High Smarber

25 Customer Reviews

• "I adore High Smarber for 2 reasons: one its remote location and its homeliness."

  This is my second stay at High Smarber and well overdue. The wonderful thing about this cottage is that from the moment you open the front door, it feels like you have come 'home'. Many holiday cottages feel like show homes, leaving you frightened to touch or do anything for fear of spoiling anything. High Smarber is clean, well-kept, has everything you need to be self-contained but it really feels cosy and much loved. The 'care-taker' is on hand to answer any queries you have during your stay and couldn't be more accommodating. The heating is excellent to the point of not needing it on because it is too effective! The shower is powerful and there was always plenty of hot water, enough for 2 showers a day or a bath. Would I change anything? No. The only thing that would lose it one mark is the main bed which has changed from my last stay; it is uncomfortable and very hard, but, some people might like that. The track down to the cottage could do with a little 'maintenance' in a couple of places but is easily passable. Just don't take a low-lying car because you might get unstuck in a couple of places (I have a Vauxhall Corsa hatchback and managed). Of all of the cottages I have visited in Swaledale over the last 15 years, High Smarber is in my top 3.

  Reviewed by Sandra3.8★Sep 2024

• "The cottage was lovely, clean and cozy and had everything we needed."

  The view from the front garden is fabulous and there are lots of wonderful walks to do straight from the cottage door. A beautiful, peaceful and restorative place to stay. We are definitely planning on visiting again

  Reviewed by Emma5.0★Apr 2024

• "The cottage is in an amazing situation, with glorious views."

  It is well equipped and spotlessly clean. We had stayed before and found it very cosy. On this occasion, however, there was no heating from the Saturday when we arrived until midday Wednesday, so we spent a very cold and uncomfortable few days. The cause was a lack of heating oil (from the point of arrival) and resolving it was made more difficult by it being Easter weekend. The owner's representatives on the ground were most helpful, doing all they could to make us more comfortable and obtain fuel. The owner, to their credit, provided a degree of compensation. Sykes played their role as intermediary effectively. It's clear, though, that in a case of serious disagreement between owner and holiday maker, Sykes has no responsibility for resolving it. We did very much enjoy the last couple of days of our stay, once the heating was back on.

  Reviewed by Richard3.1★Mar 2024

• "Comfortable, spacious and private place to stay."

  The road up is challenging but more than worth the effort. The people who manage the house were very helpful...

  Reviewed by David5.0★Dec 2023

• "High Smarber was well up to standard as always."

  Cosy and comfortable with everything you need for an enjoyable stay and beautiful views of Swaledale. Can't wait to return next year.

  Reviewed by Claire5.0★Nov 2023

• "Remote and perfect."

  Views unrivalled only neighbours cows sheep and a pony

  Reviewed by Paul4.1★Sep 2023

• "No car port or land line as advertised (Sykes were informed) This was our second visit but unfortunately the last."

  On arrival we had to hoover the living room carpet, the rectangular rug in there was filthy and had lots of bits under it. There were stains on the settee and cobwebs in the living room and kitchen that were very visible. The kitchen worktops had been cleaned but not rinsed. The oven door was dirty. The double mattress was very uncomfortable and we awoke every morning with back ache, this caused us to cut the holiday short. This has also been mentioned on other reviews. The razor light and spot light in the bathroom didn't work and the shower head kept lowering down as it was too heavy for the holder. We filled in the questionnaire that is left in the welcome pack so hopefully the maintenance issues will be resolved for the next guests. The concrete track leading to the cottage needs a little TLC in places. The location was really good and there are quite a few walks from the cottage. It was mostly quiet except occasionally the adjacent cottage/farm that had dogs barking when the owners went out or came back.

  Reviewed by Linda2.5★Sep 2023

• "Wonderful moment in the Yorkshire Dales in this comfy cottage with a lovely view ..."

  Wonderful moment in the Yorkshire Dales in this comfy cottage with a lovely view (just having in minde the difficult access)

  Reviewed by Julien4.7★Jul 2023

• "Lovely property, clean and tidy, lovely views."

  Mostly peaceful. Only negatives were beds uncomfortable, could feel all the springs every time I moved. bit more description possibly photos of the approach to the property, very narrow and very steep, luckily never met someone coming the opposite way. Dogs barking and whining at neighbouring property as kept in an outside locked area so kept me awake at night a few times. Other than those things enjoyed our stay.

  Reviewed by Margaret3.4★Jul 2023

• "Another lovely stay at High Smarber - cozy, comfortable and well equipped as always."

  I shall be back next year!

  Reviewed by Claire5.0★Nov 2022

• "Beautiful. Remote."

  Ideal to get away from it all. What a beautiful part of the country.

  Reviewed by Steven5.0★Aug 2022

• "Such a beautiful cottage, very clean and cosy with everything you need for a comfortable stay, with the most amazing scenery."

  The access road was slightly stressful at times especially if you met someone going in the opposite direction. We visited lots of beautiful places in the vicinity. Thanks for a lovely week.

  Reviewed by Martyn4.7★Aug 2022

• "Lovely stay again at High Smarber."

  So peaceful and cosy. Kitchen is well equipped with everything you could need. House is very warm with plenty of hot water. Just what we needed.

  Reviewed by Beverley4.7★Jan 2022

• "Cottage was great, location unbeatable if you like remote places, the silence in Swaledale is wonderful and the scenery and wildlife just brilliant."

  Cottage is well equipt and comforatable and the drive in is an experience in itself. Only issue was an oil leak on the Boiler which was fixed promptly by the caretaker. Did however leave a smell of oil in the main bedroom for much of the week!.

  Reviewed by Sean5.0★Aug 2021

• "We'd loved to go to the cottage, but we were not able to reach it because the Covid-19 travel restrictons in both countries caused us to stay at home in The Netherlands, in 2020 and, after a re-booking, again in 2021."

  Both Sykes and the owner refused to refund us (a part of) the costs. A big shame in these rare circumstances! We will not book with Sykes again. Jan and Heleen, The Netherlands

  Reviewed by Jan2.5★Jul 2021

• "The cottage was really well equipped - there was literally nothing that hadn't been thought of!"

  It was spotlessly clean. The location was beautiful.

  Reviewed by Elisabeth5.0★Jul 2021

• "What a wonderful cottage."

  There are breath taking views from every window and every angle you look. Certainly a place you can sit back and loose yourself in the beauty around you. The cottage was perfectly clean with all the facilities we needed. It is not luxuriously modern but very comfortable and inkeeping with how a cottage should be in my view! The rooms spacious and decorated just how you would expect as I say in keeping with that cottage feel. No where else would you be able to look out of the back window to see lovely little cows peering through to say good morning. The track to the property is exactly as advertised narrow and bendy lined with sheep but perfectly accessible with any family car and we even managed a Tesco delivery on our arrival which was brilliant. Lots of beautiful walks right on the doorstep. The Punchbowl pub definitely worth a visit just at the bottom of the track; good food very friendly and COVID safe measures in place. We come to Yorkshire for holidays most years and we would struggle to find somewhere to beat this wonderful little place for its beauty. Would definitely return it was very hard to leave!!!

  Reviewed by Hollie5.0★Sep 2020

• "Although the cottage is very clean and well equipped, the drive up to the cottage is not for the faint hearted."

  You have to walk through one bedroom to go to another which wasn’t ideal. And OMG the neighbors dogs bark constantly especially through the night. Looking at the visitors book people have complained about this since 2017 but nothing has been done. The owner or the neighbors farm is John and we witnessed him abusing the dogs which we have reported. If you want a quiet peaceful stay do not stay here.

  Reviewed by Kerry3.8★Sep 2019

• "The bed matteresss chould be upgraded"

  Reviewed by Denis5.0★Apr 2019

• "The cottage was clean and cosy and the bottle of wine was a thoughtful gift."

  I definitely hope to return.

  Reviewed by Claire5.0★Oct 2018

• "The place is spectacular."

  Absolutely amazing views. Lovely comfortable cottage

  Reviewed by Antonia5.0★Aug 2018

• "A very well equipped cottage."

  We had snow and was unable to take the car up the track to the cottage but a kind neighbour helped in his 4 x4. Great open fires every night. We will return to this beautiful part of the country.

  Reviewed by Stafford5.0★Mar 2018

• "If snow is forecast be prepared to be snowed in unless you have a 4 x4!"

  Fantastic location if you love peace and quiet and wonderful views.cottage was very well and thoughtfully equipped.

  Reviewed by Beverley4.8★Feb 2018

• "We have just booked this cottage for the 2nd time, and hopefuly won't be the last!"

  Whilst I'm a great believer in giving praise where it's due, I do feel a little reluctant to sing the many praises of High Smarber because we would prefer to keep this little gem it to ourselves lol! However, this really would'nt be fair to the owners or indeed, to Helen Hurd, who magnificently takes care of the place, and is just a phone call away further down the Dale, should you need anything. We had initially booked for just the 2 of us, but my son and his wife and baby granddaughter came for an impromptu visit for a couple of days, and Helen couldn't have be more graciously helpful in providing a cot /bedding etc, & can say that Helen and her family are genuinely lovely friendly people, with absolutely nothing being too much trouble. The cottage itself is outstanding and very spacious, with amazing views from every window. The owner and/orHelen has provided everything one could possibly want or need to ensure a comfortable stay, especially in the kitchen...From experience, I'd brought all sorts of paraphanalia from home, like clingfilm/foil down to proper nonstick pans and other kitchen items, but non of it was needed! The dishwasher was greatly appreciated, as was the washing machine & tumble drier which were housed in a separate utility room, along with with other laundry items. Plenty of hot water to be had at all times...can't say anything about the heating as had no need for it during our stay. Just outside the front door is a large paved area with bench seating where you can take in the spectacular views from the extremely elevated position, & then steps down to a large low-walled lawned area...be careful here though as it's full of concealed rabbit holes so you'd need to keep a close eye on small children! Within a large, gated courtyard is a large garage which then leads to the small-gated garden and front door entrance. There is plenty of walking to be had right from the door The road directly up to the cottage needs a little careful negotiation in places, especially at first, but ok when you know what to expect! The first being a bend so sharp that one is required to reverse a little to be able to make the turn, but not a problem. The other is you will need to carefuly negotiate your wheels on the parallel concrete path leading up to the cottage. It is pretty remote and high up, so if you plan on not using the car during your stay, you may want make sure you bring all necessities and groceries with you. This is by far the best cottage we've ever stayed in over 30++ years...a real & genuine, home-from-home that we really didn't want to share, but hey...I can't help it!!! Credit to Helen by the bucket-load....and no, I didn't know Helen until our stay, just mentioning a very deserving lady! Can't wait for our next visit!

  Reviewed by Rosanne5.0★Sep 2017

• "High Smarber is a unique cottage with amazing views over Swaledale."

  It is a very well equipped, comfortable cottage and Helen Hird who looks after it can't do enough to help. The cottage is perfectly placed for walks in the area, Gunnerside and Reeth both being within walking distance. We had a fantastic, relaxing week up there. You do need to be aware of the route up - it is a very steep, narrow road and one bend requires you to reverse to enable you the have enough room to get round the corner! All lots of fun! We would highly recommend this cottage for those who really want to get away from it all - the only sounds up at High Smarber are the calling of the birds and sheep. You feel as if you are on top of the world. The bench outside the front door is wonderful for a morning cuppa while you breathe in the clear air and relax. It has excellent wi-fi too for those who need it.

  Reviewed by Sarah5.0★Jul 2016

• There are no reviews featuring this term Show all reviews