table rests alongside a pond. We returned each evening for a relaxing drink but we couldn’t all sit down and certainly not in the same place. We searched by the wood store where, it was promised in the folder, other outdoor furniture could be found which we were free to use: another exaggeration as this consisted of one broken chair and an unusable barbecue. When we arrived, part of the wooden porch above us lay on the entrance tiles. We were greeted by an infestation of flies and the cobwebs around the doorway, inside and out, had had little impact on the numbers. We covered all our food and fought to eat faster than the flies. It was no wonder that we ate out far more frequently than planned in adjacent hostelries which, although in the country, had no flies attacking us. We live in a listed stone building in the country with cattle and sheep as neighbours but we have never been subjected to such an onslaught with nothing to combat our unwanted and unwelcome pests. We regularly visit cottages up and down the country and at all times of the year, but we have never ever felt so let down, frustrated, disappointed and exploited as we have with this one. This was not a home from home: it was far less from than that. It was a long way from value for money and our expectations of cleanliness, safety and well-being. During the week we had killed several flies in the master bedroom shower area. Before we left, I investigated the flies’ attraction to the shower drain. I intended to clear away any hairs from our shampooing that may be there: the mess was horrific. The drain was near blocked with grey clingy matter; I felt sick that we had been using this shower all week and had paddled in this gunge. Photographs are available.

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• Mrs Phillips - Verified booking

  We have just returned from an amazing holiday at Woodside. Helen and Steve have thought of everything to make your holiday a great one. Helen and Steve at the end of a text if you need them but not intrusive. They provided lots of gorgeous goodies in a welcome pack which were very much appreciated. All fittings and furniture is of a high standard. Feels so homely too. Beds are very comfortable. 2 fridges and the freezer were handy as we had a couple of food deliveries. Nice to have a ensuite or bathroom for each bedroom too. You have two areas to sit out. The front with the hot tub which was well used with its amazing views over open countryside and Hartland. The secluded secure back garden ideal for our 2 small dogs very pretty. The dogs were so safe so we could totally relax. Places to sit out and just chill. Loved hearing the cockerel in the mornings and the donkey sometimes in the next field. Woodside is in a perfect place to explore Devon or Cornwall as close to the border. Loved Bude and Westward Ho! Hartland has a couple of shops, pub and fish & chip shop which were lovely. Even though we were so lucky to have 2 very hot weeks the barn was nice and cool. We absolutely loved our holiday at Woodside and have already booked to go back next year.

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• Mr Wesson - Verified booking

  The folder with house information was great and very useful and user friendly. It’s a beautiful property and has everything you need including in the kitchen… scales (needed for weighing out pancake ingredients), Tupperware so you can pack a picnic, even an apron and tea, coffee and hot chocolate to get you started (as well as the welcome pack). The little details have been thought about including robes and towels for the hot tub as well as fluffy bathroom towels lovely toiletries from The Clovelly Soap company and even treats, towel, blanket, bowls and a bed for the dog to use too! Games, garden furniture, clothes airer, plenty of crockery and glasses and 2 fridges… everything to make an easy home from home holiday! We were super lucky and had stunning weather and could choose the inside garden or the front terrace as both had furniture to relax in. We would highly recommend this property. The host; Helen was friendly and helpful. She was available should we need her but happy to let us get on with it and when we did meet her was happy to chat and be asked for recommendations. A booking you won’t regret!

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• Pam - Verified booking

  The Old Chapel was a delightful house with charming features and an unexpected cosiness.

  We loved the generous space within the house and wished that we could have used the grounds outdoors more but the weather was wet for most of our week. There was an unfortunate incident on the Tuesday evening when there was an attempted break-in at the property; this included two attempts to force the front door, also there were indications of two failed attempts at opening our 2 cars. The incident was reported to the police. The housekeeper, Marcel, was clearly very concerned and offered any support that we wanted. This was followed later by a similarly supportive text from the owners. We thank them heartily. You, at Sykes, did nothing. I was amazed not to receive any communication from you following my notification to your Helpdesk. I don't want discounts or vouchers but I DO want you to know that your lack of care was most certainly noted. Therefore, my likelihood to recommend you in this case is, as above, 3 out of 10. The house and its facilities and its owner/housekeepers' support, 10 out of 10. I am glad that you will be sharing this feedback with the owners.

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• Ms Burton - Verified booking

  The property can only be described as 5 star accommodation. The owners, Steve & Helen, have thought of absolutely everything with regard to furnishings & fittings. Everything is first class. The welcome pack which included a large basket of logs, wine, fruit, cake, fudge, cookies, milk, bottles of beer, cordial & flowers was a most welcome surprise. The barn was a most relaxing & cosy environment with the added bonus of a hot tub. Although the weather was very seasonal, stormy at times, it was nice to be cosy & warm in their lovely barn. We dined in the village on three occasions and, in our opinion, the Anchor Inn was our favourite with regard to food & a friendly welcome. A visit to Hartland Quay is worth a visit for the outstanding rock formations and a walk along the coastal path. Good choice of food available in the Wreckers Bar at the hotel there with free parking. All in all, our 7 night stay at the barn exceeded our expectations and we would not hesitate to return in the future.

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