“A gorgeous setting in a superb location.”
Not having Wi-Fi/signal was a godsend and three young boys (2/4/6) had great fun playing tag/rugby/football passing in the garden.
Unfortunately the holiday was let down by a few major points: a ridiculously small downstairs bed; a kettle that didn't work 95% of the time, the remaining 5% requiring you to hold the button down; a shower head blocked with limescale and pinched hose held together with electrical tape; electrical tape used to hold the bulb holder of a bedside lamp together; and an very strong smell of damp.
We own an 18th century cottage and appreciate that whilst a certain level of dampness is to be expected within a property of this age the level within St Gabriel’s was excessive. The bedding felt constantly 'damp' and clammy, clothes felt damp when left out overnight and a leather handbag strap went mouldy inside of a week. Not to mention the effect on bread and other perishable food.
I’m not sure whether there was an extended duration between the previous guests and ourselves but the smell was very strong and the walls visibly damp.
Crumbs in the breadbin, a half-finished bottle of open ketchup, hair in the shower and general grit/grass on the floor on arrival suggested a lacklustre approach to cleaning.
There should be mention of the smaller-than-standard-double sized bed which even without a pregnant wife was completely unsuitable in this day and age; it felt like the desire to cram two bedside tables in had led to that decision yet in reality all that happened when you decided to try not sleeping on your side was that you ended up headbutting one of the very sharp corners.
That said, it was a nice week and the cottage is in a wonderful setting.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We are sorry you experienced trouble with the kettle, we were unaware there was an issue, if you had let us know here at Lyme Bay Holidays, we would have replaced it immediately. This has now of course been actioned, alongside the cleaning issues. This wonderful, quaint cottage is 100’s of years old and part of it is constructed in stone rubble with no damp course on some walls and because of this it is affected by humidity levels. We find if it is aired daily this isn’t an issue. We do try to describe our properties honestly as wea can as we respect that everyone’s needs are different, and we try to note characteristics that may make the property unsuitable for some. This property is advertised as having a small double bed (4 foot) so our potential guests are aware that this is how the room is furnished. Whilst the majority of guests will have an enjoyable holiday in the properties we let, this isn’t always the case, so we welcome and appreciate your feedback as it enables us to improve the service, we offer guests and the standard of properties we let. The feedback we get on this property is usually very positive. Team LBH Property Owner
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor double, 2 x twins
- Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, towel rail and WC
- Kitchen/diner
- Sitting room
- Electric storage and wall heating with electric stove-effect fire
- Electric oven, grill and hob, microwave, fridge with ice box
- TV with built-in DVD Player (for use with DVD only - no tv signal) and a large selection of DVDs
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Parking for 2 cars
- Private gardens, lawns, garden furniture
- Two well-behaved dogs welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop 1.5 miles, pub 1.4 miles
- Note: Unloading and loading can be done from access lane near the cottage (path from this lane to cottage is uneven and may not be suitable for elderly/infirm or young children or prams) with parking a short walk away
- Note: The cottage is accessed along a narrow and uneven country lane which may not be suitable for some vehicles
- Note: There is no TV or WiFi at this property so please bear this in mind when booking
- Note: Due to the age of the property the stairs are steep and uneven so please bear this in mind when booking
- Note: This property accommodates up to five guests
The property
One of very few privately owned properties located on National Trust land, St Gabriels Cottage is nestled in the heart of stunning Dorset countryside with Golden Cap as its backdrop and the sea beyond.
Part of Stanton St Gabriels a Saxon settlement of which all that remains is a ruined medieval chapel and an 18th Century manor house, now owned and run by the National Trust. The ancient landscape of this secluded valley has been formed by centuries of farming but is now a popular route for walkers following the South West Coast Path (just a five minute walk away) or exploring the many footpaths which criss-cross the area.
St Gabriels Cottage is a simply furnished, thatched cottage full of the characterful features and charm you would associate with a property of its age. Its remote location makes the cottage an ideal choice for those wishing to escape the fast pace of everyday life. The surrounding woodland, meadows and hedges support an abundance of birds and wildlife and the garden, with its stream running nearby, is the perfect spot to simply relax and enjoy the glorious setting.
With the market town of Bridport and the seaside towns of West Bay, Charmouth and Lyme Regis only a short drive away, St Gabriels is an ideal location for those wishing to explore this beautiful part of the Jurassic coastline. A charming location wonderful for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and for those looking to enjoy a peaceful rural retreat, just remember to pack your walking boots and picnic basket.
Please note:
Through a woodland area to the cottage there are some steps and it's uneven in places. The property is accessed via partly unmade, private roads which may not be suitable for some vehicles.
To retain the original feel of peace and tranquillity at the cottage the owners do not supply WiFi and there isn't t.v. reception.
The cottage is suitable for no more than 5 adults.
A maximum of two dogs are accepted.
GROUND FLOOR
Lounge with large inglenook fireplace and electric stove
Kitchen with dining area and views over the garden
Shower room: shower room with large shower cubicle, basin & w.c.
Bed 1: small double bed (4 foot) and views over the garden
FIRST FLOOR (built into the eaves so restricted height in the bedrooms - due to their age the stairs leading to the first floor are uneven and quite steep & they are open to the first bedroom so supervision will be required with younger children, stairgates will not fit the staircase although there is a door at the bottom)
Bed 2: Twin beds (2' 6'' wide) with door leading through to third bedroom;
Bed 3: Twin beds and views to the garden
OUTSIDE
Private cottage garden mainly lawn with mature hedges and views over the countryside beyond.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Parking for two cars - unloading can be done from the access lane and through the garden and the parking space is a short walk from the cottage
Linen and Towels included- beds made up
Utilities included
FACILITIES
Fridge with icebox compartment
Microwave
Electric oven & hob
Electric heating (night storage heating & additional electric wall heaters)
TV with built-in DVD Player (for use with DVD only - no t.v signal)
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.
View on map
About the location
CHIDEOCK
Bridport 2 miles. Lyme Regis 7 miles. West Bay 4 miles.
The pretty village of Chideock (pronounced Chiddick) can be found straddling the main A35 road between Bridport and Honiton, in glorious West Dorset. Many of the quaint cottages lining the road are constructed of cob and the honey-coloured local sandstone. Lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the area has plenty of lovely walks, whilst just 1 mile away is Dorset's Jurassic Coast, famed for its fossils and ease of finding them, where a walk along the coastal path affords spectacular views across the sparkling waters of Lyme Bay towards Portland, Chesil beach and the Dorset coast. A short drive east takes you to the ancient rope-making town of Bridport, and the harbour at West Bay, or venture west to visit the picturesque seaside resort of Lyme Regis. An excellent holiday base from which to explore this scenic area.
Note: Unloading and loading can be done from access lane outside the cottage with parking a short walk away. Note: The cottage is accessed along a narrow country lane which may not be suitable for some vehicles. Note: There is no TV or WiFi at this property so please bear this in mind when booking. Note: Due to the age of the property the stairs are steep and uneven so please bear this in mind when booking. Note: This property accommodates up to five guests
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas
