Old Cross Cottage

4.0★

8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

12 Customer Review(s)

Andi
December 2023

“We had a great stay at this property and it was exactly what we were looking for - a cosy country cottage.”

There's a real charm to the place with lots of original features, trinkets and ornaments dotted around. The woodburners were very appreciated too. The place is deceptively big too, easily accommodating our group of 6 plus small dogs with lots of interesting spaces to explore. Overall, We found everything was as listed and the guest folder was full of useful info. The kitchen was really well-stocked and we were able to rustle up some nice meals as we had all the equipment you would need ...

There's a real charm to the place with lots of original features, trinkets and ornaments dotted around. The woodburners were very appreciated too. The place is deceptively big too, easily accommodating our group of 6 plus small dogs with lots of interesting spaces to explore. Overall, We found everything was as listed and the guest folder was full of useful info. The kitchen was really well-stocked and we were able to rustle up some nice meals as we had all the equipment you would need. Personally, I found my bedroom comfortable (the twin room) but others said their beds were uncomfortable however they just accepted it as part of the quaintness of the property. On the whole, the cottage was very comfortable. As it was quite wet during our visit, we stayed in a bit more - in front of the fire, playing games (of which there are plenty at the property). While the cottage was clean upon our arrival, we did feel it was due a deep clean. There were a lot of dusty corners and cobwebs. And it does need a bit of general maintenance. I would also say, dog owners should be aware that the outside space is across the road and isn't fully enclosed. This was a bit disappointing as we weren't aware of this. It made exercising the dogs a little tricky as we weren't confident walking them on the roads as they're very narrow. However that aside, we would definitely visit again and were very happy with our stay and all loved the cottage.

- Andi, December 2023
Robert November 2023

“Disappointed.”

Very dated kitchen no extraction on hob, Leaking lean to conservatory, Beds uncomfortable , The cottage is supposedly dog friendly but the garden is across a quite busy country road unkept and unfenced but the most disappointment was problems with the hot water (showers) and heating we could either have one or the other put not both, We where informed that there has been a history of problems with the boiler when we got in touch with LYME COTTAGES and that the cottage was to be updated surely the cottage should not have been let at the price we paid until the problems where dealt with .

- Robert, November 2023
Michael September 2023

“We have rated this Old Cross Cottage 4 day stay with family & dogs, highly, as we enjoyed it so much and we were spoilt by the glorious weather (a very hot Sep weekend) and, taking into account the following.”

The cottage is very old with an equally old thatched roof, windows & doors. The upstairs floors are uneven and some room floors slope - but nothing that we did not acclimatise to quickly. Of course, my grandchildren loved exploring the quirkiness and using the secret stairs leading from the lounge to the bedroom! (They had much fun staying here, that they will remember for a long time to come). It is a large cottage that can accommodate 2 families with ease and has all the facilities required to service the stay and our dogs loved the garden where they could run freely, while listening to the cows and farm tractors passing by. The village itself is great for an evening stroll up to the pub or to use the Parish children's play swings (behind the school) and is ideally located for the beaches at Lyme Regis & Charmouth.

- Michael, September 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. My own children, and now my grandchildren, have also had a great deal of fun and many adventures when staying. I hope that you all take away some wonderful memories. Kind regards. Property Owner
Laura August 2023

“We were greatly looking forward to this holiday as we attended a family wedding over August bank holiday and were also in desperate need of a relaxing retreat following the recent passing of our mother.”

To say we were utterly disappointed by the standard of this accommodation is an understatement. It was so terrible that we actually cut the holiday short once our family commitments were compete, as frankly we could not bear to stay in the cottage any longer. There was a pungent, damp, musty smell in every room. The curtains, rugs and furniture were old, dusty and stained. It was an overwhelming smell and no amount of airing would get rid of it. We actually went and bought air fresheners, but they didn’t help as it just absolutely stank. It smelled like an old charity shop. The bed linen was stained and yellowed. The cottage was dusty and had clearly not been deep cleaned. There were clumps of dust under the bed that caught on the bedding. The throws and cushions for the beds were worn and bobbled. The bedroom carpet with badly stained. The fridge smelt terrible. The wardrobes were so musty we did not unpack our things. There were no anti slip mats in the baths. The bedroom mirrors were smeared and there were cobwebs absolutely everywhere. The windows were filthy and had clearly not been cleaned in a very long time. The whole place felt completely unclean and we were shocked that it could be let out in this state. We love staying in period properties such as this and on the surface the pictures looked great but this is tired accommodation in much need of upgrade and the price charged for 7 nights was absolutely not reflective of the standard of accommodation on offer. The other reviews we had read about this property we feel were very misleading. We visit this area regularly to visit family and have stayed in many other cottages locally over the years. After this experience, in all honesty we are put off booking again with Lyme Bay if this is the standard of property your company represents. Please do feel free to publish my comments against this listing as I wouldn’t like anyone else to feel as completely let down on a much needed special family holiday as we were.

- Laura, August 2023

We are sorry to hear that you felt the cottage didn't meet your expectations, and it is a shame that you did not contact us during your stay as we could have rectified some of the issues mentioned. As the agent responsible for the cleanliness and linen we have taken onboard your feedback and will check the property to ensure that it is acceptable for future guests. The cottage is thatched, full of character due to it's age, and in a rural location. We are in contact with the owner regarding your other comments. The Lyme Bay Team Hi - as the owner I am also sorry to hear that your stay wasn't to your liking. To be perfectly honest I feel your review is misleading in comparison with other reviews we have received - both published and unpublished. I am very happy to say the vast majority of our guests enjoyed their holidays in our characterful listed 16th century cottage. Property Owner
Dewi August 2023

“We really enjoyed our second stay at Old Cross Cottage.”

Our grandson loves the cottage and thinks it was the best holiday ever!

- Dewi, August 2023

We are so pleased you and your family had such an enjoyable time. We hope to have you staying again with us for another 'best holiday ever' experience! Kind regards. Property Owner
Lynne July 2023

“Lovely old cottage tastefully furnished in cottage style.”

Party consisted 2 pensioners 4 adults 2 teenagers. Boys loved having wifi. Overall we had a nice stay at cottage and thankyou for the welcome pack .

- Lynne, July 2023

Thank you for the feedback and we are very happy that you enjoyed your holiday. Property Owner
Leigh July 2023

“A tired property in desperate need of some TLC.”

- Leigh, July 2023
Anne May 2023

“We had the most wonderful stay at Old Cross Cottage.”

The cottage was so comfortable, extremely well equipped and had everything we needed. If the weather had been bad we may have even baked a cake as there were the tins etc to enable us to do so! There were 8 of us staying at the cottage. There was plenty of space for everyone as well as plenty of crockery, cutlery glasses etc. The beds were very comfortable, warm duvets and lovely towels. It really was a home from home. Often we have had holiday cottages previously which may have been a bit musty or not very loved. Old Cross Cottage is definitely not like that. Warm, cosy and extremely clean. The conservatory was great for drying wet suits and washing. The plants in there are lovely too. We did water them before we left! They were all doing well, but the Swiss cheese plant was beginning to look a little sad. I’m sure it will be fine. The garden is a real sun trap, plenty of chairs, boules etc. we only discovered the bbq once we had sorted our meals for the week but hopefully we will be back and will use it next time. The welcome pack and pint of milk was lovely. It was also great that there was washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, hand wash and plenty of loo rolls. You don’t often get this in holiday homes so we had taken our own anyway. My 80 year old mother came with us. She has mobility issues and we had read about the stairs etc. The main stairs were absolutely fine, she took her time, it wasn’t an issue. She fell in love with the house and would have found a way to use the other stairs if she had too! It’s a lovely old house, the upstairs floorboards creak which is all part of its character and added to the charm. Thank you for letting us stay. We hope to be back.

- Anne, May 2023

Thank you for your super review and thank you for watering our plants! We hope to have you staying again very soon. Property Owner
Angela April 2023

“We had a lovely stay in this charming cottage which is full of character.”

It is furnished beautifully with lots of trinkets and pictures. The kitchen was very well equipped, there was a good selection of board games and books in the sitting room and also a separate TV room. It was a cold week and yet the cottage felt lovely and warm. The ceilings are low in keeping with the age of the cottage, bunting has been thoughtfully placed to highlight low doorways. There were several sitting areas so lots of spaces for our large family. There are two stairways - one is steep and we didn’t use it but didn’t need to as there is a main stairway which was fine. I suspect the very young or old would find it difficult. The garden is across the street and the cottage is accessed by a typical narrow country lane with parking just off the road. Many thanks for the lovely welcome pack and even a pint of milk in the fridge on arrival. This was our first stay in the area and we will definitely be back.

- Angela, April 2023

It's great to hear that you had such a lovely holiday at the cottage, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Property Owner
Mark March 2023

“Its a lovely place and great pub up the road so we will be back in the future, many thanks.”

- Mark, March 2023

We are so pleased that you enjoyed our cottage and your visit to the local pub. It's a lovely stroll though the village to get there and beats driving! We hope to see you again very soon. Property Owner
Mr and Mrs R & E Nov 2022

“Another lovely stay, thank you.”

Lyme Bay Cafe (Lyme Regis) and Anchor Inn (Seatown)- highly recommend.

- Mr and Mrs R & E, Nov 2022
Donna June 2022

“Lovely cottage, really well stocked with crockery and glassware etc as well and the food gifts were a lovely touch.”

It’s an old house so a bit creaky but very comfortable. We really enjoyed our stay. The only low point is that parking is very tight and be prepared to clean your car after! We were charged for an extra parking space - that we requested - although had to call on arrival and were then directed to a free parking area behind the village hall.

- Donna, June 2022

Hi Firstly we are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. Just to let you know that all of the charge for additional parking is given to the Village Hall to help support local events. It's a very active community and they are always most welcoming to guests who want to participate! Property Owner

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Summary

Four bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin, 1 x double with adjoining door to single room with pull-out single truckle bed with en-suite bathroom and shower over, basin and WC
Bathroom with bath with shower over, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner
Utility
Sitting room with woodburning stove
Snug with woodburning stove
Cloakroom with basin and WC
Oil central heating with two woodburning stoves
Electric oven, grill and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, hairdryer
TV, Blu-Ray/CD player, WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Highchair
Off-road parking for 2 cars, and additional parking available within 100 metres subject to availability
Garden with lawns, furniture on other side of the lane
Two well-behaved dogs welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 2.3 miles, pub 2.2 miles
Note: Logs supplied for October-March bookings only
Note: Due to the age of the cottage the stairs are steep and some doorways are restricted in height so please bear this in mind when booking
Note: Parking space measures 9.8 metres in length, additional parking (subject to availability) at Village Hall.

The property

This lovely spacious detached thatched Grade II listed cottage enjoys a quiet, idyllic setting on the western fringes of the pretty West Dorset Village of Whitchurch Canonicorum. The cottage's attractive external appearance is complimented with a tastefully presented interior which retains much of the property's original character and charm including exposed ceiling beams, oak floors and window seats with hand made cushions. The striking, original inglenook fireplaces with woodburners are real focal points in the two living rooms -ideal for warming yourself up after a bracing walk through the Dorset countryside. Outside there is parking for two cars to the rear whilst on the opposite side of the lane there is a mature lawned garden with outdoor furniture and well established hedges which afford a high degree of privacy and seclusion. A welcome pack for your arrival ensures a great start to your holiday and will include milk, tea and a selection of locally sourced produce and treats. The property was the original home of The New Inn before the pub relocated to New Cross House on the other side of the crossroads and in more recent times became the fictional home of Rachel and Mark Bell in a book entitled 'Old Cross Cottage' by the best selling author Shani Struthers. The Marshwood Vale, criss-crossed by bridleways, footpaths and narrow winding lanes is quite stunning and will appeal to the keen walker and those with a love for the great outdoors. The village of Whitchurch Canonicorum is a quaint and picturesque village with thatched cottages, a pretty village church and the village pub is just ten minutes’ walk away. The coastal village of Charmouth with it's family friendly beach and the spectacular Jurassic coastline are within a 10 minute drive. With a wide range of independent shops galleries and restaurants in both Lyme Regis and Bridport, the property is a perfect choice for small groups and families wanting a unique holiday retreat in this very special part of the South West. Please note: Due to the age of the cottage, the floors in places are a little uneven, the staircases may be steeper than usual and some of the doorways have restricted height. A maximum of two dogs are accepted. GROUND FLOOR (some internal steps) Lounge with woodburner Kitchen/dining room with pine dining table for 8 persons TV lounge with feature fireplace and woodburner Separate w.c Utility room FIRST FLOOR Front staircase to: Bed 1: Double bed Bed 2: Twin beds Bathroom: Bath, shower over bath,w.c. Back staircase (a narrow staircase with low ceiling) to: Bed 3: Double bed and wash hand basin leading to adjoining: Bed 4: Single bed and further pull-out single bed (please specify if required at time of booking) ensuite bathroom, shower over bath, w.c OUTSIDE Garden with lawn and seating located on the other side of the lane GENERAL INFORMATION Off-road parking to the rear of the property for 2 cars (9.8 metre long space). Additional free parking available nearby at Village Hall subject to availability. Utilities included Logs - supplied for bookings between October & March inclusive only. Linen and towels included - beds made up Highchair supplied Not supplied, please bring if required: stairgate, cot FACILITIES TV Blu-Ray player CD player WiFi Electric oven & hob Fridge/freezer Microwave Dishwasher Washing machine Oil central heating Two feature woodburners Hair dryer

Floorplans

Floorplan

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

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About the location

WHITCHURCH CANONICORUM

Bridport 5.4 miles.

Referred to as the capital of the Marshwood Vale, Whitchurch Canonicorum is an attractive mix of farms and cottages. Whitchurch Canonicorum is where you can find the very ancient church of St. Candida and the Holy Cross. It is unique in being the only parish church in England to contain the remains of an ancient saint. There is a well nearby, also named after the Saint, which is also rumoured to have similar healing properties. The attractive market town of Bridport grew up around the River Brit and was shaped by its extensive history of rope and net making. The long, wide streets and alleyways between the houses were once where the flax strands were twisted into rope, while today those streets are filled with an interesting variety of shops, restaurants and inns.

Note: Logs supplied for October-March bookings only. Note: Due to the age of the cottage the stairs are steep and some doorways are restricted in height so please bear this in mind when booking. Note: Parking space measures 9.8 metres in length. Note: If you wish the pull-out single bed to be made up please let us know at the time of booking

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Charmouth, Dorset (Ref. 1106239)

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“We had a great stay at this property and it was exactly what we were looking for - a cosy country cottage.”

“Disappointed.”

“We have rated this Old Cross Cottage 4 day stay with family & dogs, highly, as we enjoyed it so much and we were spoilt by the glorious weather (a very hot Sep weekend) and, taking into account the following.”

“We were greatly looking forward to this holiday as we attended a family wedding over August bank holiday and were also in desperate need of a relaxing retreat following the recent passing of our mother.”

“We really enjoyed our second stay at Old Cross Cottage.”

“Lovely old cottage tastefully furnished in cottage style.”

“A tired property in desperate need of some TLC.”

“We had the most wonderful stay at Old Cross Cottage.”

“We had a lovely stay in this charming cottage which is full of character.”

“Its a lovely place and great pub up the road so we will be back in the future, many thanks.”