Rainsbury House

57 Customer Reviews

• "As we said in the visitor book, this is the best equipped cottage we have stayed in."

  The welcome pack was more than generous and much appreciated. The owners were friendly and made sure we knew they were available if required, without being intrusive. A very pleasant holiday especially as the sun shone every day. Thank you.

  Reviewed by Valerie5.0★Sep 2024

• "We had such a wonderful family get together at Rainsbury House!"

  Everything was so thoughtful, from the wonderful welcome cakes and wine to the dog treats for Chester! The property was so well stocked with everything we needed and the two living rooms meant that we could have a separate kids space which they loved! Thanks for making our stay so amazing!

  Reviewed by Claire5.0★Jul 2024

• "We are a family of 13, 3 generations."

  Rainsbury House gave us the opportunity to holiday together in a beautiful part of Devon, providing 2 kitchens, 2 lounges, playroom and multiple bathrooms and bedrooms. The property and facilities are outstanding. The garden and adjoining field was secure for our dogs and children. We had a wonderful holiday.

  Reviewed by Carol5.0★May 2024

• "The property is perfect for our extended family - very well equipped, comfortable and spacious."

  We especially appreciated the two dining and lounge areas and the games room. It was all in remarkably good condition; all the facilities were in great order and there were many thoughtful touches, such as the child stair gates. Above all, the owners are brilliant in their attention to detail and are outstanding hosts. Our stay here was unforgettable.

  Reviewed by John5.0★Dec 2023

• "We were 8 school friends sharing a week’s holiday catching up with each other and we very much enjoyed our holiday at Rainsbury House."

  The accommodation is well appointed and very comfortable and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of the welcome pack. We had 2 well-behaved dogs with us and the pretty enclosed garden was a real bonus for them - and us! Being so close to Wimbleball Lake was a real advantage for walking and we explored the area a little with visits to Tarr Steps and Dunster Castle. We found there was no mobile signal at the cottage but it had Wi-Fi and the owners were on hand for emergencies.

  Reviewed by Valerie5.0★Jun 2023

• "A well presented 7-bed house that was just the ticket for our three families comprising of 6 adults and 4 children (8 to 15)."

  The welcome goodies of cakes, wine, scones and local preserves were much appreciated and the cakes were delicious. The weather varied from sunny and warm to cold, wet and windy and me made great use of the log fire on the wet days..

  Reviewed by Roy5.0★Apr 2023

• "4 generations and our dogs stayed at Rainsbury House and we all had a fantastic fun time."

  The owners had thought of everything to make our stay as comfortable as they could. Accommodation was very spacious and homely, lovely cakes and scones on arrival along with a basket of local produce, stunning location, lots of lovely walks and the lake was not too far away. We visited various towns during the week and will definitely be back to Rainsbury House

  Reviewed by Deanna4.4★Mar 2023

• "This was a beautiful house, well and thoughtfully equipped to ensure that all of our group, including small children and dogs, had a very enjoyable stay."

  Kind extras added to the warm welcome that we were given.

  Reviewed by Caroline5.0★Feb 2023

• "Fantastic"

  Reviewed by Anthony5.0★Dec 2022

• "Friendly personable owners, nothing too much trouble."

  Excellent welcome pack of cakes and wine.

  Reviewed by David5.0★Nov 2022

• "This is an excellent property."

  The owners have provided everything that the visitor needs in the way of equipment to make their stay successful and pleasant. The beds are comfortable. The bedrooms are spacious. The lounge / dining area is big enough for 13 people to eat / sit in comfort. The games room is a great bonus for the younger members (and oldies) in the party. Absolutely no negatives about the premises. Owners are very helpful - respond to email enquiries promptly and are willing to advise on things to do / places to see etc. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED property.

  Reviewed by David5.0★Oct 2022

• "Our family aged from 9 months to 75 years (and dog) all enjoyed our stay."

  The property was very comfortable and had everything we could have wished for. The welcome we received was amazing and the cakes/scones made by our hosts together with the other provisions were lovely and enjoyed by all. The wifi and tv reception was patchy but didn't affect us at all. We were fortunate with the weather and enjoyed some lovely walks in the area. No hesitation in returning or recommending to others. Communication prior to our arrival was excellent.Many thanks

  Reviewed by Jenny4.4★Oct 2022

• "Perfect holiday accomodation for our family get-together, with everything we could possibly need, and so much space for each family unit."

  There was a wonderful welcome table of goodies waiting for us on our arrival which we really appreciated after long journeys. We all loved our week at the Barn and Barn Owl Cottage, and we all send our thanks to the kind and considerate hosts.

  Reviewed by Linda5.0★Aug 2022

• "We had a lovely holiday, the house was ideal for our group, and was comfortable and well maintained."

  The owners were helpful but not intrusive and provided some lovely scones and cakes which were delicious (they even provided some treats for our dog). It is well positioned for visiting the area, our favourite being Tarr Steps. The only thing we were slightly disappointed about was that the walk to the lake wasn’t easy, so we only got to it by driving to a car park about half an hour’s journey away.

  Reviewed by Christine5.0★Aug 2022

• "One of the best Summer Holiday we enjoyed as a group."

  The stay at Rainsbury House was comfy, safe and enjoyable. Surrounding has beautiful views and Wimbleball lake is in a short drive, Most of the key attractions/places were within 30 to 40mins drive. Valerie and Graham were a good host and provide all assistance/information needed before and during the stay. Couple of freshly baked cakes, wine bottles and locally made jams were left at the Barn as welcome gifts/compliments. Nice gesture. They stay next to the accommodation but no interference and your privacy guaranteed. I would definitely recommend Rainsbury House.

  Reviewed by Ruthiralingam5.0★Jul 2022

• "I have no hesitation in giving this property 5 stars."

  The house was beautiful, accommodation very comfortable and well equipped, excellent facilities including games room and self-contained garden, lovely location, friendly and helpful owners who were not at all intrusive, an exceptionally generous (and delicious!) welcome pack. It was a perfect place for an inter-generational family get together (including dogs). The nearby lake gives plenty of opportunity for walks and water-based activities, and there are attractive places to visit not too far away if you want to venture out. Highly recommended.

  Reviewed by Julie5.0★Jun 2022

• "The cottage was perfect and had everything you needed."

  The welcome goodies were amazing and the cakes were delicious. Perfect setting for our first big family holiday.

  Reviewed by Melanie5.0★Jun 2022

• "The cottage was perfect for the needs of our family, the surroundings are stunning, with good walks on the doorstep, the coast was easily accessible and there were good pubs a short drive away."

  Val and Graham the owners were lovely and the welcome pack was very generous and the home made cakes were delicious. The garden was sunny all day and the night sky was incredible.

  Reviewed by Carol5.0★May 2022

• "A superb place to stay."

  There were 13 of us (11 adults, 2 children) and yet load of room. Great sleeping arrangements and room for a bit of privacy if needed. The home is well equipped, very clean with good games room and wi-fi etc. Will definitely return for another family get together

  Reviewed by Gary5.0★Apr 2022

• "Our week at Rainsbury House was brilliant."

  Ideal for all the generations of our family (although if you have mobility issues there are a lot of stairs). The welcome basket, or as we called it a welcome table, filled with cakes, scones and even snacks for the dog was amazing, right down to the 2 easter eggs for the grandchildren. Very comfy beds and pillows. Having 2 lounges was ideal for us, as my 20 yr old autistic grandson had a quiet lounge he could retreat to with his laptop. Ideal for dog owners as good safe areas to let your dog off. Ideal for walkers with steep trails around the property leading to the lake. We definitely recommend this property.

  Reviewed by John4.7★Apr 2022

• "We had an excellent stay, the Barn and Cottage are extremely well equipped."

  A perfect venue for a large group get together.

  Reviewed by William4.7★Apr 2022

• "A wonderful property."

  Very welcoming hosts, fantastic cakes, scones, jams, chutneys and treats in the welcome pack. Everything you might need is in the house, stair gates, dog crates, dog beds, bowls, etc. etc. Garden enclosed and safe for puppies (or children). All in a beautiful peaceful location. Thank you, we all had a wonderful long weekend.

  Reviewed by Liz5.0★Apr 2022

• "Super property ideal for large family etc."

  Lots of fields nearby to run dog etc. Plenty of walks locally, of varying difficulty. Lots of small villages with pubs and good eating. The house well equipped and comfortable. Nice linen which is always a good sign.

  Reviewed by Stephen5.0★Mar 2022

• "Lovely cottage."

  Really helpful owners, especially with the power cut situation. Really comfy and great welcoming treats. Would love to come back again.

  Reviewed by Victoria4.7★Feb 2022

• "A wonderful week at Rainsbury!"

  The weather was dreadful so we spent a lot of time at the house it was ideal. The Barn and linked Barn Owl Cottage allowed the two parts of our family to have time together and time apart and the games room was perfect for entertaining us all, from 2 year olds to 97 year olds! Val and Graham couldn’t have been more helpful hosts. We hope to come back soon!

  Reviewed by Harriet5.0★Feb 2022

• "A really attractive spacious property that lived up to expectations."

  Well positioned for great walking - some walks straight from the house which is always a bonus. Made to feel very welcome and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. All previous plaudits fully deserved! Many thanks to Graham and Val. Would love to return.

  Reviewed by Vanessa5.0★Dec 2021

• "A great place to stay with extended family."

  Spotlessly clean and cosy, even though it rained every day, the surrounding countryside was beautiful, with a wood burning stove to dry out by, on our return. The owners had thought of everything for our stay and the cottage was very well equipped. The house was beautifully decorated for Christmas with lots of delicious treats on our arrival. We really appreciated all the extra touches made by the owners, so we could enjoy our special Christmas gathering after being apart for so long!

  Reviewed by Angela5.0★Dec 2021

• "Hired in late November for a family party of 8 adults and 5 children."

  Imaginatively converted and extended farm buildings presented to a high standard. Two kitchens, both well equipped, multiple bathrooms and toilets. Flexible bedroom arrangements. Dog friendly with secure exercise area and field. Generous hosts who live in the adjacent farmhouse, keen to help if necessary but do not interfere. All set in beautiful countryside on the border between Somerset and Exmoor. Local walks. Highly recommended.

  Reviewed by John4.7★Nov 2021

• "Well appointed house with excellent facilities in a stunningly beautiful area."

  . Welcoming hosts, wonderful cakes and scones in the kitchen for all of us to enjoy on arrival, what a great welcome after a long journey!

  Reviewed by Margaret4.7★Oct 2021

• "This is the second time we have stayed at Rainsbury House and had another fantastic break, would highly recommend."

  Reviewed by Amanda5.0★Oct 2021

• "Hosts very welcoming ."

  Property was lovely and we wanted for nothing. Beautiful surroundings and very peaceful. There was three generation plus a dog and everyone had a wonderful time. Added bonus was the delicious cakes , scones, jams and cream to greet us. So desert was provided too for several days. Even Loki (dog) had a treat. Very happy Thankyou Val and Graham

  Reviewed by Sue4.7★Sep 2021

• "Lovely couple, wonderful cakes on arrival."

  Great accommodation but the real bonus was the lovely garden plus a private field for the dogs to run in.

  Reviewed by Julie5.0★Aug 2021

• "Rainsbury House is a stunning property with everything you need for a large family Holiday."

  The owners have thought of everything. The beautiful cakes and preserves on arrival were such a treat. We had much fun with the games room and enjoyed exploring the nearby area. Would definitely come again!

  Reviewed by Emma5.0★Jul 2021

• "The owners have thought of everything to make sure you have a great stay."

  The garden is a lovely place to while away the sunny days

  Reviewed by Jeanette5.0★Jun 2021

• "The owners went to great lengths to provide everything needed in a holiday house."

  Things that you usually forget to pack were all there, so there was no need to make a rush dash to the shops. The very generous spread of extras from delicious cakes, scones, jam and chutneys, to the butter, milk and large tub of clotted cream in the fridge were very appreciated. The weather was unseasonal but the house was very warm and the games room provided entertainment on a wet day, even art materials if you wanted to sketch. The house is set in the deepest beautiful Exmoor countryside, the perfect place to relax and forget Covid ever existed.

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★May 2021

• "Rainsbury House is beautiful, our expectations were high & they were definitely met."

  We spent a very happy week there celebrating my fathers 80th birthday exploring the moor and the coast. Graham and Val were very friendly on arrival then left us to enjoy our holiday. Graham was also extremely helpful when one of our cars had a flat tyre, we were very grateful for this. I've no doubt we will return.

  Reviewed by Sian4.7★Sep 2020

• "A very enjoyable holiday in the circumstances."

  The welcome pack is fantastic. The owners very friendly. Definitely book again.

  Reviewed by David4.7★Aug 2020

• "My family and I spent a wonderful week here in August."

  The property had everything we needed, no detail was spared. Everything was spotless and there were procedures in place which made it covid safe. We felt welcome from the outset as there was a lovely welcome pack and vases of flowers waiting for us on arrival. The little extras which make you feel at home away from home. We made use of the activities at Wimbleball lake which were great for all the family. The local pub, the Low Tow Cross had some hearty pub grub and would also recommend. We had a lovely time and I would have no reservation in recommending this property and the attentive and hospitable owners.

  Reviewed by Deborah5.0★Aug 2020

• "What a beautiful house in a stunning location."

  ...more rural than we expected but that wasn't a problem. Make sure you take a walk down to the end of the lake that is nearby!!! Its spectacular... The house was clean, comfortable and exceptionally well set up. The rear garden was private and lovely of an evening, especially to watch the shooting stars and meteor showers. So many thoughtful touches from the beautiful Val and Graham were really helpful but gave us space, it was good to know that you can simply knock if needed.

  Reviewed by Rebecca5.0★Aug 2020

• "Rainsbury House is a lovely property connecting 2 barn conversions together."

  Plenty of space and decorated to a high standard. Very helpful owners on hand if you need anything at all. Couldn't fault the accommodation and the welcome pack was amazing and extremely generous. Will definitely return.

  Reviewed by Julie5.0★Feb 2020

• "Well appointed and flexible accommodation for a four generation family gathering."

  Generous welcome pack on arrival. Thoughtful touches included chocolate favours on all the beds. Every consideration given to guest's needs including provision of dog bowl, towels and beds plus treats in welcome pack! Also provision of torches. Games room was really useful on wet days. Would definitely recommend this property.

  Reviewed by Gordon5.0★Jan 2020

• "We took Rainsbury House for a short family gathering at the end of November to celebrate a cluster of birthdays."

  We were a group of 8 adults and 5 children. The accommodation was more than adequate for a group of this size and was warm and comfortable despite the prevailing weather. It consisted of two converted barns which linked together internally to function as a single entity. Both kitchens were well provided with fan ovens and induction hobs and the cooking facilities were sufficient to successfully assemble and cook lasagne for all 13 people one night and a full roast on the other. The bedrooms were warm and the beds were comfortable. There was more than sufficient off-road parking for our 4 cars and, finally, there was a heated games room in an adjacent building equipped with table tennis, table football, etc, which was a fantastic bonus absorbing the attention and energy of 5 children on a wet and cold afternoon. The owners live in adjacent farm house and are readily available in the event of uncertainty or problems, but they did not intrude on our space unless asked. They maintained a supply of wood for the wood-burner heating without prompting. Their welcome pack was generous to say the least, including of two bottles of wine, cakes and all the ingredients for a west country cream tea set out for our arrival. We would be happy to return.

  Reviewed by John5.0★Nov 2019

• "We were met by the owner of property on our arrival and let us straight in to the accommodation for 7 night stay."

  All the rooms were clean, tidy with fresh sheets and duvet covers. Bath and hand towels were on the beds with small bags of Roses chocolates which was a nice touch. In the main kitchen upstairs used as our main base we found a wicker hamper basket full of local craft jams, chutney and biscuits. There were also two homemade cakes, (one chocolate and one coffee and walnut) plus two bottles of wine. There were also scones on the table with butter, clotted cream and milk in the fridge. Even more of a surprise the owners had left a bag of treats for our dog. Most welcoming. The wood burner in the upstairs lounge attached to the kitchen was used most evenings and the owners filled a container of free wood anytime it was required. The games room which situated across the farm yard was used on numerous occasions by both adults and 2 young children in our party aged 4 and 7 years. The 4 year old loved the wooden train set and the table tennis competition caused a laugh between the "grannies" in the party. . The local area is very picturesque with visits to Dulverton village and walks at the nearby Wimbleball Lake and Dam. All in all a great time was spent by all and would without doubt recommend Rainsbury House.

  Reviewed by Gary5.0★Oct 2019

• "We booked a long weekend for a family gathering to celebrate a special birthday."

  The barn was absolutely perfect; it was spacious, warm, clean and everything we needed was there. The owners went beyond our expectations to make us feel welcome and the cakes were delicious! We would definitely recommend Rainsbury House.

  Reviewed by Amanda5.0★Oct 2019

• "The details provided and the very positive reviews given were accurate."

  It was a perfect venue for a party of 12 people (13 could easily have fitted in) and two babies celebrating a 60th birthday. Cots and stair gates were provided which was very useful. The owners were very friendly and they had provided complimentary cakes, scones, jam and cream, chutneys and wine, which were lovely to find. There are plenty of bathrooms to serve the 7 bedrooms and it was ideal for a four generation party such as ours - ranging from 20 months to 81 years. There are lovely walks nearby and the weather was beautiful which made it even better. It was nice to have a games room and we all enjoyed that. There was a good range of utensils and crockery etc provided and there was nothing that we felt was missing. The garden was ideal and we sat out enjoying the sun. We would also recommend the fish and chips at Bampton which we ordered earlier on the Friday and collected for that night. Otherwise we catered for ourselves. All in all this was a perfect venue and we all had a lovely time.

  Reviewed by Denise4.7★Sep 2019

• "We had a wonderful week's stay at Rainsbury House."

  The house is so enormous that it took a while for us all to get our bearings1 The facilities were amazing and the beds extremely comfortable. Our entire family came down to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. We visited Dunster Castle on the Steam train; Porlock Weir; Lynmouth; Dulverton for a lovely meal at Woods; took an Exmoor Safari with Daphne and did so much walking and swimming (just Woody) in the sea and rivers. A great time was had by all. Thank you Val for the lovely cakes, scones etc that were awaiting our arrival. The Baker family

  Reviewed by Marion5.0★Sep 2019

• "Wonderful accommodation for a large gathering, or on your own if you fancy lots of space."

  Well equipped, clean, good inside and outside space, good location, games room, nothing to dislike.

  Reviewed by Paul5.0★Aug 2019

• "A great deal of care and thought is put in by Graham and Val, from the scrumptious home made cakes, preserves, cream tea, wine and chocs on our beds to the fully equipped kitchens, beautifully clean house and fluffy white bath sheets."

  The house is set in miles of countryside and the close-by Wimbleball Lake proved a great hit with children, parents and grandparents alike as we kayaked, paddle-boarded, rowed and tackled the high ropes. We visited Lynton & Lynmouth, Minehead Beach and Dunster Castle and there is so much more to explore. We woke the children to look at the amazing starlit sky and took them for an early morning paddle in the stream across the field then warmed them up with hot chocolate. In the evenings there are plenty of games to play although we entertained ourselves with several “Escape Room The Game” sessions which we brought with us. The Games Room was a great hit with the children and useful when the adults were busy. Thank you to our hosts - we hope to return.

  Reviewed by Daphne5.0★Aug 2019

• "The accomodation was perfect for our large family party of 11 (3 generations from age 6 up to 76)."

  Spacious, clean and comfortable with everything you need. The delicious homemade cakes and scones waiting for us on arrival exceeded our expectations and were absolutely delicious. The proximity to Wimbleball lake is fantastic for an active family and the surrounding villages are lovely to visit. Plenty of places to eat great food and lots of lovely walks. The perfect family holiday.

  Reviewed by Vicky5.0★Aug 2019

• "Such lovely well equipped accommodation in a beautiful rural setting."

  Plenty of walks from our doorstep and within a 15 minute drive of villages for grocery shopping. Water sports at the nearby Wimbleball lake were great fun. Loads of places to visit a car drive away for those wanting to go out and about and a lovely enclosed sun trap garden for the less adventurous keen to just chill. It proved a great place for our family gathering . Our hosts Val and Graham were very attentive and keen to ensure we enjoyed our stay; they had gone the extra mile with a spectacular welcome pack of cakes, scones, cream, preserves, etc and an issue with a slow draining shower was swiftly dealt with. Would heartily recommend.

  Reviewed by Jackie5.0★Jul 2019

• "Rainsbury House is superb, extremely well presented and very well equipped."

  The bedrooms are very comfortable and the bathrooms seem newly installed . All living spaces are spacious. The whole property was spotlessly clean. The enclosed back garden is very pretty and the surrounding Exmoor countryside is stunningly beautiful (helped by the wonderful weather we had!). The hosts are welcoming and very helpful if needed. This is a high-end quality holiday home, and we would definitely wish to return.

  Reviewed by Mandy5.0★Jul 2019

• "We had a great time at Rainsbury House, It was a perfect size for the whole of our extended family to stay in."

  The owners couldn't have been more helpful, even leaving 2 cakes, fresh scones and bottles of wine for us to enjoy. They let us store our bikes away and were very flexible for the arrival and departure times. We would definitely recommend.

  Reviewed by Sam5.0★May 2019

• "As this was a family holiday which consisted of 8 adults 3 children over 8 and 2 babies both 6 months, almost forgot 1 lucky dog."

  Rainsbury house had everything to make our week enjoyable. The homemade cakes went down very well thank you and enjoyed by all, the garden was lovely which led to the fields so dog walking was easy. The walk to the lake was great. We found plenty to do around the area.

  Reviewed by Jackie5.0★Apr 2019

• "This was the perfect accommodation for a large family get together ."

  The accommodation is lovely all bedrooms are a good size and plenty of bathrooms with a large living room for everyone to gather. The very generous food hamper was a lovely gesture and very appreciated. Lovely walks around the nearby lake and we would recommend the nearby pub for food. All in all we had a great weekend at Rainbury House!

  Reviewed by Karen4.7★Mar 2019

• "We were given a very warm welcome by Val and Graham, plus the lovely touches of the wine and homemade cakes and scones and cream were so yummy and thoughtful plus the treats for our dog."

  The barns were so cosy and instantly felt at home. The owners have been so good on all the little touches and basics they supplied with the barns. Having the owners on site was no way a plight on our privacy as totally left alone, but nearby if we needed any help on the local area. We thoroughly enjoyed being able to access the lake from the house, we did the 9 mile bike ride around the lake, very off road but we all made it. You can walk it too. We all loved the freedom of the beautiful surroundings. We will be back. Thank you for such a fab week.

  Reviewed by Jeanette5.0★Feb 2019

• "The house and owners exceeded expectations in terms of the quality of accommodation and friendly welcome."

  The house suited our party of 13 perfectly, ages ranged from 2 - 90years. It has a beautiful, peaceful location and was very warm and cosy in December. The beds were extremely comfortable. The owners had gone to a lot of trouble to beautifully decorate the house for Christmas. It was all very festive and looked magical. We were also given a huge Christmas hamper with all sorts of delicious goodies and the children each had selection boxes which they loved. It is this attention to detail and thoughtfulness which will make our Christmas at Rainsbury House memorable. In terms of evaluation your feedback form conflates 2 things, Sykes agency service and the actual holiday experience. In my opinion this is inappropriate and they should be evaluated separately. Your question ‘How far did Sykes go in exceeding expectations?’ was impossible for me to answer. Am I evaluating the agency service or the holiday experience? Agency service would be ‘met expectations’, holiday experience would be ‘exceeded expectations’. One thing I did not like about the agency service was being bombarded with emails. I couldn’t block them because some might have had important holiday information.

  Reviewed by Lynda5.0★Dec 2018

• "Great location, really lovely house, well maintained and equipped."

  A helpful owner. We all appreciated the cakes, cream tea and wine that were on the table on arrival.

  Reviewed by Margaret5.0★Oct 2018

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