8
out of 10
The cottage is lovely, hidden right next to Moat Park, down a private lane, entrance hidden by a sliding fence/gate. So far so good. Vivien, the owner was helpful and communicative and waiting for us and our arrival. She explained how to use the gate and gave us a tour with the wood burning stove roaring away. We arrived in the evening and were keen for some dinner, a take-away! We paid Vivien the extra £120 for the Thursday night, even though we were leaving on the Sunday, it allowed us a late check out on Sunday.
We had a restful sleep, but an early start on Friday, up for 5:30, out for 6:30, sadly we couldn't get hot water for a shower, needs must, so a cold one, thinking we'll ask about that later. Leaving the 16/15 year olds for a few hours. Arrived back around noon and was told British Gas had turned up to replace a valve, surprisingly Vivien had told the grand kids it was lucky they'd turned up else we wouldn't have had hot water all weekend... hmm at least the shower now worked and the kitchen tap, sadly never got hot water in the bath! All Out for the evening, after a now hot shower.
Saturday, we now spotted the cob-webs, dust on the DVD player, and dirt around the bottom of the curtains on the floor. With a friend and 2 family members joining us for the pm, we started a spring clean! The dyson needs a service, I did what I could and got some suction but after a full bin and empty, it wasn't playing any more. The dust under the lounge rug.... well the house is 500 years old, I'm guessing the rug must be an original feature and perhaps listed building prohibited moving it to clean under! Nowt could be done with the dyson no longer functioning as intended. Nice afternoon and evening, we retired for the night.
Sunday after breakfast we discussed the not working electrical equipment, lights in the bedrooms, a microwave sounding like the glass plate not fitted correctly but it was, the lounge tv flicker, but had a laugh.
We had the whole family over for lunch, a trip to Argos for some cheap cutlery as the 6 provided weren't going to cover that. Oven on, meat cooking, we await the crowd. Veg started at 13:30 on the hobs ready for a 14:00 sitting. The gas went off OMG.. found the meter and the display said £0.00 - panic! Thankfully £5 emergency cover initiated with a remove card press A, hold A, etc and back in business. Everyone loved the pork and chicken Sunday roast, so much so, no crackling left for the 2 cooks! In fact not much left for me at all, but a glowing thanks for a cracking meal
Lunch served, dishes washed some socialising and we're ready to depart - telephoned Vivien, and advised to leave door key and gate remote on table, and a two hour drive on the m25 to go
If the Buttery had been clean and had hot water for the whole time, with electrical stuff that worked, we would have given it full marks, but it wasn't and sadly that's just not nice. If you check it is fully cleaned (professionally) and hot water, and all electrical stuff working then it might just be idyllic. Oh it does have wifi, wish I'd known as I'd topped the mifi up by £30 to keep the grandkids happy - doh!
Confirmed guest, 2017-01-30