_jenjj1
October 2016
This cottage is in a wonderful location at the end of a narrow bridleway leading directly to the Carding Mill Valley. However, we feel that there should be a warning in the Sykes brochure about having to back up 50 yds or so to past the cattle grid in order to leave the cottage, so you know before committing to booking the property. Having to reverse all that way on a very narrow lane, restricted by the vehicles of the adjoining house, onto the base of a very steep hill and sharp corner, we feel is dangerous.
We can see why there is no picture of the bathroom in the brochure. It clearly hasn't been decorated in decades. The wallpaper was peeling off and although it looked like a scrubbable one, over the sink and over the toilet it was filthy with brown and white stains on it. Having said that, the actual bath and sink and toilet were very clean, (and the rest of the house) it was just the wallpaper that was horrendous. The insides of the bath however were peeling and neither of us wanted to use it. The toilet cistern is cheap and plasticy and old and threatened to come off the wall when the flush was pressed. Because of the the cramped & poor layout of the bathroom, anyone larger than a ladies size 14 would find themselves wedged between the wall and the end of the bath when sitting on the toilet.
But the worst point was, although we were aware that there wasn't going to be a shower, we did at least expect there would be a shower attachment. There was none, therefore no means of washing hair other than finding a jug from the kitchen and using this to wash hair over the bath. I think there should be a warning in the brochure description that there are no facilities other than this primative method for washing hair as it is a pretty basic requirement.
We feel that if the bathroom of the property were updated with a new suite, nice new tiles and the bath removed and a shower put in instead, there would be plenty of room and it would bring the property up to a high standard. (With a bit of money spent improving the kitchen too, the decor of which was very old & tired.)
The position of Shepherds cottage is so outstanding, and the views so wonderful, it is a shame that the bathroom lets it down.
With the bathroom in it's current state we would not recommend this property to a friend. However, with a new one fitted and a warning given about the reversing procedure of exiting the property we would have no hesitation in recommending it.