Big Cottages & Group Accommodation in Kingsbridge

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jonathan - Verified booking

  Beachdown is a lovely setting just a few yards from the beach in a lovely and popular location for good reason.

  It looks pretty from the outside and inside and was presented in a very clean and tidy way first impressions were excellent. Parking was great ample room for three big cars which we had. I wont mention all of the good bits there are plenty as you might expect including the views al fresco options big social area comfy beds but poor pillows powerful showers who doesnt love a good shower etc etc but I do need to mention its shortcomings particular when considering this is supposed to be a 5 star property. Our experience was somewhere in between three and four star. Practically it is missing a lot of key things or doesnt get them right. Toilet brushes there are none anyone out there enjoy wiping toilets by hand. Wet clothes indoor hanging space for when you come back from the beach there is none there is some outdoor but it isnt well covered from the driving rain that we had during our visit most days. Clothes storage in some rooms is really lacking. If youre here for a weekend it is fine but I suspect most will be here for a week. The fridge is tiny its a small fridge not even a tall one the property desperately needs another. We liked to stay in socialize cook and save a fortune in going out every evening or eating unhealthy takeaway. We were forced to shop everyday due to the lack of fridge space. The freezer is small too and just about passable. It desperately needs another main bathroom. But we knew that when booking. Not much can be done about this but just beware when booking that there is only one main communal bathroom. There was quite a few things that need replacing. Two to three I forget broken dining chairs they were somewhere between unstable and uncomfy seat was slanted and unsafe. Hole in outdoor furniture looked horrible and rendered one of the units unusable there were others. Broken parasol we did get some sun and wanted to use it but couldnt. The chairs and parasol were broken by the previous occupants the helpful owner told us not much he can do about that I guess nonetheless we were the unfortunate next visitors. Other issues. Outdoor furniture seat pads were all soaked upon arrival it took us two days to dry them out more hassle. Again not the owners fault. We had only enough hot water for two short showers at the end of day one so the first night six guests went without a shower having been on the beach for the afternoon a really poor start. The owner sorted the problem for us the following morning so credit to him for that. Visitor book was hard to find on arrival cleaners not doing their job properly rectified once contacted owner which took a while as we had no wifi and no phone signal so had to walk down the road to get a signal in the rain. Be wary of the poor wifi if you like to stream films in tablets etc. There is virtually no phone signal not the fault of the property or owner obviously but this necessitates a string wifi signal which the property very much does NOT have. You take these things for granted nowadays frustrating when you dont have them. Sounds travels throughout the property ridiculously well so if you have some of your party who stay up late or like to unload the dishwasher really quietly an hour before others get up without waking them forget it. We had to download a white noise app to drown out the noise. Hard floors are great for hygiene but terrible for noise when accompanied by otherwise lovely open staircases with no doors to help close the noise out. The kitchen cupboards some are hot as positioned next to hot pipes which massively reduces the food storage options poor design. There is no traditional extractor fan the solution in place doesnt work that well. All towels provided were far too small perhaps they were made for seven year olds. No salt or rinse aid in the dishwasher. No surprise there as very few holiday homes maintain their goods properly. Now it sounds like we had a horrible experience we did not. BUT it was sold and priced as a 5 star and for that we expect 5 star experience which we didnt get. Partly due to lack of facilities can and should be rectified, partly due to unfortunate timing of poor previous holidaymakers our bad luck prior to our arrival and partly due to a heating system that wasnt working as we were told it normally does. The owner did his best to help at the time including time on the phone and a massive drive for him to provide on-site support on a Sunday and post our stay by agreeing to a partial refund which eased the blow. So clearly kudos where it is due there. If youre a nervous driver you may wish to reconsider picking this property as the lanes are very narrow but that is not uncommon from this part of Devon and clearly isnt a feature of the property itself. Despite all this I will reiterate again we had a great time there but as presented to us it is a 4 star property at best and given the hassle wed rate it 3.5 stars. The owner has been presented with this review so they have the opportunity to improve it for others. It needs some money to be spent before it can be classed as 5 stars. Sykes take note.

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• Iris - Verified booking

  The property was in a lovely location and very well appointed.

  It is one we would choose again and recommend to family and friends. Unfortunately it had not been cleaned properly. I had requested non feather bedding etc because I am an asthmatic and very allergic to feathers, a common issue these days. There seemed to be a problem about this (see emails). The main bedroom did have non allergenic bedding but the old feather bedding had been left in the wardrobes without covers! It had to be moved into another bedroom and all the wardrobes cleaned. They were very dusty and dirty and the end one had black mould up the wall, on the carpet and on the mirror and picture stored in it. The carpet and skirtings, etc were very dusty but when we found the vacuum cleaner it too was needed dusting before use, also it needed emptying. Our first evening and following morning were spent cleaning this room. This was very disappointing and could have caused serious health issues for an asthmatic, never mind someone with a serious allergy problem. I sent emails to the local agent about this who said they would look into it. They offered a further clean later in the week but having done most of it we didn’t want further disruption to our holiday. This is a very nice property let down by cleaning/ supervision issues. These need to be seriously addressed by the maintenance company. We feel sorry for the owners.

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• Gill - Verified booking

  Ayrmer House is a fabulous, comfortable, welcoming place in the most spectacular setting.

  Ella is a warm host, on hand with advice and recommendations if needed but leaves you to your holiday if you prefer. The extra cleaning measures in place due to the current situation were really reassuring and the place was immaculately. The house itself has everything you could need and want, is beautifully decorated with amazing views no matter the weather. Warm and sunny enjoy the terrace and balcony, cold and stormy, watch it roll in in front of the woodburner. This is the perfect place for a peaceful break with lots to do nearby if you want it. The walk to the cove is short and easy, perfect for a late afternoon stroll to watch the sun go down. There is quick access to the coastal path with great walks in all directions. The Journeys End pub in the village is excellent, with fabulous food (best to book) and a short drive away is the amazing Oyster Shack, a must for seafood fans. We're already planning our visit in the spring, can't wait to be back in Ringmore.

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• Helena - Verified booking

  The house is situated in the most fantastic setting: surrounded by rolling countryside flowing down to beautiful Ayrmer Cove.

  There are National Trust walks all around which include paths to the cove/beach, and onto the S.W. coastal path. The house has these stupendous views from EVERY room and has a massive balcony accessed by all 3 bedrooms, and there is also a private ground floor terrace to drink in more of the views, and sometimes to even hear the waves. The house is stylishly laid out- the owner has thought of everything, and whilst she lives in the adjoining annexe, the feeling of being in the house is one of total privacy. The welcoming owner is on hand if needed. The level of cleanliness throughout the spacious house is very high. We would love to stay at Ayrmer House again in the future. I would describe staying at Ayrmer House, where it is situated in the beautiful Devon countryside, and so close to the sea as a real health tonic, and the ultimate wind-down holiday place to be!

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• Dave - Verified booking

  We absolutely loved our week in Ayrmer House.

  Ella was on hand if we needed anything and the house was spotlessly clean. Bedding was lovely and the home baked cake that greeted us on arrival was most welcome. The view from the house was fabulous and the rock in the bay told you the state of the sea if you were looking to take the tidal road to Aveton Giffard. If you like peace and quiet and the sound of the sea then Ayrmer Cove is just a 10 minute walk from the house. The house has everything you need plus an unexpected bonus if you find yourself on the grey sofa. Ayrmer House is a wonderful place to come back to after spending the day walking and exploring the surrounding area. We particularly enjoyed the old carriage drive round the headland into Noss Mayo followed by lunch in the Ship Inn. Ayrner House was spacious, quiet and tranquil and we can't wait to come back again.

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