School Holidays 2017 Cottages In Newton Abbot

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Carl - Verified booking

  We had a 7 night holiday in this lovely cottage.

  There were 6 adults and 4 children (3 generations). We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and would certainly visit again. On our arrival, we were greeted by Julie, who explained everything in detail, and was very polite and kind, we later met Murphy, their lovely chocolate Labrador. Although we enjoyed every minute of our stay, there were just a couple of niggles/comments that we have: The pool was rather grubby, and had mold on the rim around (just above the water level on the inside), and the water wasn't really clear. We also weren't told that the pool was only open to us from 9am until 9pm. This wasn't an issue for us per se; however, I think this needs to be mentioned in the booking details as some people like early morning/late night swims. I also think that the pool windows should be one way windows, as the people in the next cottage could see our grandchildren and us in the pool, which made us slightly uncomfortable. The bed downstairs was extremely squeaky, so we moved upstairs into single beds so we could sleep well. The other beds were extremely comfortable, and everyone slept well. The kitchen was a great size, and had absolutely everything that you need for a large group of people, plenty of crockery and cutlery, and the large fridge freezer was great, (could maybe do with a bit of extra worktop space though). It was a lovely surprise when we first checked in to see that we had lots of complimentaries; tea towels, sponge, dishcloth, bins bags, tea, coffee, milk, apple juice, biscuits, hand wash, some washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets. We had taken all our own, but the idea was very thoughtful. I think the front door could do with a curtain/blind at it, as at night it can be quite off-putting. I also think that a shoe rack/stand in the hallway, would be an excellent idea, as with 10 people, there were shoes everywhere! Also a couple more coat hooks (there were 3). The lounge was huge, and catered for us all to sit and chat on an evening; however, one of the back windows is directly at the entrance of the cottage next-door, which was very awkward for both parties as they could see straight in; maybe net curtains/voiles could be put up for some privacy? I am very much all for recycling; however, the system was very different to our recycling at home; therefore, I think it would be a good idea to have various different small bins inside the kitchen, with labels above them, to show you what goes where - just a thought? I think the garden area need a bit of TLC, it was rather overgrown, and unfortunately very uneven (on a slope), which again isn't evident on the details. Also, the playground area is not within the immediate grounds of the cottage, so children cannot go on their own. We did use the BBQ; however, this was really grubby, so we had to clean it all first. The games room was great for the boys; however, it did say in the details that there was a game station in there, but there wasn't. There were books and a couple of toys in there, which was good. The 2 new bathrooms upstairs are great, and the showers are fantastic; however, the over bath showers, and the baths water pressure was ridiculous. With young children, it literally took 30-40 minutes to even half fill the bath. Lastly, although the door handles/latches are in keeping with the cottage, they are really noisy at night when you are trying to quietly nip to the loo and not wake the children! Overall, this is a very lovely cottage, we all had an amazing time, and we would definitely visit again.

  Read more less >

• Beverley - Verified booking

  We have stayed here over 14 times.

  The property is becoming tired and unloved. Stains on ceilings plaster coming off walls over the floor in lounge and main bedroom. Lack of water pressure in cottage baths and showers difficult as is washing machine which also has dodgy door. Shippon padlocked so no access to any washing machines nor could I get to electrics when power outed many times. Phone not working couldn't contact caretaker spiders and cobwebs in most corners. Mould around many windows stained wood in hall and en suite and lounge. Broken soap dish in shippon bathroom. Filthy fire extinguisher. Out of date PAT test. Chairs with little padding are uncomfortable both log baskets have significant holes burnt ceiling from spotlight lounge. Bathroom "part re tiled" old mismatched tiles still present. Rusty metal heater bathroom. Broken night store heater. Rusty bin bathroom. It's never been perfect and I understand that with a house of that age. In the past we have put up with broken boiler Internet mice piano delivery roof thatchers etc and never complained as we all work in the industry and experience issues but most of this could be delt with so easily. Most annoyingly being banned previously for the woman' on the horse and HER dogs defecating in the yard! We really don't feel that £1700 is a good price for the property it's the most we have paid and the house and facilities are way less than our previous experiences. I have photos of most of the issues should the owner like to see them. I understand management remotely is difficult. I have not shared on social media and look forward to a response.

  Read more less >

• Susan - Verified booking

  We had a lovely time in this amazing property.

  However there are some things it would have been nice to know in advance. One expects old houses to be uneven and have sloping floors, and this is part of their charm, but I consider the stairs in this house to be extreme. One member of our party was never going to get up them! The house feels like 'a work in progress' with furnishings and equipment having been randomly brought in from various sources. There was plenty of cooking equipment - for use on the aga! - but a slight lack of crockery, some of which has seen better days and which I would have sent back had it been used in a restaurant. There were 7 in our party. There are 10 chairs in the kitchen, 8 in the sitting room. The cottage, with 2 bedrooms, has 1 x 2 seater sofa, 1 dining chair and 2 small stools. The main garden has 6 chairs. Water pressure is non-existent. Had we been a group of 12, as originally planned, I think that we would have struggled. It is fairly close to Chagford but this is not a pleasant evening stroll to the pub because it is through small lanes and, of course, dark when returning. The housekeeper confirmed that things such as loo rolls, cleaning materials and condiments are available in the house - useful to know when catering. Overall, I repeat, we had a very enjoyable week but I would think very carefully about the party I was travelling with before booking this property again.

  Read more less >

• Brian - Verified booking

  We were a party of eight friends - the youngest 65 and the oldest 83.

  There would have been 10, but two of the men were not able to come due to illness etc. We've had an autumn long-weekend together every year since 2006 (except in 2020 - Covid-19), usually at the same place in Cornwall, but this year we fancied a change and found Carthorse Cottage by chance on the internet. It's pretty remote, and we needed out sat navs to find it, but what a find it turned out to be! Lots of space, lots of facilities, and not really very far from anywhere once you get used to the narrow lanes! We had a great weekend and would most certainly consider a return visit sometime. Only a couple of minor niggles: having only one 4-cup teapot and one toaster between eight people presented a few breakfast-time problems, and the ladies would have been glad of a hairdryer in each room after their early-morning swim, rather than just the one between six of them. Apart from these points, very well equipped, homely and comfortable - and the owners were very nice people, so I'm sure they won't mind dealing with our niggles for the benefit of future occupants. A great place!

  Read more less >

• Beverley - Verified booking

  We enjoyed our stay at 10 Harcombe Cottage, the surroundings were great, well maintained, quiet and good opportunity to relax.

  The cottage was clean and had the essentials, I did miss not having a dish washer. Our beds were comfortable so had a good night sleep. however I missed not having a long mirror in our room and hooks on the back of doors to hang things up especially in the bed room and bath room. there were no bins in the bed rooms, bathroom or toilet area. the toilet was separate from the bathroom and the toilet space was extremely small. The carpet in the lounge was thread bear in areas near the sofa by the window. We had an unexpected visit from a gas engineer who wanted to check the central heating and this would last for approximately 30mins. We were not informed of this prior to our stay or at the time we collected the keys, so the engineer came the following day. We felt this could have been done before our arrival or after we had left as it meant we had to stay in for the engineer who arrived at 11am the following day . other than that enjoyed our break. Bev ( Wolverhampton)

  Read more less >