Me and my family are actually supposed to be staying at the clock tower as I write this. We currently do not have access to this property, not that we want to stay in it due to the problems that exist. For us, the cottage is inhabitable due to plumbing issues backing up and the intense sewage pong throughout.
Additionally the awkward situations we encountered did not help the situation. The owner, who came into the cottage, but said she couldn't smell anything, repeatedly informed us that the booking company bothered her about our reservation at 3am while on her island holiday to which she just returned. That said, she discussed booking in plumbers/septic guys. She recommended us trying out the cottage and her refunding us if it didn't work. This seemed fair as by that later hour what we're we to do.
Even trying to access the holiday home resulted in further aggravation and time stuck waiting for help. I have since learned this is not an isolated incident nor is the septic one. Despite the good reviews encountered, after dishonesty from the owner regarding us vacating and her refunding us the remaining 6 nights, I have found that other holidaymakers have also encountered similar problems.
In our absence, with no access while paying for the accommodation, the owner has been performing maintenance on the property which includes carpet cleaning and painting.
Having stayed in many holiday homes and other accommodation, including those with septic systems, I can't say I've ever experienced a stench, much less a stay (while accessible) so dire as this was. All I can recommend is avoiding the Clock Tower in South Cerney at all costs.