Dog Friendly Villas In Exmoor

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Aleksandra - Verified booking

  If you want to have a relaxing break please do not book this property and not via Sykes cottages.

  We booked a 3 night stay and ended up staying only the 1 night. The mattress and bed we slept on were absolutely appalling. Might as well have slept on the floor. The mattress about 2 inches deep sunk and you could feel each slat underneath. Neither myself or my partner got any sleep and we were absolutely exhausted the next day unable to go ahead with plans. We informed the host the next morning who advised they are not around to help and could try to get a mattress topper for our 3rd and final night. Mattress topper would not have made a difference especially after people have been unable to get any sleep for 2 nights. We politely advised that we are leaving the property after that initial first night, left it clean condition and had to book a comfortable bed in a hotel nearby. The last thing anyone wants is to go away for 3 nights rest and have to pack up and leave again after 1 night in search for a good night sleep. Our old dog who came along also didn't appreciate being moved about... When we asked the owner for a refund for the 2 nights which we didn't use her property for, she didn't even respond. The next day we had a template email from Sykes cottages advising that our case is closed and there will be no refund offered. Closed?! You didn't even contact us to see what the issue us. We then had to get in touch with them whilst still on our holiday to explain our side of the story which we would have thought they would ask for in the first place. Absolutely pointless. The lady on the phone was lovely and admitted that the property owner did not offer them the full story. According to the owner she offered to help us and we refused. NO! She offered to help only for the 3 and final night for which we were not prepared to stay. Sykes cottages obviously take the owners side without even checking with the guests and listening to their comments/complaints. Again the next day a template email arrived from Sykes cottages saying the owner offers no compensation. Who needs all this stress when they try to go away for 3 nights and relax?! Luckily we paid by credit card and have raised a chargeback case. Advice to the owner: IF YOU ARE LETTING YOUR BARN, BE PROUD OF YOUR PROPERTY,BUY A DECENT MATTRESS SO YOUR GUESTS CAN REST AND TREAT YOUR GUESTS WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE. Advice to Sykes cottages: MAKE SURE YOU HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THE COMPLAINT BEFORE MAKING A DECISION AND SHOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMER WHO IS BOOKING THE PROPERTY NOT JUST SIDE WITH YOUR HOST.

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• Lindsey - Verified booking

  Just got back from an idyllic week in Pops Barn.

  We did not want to leave. It was ideally situated just off the High Street but was quiet and felt secluded. The property was clean and the kitchen was well equipped with new pots and pans and had everything we needed. The bed was very comfortable and the property had a lovely homely feel. The shower was powerful and hot. The cottage style garden was a particular feature and we spend many hours relaxing in the loungers and eating out on the outside table. The cottage was perfectly situated just a few miles from the New Forest and Salisbury. We enjoyed some lovely walks with our 2 dogs in the surrounding villages. Downton is a pretty village with the river running through the high street in several places. There is a good sized Co-op with the very nice Borough cafe one side and a very friendly gourmet pub called The Goat on the other just a few minutes walk from the property. Both serving very good food. It is also close to the Spinnaker fish and chip shop which served excellent fish and chips and a few doors down from The Wooden Spoon pub which also served nice food. We visited a very nice pub in Woodgreen just a few minutes drive away and the food there was excellent. We would not hesitate to return to this property as there was so much we didn’t get time to do. The owners we very friendly and helpful and replied to messages whenever we had any queries. Could not find anything to fault.

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• Robert - Verified booking

  Regrettably the double bed would only be a double bed for two stick people or, at least one stick person and a normal sized person.

  I had to sleep on one (admittedly comfortable) relaxing chairs. Either way, the bedding was inadequate with the duvet only just reaching over the edges of the mattress and failing to do so when even only (of necessity) one person slept in the bed. It was advertised as an 'accessible' cottage and to a large degree it was, although an able bodied person would need to be on hand to open - let alone unlock and open - the main door. It certainly was accessible. However, I was concerned that the wet room didn't seem to have a very non-slip, non-slip floor and despite the availability of a stool, there was only one grab rail which I felt was inadequate for using the shower. Otherwise, the cottage was well furnished and comfortable and sufficient kitchenware for two people. It was a nightmare trying to get hold of Helen Wilkes but she was very apologetic when she arrived after a bad morning - and we all have those! We were unable to find any information about leaving the cottage and were unable to get hold of Helen to find out where to leave the key on our departure. (It's in the door by the way)

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• Ewen - Verified booking

  What a beautiful place to stay!

  Packed full of thoughtful touches, Nora and Martin have stopped at nothing to make our holiday and stay at the Old Byre a truly memorable experience. The Old Byre was ‘home from home’ only better, everything that would make our stay comfortable and enjoyable has been thought about from the most delightful decor, the most comfortable beds, all home comforts as well as essentials, all cooking equipment and kitchen appliances and a helpful welcome basket of goodies to get you started with your first cup of tea taking in the beautiful country garden and surrounding views. The area is a perfect location with limitless places to visit within easy reach including the New Forest on your doorstep and the Jurassic coast with stunning beaches and fun days out like Longleat Safari. Whether you want family days out, full on adventure sports or quite walks and country pubs this location will suit any visitor. We would highly recommend a visit to the Old Byre, be prepared to stay longer than you planned as you won’t want to go home. Thank you Nora and Martin.

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• Christine - Verified booking

  It is a nice place to stay for 1-2 people and a well behaved pet.

  All of the utilities were high quality in the property and clean, bed comfortable and shower perfect temperature. The owner proactively contacted me a couple of days before arrival and answered questions about parking. I had no problems parking right next to the property all week. There is a good chip shop twenty paces away, a pub which I didn't try but is recommended and is next door but one. The Co-op is walking distance, under 1km round trip and there is a petrol station in the town too. 9 miles from Salisbury, right next door to the new forest and easy access to places to visit. As mentioned in an earlier review by someone else, there is no wifi. I paid a little bit extra for a one off increase in data on my mobile and managed to tether it successfully in the property. The speed wouldn't work for gaming but I was successful in running videos for a course I am taking. Just use your USB charging lead and select "thether" in your mobile settings and you are there - keep an eye on the data used though as it can eat it up quickly.

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