Devon Cottages with Swimming Pools

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Julie Dawn - Verified booking

  We enjoyed a lovely week in Devon at a lovely location and were pleasantly surprised with the chocolate cake and milk which had been left by the owners.

  The kitchen was large and very well equipped with ample space downstairs for 6 people and 3 dogs, however, we were disappointed with the standard of maintenance and cleanliness and not what we expected at a Sykes property. The following 'snags' were discovered during our stay at the property; 1. The finial on top of the newel post at the bottom of the stairs was loose and detached 2. The mixer tap is the kitchen was very loose 3. Some of the cupboard doors in in the kitchen were loose and broken 4. Both of the baths were chipped and in need of re-enamelling 5. The handle on the large fridge was loose 6. In two of the three bathrooms, the water supply stopped intermittently during bathing 7. There was no 'Information Book' at the property to advise guests of nearest Doctor Surgery, Hospital or Vets 8. None of the heated towel rails worked despite their being plugged in 9. The novel idea of building a breakfast bar around the glass-covered well was of great design, however, the light in the well did not work and it was full of cobwebs and spiders 10. The underfloor heating system was efficient but it was devoid of any way to regulate the temperature as the thermostats did not work so all three bedrooms were very hot at night 11. There were no re-cycling or rubbish instructions available so we disposed of this at the area where there were several bins (presumably the rubbish area) which was untidy and unhygienic 12. The 6th wooden floorboard from the front door had partially collapsed at the step edge 13. The electric socket by the window in the twin bedroom was coming away from the wall The door handles on the double and family bedrooms were loose 14. The swimming pool was very well kept, however, the air and water temperature were too cold and not at all comfortable to take a swim 15. General housekeeping was definitely not to the standard expected for a Sykes property. I trust you will accept this review in the spirit it is intended, as this is not a general moaning session but an opportunity for the owners to improve the facilities.

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• Mark - Verified booking

  This Cottage complex was chosen because we could spend most of our time on site with the pool, games room, play area and trampoline available.

  This now leads onto the issues. The games room had a selection of power tools and a jet washer left in this room and had a white PVC-U door that was unlocked giving access to the laundry which had extra power tools, machinery and chemicals for the young inquisitive children to investigate. We were all also looking forward to sitting next to the pool and having a swim and playing games with the kids. Due to Covid a rota was still in place so you could only be in the pool area for a 2 hour time slot each day, a little disappointing but we could make that work. I swam only once due to the unhygienic state the pool, the filters on the side on the pool under the water level were black with hair and other dirt, water cloudy, silt on the bottom of the pool at the 1.3 meter deep end, long hair tangled around you as you swam, and no shower facilities to use before your swim because this had been locked for use by people hiring the shepherds hut only. I regularly swim at my local pool that would be closedown if left in this state. There was a man hole cover that was left open allowing sewage smells escaping and a trip / fall hazard when walking along the road between the pool and trampoline area. The cottage had a few maintenance and cleaning issues, door knobs fall off, lose electric sockets, microwave had. white filth under the rotating plate, cobwebs everywhere, the lounge sliding sash window jammed open at the top (it was summer so not a problem). I also to a cycle but found the local roads to be too dangerous for me to use, narrow roads, sharp bends, high hedges and cars traveling at about 40mph. I also cycle regularly in the New Forest so I’m aware of dangers when on the roads, but could not bring myself to chance using these roads. The roads aren’t anything the cottage owners can change but by letting anyone reading the reviews they will know not to transport your bike with you on a holiday at this cottage.

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• Ann - Verified booking

  We stayed in 'East Bickleigh' 17 - 24 June, 2022 and were disappointed.

  The pool was lovely and we enjoyed it immensely, even though the water was quite cold. Our grandson enjoyed the toddler pool. The house was not up to a good 'comfortable' standard. We were sometimes able to hear conversations from next door. Windows would not close properly. The lounge was very dark and cushions needed renewing - dirty. The kitchen was a lovely size and well equipped. However, we had to wash items before we used them. I have a fear of spiders and they were all over, including behind the bed and wardrobe, which obviously had not been cleaned before our arrival. Beds were comfortable. Linen was clean. The ensuite in the double room was very small and not fit for purpose. When the door of the 'showroom was open, one could not open the shower door and so one could become trapped! Outside the grounds were lovely. To get to the bbq we had to climb stairs and go through a bedroom or climb steps unsuitable for elderly or very young. Food had to be taken up from the kitchen, which was awkward. It would have been much nicer to have the bbq outside the kitchen door, partitioned from the semi beside us. Their table and bbq was outside our kitchen door. The garden furniture was disgusting! Full of webs and white spots of lichen. It was in real need of renewal or refurbishment. As a consequence, we only ate there once and the weather was bbq weather! To make matters worse, there were newly painted chairs ready on the owners patio, but these were not offered to us. I would not stay here again.

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• Rhian - Verified booking

  The property is in prime location of all areas!

  Which is so good especially with dogs and not far from beaches/ green areas. I feel the pictures on the site are a little misleading as it looks like you are getting the whole house up the drive, actually it Is split into two separate properties. Maybe this needs to be updated. Plenty of parking enough for 3-4 cars which was perfect. Swimming pool was a little cool but was fine for a quick splash around the sitting areas around the pool could have been a little cleaner. In the property most of the door handles are hanging off which is a worry with children incase of them being accidentally locked in bathrooms. This needs to be looked at, the kitchen door did not close properly also. The whole house was a little dirty there were cobwebs and dog hairs on the stairs (not from our dogs as they do not go up stairs) and the stair gate downstairs was a little worse for wear needs a lock probably with little children. Cot was provided but not able to use as it was quite rickety and not sure how safe it was, maybe a travel cot would be better in there. Kitchen well packed with everything you need! Thank you so much for leaving us cake and milk it was muchly appreciated!!!

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• Sandra - Verified booking

  Cottage looks very pretty with flowers around the front of property.

  Very spacious rooms. the room with four poster bed was furnished to enhance the age of property with beamed ceiling & en suite bathroom again designed appropriately . nice bright modern shower room off the twin bedroom. the large swimming pool was well used by us as we had excellent weather. there were a few negatives which could improve the holiday experience. the main rooms were clean however the floor lamps in the living room were very dusty & the conservatory had several cobwebs & dusty window sills. the conservatory is in need of some TLC as the woodwork is very shabby , there are no blinds in here so gets unbearably warm. the room itself is very large & furniture was comfortable & when not too warm is a good place for sitting quietly to read. the settees in living room are sagging so therefore not the most comfortable. the outside furniture was ridged old wooden furniture which again needs to be treated, therefore despite the glorious weather could not sit outside. if you have a dog with you there is no secure garden for them. we enjoyed our holiday but the owners need to spend some time & money to bring it up to scratch as it is a pretty cottage with lots of positives.

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