Mallinda C
February 2022
My partner and I booked here in need of a lovely relaxing break in a beautiful area with stunning scenery. We read the reviews ( as we always do) and this place sounded perfectly idyllic.
There's too much we could write here so here's our quick summary:-
Positives -
Easy self check in, greeted with hot cross buns, jaffa cakes & locally made honey.
Lovely, open plan cottage, with wonderful views over the moors, with a large self contained " paddock" area outside for safe play for children or dogs.
Brilliant location for Bronte Country, plenty of walks from the doorstep & within a short drive & easy access to the KWVR for any railway enthusiasts.
Lots of various animals around the farm - sheep, donkey, geese, chickens & the resident sheepdogs.
Negatives :-
Poorly maintained track down to the cottage, full of pot holes & all paths / entrance extremely uneven & muddy.
No lighting, ( there are lights all around outside but none work apart from the one outside the door at the top of the steps) so take your own torch as it is literally pitch black.
Parts of cottage, appear very tired in places, huge windows but in need of a good clean - in and out.
Lovely modern bathroom, but terrible problems with the water system. Shower temperature very temperamental, if you want a hot soak in the bath you need to start it running half hour before as the pressure is only a trickle, (also need to top it up with a few kettles of boiling water as its never hot enough) When you use shower there is always an awful smell afterwards, drainage problems. As it was January when we stayed, it was very cold. The heating there must be on a timer, as it just comes on & off intermittently. Many times we woke up freezing and could see our breath!
Electrical problems - while we were there all the power went off 3 times, very frustrating! Very strange, as the owners adjoining cottage/ neighbours still had their supplies on?
Bed very comfortable but extremely creaky! Plus the owners have a workshop directly underneath the bedroom so lots of noise & voices can be heard.
As this is a working farm, there is always a flurry of activity outside- dogs barking, tractor going past your door & through your outside sitting area etc. If your wanting a relaxing lay in, peace & quiet then this place is not for you.
When we first saw the owners in passing, they were very chatty & friendly, lovely couple. However, as our stay went on we did feel very uncomfortable, as though we were being watched? One evening we popped out for an hour to a local pub for an evening meal, leaving our old, very well behaved dogs in the cottage, only to receive a text from the owners saying that they were barking loudly & scratching. ( they never scratch at all, rarely bark even, they are very well trained) and the only time they bark loudly is when someone knocks on the door or they feel threatened) we text them to say we were returning promptly. We felt very mystified by this occurrence? And it made us feel rather unsettled ( especially as there is a locked door in the lounge to the owners adjoining cottage)
Needless to say, we decided to pack up early & return home.
Yes the cottage is in an ideal location, but we wouldn't stay here again sadly.