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"We had an excellent stay at Columbine Barn."
It was perfectly situated for us as we have family close by and very nervous dogs, so staying bonfire week was perfect for us. The barn was very well equipped and comfortable and the underfloor heating was amazing, really toasty on a cold day. The bedrooms were sufficient for our needs with lovely quality bedding and pillows. A 5 minute walk got us to the local village with all the amenities you would need. We can highly recommend Brook Cafe and Bradwell Fisheries. Columbine Barn is definitely one for us to return to. Thank you to Jess, the owner for looking after us. Xxx
Reviewed by Lynn5.0★Nov 2024
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"Our booking experience with Sykes was truly terrible."
We booked a week at Columbine to be informed by the owner that part of the week had been double booked and that we could only have the property until Weds. Sykes had obviously taken full payment for the week and at that point I asked for prices to check out on Tuesday/Wednesday. I asked multiple times only to find that the booking had been made for a Wednesday check out. There was no response to my simple requests. It was obviously extremely frustrating to deal with a complete lack of regard for the customer - especially as I felt we had been more than accommodating in dealing with their booking mishap.
The property itself is beautifully situated and we were blessed with almost perfect weather. My children loved feeding the horses and playing pooh sticks in the river. But that's where it ended re the house for us.
The house itself was small, cramped and pretty grubby in all honesty. I would say it would be great for a family of four who are out walking all day, but to put 8 people in there (which appears to be the maximum number of beds - there were 6 of us) then it's a tall order given the bathroom is tiny and pretty grubby (ie dirty tiles, rusted bin and toilet holder - given the lack of ventilation). On top there is very little hanging space for towels (some broken bathroom hooks). There are hooks in the rooms, but they were situated over the bed/bedside table, which was just odd.
There is no working light outside the house (it flashes on but then cuts out) so ensure you have a torch. A broken fridge and broken airer (not ideal when you're airing your walking stuff) would be easy fixes. I echo the comments re heating - whilst it was sunny in the day, it was cold at night and whilst the owner was responsive, it wasn't ideal to be coming back to a cold house and having to message to get the heating on. I also echo the comments about parking - it was a pain to manouvre out of the property along a single track and especially so in the dark.
Can only speak as I find and for us, this was not a stay we would recommend - both from the perspective of the inept service provided by Sykes as well as the many deficiencies at the property.
Firstly sorry you didn’t have a great experience, regarding the dates mix up I believe you had a fair refund for the amount of nights you stayed so Sykes may have charged you full price but did give you a refund for mix up. The heating is set at 20 this time of year I am happy to turn up whenever. The guests in straight after you actually asked for it to be turned right down so I guess it’s personal preference. The photos show exactly how the property is laid out and how big the bathroom is. The outside light has now been fixed, thanks for letting me know. Parking is just as stated room for two cars outside the property down a farm lane. Disappointing review as me and my husband went well out of our way for your stay answering phone calls at 11pm wondering how to actually enter the property from your car to the door? Then being the only guest to question the lock box so my husband came straight down at 11.15pm to find you in the property with no phone call back or thanks. I am only ever a text or a phone call away to rectify anything. I’m truly sorry you didn’t find this a great experience we have had some fabulous feed back over the summer so it’s a shame you felt that way.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Alice1.9★Oct 2024
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"Where do I start?"
From before we arrived the communication with Jess was quick and friendly and we arrived to little welcome pack of biscuits treats for my dogs and fresh flowers in the vase. Our stay was above and beyond what i was expecting. The shower pressure was decent and hot water, the barn was always at rhe perfect temp (so much easier letting jess know our preference of heating temps than me messing around trying to figure out the thermostat)
The barn was clean welcoming and the bedding was so comfy too. We weren't bothered by anyone as it's isolated but not too isolated as village was less than 6 minutes away walking.
We loved warching the horses and foal in the field and to make it even more perfect a hiking/walking route was near the barn through an adjacent field.
We will most definitely be back and the garden area was great for my 2 small dogs.
We stayed a week yet 3 of those days we were discovering more walking/hiking routes in Bradwell
itself that were beautiful views. So much to see and do a week wasn't long enough.
Reviewed by Carly5.0★Sep 2024
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"Absolutely loved it !"
The setting, the features
Reviewed by Glen5.0★Jul 2024
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"We had a lovely stay."
Great peaceful location and the cottage was nice and cosy yet didn’t feel cramped.
Reviewed by Mike5.0★Jul 2024
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"Well provisioned , comfy beds spotlessly clean fantastic views."
Thankyou for your lovely review. Glad it was enjoyable
Property Owner
Reviewed by Aileen5.0★Jun 2024
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"Loved the house and location."
Great as a base camp to access lots of local walks and wildlife.
Thankyou for your great feedback. Glad you enjoed
Property Owner
Reviewed by Dan5.0★Jun 2024
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"Beautiful property and location."
We did not realise though that every time you want the underfloor heating on you have to contact the owner. When the evening temperature is 10 degrees it needs to be on. We was cold most nights even though we left voice mail on owners phone to put it on.
I am so sorry you were cold. I have no voicemails or anything from you. There is signs on each heating box to contact the two numbers provided. People do like the heating up and down depending on how many people etc so I am sorry it was low.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Sandra4.1★Jun 2024
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"Perfect location, great facilities and friendly host!"
Would stay again
Reviewed by Sam5.0★Apr 2024
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"Access and parking needs to be better described, having taken two cars moving them was tricky as nowhere to turn and very muddy."
Got stuck in the mud at one point! Need more gravel down. Otherwise a lovely property, good location in edge of village. Lots to do in the area.
Thankyou for your feedback. I will get Sykes to add on that it is a single track country lane with a turning area. The weather has been so awful that everywhere is pretty wet at the minute, hopefully spring is on the way and everywhere can dry up soon. Glad you found lots to do in the area, we think it’s a great location!
Property Owner
Reviewed by C4.1★Mar 2024
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"Absolutely loved staying here for a weekend, very clean and spacious property with plenty of room to cook and chill together downstairs."
Only feedback I’d give would be another toilet/bathroom space due to how many it sleeps and better parking.
Thanks for your feedback! Glad you had a great time!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Aimee4.7★Feb 2024
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"Lovely cottage in a great location."
Excellent hosts. Definitely would book again.
Reviewed by Christopher5.0★Dec 2023
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"We had a lovely holiday at Columbine Barn."
We really appreciated the underfloor heating when we came back from a day out. The cottage is tastefully decorated with very comfortable beds and sofa. The cottage is in an excellent central location for exploring the Peaks. You feel that you are isolated but the village of Bradwell is only a very short distance away. The outside of the cottage is beautiful and peaceful with a lovely picnic table. The owner Jess is really friendly and is quick to respond to any request we had. We will be back in the future.
Thanks so much for your feedback, so glad you had a great stay!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Susanna5.0★Sep 2023
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"The location was very good with easy access to Bakewell, Buxton and Castleton and not too far from other attractions such as Chatsworth, Cromford Mills and Crich Tramway Village, for instance."
Having stayed in 2-3 cottages a year for the last 6-7 years we feel the Guest Information could have been more helpful than just a single page. For example, no instructions on how to work oven/dishwasher/washing machine and some local knowledge would have been good- which pubs are good for food (the White Hart is only open from Wednesday) and some tips for local things to do, eg. the cattle market in Bakewell on Mondays. A lot of tips/information we gleaned from the visitors book. As to the cottage itself, having parked in the drive there was nowhere to turn round other than reverse down a long S shaped drive. It may be possible to do a 3 point turn outside the gate when the ground is rock hard but not in September. The cottage was not very cosy - hard floors throughout the ground floor - no carpet/rugs - and the sofa and arm chairs were uncomfortable. The towels were like sandpaper. There was a huge pile of bedding and towels under the stairs - didn’t look very fresh. The varnished wooden staircase was slippery and dangerous if you were just wearing socks. It just felt as if the cottage was in need of a refresh - the toilet brush and container were filthy, the pots/pans/kitchen utensils had seen better days and the dishwasher was rubbish - when it finished everything was soaking wet and had to be dried by hand. Some power points were not secure and pulled away from the wall when you took a plug out. The owner explained that as they were on a farm collection there were no recycling facilities - we found ourselves driving round with bags of plastic bottles, cardboard etc but were unable to find any recycling facilities anywhere, even in supermarket car parks, so finished up putting it in the bin. The TV had two black lines vertically down the screen. Overall the cottage is in a good location but could do with some investment.
As you can imagine I am very disappointed at this feedback. Firstly we have a welcome note with emergency contacts and lots of tourist information leaflets aswell as our lovely guest book (with all great helpful feedback) I feel this enough for people with common sense. I feel our barn is spacious yet cosy with underfloor heating and no rugs due to being pet friendly. The stairs are wooden yet safe. I keep laundry under the stairs in bags which is rotated weekly and also have it available if anybody needs anything extra it is there. The toilet brush is black almost new with a stone holder which is cleaned weekly. I have checked all power points, they are fine aswell as pots and pans. I apoligise for the dishwasher I have had that seen to (which I could have while you were there) if you had let me know, same as the television, a new one purchased straight away. Big bin provided for all rubbish as we are on farm collection. It is a small reverse to turn your car (never had an issue before) again if you would have let me know this is a problem we could have helped with a solution. I am glad you thought the barn was in a great location!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Davy2.5★Sep 2023
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"Delightful cottage in an absolutely superb location."
Bradwell is a perfect and friendly base for exploring the Peaks. Cottage is comfortable and an incredibly relaxing environment. The heating came on at exactly the right time/temperature without any prompting. Very much appreciated
Reviewed by Pauline4.4★Sep 2023
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"Columbine Barn is a lovely cottage in a perfect location - super easy access to some amazing walks, as well as pubs and groceries."
The cottage has a stair gate which made it super easy to keep our dogs downstairs (other cottages we stayed in didn't have one and it was difficult), comfortable beds, lovely living room area with kitchen, and enclosed garden.
Reviewed by Barbara5.0★Aug 2023
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"A well appointed property in a unique location, quiet isolation guaranteed."
The freezer hidden away in the under-stairs cupboard was not immediately evident, but found eventually.
A small shelf for toiletries in the bathroom would have been welcome.
Care must be taken on the final track approaching the barn, it is quite rough and low cars can bottom out in places, mine did.
Still pleased with our stay and would definitely re-book.
Reviewed by Alan5.0★May 2023
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"Warm and cosy, great location, this was our second stay here and we will return."
Reviewed by Simon5.0★May 2023
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"Lovely cosy cottage to return to, great location."
We will be back.
Reviewed by Simon4.7★Oct 2022
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"Great stay, would recommend"
Thankyou for your feedback, we really appreciate it.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Oliver5.0★Oct 2022
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"Lovely and comfortable even with 4 adults and 4 children."
The beds were comfortable and the living area and kitchen were a decent size.
Facilities were excellent. The freezer is hidden in the closet :-)
Owners very helpful if needed and prompt at replying.
The view is absolutely stunning and Bradwell is a lovely village with everything you could need and some really good walks near by.
Would highly recommend!
Thankyou for your feedback, we are glad you enjoyed your stay!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Anne4.7★Jul 2022
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"- Needs (discreet) signage put up every 30/50meters getting into the barn area to get in from the street, showing that this is the correct way to Columbine barn, or a clearly marked Google Maps screenshot with bright red route highlighted, or clear day + night time photos of landmarks leading to the barn just to make it extremely easy."
- Needs more toilet paper given by default in the property (we only had 1 roll given)
- Need to WD40 the doors, locks so they don't creak as much in the night and sand down the bathroom door slightly so that it doesn't wake everyone in the property up when going in/out
- Possibly WiFi info sheet + checkout info sheet in the bedrooms too
These would all be helpful in our case but all pretty minor, was a great stay and very appreciated.
Thankyou for your feedback, unfortunately we are not allowed to put signs up down the Lane to the barn, however Sykes do provide a step by step instruction guide on exactly how to find us and any problems I’m always happy to direct people. I am sorry you missed the toilet roll as more is always left under the bathroom sink. WiFi info is available on the welcome pack and a sign downstairs for when you arrive. We will have a look at the doors. I’m glad these things didn’t impact you to much and you enjoyed your boys weekend away!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Joncan4.7★Jul 2022
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