Dog Friendly Cottages In Fordingbridge

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Andrew - Verified booking

  Looks can be deceiving - this property isn’t like the perfect pictures shown.

  We had no heating for 2 nights, it then took another 24 hours to warm through. Not good enough when heating is covered in the cost and an 83 year old was the ground floor resident. Malfunctions can’t be helped but the situation was made worse when after a conversation with the engineer on the Monday, it was clear this was a known issue. We were advised they would ‘try’ and get an engineer out on the Monday if not the Tuesday of our stay (we arrived Saturday). There was no ‘try’ required, he was already booked to come out when some parts were available having been at the property the week before. After WE requested, we were provided with 2 small electric heaters which helped take some chill off but didn’t heat a property of this size as required. We sat wrapped in blankets confided to the dining room so the downstairs bedroom could also benefit from a heater and we had no heat upstairs, all of which resulted in an inability to dry anything like towels and soggy clothing after heavy rain later on the Sunday. We feel we should have been made aware of this issue so we could of made an informed decision as to whether to proceed with our stay. The upstairs bathroom had a filthy mould rimmed shower tray, damp stains on the wall from the roof window and someone else’s hair in the bath. The heavy glass doors didn’t close correctly between the entrance hall and dining room. There were multiple bulbs out - 3 out of 6 in the master bedroom, 1 in the kitchen and only 1 light in the back garden worked which made for a near death trap with significantly wobbly patio slabs, fallen bricks from the dwarf wall, a step and the jungle of a garden. A shrub covered the kitchen window making it dark inside. All windows were in need of a good clean. Chipped crockery - only 2 plates weren’t chipped despite this having been raised in other residents previous feedback. Washing line unusable as coated in green algae. Broken highchair left outside next to the back door. A dent in the lounge wall remains despite being raised by numerous others in feedback a year ago too and despite owners assurances many things were being dealt with - a year on they remain in disrepair. There is a tear in the dining room carpet with other marks. All Venetian blinds had a thick coat of dust. Ground floor bedroom blind won’t open - must have been known as left closed for when we arrived though all others open. No natural daylight for a week in the ground floor bedroom - also raised in other feedback over a year ago. Issues with some of the lounge blinds too and no cleats or breakaways on any blinds so cords left dangling near floor level. This breaks health and safety regulations. No mirror/s upstairs (apart from bathroom) so can’t plug in hairdryer etc and see how to style hair for example. One of the ovens wasn’t working. No advices on a pedestrian gate out of the property and when found was in the main blocked by the 5 overflowing bins and also brambles from which we tore a jacket. Slow wi-fi which we tried to avoid using as it was a holiday to get away and relax, but sometimes everyday life calls. This was far from a relaxing property in which to stay and we left feeling let down, stressed and exhausted after also having to empty the hoover bag which had been left full, to enable us to hoover before leaving. As we visited with dogs it was made clear we’d loose our good housekeeping bond if we didn’t which was an absolute joke bearing all of the above in mind. Probably shouldn’t have stayed the week and actually wish we hadn’t. Extremely overpriced at over £1,200 out of season due to the significant lack of care and attention. We had seen some of the previous feedback but assumed and hoped these repeated issues raised would have been resolved. Sad as we were looking for a property in which we would make return visits in this area. It’s a beautiful location and loads of potential to be absolutely stunning but this property falls short on standards of cleanliness and many aspects of maintenance and is not the usual standard offered by Sykes Cottages. We have provided 16 photos to Sykes to demonstrate the points raised and await their further responses whilst they also liaise with the owner.

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• Catherine - Verified booking

  The barn is well equipped, tranquil, remote and the bluebell woods are lovely and the owner explained how to get to them.

  I did have a mixture of emails from Sykes Cottage that said towels and linen were included and then that they weren't included so I called the owner and she confirmed that towels were not included but bath mats were included - this did make me laugh as I don't think I have ever had to take bath mats to a cottage stay?! T Towels and linen were included too. If you are concerned with security I would advise you to check first that the warped back door has been replaced. Firstly, I understand that there is an energy/food crisis. We paid £1193 which £1126 was the cost of the rental which was for a 3 night stay. When we stayed at a converted barn back in 2021 (via Sykes Cottages) when we arrived there was a bottle of prosecco in an ice bucket and a welcome note, along with 6 fresh farm eggs (as they had chickens just as Breaches Barn did too), a freshly baked loaf and cooked brownies & we still tell everyone about this! This welcome was such a joyful one and really appreciated by us all! When we arrived at Breaches Barn there was nothing. We had to take our own towels. I understand they are running a business and we would have used electric/gas whilst we were there (we were out every day and out on Saturday evening to see a show in Southampton) and linen would have to washed after we left but a 'welcome 6 fresh farm eggs/note' would have been a nice gesture out of their £1126 earnings. The dishwasher has an intermittent problem. We saw the owner about this on Saturday morning. The owner did explain he knew nothing about dishwashers and kindly sent his son over to look at the dishwasher but by this time we had googled the make/model and it advised to run the cold water tap for 20 seconds in the kitchen sink once the dishwasher had been put on and the first time we did this it worked - happy days! However on the Sunday evening we had to mess around doing this for around an hour before we could get it to work. So the dishwasher needs to be looked at. My main gripe was the security of the property. We are 3 mature women who were having a break from our busy lives. Yes we all live in towns and we are aware that country folk have different ideas about locking up their properties. But this barn is a let property that has to be insured. The door from the lounge area that leads out to the rear garden/patio area has no lock and key slot and it had a bolt at the base of the door that was broken and the door has warped. We saw the owner about the back door at the same time we told him about the dishwasher. He explained that he never locks his own house and knows about the back door. He has paid a carpenter to get the wood back in January to make a new door but this still hasn't been done. One of my friends has an anxiety problem about being burgled. So she slept upstairs. We had to barricade the back door with furniture and also upstairs where she was sleeping each evening to reassure her that we were safe but her reply was 'things do happen in the countryside with intruders/burglary'. So my friend had 3 bad nights sleep. I think the advertising of the property should advise there is no lock on the back door as we would NOT have booked this cottage if we had known due to our friends issue. I did wonder that if the property had been burgled in the time when we were out that how our valuables would have been covered by the insurance? Basically the door needs to be replaced and secured. One of my friends said that if the back door was replaced and secured they would in the future rebook this property.

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• Clare - Verified booking

  The property and its fittings are in need of uplift and maintenance.

  The bi-fold windows were unusable, virtually all of the window blinds were broken or in disrepair, the beds were uncomfortable, the bed linen (cheap) was either nylon or a very nasty and slippery polyester, the duvets seemed lumpy and not even. There was significant decorative damage throughout due to water staining around several of the glazed roof lights made the property feel unloved, hole in a plaster board wall - probably damage from a previous tenant but it could have been prevented with a simple door stop. The lawn area needs mowing as it had long grass (+4inches) and unkept planting. We appreciate its becoming the autumn but lots of leaves etc on arrival. The general cleanliness was poor with black mould in the shower, very aged cobwebs, dirty ovens and a greasy hob and extractor (yuk). The kitchen equipment had chipped plates, only 5 bowls for a 6-person letting, dull knives, broken scissors, no teapot all quite sad. During our stay the downstairs shower required repair, it literally fell off the wall, but fortunately the property manager resolved this promptly. The house manual has out of date details. With all of the other letting we have stayed at there has always been some form of welcome pack from a pint of milk a few tea bags and a packet of biscuits to more generous offerings, here nothing. The positives being the house is well positioned within the New Forest, it is large house and the furniture (not beds) quite comfortable., and a local pub is within 2-3mins walk. Having paid c.£1000 for a weeks off peak stay felt this was really poor value.

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• Helena - Verified booking

  Just returned form a week in The Old Cart Shed and we had a lovely time.

  On first arrival I was a bit concerned about it's proximity to the working barn of the farm, however it was never a problem even though the Farmer was working there daily moving hay bails etc. The Farm produces hay, so it was never smelly and we weren't bothered by flies. There are some lovely horses, sheep and chickens close to the house, great fro kids to see. The accommodation is most suitable to a family of 4 or 5 although it can take 6 people. The twin bedded space is an open gallery, so despite having bannisters I'd say not suitable for very young kids. There were good practical furnishings and everything you needed for a week. Showers were powerful and no problems with water supply etc. Very lovely view of the fields and tennis court from the outside eating area, and just round the back lovey shaded picnic area with view of the duck pond and and main farm house, all very relaxing and picturesque. Also it's located in an area of very beautiful country side and it's a mile to walk to Rockbourne, the most stunningly pretty village with lovely pub and beautiful ancient buildings to admire. Fordingbridge has all the shops you need to stock up on food. really can recommend this place for a relaxing break, but it's also in easy reach of the New Forest water park if you want other activities, and locals were swimming in the river at Fordingbridge. My only criticism would be that I found it a little expensive, however I expect that's the effect of the pandemic.

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• Chris - Verified booking

  We felt the property was disappointing given it was a premium rent.

  The kitchen was well equipped and laid out and probably the highlight of the property. There was a tired air in regards to maintenance and a lack of attention to detail. The property folder needs to have a list of what switches are what on them main light switch panel as bizarrely the back garden light is switched by the front door. The main bedroom is large with good storage but needs some mirrors. There was a problem with the property not being prepared for us on arrival but Selina the housekeeper was quick to put this right when we contacted her. She also very quickly managed a small maintenance problem during our stay. We feel that with more thought and attention to detail like upgrading the uncomfortable and worn out sofas for example and having easy to open bi fold doors it would greatly improve the comfort of the property. Not being able to adjust the heating is just plain silly. Without these issues being resolved it does not justify the premium rent. The location was perfect for getting around the New Forest and the surrounding area. The Fighting Cocks was very good and the New Pastures butchers is well worth visiting. Overall a well designed property (apart from bi-fold doors with carpets) but does not achieve its potential due a lack of attention to detail. We did raise some concerns with Sykes during the holiday but were given a brush off response from the owners which sums things up.

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