Holiday Cottages In The United Kingdom

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Beverley - Verified booking

  This is a fabulous property, beautifully & tastefully decorated and really well equipped, especially the large kitchen which has everything you could ever need on holiday.

  Don't be put off by the Rayburn (there's no conventional hob / oven, but there is a combi-microwave) - my adult son mastered it in minutes and cooked some amazing meals for us on it during our stay. The beds were super-comfy and the bathroom & the shower room were stunning. Some people have commented on the garden being rather small - actually we thought it was perfect, and the fact the property has other properties around it (another barn next door and a couple more barns at the back plus the white B&B house opposite on the driveway) wasn't an issue at all. We didn't see another soul during our stay! Other people have mentioned the road noise. Yes, it is directly on the A road from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead, but the traffic was very light, especially during the day. Even sleeping with the windows open, we weren't bothered by any road noise, or when we were in the garden. The bonus, of course, is that there's no lengthy farm track to negotiate before you're on a proper road, so getting around the area was fast and easy. Other people have commented on the entrance being tricky to drive into because the property is on a blind bend, but we didn't find this to be a problem at all. Turning left out of the driveway is fine as any traffic (and there wasn't much traffic, really) tends to be slower due to the bend being where the road narrows to single-track). To avoid the worry of turning right out of the drive on a blind bend, we simply turned left, then turned round in the B&B driveway literally seconds down the road. Problem sorted! Driving TO the property from the Bovey end is really easy - after the B&B sign, just look for the big white house which is where you turn into the driveway. Parking for one car wasn't a problem at all - very easy. Driving TO the property from the Moreton end wasn't a problem, despite the bend, we just indicated early, then turned into the driveway. Again, very straightforward. The views from the property across the valley are simply incredible and it's very close to Lustleigh village with its pub, tearoom, post office / farm shop / dairy (lovely local produce!) and an intriguing gallery where you can buy prints and greetings cards (not always open). The only issue we had was with the recycling as the recycling boxes hadn't been sorted properly by previous guests. I emailed Louise, the owner (I don't think they live locally), who responded immediately and was really friendly and helpful. We'd definitely come back to this property in the future - a very pleasant stay with everything we needed at hand.

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• Lorraine - Verified booking

  Had updated Sykes with a fourth person prior to holiday commencing.

  This person was staying two nights, one either end of our confirmed one week stay. This also told to Sykes. The property owner was just finishing preparing beds when we arrived about 15:45. Entry was from 16:00. When he left he telephoned Sykes to inform them we had a young child with us and suspected there were five people staying (4 person property). Not pleasant to be assumed dishonest. Young child was my early twenties grandaughter who had been put on the list as the fourth person. Sykes called with accusary tone and questioning which felt very unnecessary. Owner could have asked us himself at the time of our introducing ourselves prior to him leaving. Owner assumed grandaughter younger (because of her looks/dress?) and two people yet to arrive regardless of our telling him fourth person was still travelling from south east to join us. Sykes key pad number was not updated on their information supplied to us and had difficulty entering the property. Had to trouble the owner (wife) who gave correct key code. Property situated on bend of main road, not good for walking but excellent for exploring area by car. Required extra vigilance when entering/leaving driveway especially for right hand turn. Two car parking next to sloping area with bins. Very tight and fought with hedging to get around car to enter/exit gate. We had one medium and one small car. Property was nicely done, clean, comfortable with everything well thought through. Personally we found ticking clocks irritating when trying to relax although others may find it quaint.

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• Beverley - Verified booking

  This is the second time we've stayed at May Blossom Barn this year!

  We loved it so much after the first visit! Please check back on my previous review as there's no point in repeating what I wrote there. We just love this cottage - light and airy with lovely views across the valley. It's also warm in cooler months - and the Rayburn is very simple to use (I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the hang of it, but it's easier to use than a conventional oven & hob). Everything you need is supplied - all top-quality: towels, crockery, cutlery, etc. Plus, the barn is beautifully, carefully and thoughtfully decorated and furnished. Look for the hare symbols - even the hook on the back of the shower room door is a small iron hare's head with the ears acting as a hook. The barn is also equipped with locally-made items such as the glass coasters in the bedrooms and other glass ornaments. Having stayed in another cottage this summer which comprised cheap chain-store furnishings and equipment throughout (not through Helpful Holidays or Sykes, I hasten to add, but another cottage company), May Blossom Barn with its superior fixtures, fittings and equipment is an absolute dream and a delight to arrive at after a long drive. We will definitely be returning - hopefully this will become our bolt-hole for future Devon & Dartmoor holidays.

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• Barbara - Verified booking

  A lovely cottage and an enjoyable week end but on arriving it was dark and poring with rain.

  Finding where to park was quite a problem, as although it said parking for the cottages I was immediately accosted by a gentleman to say this is not where you park and proceeded to tell me where to go, by this time we were both very wet. In daylight it was still not at all obvious where one should park if staying at the Old Stables, there was a minute sign 'parking' but even that was difficult to see unless you were actually parked by it !!! Larger signs saying "Parking for Old Stables Cottages" might be an idea. The 'starter pack' of logs was very mean ! and although we could purchase in the village it would have been a better idea to have more packs of logs that we could purchase at the cottage. The last small moan ! is about the dish washer tablets, we were staying at the cottage for two nights and there were TWO tablets, which in theory is all well and good, but it does limit one for the use of the machine. I am sure that if one is paying £600 for a two night stay, one would not be the sort of person to filch a pack of washing tablets !! Other than those few things a pleasant and comfortable stay.

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• Beverley - Verified booking

  This was our third stay at the gorgeous May Blossom Barn and we're already planning our fourth visit!

  The quality of everything in this cottage is first class - from the tasteful decor to the high-quality fixtures and fittings. It is obvious that a lot of thought has gone into making this cottage as comfortable as possible. The rooms are large - the kitchen is enormous! It's cosy, with amazing views across one of Dartmoor's most beautiful valleys. It is also incredibly convenient for this part of Dartmoor with Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh just down the road and Moretonhampstead just up the road. Really, you have everything you could possibly want here for a holiday on east Dartmoor. There is also an EV charger now beside the parking space. While we were there, the area was hit by storms (thankfully on just one day). However it affected the Rayburn which heats the cottage and also doubles as a stove. The owners responded immediately when I messaged them to say that we had no heat or cooking facilities, and talked me through how to reset the Rayburn so everything was working again. The owners are friendly and obviously really care about their guests' comfort. So five stars there as well.

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