The Old Stable

28 Customer Reviews

• "Wort a waste of £557 dirty disgusting smelly property cobwebs and spiders dead flies every where really horrible smelly fridge made me nearly sick dirty utensils washing up bowl need throwing away shower need a good clean bedding had brown marks settee had crumbs and bits all over it if could of got a refund or i had the funds then I would have left the day I turned up worst I have ever been to."

  I would give minus stars if I could

  Reviewed by Steve1.3★Aug 2024

• "Upon arrival, we were shocked by the deplorable state of the property."

  Basic cleanliness and livability were sorely lacking, far below even minimal standards. Disappointed, we left after just 20 minutes. The owner has been unresponsive to our attempts to secure a refund, and we're currently in dispute. Additionally, Sykes's assistance in resolving this matter has been minimal. The way customers are treated in this situation is nothing short of disgraceful. It's baffling how this property is still being advertised. Wouldn't even give it 1 star but it's required!

  Reviewed by Joe1.3★Aug 2024

• "Previous reviews were a little 'off putting', but we found the accommodation quite acceptable and 'cosy'."

  Just glad that we brought a smaller car! we enjoyed our stay, and weren't disappointed.

  Reviewed by James3.8★Jul 2024

• "Lovely stay in the Old Stable."

  Very nice owner and perfect surroundings for a quiet break away. Steps could be an issue for some so bear that in mind, especially in the wet weather. Cleanliness was good, few cobwebs in the ceiling but that added to the charm. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

  Reviewed by Heidi4.7★Dec 2023

• "I stay away for work all week so I’m not expecting any bells and whistles, just a clean, warm property that’s got a comfy bed."

  Just thought I’d make that clear before I start… The overgrown walk up through the owners garden to the “property” - lots of slip and trip hazards on the way there due to a lack of upkeep. Upon entering there was a strong smell of damp and must. There were even mushrooms growing inside the property by the front door! The sofa desperately needs replacing, I sat down and thought I was going to fall through it. The stairs were so steep I fell down them one morning. The description and pictures are clearly very out of date and Sykes obviously don’t do anything to monitor the quality of the properties that they are advertising. Very dissapointed and won’t be using Sykes again.

  Reviewed by Joe1.3★Nov 2023

• "Hello Mr Harrison was lovely - I arrived after 9pm and couldn't find the way it - so gave him a ring and he showed me the way."

  Might benefit with a little map on text (sorry if this is there on the advert) after a long day I was quite weary. The towels were stiff and a bit wiffy - just need some softener I would guess? I stayed in the single downstairs and there was a large stain at the bottom of the duvet cover - a few dust bunnies about - just a deep clean required - might be easier to ask people to take their own linen - I would if I stayed again and I would. :-) Regards, Sean

  Reviewed by Sean3.4★Oct 2023

• "Sadly this cottage certainly was a disappointment."

  The entrance to the property was through a narrow passage and up some very steep steps. The steps were covered in slippy leaves and were hazardous. The courtyard garden was overgrown and full of leaves and I tripped over broken paving stones on several occasions. With just a little care and attention it could be a pleasant place to sit with a glass of wine. The cottage itself was generally grubby. Dust and grime on the skirting boards and cobwebs in all the corners. The kitchen sink was a disgrace and the first thing I did was to thoroughly cleanse the toilet. I stripped the bedding on exit and was horrified by the numerous stains on the duvet. The microwave is a hazard. It's placed on a high shelf meaning that you are removing very hot food from above your head! An accident waiting to happen! Positive points are the proximity to all that Sherborne has to offer. This accomodation was a real disappointment and I note that other recent reviews noted the poor state of the accomodation but no improvements had been made. Not the standard that I would expect from Sykes cottages.

  Reviewed by Debbie2.5★Sep 2023

• "Welcoming and very pleasant."

  The facilities were good and comfortable. Perhaps there could be an adjustment made to the bathroom fan but everything else was lovely and we enjoyed our short break

  Reviewed by Maria5.0★Sep 2023

• "Although the Property Owner seems a nice gentleman I was very disappointed with the overall cleanliness of the property."

  Absolutely full of cobwebs everywhere and subsequently lots of spiders and insects. My dog fell in the pond within three seconds of arriving and halfway through my stay I nearly broke my neck tripping over loose and poor fitting paving slabs on the patio. One side of the garage was full of rubbish . Old electrical items, lampshade, old shirt and boxer shorts! Overhanging foliage made it difficult to move from the boot of my car to the entrance to the property . Lots of leaves on the path making it slippy . All of this should have been removed and cut back to make it easier for guests to enter the property . Behind every door and on every skirting board it was extremely dirty and had definitely not been cleaned. Thick dust under the bed, dirty window sills and frames and a very dirty floor throughout. Whilst it's not mandatory, I suppose, to have a welcome basket which I have enjoyed at other places ;more than one roll of toilet paper and soap would have been welcome. Mould in the bathroom and the shower. Upstairs it is only possible to stand in the middle of the room because the sides of the walls come down so it is impossible to stand upright. I am only 4 foot 10 but constantly banged my head on the extremely low ceiling. The towels in the bathroom were thin, stiff as a board and like sandpaper. I think the owner needs to live in the property for a couple of days to fully appreciate what his property is like to stay in for a week. I could just about cope with low ceilings and spiders but dirt is another thing entirely . I was extremely disappointed and feel very let down as I had specified the importance of the property being clean because of my health. Surely it is a given anyway that this should be the case? Looking back over previous reviews- which I wish I had done before I had booked- there are plenty of comments about dirt and cobwebs which either the owner of the property or Sykes Cottages have failed to address properly. This place needs a proper deep clean before it is let out again and the Property Owner needs to employ a cleaner in between guests so that it is done thoroughly and better than it has been done in the past.

  Reviewed by Sally1.3★Sep 2023

• "Delightful little cottage."

  Excellent location with private parking and terrace. Welcoming host. Extremely comfortable beds and linen. Good shower. The cottage had everything we needed. We loved it. A little gem.

  Reviewed by Wendy4.4★Sep 2023

• "We were booked in for a 3 night stay, but only stayed 1night and left."

  The approach to the cottage is not good steep steps and a little pathway which is covered in leaves and very slippery. The appearance from outside is awful ,patio area all overgrown , fence down which looks as if it has been for months. You wouldn't be able to sit and enjoy a drink there. Inside was a bit shabby looking and needs updating. My wife spent over half hour washing all the dishes and cutlery before we used them , as not clean. The microwave did not work. Fan in bathroom ages an awful noise and doesn't switch off for a while Steps upstairs are very narrow and steep, and unable to stand up in the bedroom due to ceiling The towels were stiff and grubby looking ,and the tea towels left for us were dirty and stained Terrible experience, like zi said we stuck it out for one night only

  Reviewed by Hywel1.3★Aug 2023

• "A disappointing experience, The entire property needs a complete professional overhaul,,deep clean and reassessment."

  It must have been shabby chic at one time but it's emphatically at the shabby end of the spectrum now. There is mould in the dank smelly washroom, which was a concern for my asthmatic brother, spiders and bugs creeping out of crevices or just hanging about. An ear splitting extractor fan every time you put the light on in the windowless washroom, that took forever to stop on timer after. Rough cardboard towels that have long seen better days - we used our own. Also bring your own chopping board (absent), scissors/can opener - not working, but we also used our own back up pans /mugs etc which you might prefer. when you clock the ones provided. Unlike the photo, the patio garden has sadly become a neglected jungle. and the path to it an accumulated mulch of rotting leaves. The sofa is dead. I had to cover it with my travelling futon to make it usable. Everything is generally grubby, so much so, we didn't realise we were never relaxed until we moved to our other booking in Wachet, where all is clean, utilitarian and presentable, It was the same price but is like living in paradise by comparison. Positives? The owner who lives next door is very pleasant. All the lights /telly/broadband worked and we had hot water. and the roof didn't leak! My brother summed it up very well when we first arrived - "its shot to pieces" In retrospect not worth the current asking price.

  Reviewed by James1.3★Aug 2023

• "Was a comfortable stay but the cottage could do with more cupboard space in the kitchen area and it desperately needs a new sofa in the lounge!"

  Reviewed by Richard2.8★Jul 2023

• "This is NOT value for money."

  Trip hazards everywhere, dirty and cobwebs everywhere, the kitchen is NOT well equiped, the sofa has seen better days very uncomfortable, the wardrobe door won't stay closed, the heated towel rail does not work the microwave works now and again, the oven was dirty. The patio is uneven and weeds everywhere. This is certainly NOT a dog friendly property. This is by far the worst place we have stayed in and will never return. Out of ten we would give this a minus.

  Reviewed by Linda1.3★Jul 2023

• "The front of the property was overgrown had to stoop down to get to the property."

  This does not show in your photographs. The facilities were basic and tired, there was dust and cobwebs all over the property. Most of the lights didn't work. The sofa was very uncomfortable I certainly will not be going back to this property.

  Reviewed by Christopher1.3★Jun 2023

• "This cottage was very disappointing, the outside steps were quite unsafe, the patio slabs were cracked and uneven with lots of greenery growing through,all the pots had dead stuff and the overhanging branches needed cutting back."

  The inside was quite dusty and the settee grubby and needs replacing. I had to ask owner to give new towels as they were very hard, the table legs were wobbly and hot water wasn't on when we arrived. the owner did do those items.We came home 2 days early as we were so unhappy with the condition.I have lodged a complaint with Sykes

  Reviewed by Valerie1.9★Jun 2023

• "Convenient location would stay again"

  Reviewed by Catherine4.7★May 2023

• "A nice little bolt hole."

  Reviewed by Michael4.1★Apr 2023

• "Good location in Sherborne easy walk to both castles and the town centre and Abbey."

  The sofa could do with replacing as it's a bit saggy and has several holes in it. The property would also benefit from a good clean as quite dusty in parts, dirt and grit on the shelf under the coffee table.

  Reviewed by Jane3.4★Apr 2023

• "Nice base for exploring Dorset."

  Great position near town. Cottage a bit tired in decor and fixtures and fittings. Could do with a light near the outside steps as it was a bit precarious in the dark.

  Reviewed by Candida4.1★Oct 2021

• "Lovely little cottage, tucked behind the owner's house, away from road noise but perfectly placed for the town centre, Waitrose, station, abbey and everything else Sherborne has to offer."

  The steps up to the mezzanine bedroom are steep - not a problem for us - and headroom is a bit limited but so cosy up there. The single bedroom was charmingly furnished, the bathroom small but more than adequate. The living space was warm, well-equipped and comfortable with practical wooden floors throughout. An ideal place for exploring the area, and for walkers and dog owners. There was also a nice patio area outside but we didn't use it as it was February and Storm Ciara was raging - it must be delightful in the summertime.

  Reviewed by Rosalind5.0★Feb 2020

• "Sherborne is a really lovely town with great walks in the surrounding countryside and a brilliant high street."

  The cottage was really easy to get to from the station and close by to the high street. We had a really lovely cosy stay in the cottage with our little terrier.

  Reviewed by Amanda5.0★Dec 2019

• "I am currently waiting for a partial refund as the property was deeply disappointing, the outside was overgrown and needed a good clean up and the inside was not up to renting standards."

  It was not what I paid for.

  Reviewed by Phillipa1.9★Aug 2019

• "The cottage was very clean, warm and well lit - the latter is important if you want to read."

  The TV and DVD player were easy to use! It was lovely and quiet and within easy reach of the town centre and supermarkets. A toaster and a decent can opener would have been welcome!

  Reviewed by Diane4.7★Dec 2018

• "Spent a very happy week here."

  Fairly basic, but clean and comfortable, everything in good working order. Owner friendly and helpful.

  Reviewed by Elizabeth4.4★Jul 2018

• "Overall our stay in the old stable was comfortable."

  I was a little disappointed there was no washer as I like to keep on top of the laundry but it wasn’t a real problem. I was,however, disappointed with the outdoor space. It was very overgrown and unkempt and you had to navigate around the large tree which was growing directly outside the door. I was happy with the small courtyard space I saw depicted on the advert but seeing it all overgrown was quite disappointing- I would choose alternative accommodation next time

  Reviewed by Susan3.1★Jun 2018

• "In need of tlc No welcome anything - not even loo roll!"

  Saw no one so Sykes really didn’t add anything...

  Reviewed by Alison3.8★Jun 2018

• "We really enjoyed our stay at this cottage."

  Parking a real bonus. Very private and a lovely host. Fresh flowers on table when we arrived and the cleaner was very helpful.

  Reviewed by Kelly4.4★Aug 2016

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