Newton Abbot Holiday Cottages

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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• Emma - Verified booking

  What a wonderful holiday home.

  I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and will definitely be returning. The welcome hamper on arrival was appreciated by my son as im gluten and dairy free so i couldn't enjoy most of it but lovely idea. Would of been nice to see a herbal teabag not just tea/coffee sachets. The home is private and not overlooked in the garden. I would of liked access to a seat in the garden but understand they must of been packed away for winter. Other good points comfy bed very clean all round. Everything needed is there dishwasher tablets Sanitizer loo roll. Theres use of a hoover and iron. The shower was fabulous a walk in type. Great for people with disabilities like myself. In fact the whole bungalow is accessible. Only difficulty i had was lifting my scoota in and out the raised front step and only negative for me is the duvet insert 13.5 tog is much too thick. I was much too hot at night and had heating off. Perhaps keep a lightweight one in the airing cupboard. Lovely quiet area. Shops are a comfortable walking distance. Lovely walks on the Parke estate. Moors nearby. My next stay will be sure to include a visit to the best tearoom in Lustleigh few miles drive from Bovey who do cater for most dietary requirements. Looking forward to my next break. Big Thankyou to owners for such a lovely stay!

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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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• Elaine - Verified booking

  Forge Place was a very comfortable place to stay in, and very conveniently situated, and the owners provided a really substantial and much-appreciated welcome pack of food and drink.

  As a base for a couple or small family it provided all the necessities for a stay in the Dartmoor area. We loved Bovey Tracey as a town, and were delighted to find our stay coincided with a National Garden Scheme Open Gardens weekend, so we got to see some of the lovely local gardens. We also enjoyed the Craft Centre, and the Art Gallery at Bovey Paradiso, and a walk in the Parke Estate, such a great facility on the doorstep. Bovey Tracey was well placed for us to visit Castle Drogo (National Trust place to the north), and to visit friends in North Dartmoor, and to get to National Trust properties Greenway and Coleton Fishacre further south. As regards the house, we might have enjoyed the use of a DVD player and some DVDs and books, but perhaps these were taken away during the Covid pandemic. We were able to buy some books at the town's charity shops, and there was enough on TV channels to keep us occupied of an evening, anyway, but it is always interesting to see what can be found amongst a holiday let's DVDs and books! The town was well provided with food shops, pubs, and cafes. So glad we made the journey (the travelling down was the worst part, took a lot longer than expected). Thanks for a lovely holiday.

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