Rookwoods

67 Customer Reviews

• "This is a lovely cottage in Sible Hedingham in rural Essex."

  It has a big garden as well. The village is also very nice, with a castle and an old steam railway to visit. The owner was very friendly and accommodating, with some great tips. We did some day trips to Cambridge, London and Colchester Zoo. We had a great holiday here! (2 adults and a 6-year old child)

  Reviewed by Marjolein4.7★Jul 2024

• "Another beautiful stay at Rookwoods."

  As usual host is friendly, kind and accommodating. Came along with a bday card and freshly picked cherries

  Reviewed by Lisa4.1★Jun 2024

• "All good except that the bathroom ensuite door had clear glass which wasn't ideal from a privacy perspective."

  Reviewed by John4.7★Jun 2024

• "Amazing cottage, surroundings and owners."

  Nothing was too much trouble. We had 15 people over for a buffet for our nans 89th bday which was no issue with owner. Only thing I would say is little touches. Needs some throws in lounge for the evenings, patios doors stick, but minor things and certainly didn't deter us coming back. We had a big enough space for our German Shepard and deer visited the gdn too. Will def be back

  Reviewed by Lisa4.7★Feb 2024

• "Rookwoods is a very quiet and peaceful property, a (very nicely) converted stable behind a grand house in Sible Hedingham."

  Sible Hedingham has a petrol station, Co-op, and several good takeaways (chippy, Indian, Chinese). The walled garden behind the cottage is full of birdlife and is ALMOST dog-secure (a determined terrier can get through the bird netting under the five-bar gate). The main bedroom with ensuite and zip-link beds is very comfortable; however the property is really only suitable for couples as to get from the upstairs twin bedroom to the bathroom you have to come downstairs, across the living/dining/kitchen to the other end of the downstairs. Also, the property only has a two-ring hob and limited cooking utensils pans/bowls etc, not good for four adults who like to cook. The furnishings though are very comfortable and stylish. Since Covid we are used to not getting a welcome pack; however some tea/coffee/sugar to make a drink on arrival would have been nice (its not far to the Coop though), and note there are no kitchen essentials (salt, pepper, herbs, oil) supplied. Overall, very comfortable for a couple, but make sure to take all your own consumables.

  Reviewed by Andrew4.4★Oct 2023

• "A great venue and well worth the stay."

  Sadly the outside waste bin was not quite up to standard but was sorted once reported to the owner

  Reviewed by Denise4.7★Aug 2023

• "Brilliant cottage and felt very welcome !"

  Thank you for your kind feed back. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. Larry enjoyed meeting your daughter! Property Owner

  Reviewed by Douglas5.0★Aug 2023

• "Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rookwoods."

  The owners were helpful, but not intrusive. Lovely back garden with views over the countryside .

  Reviewed by Teresa4.7★Jun 2023

• "The Cottage was beautiful, it was very well presented, peaceful and lovely."

  We loved the quiet, the bird song and the log fire. The owner was lovely too - very sweet and friendly. Main ensuite bedroom is gorgeous. The pictures advertised though are a little misleading as the pictures of the property showed a sofa and 2 leather chairs in the lounge- which I wanted as my mother is 93 and needs a firmer chair to get up from but when we arrived there were 2 well used sofas instead...which for mum were hard to get up from as they have obviously seen a lot of bottoms in their day.;-) Apart from that- have no complaints at all...we loved our stay.

  Reviewed by Lj4.4★May 2023

• "We had a smashing week at Rookwoods."

  The cottage was perfect for the two of us and the dog loved the secure garden. We found it an ideal, comfortable place to visit the villages of Kent. Owners were friendly and helpful throughout our stay.

  Reviewed by Simon5.0★May 2023

• "Rookwoods is a really nice property, very secluded and secure."

  The booking was for my parents, who ended up staying for seven weeks. The owners couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. We would highly recommend Rookwoods and would definitely book again.

  Tony and Jenny were a pleasure to have as PGs Thank you for your kind review. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Martin5.0★Apr 2023

• "Our first day of a five day stay was completely ruined as the log fire did not work, there wasn't heating in the main bedroom and the WiFi wasn't working!"

  Worse still, the owner, refused to take phone was eventually calls and would only text which was very inconvenient and inhospitable. To my shock, I found out the next day that she was holidaying in South Africa and had not even bothered to delegate hosting to her housekeeper/someone else in her absence! As a result, we tried calling and texting at 6.30pm on Day 1, but did not get any 'help' until 8.30am the next morning (a very brief and unhelpful text message from an owner too busy holidaying to worry about our plight). By this time, my vulnerable, heavily pregnant wife, who suffers from sinus issues and is used to very warm rooms, had to sleep in a cold room we weren't able to enjoy even the basic amenity of Wifi and watching a movie on Netflix. We would have been 100X better off staying home!!! When we text back to explain she hadn't solved the problems, she took another 4 hours to reply! The housekeeper, eventually arrived in the afternoon of Day 2. She couldn't solve the kindling issue. It was only after we rang around friends to get ideas and suggested getting firelighter cubes that we were able to finally get the fire going at 3pm. Housekeeper was brilliant. She would answer the phone and respond to messages within minutes. She fixed the Wifi, got us an electric heater for the bedroom, etc. She was the hostess the owner should have been and salvaged the rest of our stay. Naturally we demanded a refund for our completely wasted and stressful first day and night when the owner was not available and was not able to solve our problems until well into Day 2.

  Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear you experienced Wi-Fi and maintenance issues during your stay at the cottage.We want you to have all advertised facilities on our website and we strive on having exceptional property standards in all Sykes properties.Our owners are allowed to take holidays and we at the Sykes office are available 24/7. On this occasion the housekeeper did attend on the first day but could not get a response so your issue could have been rectified sooner. From our records we can see everything was resolved by 1.30pm on the 29th December. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Mohammed2.2★Dec 2022

• "It is a lively coach house, but the sofas are very uncomfortable and the downstairs ensuite bedroom was very cold."

  However it was so peaceful which was what we needed for a few days.

  Reviewed by Moira3.1★Dec 2022

• "Really lovely cottage, garden was huge and fully enclosed, so our dog could run around safely."

  Downstairs bedroom and bathroom were really lovely. Kitchen area had everything you could need. Ample parking just outside. The only downside for us was the sofas. They were so uncomfortable that we went to bed early most nights, just to get some comfort. Other than that, it was a lovely stay.

  Reviewed by Hayley4.4★Oct 2022

• "Thankyou Sandra for another very pleasant stay at the cottage."

  We will no doubt be seeing you again soon ! Jenny and Martin

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★Oct 2022

• "What a lovely peaceful place, very comfortable, great views, loved the horses."

  Reviewed by Lola5.0★Oct 2022

• "Exceeded our expectations."

  Very comfortable and relaxing, thank you.

  Reviewed by Pete5.0★Sep 2022

• "Rookwoods is a lovely converted coach house next to a beautiful main home."

  It has been converted to a high standard, creating a family space that works really well. The main bedroom being particularly comfortable and attractive, with high ceilings and lovely furnishings. The owners could not have been more friendly and welcoming and there is masses to do in the local area, as well as some lovely walks and good local pubs. As a dog owner the secure garden was fantastic. Our children also loved the Juliet balcony. We hope to return.

  Reviewed by Charles5.0★Aug 2022

• "There was plenty of room for the 2 of us plus dog to spread out inside and the garden was perfect."

  The downstairs bedroom and both bathrooms were of a good standard. Our only criticisms are 1. the kitchen area and appliances - they were old and tired, 2. There’s insufficient clothes storage facilities for the downstairs bedroom. That said, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there and Sible Hedingham is a good base from which to explore the area.

  Reviewed by Diane3.1★Jul 2022

• "Fabulous holiday home we really enjoyed our stay."

  We highly recommend and would not hesitate in rebooking in the future.

  Reviewed by Kenneth5.0★Jun 2022

• "Excellent property with a really relaxed and spacious feel."

  Very private and peaceful.

  Reviewed by David4.7★May 2022

• "This cottage is ideal as it has a fully enclosed garden for the dog."

  Like many holiday cottages, for those who want to spend their evenings in the cottage we were limited. Everyone is used to a Smart TV these days and even a DVD player might have helped. Another usual for holiday cottages is the quality of the seating indoors which was well worn. The biggest disappointment was, in the glorious weather we had nowhere comfortable to sit outdoors. Even two proper deckchairs would have been better than the two old wooden chairs and no umbrella to sit under. Otherwise I would recommend the cottage.

  Reviewed by Margaret5.0★May 2022

• "Pictures on web site seem to be old ones as no armchairs, would have preferred these instead of uncomfortable sofa."

  Better seating for the decking would also be a good idea instead of a couple of old chairs along with an umbrella for shade. However a very relaxing place to stay, bed very comfortable. All facilities other than above more than adequate. Lovely walks by river and in the woodland nearby. Garden great for our dog. Only downside about are is that Sible Hedingham is some what run down no matter how Sykes website big it up. Would definitely stay at cottage again.

  Reviewed by Gary3.4★May 2022

• "We had a 3 night stay at Rockwoods to attend a family wedding, the property was perfect for what we needed and we had a really enjoyable stay."

  The owners were also helpful and welcoming. The cottage has some lovely quirky features and the underfloor heating was a bonus, all in all the cottage was very comfortable, however, the property would benefit from some upgrading and TLC, especially to the rear decking and definitely some new garden furniture. A modern smart tv would also be a good improvement for little cost. As a family we didn't find much going on in the immediate area and Sible Hedingham itself is quite run down. However, staying at Rookwoods, you don't need to worry too much about that as the beautiful sunny rear enclosed garden is large and spacious and was great for letting our dog run freely. Having mentioned some honest negatives, this would definitely not put us off staying again as there are much more positives with regard to this little hidden gem.

  Reviewed by John3.8★Apr 2022

• "Lovely cottage."

  Lovely location.

  Reviewed by Georgina5.0★Feb 2022

• "We enjoyed our second stay at Rookwoods Garden Cottage just as much as the first time and look forward to returning again."

  Thank you.

  Reviewed by Anna4.4★Jan 2022

• "We have made multiple visits to Rookwoods, and have always been made welcome."

  Thanks again Sandra !

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★Dec 2021

• "Lovely peaceful retreat."

  Very well equipped kitchen and comfortable beds. Will definitely recommend to friends and will be booking to stay again in the future. Thank you for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

  Reviewed by Anna5.0★Dec 2021

• "We enjoyed our stay at Rookwoods, however there were a few things that we feel need mentioning."

  It wasn’t made clear in the description that there was no bathroom or toilet on the upper floor and therefore two members of our party were unable to come along. Also I’m disabled and there was no mention of the two, quite large internal steps to access the downstairs bedroom and also the step up to the downstairs shower room. Had these items been mentioned in the cottage listing we wouldn’t have booked it. We also feel that the en-suite in the double bedroom could benefit from a blind or curtain. As I said at the beginning we enjoyed our week at Rookwoods and what I mention is in no way a criticism more an observation which may help other holidaymakers.

  Reviewed by Pat3.4★Nov 2021

• "Fantastic place to escape to with the dog"

  Reviewed by Graham5.0★Oct 2021

• "Lovely property."

  Wonderful host. Great garden for the dog

  Reviewed by Mandy4.4★Oct 2021

• "Lovely cottage."

  For aging bones red sofa was a bit low. Surprised no information on Sible Hedingham or instructions 're underfloor heating (Which was wonderful). Have already recommended Rookwoods on face book.

  Reviewed by Alison4.1★Oct 2021

• "A comfortable and easy place to be, surrounded by nature and history."

  . A large and totally enclosed garden was a real bonus, since the weather was so good that we lived on the decking. The sound of owls at dusk and dawn will stay with us - a great selection of bird books and garden books too. A fantastic place to look at the sky. Having said that - internet connection was so good I was able to do some work towards the end of the week. Great host too. Still much to see, so expect us back.

  Reviewed by Mabelle4.7★Sep 2021

• "This was a very nice property with everything you need."

  It has a very secure garden which meant we did not have to worry about the dog. The owner was very friendly and happy to help with anything we might require. A very enjoyable break for us all.

  Reviewed by David5.0★Jun 2021

• "Clean and tidy no frills cottage that was lifted by the beautiful setting."

  The enclosed rear garden was large giving our dog plenty of space to run around in. It was also a lovely space to sit and enjoy the weather.

  Reviewed by Deborah3.8★Jun 2021

• "Excellent cottage complimented by fantastic hosts and lively weather to top it all off!"

  Reviewed by Matt5.0★May 2021

• "Very comfortable accommodation and friendly, helpful but unobtrusive owner."

  A couple more bathroom towels and the provision of a washing machine would be welcome additions.

  Reviewed by Andy4.7★May 2021

• "Thank you - you contacted the owner and managed to arrange this holiday at short notice when our other planned holiday cottage firm had left it too late to confirm our booking, and which we'd consequently had to cancel."

  So we tried to book Rookwoods which was our other "first choice" ! Owner had prepared the accommodation well. Very clean, well-heated, and comfortable. And was very welcoming. A lovely peaceful retreat. We needed somewhere where we could quietly catch up with some work. And also to have some quality holiday time. This holiday cottage was ideal !

  Reviewed by Jeremy5.0★Dec 2020

• "A very comfortable and well presented cottage in a very quiet and peaceful situation ."

  In this time of Covid we found it very clean and suitably provided with hand gel and sanitising cleaner. The kitchen was well equipped and clean and the main bed extremely comfortable. The enclosed garden was appreciated by our retired greyhound and the decking was a suntrap for the brief periods it shone. We would be happy to return again.

  Reviewed by Michael5.0★Sep 2020

• "Rookwoods lodge proved ideal for us ."

  The rooms were spacious and well furnished , the beds were comfy , there was a generous walled garden for us to execise our two spaniels , two bathrooms so no conflict there . It was sited far enough away from the road to eliminate traffic noise , yet close enough to be quite convenient . Sible Hedingham had everything we could need , and was close to the family we had come to visit . We would not hesitate to recommend Rookwoods Lodge to all ambulant people - there are a couple of steps between the rooms which make it unsuitable for those who find walking difficult .

  Reviewed by Carol5.0★Sep 2020

• "We loved staying at this cottage and exploring the area, and hope to return some time."

  It was extremely peaceful and restorative, and the ESsex/Suffolk landscape is beautiful.

  Reviewed by Clare5.0★Aug 2020

• "Absolutely fabulous cottage, would certainly recommend."

  Kitchen facilities could be a little better. No washing machine, limited crockery & utensils etc.

  Reviewed by Katrina4.7★Aug 2020

• "Met all our needs."

  We have been there six times, which should indicate our view of the property.

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★Jul 2020

• "Rookwoods is a pretty little coach house tucked away behind the main house."

  It was blissfully peaceful. The property is beautifully furnished with some lovely touches. The bed was extremely comfortable and linen and towels high quality. We went with our young dog who was extremely inquisitive but safe to play in the walled garden. The kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed to cook/prepare meals for two. There’s a microwave, fridge, freezer and double oven. Plenty of crockery and cutlery too. We visited The White Lion in Sible Hedingham, The Swan in Clare and Lavenham Blue Tea room all of which are dog friendly. There is also a dog friendly cafe at Ickworth Hall and Flatford Mill and great walks. We would love to visit Rookwoods again soon

  Reviewed by Sally5.0★Jan 2020

• "Made extremely welcome."

  5th visit to this property now, and plan to book again.

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★Dec 2019

• "Beautiful cottage ."

  Nice and relaxing .found fantastic park for dog just five minutes away . At greys mead new estate leads to park .

  Reviewed by Janice5.0★Nov 2019

• "We had a great week at The Garden Cottage within the grounds of Rookwoods."

  It was finished to a high standard and exceeded our expectations. It is in a great rural setting and we found it totally relaxing and Poppy, our Labrador, really enjoyed the enclosed garden. We would have no hesitation in recommending this property and would certainly think about booking it again. Denis and Sally Cheeseman

  Reviewed by Sally5.0★Oct 2019

• "Although it rained for most of the week we stayed at the cottage the space, comfort and facilities allowed us to really relax and enjoy the break."

  Reviewed by Terence5.0★Oct 2019

• "This was a brilliant base for our exploration of the area."

  Close to Cambridge Newmarket and Framlingham to mention a few. We loved the fact that it was so quiet and restful, the views from the cottage were lovely and included Cyril the Squirrel!! Our host was very helpful in answering the few queries we had and provided us with great recommendations for local experiences

  Reviewed by Carolyn5.0★Sep 2019

• "The cottage, the garden and surroundings were wonderful."

  We particularly enjoyed relaxing in the garden. The cottage itself exceeded our expectations and the facilities were great. We will definitely be back! What an amazing cottage!

  Reviewed by Stewart4.7★Aug 2019

• "Rockwoods is a beautiful cottage with it's own private enclosed garden surrounded by fields."

  It's well equipped with a gorgeous shower (plus another bathroom) and kitchen necessities. The bedding and towels were lovely and everything had a comfy, homely feel. I'd definitely go back.

  Reviewed by Brigitte5.0★Jul 2019

• "A beautiful cottage in a lovely location."

  Host was very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

  Reviewed by Jonathan5.0★Jun 2019

• "The above-expectation feature of this property was its beautiful rustic charm in very quiet, extensive, secluded grounds and garden, surrounded by fields, woods, and the owner's main property, with no other habitations visible or audible."

  Re Sykes-too many marketing emails not related to our holiday! Otherwise no issues.

  Reviewed by Andrew4.4★Jun 2019

• "We have returned to this property several times, which speaks for itself !"

  Reviewed by Jennifer5.0★Apr 2019

• "An absolute gem hidden away in the Essex countryside, yet close to all local amenities, so arrive, park up and leave your car and the daily rush away, as you can walk for the whole stay and relax in the peaceful gardens admiring the far views."

  We loved our visit here and hope to return again.

  Reviewed by Debbie5.0★Mar 2019

• "This was our third visit to Rookwoods, and we hope to return again in 2019."

  Reviewed by M5.0★Dec 2018

• "Rookwood Cottage is a delightful property and it was a perfect venue for 4 friends and a dog to enjoy a pre-Christmas get together in an area which was new to us."

  It used to be the Gardener's Cottage by the old walled garden and has fabulous views from every window. The downstairs bedroom is amazingly spacious with superb furnishings and en-suite bathroom and at the other end of the property, a huge boot room - with underfloor heating- houses all the muddy footwear, coats and outdoor equipment out of the way. The main area is a large and yet homely space where everyone could chill out. The owner even came bearing a decorated Christmas tree to set the tone of our stay. We would love to go back.

  Reviewed by Jane5.0★Dec 2018

• "The cottage was very attractive and the main bedroom excellent, the attic bedroom was generally suitable but it was not possible to read in bed as the attic roof was too low."

  We had initial difficulty in accessing the cottage as the notice advertising the cottage was not in place although the directions indicated a notice was in place and we spent some time finding it despite our satnav. The lighting in the sitting room was inadequate despite many sidelights

  Reviewed by June4.1★Sep 2018

• "Excellent cottage indeed."

  I think it's one of the best I've ever stayed in (and I've stayed in a lot). Perfect for dogs too.

  Reviewed by Mark5.0★Jul 2018

• "The holiday cottage was in a lovely setting and I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending it as a base for someone to visit the area plus it is also nice to sit out on the patio."

  Castle Headingham, Finchingfields and Lavenham are quite near and have good places to eat. The tearooms at Lavenham's Guildhall have a garden area which looked idyllic in the sunshine.

  Reviewed by Ian5.0★Jun 2018

• "Very comfortable but lacked on a couple of things."

  The tv was so small we had a job to watch it comfortably. The towels were so rough and hard they were like sandpaper but apart from that everything was ok and we had a good holiday.

  Reviewed by Joyce4.1★May 2018

• "Booking process was simple, cottage was good value for money."

  Reviewed by Sally4.4★Mar 2018

• "This was a very nice cottage, the housemaid was very kind and pleasant."

  If we would visit this region another time, this cottage ist our first choice.

  Reviewed by Gerhard4.8★Feb 2018

• "The location is great for exploring some very interesting towns and villages."

  We were very happy with the overall comfort and cleanliness of Rookwoods Cottage. It is a very relaxing place to rest and unwind. If you like to cook, rather than eat out then please be aware that the kitchen does not provide a 4 ring stove (only 2 ring). There is a dishwasher, which is handy because there is no draining board next to the sink - so we found ourselves using tea towels to make up for the absence of a draining board. The garden is large, private and not overlooked. The sun stays in the garden for much of the time and it's lovely to watch it set over the distant trees. Please be aware that there are no sunloungers/chairs at the property - only basic and simple wooden dining furniture. A lovely place to stay - it has been decorated to a very high standard with tasteful colour-schemes and fabrics.

  Reviewed by Cherie3.5★Jul 2017

• "Very comfortable cottage-warm and welcoming- owner friendly and helpful-good parking outside front door-nice gardens-equipment ok- we had a great time."

  Reviewed by Christine4.6★Oct 2016

• "The cottage is charming and extremely clean."

  We enjoyed a very comfortable stay. The host is lovely and friendly and also very helpful.

  Reviewed by Iain5.0★Oct 2016

• "This was the best Sykes Cottage we have ever stayed at and we have been using Sykes for the last 10 years !"

  !!!! - the accommodation was first class in every respect - the garden was secluded, we saw a wide range of wild birds - we will definitely return

  Reviewed by Christopher5.0★Aug 2016

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