Dunlin Cottage

40 Customer Reviews

• "We were surprised to find that this cottage is part of 4 cottages that face into a communal courtyard rather than being ‘end of terrace’."

  The cottage was disappointing from the start, the approach through the courtyard had not seen a broom in a long time and once inside there were long black dog hairs floating on the kitchen and living room floors and a musty dank smell in the living room which filled the whole of the downstairs. The cause of this smell was a filthy mop and old water left in a bucket tucked in the cupboard under the stairs. Our holiday was abandoned early Tuesday morning as we felt we could not continue to stay in the cottage. We had problems the first evening (Saturday) with the bathroom light flickering and this was reported to the manager straightaway, the flickering caused a strobe effect and so we had to use a torch whenever we needed to use the bathroom. The following day a blocked drain at the front of the property was again reported to the manager. The blocked drain poured water into the communal courtyard and across the front door. The owner contacted us on Monday to say an electrician would be in to sort the light (that day) and the gardener would ‘take a look’ at the drain when he was in some time that week. Sadly, the electrician did not turn up and so the light was not fixed, when the owner was notified that this had not happened and sent a video of how bad the flickering was by WhatsApp, he replied that these issues (drain and light) would not normally be considered urgent and was keen to point out that he had responded to our concerns and was dismissive in his tone. Yes, he had responded to the messages but had not sorted the problems out. The cottage was dirty with old dusty cobwebs hanging off the kitchen light, dirt accumulating around the skirting boards and across the sockets and storage heaters. There were dead flies and cobwebs at the kitchen window. There is a large gap between the kitchen floor tiles and cupboard kick boards which is full of dirt which is difficult to clean. There are 4 cracked floor tiles in the kitchen. The washing machine displays a PAT testing label stating it is due a test in 2013. There is a fire risk assessment in the information folder that is for a completely different property. The extractor fan and light is not working, and there is damage to the worktop. The owner had been notified of these problems back in April 2024 via on online Sykes review and he had replied that this would all be sorted forthwith, however all the issues raised back then remain untouched The bath panel is damaged and could easily cause significant harm if we had accidentally walked into it. There are also broken tiles to the bathroom walls. The shelf in the bathroom is so wobbly you cannot stand anything on it. The light shade to the landing light is so full of cobwebs and dust it looks horrible. When I go away on holiday, I do not expect to have to clean the minute I walk into a cottage, and I certainly do not find it acceptable to have to use a torch when using a bathroom or for my husband to shave by torchlight. After leaving early Tuesday morning and returning home the owner was notified and photographs of all the above was sent to him so that he could tackle the issues raised. He has chosen not to respond or even acknowledge receipt of photos. We have had no other option but to escalate this to Sykes.

  A vitriolic review with exaggerations and inaccuracies. In 30 years of letting experience we have never had guests who left just as we remedied their two concerns, leaving the cottage unlocked front and back, and then presented us with a list of further complaints. We were so concerned that, on their departure we contacted Sykes/ NCCC, sending our’s and our housekeeper’s lengthy and professional correspondence (texts and emails) with the guests over two days. A text from Monday afternoon had told us the bathroom light had stopped flickering but we let our electrician check it out the next morning and he replaced the fitting. Sykes have informed us we took appropriate action to remedy the two concerns the guests raised and that we were not given any opportunity to deal with any further complaints. We cannot believe that, having had a series of high ratings in reviews over the previous months for the cleaning, carried out by a professional housekeeping company (in business for over a decade) the cottage suddenly becomes uninhabitable .Particularly, when our housekeeper sends a text on the day of arrival for quality control, asking if everything is ok. The guests had responded all was ok but for a faulty bathroom light and ( the next day) a blocked grate. Please note * the extractor fan works, but has to be pulled forward * A Pat test had been carried out by a company in 2023 on all appliances ( not obligatory) * The bath panel had a small area of damage to a bottom corner ( not dangerous, but has now been replaced) * Loose plinths have been secured * ‘Broken’ tiles have hair line cracks * The work surface has a small burn caused by a previous guest (size of a 50p) * After guests left, balls of black fur were all over the sofa, stairs and floors (the guests had three dogs, two black) * Our housekeeper has removed cobwebs on three light shades and cleaned as required * Outside grate (only connected to kitchen sink) now has wire cover. cottage is as described on website Property Owner

  Reviewed by Alison1.3★Nov 2024

• "We all have a fantastic time."

  Dogs kimi, jess , Buddy, and Dorra had a great running on the beaches it was lovely to come back to a cosy and warm cottage after a brisk walk on the beach. There where plenty of logs for wood burner which we really loved . Beds nice and comfortable. Kitchen well equipped . Garden was nice and large plenty of place for dogs to play . Unfortunately, weather was a bit to cool for us to sit out in garden. All pubs we visited in local area were dog friendly great staff and lovely meals

  Thank you for your lovely review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Dunlin Cottage. We would love to welcome you back if you come back to Northumberland. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Carole5.0★Oct 2024

• "Lovely accommodation, kitchen had everything you would need including a large fridge and freezer, bedrooms were a good size and beds comfortable, lounge was also a good size with a log burner and plentiful supply of logs."

  Accommodation is approx 2.5 miles outside of Bamborough in a really peaceful and quiet area, Budle Bay virtually outside the door and ideal if you are into ‘twitching’. Great value for money.

  Thank you for your lovely review we are very pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Dunlin Cottage and would be happy to welcome you back in future. Janet & Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Andrew4.7★Oct 2024

• "Lovely well equipped."

  Kitchen Comfortable lounge … excellent complimentary log pile …..lovely garden We took hot water bottles … the upstairs and the kitchen was a little cool ( storage heaters not very efficient ) We had an excellent stay

  Reviewed by Linda4.4★Oct 2024

• "We had a wonderful time at Dublin, the cottage is warm and comfortable with everything you in the kitchen, sofas and beds were very comfy."

  We had four dogs with us and they loved the garden, which is fenced and secure, which gave us peace of mind to have a cuppa in the garden and let the dogs wander around. I will definitely be recommending to family and friends.

  Thank you for your lovely review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at Dunlin Cottage and we look forward to welcoming you and your family and friends in future. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Doreen5.0★Sep 2024

• "The cottage was lovely and comfortable."

  Very nice part of the country so many interesting places to visit and such lovely beaches nearby

  Thank you for your lovely review. We are very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Dunlin Cottage. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Steven4.1★Sep 2024

• "Cottage lovely just difficult to find"

  Reviewed by Carolyn3.8★Aug 2024

• "Great location with a secure garden, safe for dogs questionable."

  We arrived to find the freezer was solid with ICE and the door wouldn’t close not allowing the opportunity to place anything. Cleaner arrived to collect the dirty washing bags, we informed her who informed us that she had reported on a couple of occasions and kindly left with the washing bags. On the surface the property was clean and then when we moved the two single beds into a double the vacuum had to come out. Day 2 we left and upon our return we couldn’t gain entry due to the key barrel lock not working. We contacted the two owners on several occasions with no response. Due to having a six-year-old child we then contacted Sykes cottages who tried to contact the owners on several occasions, again no response. Two very kind neighbours who could see I had two ladies and a child who was in distress provided a contact number for a locksmith. I once again contacted Sykes cottages to inform them that I could have a locksmith within the hour which granted was the bank holiday Sunday to be informed that they do not manage the maintenance side and had no authority to confirm either way and asked if I could wait. It became evident that we had left an opener open in the first floor bedroom window. A neighbour kindly provided a ladder and I 68 years of age had to climb through the top opener of a bedroom window to gain access. After we had finally gained entry the owner text me to see if I had gained access and informed he had called on the house phone and left a message. We then had to wait 48 hours to allow I believe the locksmith who initially fitted the lock which was under guarantee to fix the door and to repair one of the two rear doors. A property with three external doors and only one working provides confirmation of maintenance that is carried out. Locksmith arrived and repaired the main door and managed to adjust the second door that along with the second rear door needed adjustments. Having previously read other peoples comments and responses provided by the owners, we did take photographs and yes we did report accordingly to the owners. The freezer remained as we found it apart from having to scrape ice of on a couple of occasions to allow the door to close. Lessons learned. I will definitely ask before hiring any future cottages who is in charge of the maintenance and to make sure my daughter isn’t taking a photograph of her dad climbing through a window. By the way went viral. Sykes cottages- need to look closely what they are managing and especially how they are maintained. Owners- need to maintain the property by planning rather than being reactive, have a system in place to check that the property is clean and make sure the facilities and amenities are in good working order and respond accordingly. I believe this is the very first time I have made any formal complaint. And I trust people reading my feedback is here to help support all concerned as like all of us we want to have a comfortable stay with all amenities that is stated.

  Thank you for your review and we are sorry you feel unhappy with your experience. Whilst accepting that you had issues with the lock and the freezer ,we do feel you are being economical with the truth. 1. Whilst you were unable to contact either us or Sykes, this was initially due to the poor mobile reception in the area. We received a partially inaudible voicemail message on the bank holiday Sunday and we left our anniversary lunch and our family to ring you on our house phone less than an hour later, to discover you had been locked out but had got in through a window. 2. The fact that you had decided to borrow a ladder and climb in through an open window was not something we would have condoned. We would have arranged for our locksmith to come asap . He had fitted the lock less than a year ago and could not understand why it had failed. He felt it was not an emergency as there were two external doors at the rear. He came the day after bank holiday Monday to fix it. 3. The iced up freezer was something we were not aware of until you told us. We ascertained you were not using the freezer and asked you to reduce the ice by turning the freezer off and leaving the door open for a couple of hours. It was not something that could not be dealt with when you had left. 4. The fact that you chose to move two heavy divan beds and found some dust underneath is not a reason for condemning the standard of cleaning in the property. 5. You do not mention that we paid you an ex gratia sum of £50 in consideration of the fact that you had been inconvenienced by being unable to gain access. 6. Guests in a neighbouring cottage complained that you left your three dogs in the cottage all day and they were very distressed. 7. We do not have a maintenance contract with Sykes but this is not compulsory and we have personally managed the cottage for over 25 years with contacts with locals in most trades (including a local locksmith). 8. The garden at the cottage is secure for dogs. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Ian2.2★Aug 2024

• "Lovely little cottage, needs a little bit of TLC"

  Thank you for your review and hope you had a good holiday. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Gillian3.1★Aug 2024

• "Unfortunately on arrival there were several cleaning issues and the garden was a complete mess, overgrown bushes, weeds and nettles meant it looked nothing like the photos on the website, and it certainly did not make us want to sit outdoors, despite the good weather."

  Someone had kindly left us 3 dog poos to pick up too. One of the chairs in the kitchen was broken and unsafe to sit on, so we couldn’t sit and eat together as a family. There was a stain on one of the quilt covers, and randomly, every single pillow case was put on inside out. The dirty, smelly mop was left in the bathroom and the shower switch was hanging off until we screwed it back on. Most of the issues were highlighted and some were resolved, others (like the chair) were not. So what should have been a lovely place to stay was let down by the feeling that it was tired, unloved and has been left to get into a state of disrepair in places. A real shame given the wonderful location, and while the issues with the cottage did not ruin our holiday, it certainly does not represent value for money and is not recommended.

  Reviewed by Alex1.6★Jul 2024

• "On the whole we liked the cottage but there were some issues: 1."

  We know the property was dog friendly but the smell of dog was almost overpowering for the first couple of days. 2. There was pet hair on the sofas and under the kitchen table when we arrived, so had to run the hoover over the place 3. The bathroom seemed to have a beetle issue, as I killed about a dozen on them whilst staying

  We are glad you liked our cottage. We note that you didnt contact us during your stay and had you done so our cleaner would have returned to deal with these issues. Our cleaner normally sends a text to guests on arrival to ask if everything is ok but the number we had for you didn’t seem to be correct. We have never had a problem with beetles in 25 years of letting and it may have arisen from the wet weather. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Chris2.8★Jul 2024

• "Nice cottage, spent a comfortable week here."

  Large enclosed garden with a gate to the barn at the back, dog friendly, super comfortable beds - we slept very well all week. Well equipped kitchen. Not much walking can be done from the door because even though it's in a quiet spot you turn onto a busy road with no paths, but luckily it's a 5 min drive to lovely Bamburgh and the amazing beach there. Many other highlights nearby including Ross Sands, Seahouses Harbour and Dunstansburgh Castle. Housekeeper contacted us on the first night which I thought a nice touch. No major issues although I do think the cottage could do with a little updating in a few places; trims on french doors missing, garden seems quite tired and not as appealing as the pictures, hob extractor only works on 1 switch and no light, Henry hoover with no pipe attachment and dustpan and brush wonky so we couldnt hoover/sweep up dog hairs during our stay which we normally would do for our own comfort. Also I used the washing machine once and it got so hot I couldnt touch it so that may well need replacing! Just small things, which didnt ruin our holiday at all, but need to be taken into consideration for future bookings.

  Thank you for your feedback. We have replaced the vacuum and the brush and pan. Somebody had turned the water tap off to the washer which explains why it got hot. We have a professional gardener who comes every two weeks weather permitting but the poor weather has not been helpful this year! There are good walks from the cottage now that the Northumberland coastal path has opened and we now send guests details of this. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Karen3.4★Jun 2024

• "Lovely old style cottage in a desirable location."

  Great that the owner gave an over view on the history of the cottage and the area. Cleaning not to a professional cleaning standard. Informed the owner and sent photos. I was informed of some items that was going to be replaced by him. Happy with owner contacting me whilst I was there. Great for dogs with secure area.

  Reviewed by Joseph3.1★May 2024

• "We have just had a lovely week enjoying everything that the area has to offer."

  How great it is to find a dog friendly cottage with a perfect garden for them to let off steam. There was nothing that we were short of as the cottage was very well equipped. We would have no hesitation in recommending this property for a relaxing and dog friendly break.

  Thank you for your lovely review. We are glad that you had a good holiday and that the dogs enjoyed the garden. We are dog lovers ourselves having at one time had four who spent some wonderful holidays in Northumberland. We are now down to one elderly lad but he still loves the garden and all the lovely sniffs. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Christopher5.0★Apr 2024

• "We were very disappointed with the property, we found it to be grubby and in need of some maintenance."

  Kitchen - extractor fan not working, several cracked floor tiles, damaged worktop next to hob which is unhygienic, the door to the hall can't be closed securely and the unit plinths were displaced. Hall - broken pest controller which suggests the property has had an issue with mice. Bathroom - broken bath panel. Living room - balls of dog hair left under the coffee table, dead flies inside all the picture frames. Garden - pails and buckets of stagnant water and general garden cuttings left giving a very untidy appearance. General - surfaces had not been dusted and there were lots of cobwebs and items from previous guests left under the bed. We left the property two days early and do not consider it to have been value for money and therefore will not return or consider recommending it to anyone else. We did not contact you at the time because we were there for our Ruby Wedding Anniversary and did not want that interrupted.

  We are disappointed that you did not contact us during your stay and that you have given us such a poor review without allowing us the opportunity to check the property and deal with your complaints. You have also not provided any photographs to support your complaints. We stayed in Dunlin Cottage in mid February and the extractor which is quite new, was working, the plinths were in place and the bath panel was not damaged. Since then a number of guests have stayed in the cottage and no one else has raised these issues. We will now check and if any repairs or replacements are needed we will deal with them straight away as we would have done during your stay if you had let us know. There is a small area of damage to the kitchen work surface next to the hob, the size of a 50p piece. This was caused by a previous guest. We will now need to replace the complete work top and were not able to do this before your stay because the cottage was fully booked. This is not unhygienic as the work surface is a good size and we provide plenty of chopping boards. We do not have a problem with mice because we have put in a plug in sonic pest controller as a deterrent. The cottage is in a rural area close to farmland and as anyone who lives in the country will know unless you take these steps to deter them you are like to be sharing your house with furry creatures especially during the winter. The cottage was professionally decorated in February and had a deep clean with kitchen cupboards etc being cleaned and any damaged, broken or worn items being replaced. The beds in the twin room were replaced with expensive Hypnos beds. We have taken up your concerns regarding cleaning with our professional cleaning company and the manager has assured us that he will personally supervise and check the cleaning to ensure their usual high standards are maintained. We note that during your stay the weather was very bad and wonder if that was a factor in your decision to leave early. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Edward1.3★Apr 2024

• "Just had 3 nights in Dunlin cottage and loved every minute."

  Th house is perfect and the en closed garden was ideal four our 4 dogs. Great location for exploring the area. Good walks on the doorstep. Highly recommend it.

  Thank you for your very positive review. We are glad to hear that you had a lovely time in Northumberland and enjoyed your stay in our cottage. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Gaynor5.0★Mar 2024

• "Cold no kindle for fire and needed good clean"

  Thank you for your comments. It would have been helpful if you had contacted us whilst you were there and we could have dealt with the issues raised. The cottage had just been professionally decorated throughout before your stay and the heating is always on in the winter. We also supply all logs whereas many other properties supply only a starter pack and guests have to buy logs for the rest of their stay. Your comments do not correspond with those of other guests who have stayed in the cottage recently and we were staying there a couple of weeks ago to oversee the decorating and delivery of new Hypnos beds into the second bedroom. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Denise2.2★Feb 2024

• "Beautiful cottage set in a lovely area."

  Great garden for dogs and so close to beach. Lovely cosy feeling and appreciated logs for log burner being included. Very clean and kitchen well stocked with things. Easy to find and also travel to other places. Would possibly recommend replacing pillows as they felt old and lumpy which didn't fit with everything else being perfect. Would certainly recommend and hopefully return.

  Reviewed by Jane4.4★Dec 2023

• "Great cottage well equipped dogs enjoyed garden a lot of pictures on walls ..."

  Great cottage well equipped dogs enjoyed garden a lot of pictures on walls painted by owner really good and a varied artistic talent the bird wildlife lovely to watch enjoyed our stay

  Reviewed by Sally4.4★Nov 2023

• "Everything perfect loads of cooking utensils lovely cosy feel only one ..."

  Everything perfect loads of cooking utensils lovely cosy feel only one suggestion a light fior back garden so could see our black furbaby lola the garden was so pretty and despite being November we sat out in the afternoons after a long walk budle bay right on the doorstep a little piece of heaven

  Reviewed by Carol5.0★Nov 2023

• "Lovely cottage garden fabulous for the dogs only thing I would recommend is for a light for the garden at night it was impossible to see we're the dogs were apart from that a lovely stay and would definitely return."

  Reviewed by Kerry4.1★Nov 2023

• "We had a lovely time in Dunlin Cottage."

  Everything was very satisfactory. The garden was great for the three dogs as were the beaches - they had a ball. We will return.

  Reviewed by Sheila5.0★Oct 2023

• "Plenty of space and quiet."

  Perfect with the dogs. Well equipped.

  Reviewed by Jan5.0★Oct 2023

• "Lovely property and well equipped."

  Had everything we needed for our stay and the welcome pack of tea/coffee/biscuits was really nice. The garden was great and our 2 dogs loved exploring in it. Property ideally suited for exploring the area. Unfortunately I broke my foot on our first day so weren’t able to explore everywhere we wanted to so will definitely be back and wouldn’t hesitate in booking Dunlin Cottage again.

  Reviewed by Diane5.0★Sep 2023

• "The cottage is in a great location and the garden is a real bonus."

  However, there are two large areas of damp.. one on the stairs and one on the ceiling in the main bedroom. Unfortunately, water came through the bedroom ceiling one night during a rain storm and we had to put the bin down to catch the water.

  Reviewed by Jackie3.4★Aug 2023

• "Excellent cottage."

  Lovely garden, great for the dogs. Great location, remote and peaceful. Lots of place to visit close by. 5 stars from us.

  Thank you for your review. We are really pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Dunlin Cottage. Janet and Peter Property Owner

  Reviewed by Joanne5.0★May 2023

• "Lovely comfortable cottage , very warm ,clean and cosy and had everything thing you need for a great stay ."

  Really excellent was the private enclosed rear garden for our dogs . Great location for visiting Bamburgh and surrounding areas , local beaches are amazing . Would recommend for people wanting a dog friendly cottage .

  Reviewed by Jo5.0★May 2023

• "Beautiful comfortable cottage."

  Much larger than expected with fully enclosed garden which had a patio area with table and chairs to enjoy the large gardens.. great adventure for dogs! The garden gate leads to the river and onto the coastal walk. Fully equipped kitchen with washer and dishwasher essential pack of dishcloth washing up liquid and sponge provided as well as welcome pack of biscuits tea/coffee and milk. Patio doors from bright kitchen to garden also door direct from living room to garden. Sash window boxes give lots of light and wonderful views all through the cottage. Downstairs bathroom with electric shower over the bath and the only toilet. Spacious large double bedrooms very comfortable we all had great night’s sleep. During our stay we encountered cold weather and lit the well stocked log burner. The cottage has storage heaters in all rooms which were welcome. 7 minutes by car to Bamburgh to wonderful beach. Highly recommend Dunlin Cottage well thought out for dog owners (bowls provided!)

  Reviewed by Sally5.0★Apr 2023

• "Location was brilliant."

  Cottage and surroundings were ideal. The garden was superb and perfect for our dog, although the use of a bird-scarer by a neighbour was a problem. The cottage was of a high standard, very clean and comfortable. Kitchen was well stocked and well equipped. Linen and towels were very good and plentiful. On the downside, the log-burner was ineffective (I have one at home for comparison) and outside, the parking could be a challenge. Local amenities were good and eating out was fine. Would certainly use the cottage again.

  Thank you for your positive comments . Parking was a challenge because guests at another cottage chose to bring three cars with them ! There normally is no problem . Property Owner

  Reviewed by Barry4.1★Mar 2023

• "A delightful cottage."

  Lots of charm and with a very relaxed welcome. We loved the area as did our dogs. We have had a super time. Thank you

  Reviewed by Karin5.0★Feb 2023

• "Hi There were no logs when we arrived but after ringing the owner he informed us that he also owned next door so go help ourself then a delivery was arranged."

  Just some cosmetic improvements could be made. A new log basket, the fire needs some tlc it roars and eats wood and doesn’t really throw out much heat. We bought some coal which improved it slightly. No outside light in the garden. The garden could be made lovely it just needs a good tidy up we removed lots of leaves from the door from the lounge as we couldn’t get out! The shower was hot but the pressure is almost non existent. Curtain poles in the bedrooms would look lovely with some curtains even though there are blinds fitted. We loved our stay and we will be back just little things that could make a big difference.

  Reviewed by Pamela4.1★Jan 2023

• "Lovely quaint cottage, brilliant for our dogs and such a good location."

  We enjoyed our stay and it was good value for money. Found it unusual there were no curtains anywhere and the first time we have rented a cottage where there has been no welcome pack?

  Really glad you enjoyed your stay. We need to point out that last year we had our curtains replaced by fashionable Roman blinds that show off the period window s and their surrounds. You can get privacy by shutting these . Property Owner

  Reviewed by Jane3.8★Dec 2022

• "A nicely presented cottage, clean and comfortable."

  ......ideal property for holidaying with the family dogs!

  Aug 2019

• "Lovely property with a good fenced garden for dogs."

  Loved the log fire!!

  Aug 2019

• "Clean and tidy well furnished two bedroomed cottage on side of the river with breakfast kitchen and pleasant sitting room to rear of property."

  Garden to the rear with table and chairs provided on patio. Very pleasant stay on Budle Bay with our two dogs!

  Jul 2019

• "A lovely comfortable property in a nice quiet location."

  Very close to a large beautiful beach. Lovely size garden. Loved it! We will be back!

  Mar 2019

• "Clean and well-equipped cottage ideally located to take advantage of the coastal walks."

  Jan 2018

• "Lovely cottage, full of character and with some period features."

  Very rural, quiet spot with excellent links to Bamburgh.

  Jul 2017

• "Good location, very clean - would recommend."

  Jun 2017

• "The cottage has many excellent specifications."

  A lovely comfortable bed and the enclosed areas back and front will suit pet owners and parents alike. Very pleasant living room and well equipped.

  Jun 2017

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