Apple Tree Cottage

Sleeps 10
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3
Pets No
View on map

Features

Hot tub
Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews

20 Customer Review(s)

Matt
October 2021

“We had high expectations for our week away.”

Sadly we were left disappointed. ...

Sadly we were left disappointed. The positives were the beautiful thatched character property with plenty of room for our 3 families. The kitchen was a great social area and the lounge too. We were a family of 4 so used the adjoining rooms. This was quite awkward as had no access to a bathroom unless you went downstairs (or through either of the other two guest bedrooms) which wasn’t practical in the night for small children. The strong smell of damp in parts of the house was slightly masked by the plug-in air fresheners, but was unpleasant when going to sleep at night. It’s a very old property, but the windows are in a very poor state - some don’t close properly. The black mould in the showers was particularly bad and temperature gauges didn’t work properly in either bathroom. Bath towels were old and stained. We really missed the attention to detail we’ve found in other properties of this price bracket. Cupboard door handles falling off, kitchen tap doesn’t function as it should, were a couple of the many broken things. The place is in a state of general disrepair and needs some serious TLC. The hot tub water hadn’t been changed in some time and the dirt in the filters and bottom was unacceptable. The owners were helpful when we asked them to fix a broken shower but there were so many things wrong…the price is really not justified. Ultimately, every recent review seems to say the same thing but the owners clearly have no inclination to do anything about it.

- Matt, October 2021

Thank you for your feedback. The cottage dates back to 1600 and We lived there with our 5 girls for 10 years prior to holiday letting the cottage. As it’s built of cob and has no damp proof course and despite being damp proofed internally it will never be like a modern property. We have a program of works scheduled for November which will address the issues caused by a long summer of holiday let’s with only 5 hours between change overs to do essential works and cleaning. I popped up to the cottage and adjusted the temperature gauge on the shower so it was working and the cleaners have informed me the other two showers are working normally. We looked into the bath towels and removed any stained or old ones, this is normally done by a laundry company so we will look into this. I personally emptied and cleaned the hot tub on the morning of your arrival and cleaned the filters. The residue in the bottom would have either been limescale from the heating element in the hot tub or chlorine that hadn’t yet dispersed as the hot tub would not have been up to temperature when you arrived. This year seems to have been a struggle with reviews I have to admit, but we have guests who come back year after year so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The review blow yours is 93% happy, followed by 81, 56 and another 81%, so not all negative. Property Owner
Gerry September 2021

“Apple Tree Cottage is an attractive Grade 2 listed farmhouse in a peaceful location just outside the lovely village of Tarrant Monkton.”

It is well equipped with everything we needed to cater for our family gathering of up to 11 on one night. Despite some reviews to the contrary, we found the house clean and tidy when we arrived. The garden is mainly a large lawn, good for the children, with benches and tables for eating outside and our competitive card games. The kitchen is central to a family gathering and this one was ideal for family meals and we soon got used to using the Aga oven. (At least two of us did!!) We were lucky with the weather, enabling us to stroll through the village to the Langton Arms and spend time in their large garden. They have a good selection of beers etc. Be aware though that it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The restaurant is excellent though a little pricey, but worth it for good food and friendly service. The friendly owners Martin & Sam made themselves know to us and being nearby were available should there have been any problems. Overall, this was a great place to stay, if you enjoy peace and quiet, with a friendly pub nearby and plenty of walks to explore the countryside.

- Gerry, September 2021
Jayne August 2021

“There is a problem with this cottage regarding housekeeping.”

As there is a at least five hours between changeover of tenants, checking that all the light bulbs work would be a good start. Checking the mattresses when the beds are changed would of shown that the downstairs bed has a mattress with a big sag which was very uncomfortable. A previous response from the owner stated that all the condiments etc left by previous tenants had been removed but the cupboard was still full of left over dry goods. Also there is ample time to repair or replace the wobbly kitchen tap that only sprays water as the tap is broken. The shower control upstairs could also be replaced as that too is loose. We were aware of the Aga but didn't expect it to take over an hour to come to temperature both oven and hob. As the other review's have mentioned, the cleanliness in this cottage could be improved. There was plastic drink bottles and a copius amount of dust left under the beds. We were also told that there was no travel cot but found one in a cupboard. We also had an email confirming that the sofa bed would be made up for our arrival. It wasn't. I dont think we will return in a hurry

- Jayne, August 2021

I’m sorry to hear about the problems you had with the property. We have changed cleaners since you stay as we had a few problems with them, but we’re struggling to find a replacement company that had availability. So this issue should be sorted now. The electrician has been in to sort the light bulbs and all are now working. The kitchen tap was new in March but unfortunately now only sprays sometimes due to scaling up. We have had the plumber out twice and each time has fixed it but unfortunately it must have scaled up again. This is due to be replaced again in November when a program of winter work is booked in. All condiments have been removed from the property, unfortunately our previous cleaners let us down there. Having lived at the property for over 10 years with our family prior to holiday letting we know the Aga does take around 35 minutes to warm up the oven and the hobs about 5 minutes. We noticed they were very hot after your departure as you obviously forgot to turn them off. We are glad you found the travel cot and sorry about the sofa bed, this was down to the cleaners as they were informed. Now we have changed cleaners this should not be an issue moving forward. have scaled up again stopping s Property Owner
Linda July 2021

“It is with considerable disappointment that I write this review as previous five star bookings via Sykes have always been up to scratch and as described!”

Alas, this one was not! The house itself from the outside looks beautiful and is in a lovely area with a very nice nearby pub. However, the description on the Sykes website is not remotely like the house or its garden. The garden - website pictures show a well manicured lawn and trimmed plant life - in reality it is overgrown with many weeds and thorns - keep an eye on your little ones! There is also a hidden cesspit which our little ones found on day one - with rods exposed. Wasn't long before we got the 'wiff' of the contents. It was not adequately protected and children could have fallen through the wooden slats. We had to overturn one of the garden benches to cover it. Also had a visit from cesspit emptiers during the week (Owner did apologise for this). Outside garden furniture was very rusty and unwelcoming - wouldn't want to sit on them for long. Inside the house - oh my goodness where do I start? The Aga - we weren't bothered about waiting for it to warm up - well one of the ovens anyway - the bottom one never got to any reasonable temperature - useless and filthy! Along with some of the frying pans - disgusting! The kitchen tap - wobbly and rotting in its wooden work surface. Kitchen equipment - lordy, lordy - so much of it - cupboards were over full - less is more in these circumstances and everything was so dirty - had to wash it before using it. No suitable tumblers for children only lots of glasses which the younger children dropped - so dangerous! Tumble Dryer - yes it did explain in the welcome book how to work this faulty piece of equipment - definitely not a child lock though - just faulty! Cycle programme did not work either - took all evening to dry a few towels. Downstairs loo wobbled when you sat on it and not because any of us were overweight! Beds - awful - mattresses were awful - had to find some spare quilts to pad two of them out. Light fittings throughout the house were shoddy - in some cases broken and hanging off - and that's in addition to the drawers that had detachable handles - ones that just come off in your hands when you try to open the drawers - in other words broken! Hanging bathroom light that had been tied up so that any short person could not reach it - particularly a joke in the middle of the night when you are trying to find it to turn it on so you can see where the loo is. Shower water regulator was without the required attachment to turn it from hot to cold - didn't find this out until I had burnt myself trying to figure out how what was missing! And the heated water - three showers and a bit of washing up and the tank was empty - did not get any more hot water until much later in the afternoon. Good job we were out all day! We also noticed rat droppings around the edge of a loft hatch downstairs that had fallen onto the floor overnight. Toilets did not flush very well. The dishwasher worked well - very clean - just a shame you had to use a knife to prise it open to get the crockery in and out! The pictures on the website show a lovely house with considerable brightness inside - lovely bright rooms - this is not the case - the rooms are all dark and dismal. Must have used good quality lighting when photographs were taken. We did manage to get 'Netflix' to work on the TV! Kids were happy with that. What a dreadful shame - this property could have been beautiful but has been left to deteriorate and is not maintained as you would expect for a five star 'Sykes' rated property! You could see its potential and what could have been! I shall be very wary in future when judging a property by its photographs and minimal reviews

- Linda, July 2021
Gillian July 2021

“Lovely cottage and garden, great for families holidaying together.”

Only couple of negatives, small double bed in downstairs bedroom, 4foot bed really not comfortable for two adults which meant one of our family had to sleep on sofa bed in snug, not ideal. Broken door on tumble dryer which had to be wedged shut before it would work, just replace it!!

- Gillian, July 2021

Thanks for your comments, we would like to reassure all guests that the double bed is standard size. The tumble dryer does have a child proof safety lock and the operating instruction are in the manual at the property. Property Owner
Cherry June 2021

“Good with potential to be great but missing the little things that make a big difference.”

The property was a little rough around the edges for a 5 star rating on Sykes as we have stayed in more well kept property with less star. Location was good, very easy to get to Poole, Bournemouth and Weymouth etc. Great local pub with fab food within walking distance. You can tell there were thoughts put in when it was first refurbished but it does require some more maintenance and upkeep. For example: we understand it is difficult to keep the moisture away as it’s an old cottage but regular maintenance and silicone would have made a huge difference in the bathrooms, some of which smelled of damp, particularly the ground floor wet room, even with the window open. There was a patch job to the wall at the end of the stairs which could have been quickly and properly repaired in between stays etc. Hot tub was good but we were asked to test the water ph each day which we have never been asked to do before and there was a little sand in the bottom before we had our first use. Like the other reviews, we did not get a welcome pack, can’t imagine this is a COVID issue seeing as there were condiments which had been left by previous occupiers but no useful/essential ingredients. Some tea bags, sugar and a small bottle of milk (any type) would have made it a much more welcome first night. The Aga oven was good on paper but not practical for a holiday let in summer or for a self catered property let generally. Factor this into your cooking times if you are planning to make any meals. We were scratching our heads trying to find the TV the first night (it is hidden in the cupboard in living room). WiFi was fast with great coverage, especially useful given that there was no mobile signal but the password in the folder didn’t seem to match with the one on the router. Plenty of kitchenware but we feel less in more in this case as we found plenty of dirty cutlery/plates and non useable kitchenware, burned frying pans etc which could have been cleared out to make the useable stuff easy to find (lots of cafetieres but no coffee). Given COVID is still around, it didn’t give us much assurance that everything was as clean as it should be. As a side note, we did raise one of the kitchenware issue to the owners and we had a replacement on the same day but we would have preferred not to bother owners during our stay and vice versa. Plenty of white goods in the property but cleanliness remain a concern so we didn’t use these if we could help it during our stay. Dishwasher had pool of water at the bottom before we had our first use. Overall, a good little place for a family get together and it has the potential to be a great accommodation if owners want to give it a bit of tlc. We have flagged these with the owners, they have acknowledged these but said they weren’t aware of the cleanliness issue before. It seems like there are similar feedbacks left by others since we made our booking but we do hope they will improve for future customers. I can’t say we will be revisiting again.

- Cherry, June 2021

Thank you for your comments. The wet room was cleaned, mopped and aired prior to arrival, the character property dates back to the year 1600 and so due to its nature, may have more moisture in the air than a brand new property. The wall regrettably was damaged by a previous guest and had been repaired but due to limitations of changeover time, the repaint could not be done at the time but has been done since. Tester strips are provided for the hot tub, this is because depending on group size, the hot tub chemical balance may need adjusting at different periods and so we like guests to be able to reassure themselves during their stay that the hot tub is accurately balanced and they can top it up if required at a time of their choosing, when convenient. The hot tub does not have sand, it is actually chlorine in a granule form which stays granulated until the water temp reaches over 28 degrees. Welcome packs regrettably have been temporarily discontinued due to the current covid situation and any condiments have now also been removed from the property. The property is advertised as having an Aga and while we appreciate that cooking with an Aga can be longer than a conventional oven, it enhances the period feel of the property -we do make guests fully aware that it is an Aga so that guests can make an informed decision about whether to book the property as suitable for their requirements. The TV is located behind a pair of Oak doors in the recess of the Inglenook fire in a cupboard on the lounge. There is superfast broadband wifi signal at the property that can of course be used on mobile devices and tabletc etc for wifi calls, facebook video calls, whatsapp, wifi calls etc. Due to the thickness of the walls and also the rural location, we do acknowledge that when away from doors or window then the mobile signal can be intermittent depending on network provider, but the superfast wifi can be used to compensate for this, we also feel that occasionally to get the benefit of a peaceful idyllic surround, that low mobile signal is unfortunately regrettably necessary - however our super wifi more than compensates for that. We will ensure that the router itself and manual information match after the recent broadband upgrade. The frying pan was immediately replaced when I was made aware, I have discussed your feedback about the white goods with my contract cleaners to ensure that the Sykes covid cleaning guidelines are still being followed, this is being monitored moving forward and I have also asked them to let me know about items needing replacing as soon as possible and thanks very much for letting me know Due to covid, coffee regretfully cannot be provided however two cafetieres are at the property for any guests that bring or buy coffee during their stay. The dishwasher is put on a spin cycle pre arrival by the cleaner to ensure it is covid compliant before any guest arrival and it is likely why this happened. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the location and that it was easy to get to places I do provide my contact information pre arrival and am always only to happy to assist, and Sykes Cottages also have a dedicated phone line to assists guests in a property who do not necessarily wish to be disturbed by an owner. If I had known you had any concerns or queries I would have acted immediately to rectify them and I am sorry that you did not give me further opportunity to do so at the time. Property Owner
Paul June 2021

“As our party consisted of three adult couples our main criteria for booking this cottage was the 3 double, en-suite rooms as described on your website.”

The three bedrooms on the first floor were OK however the downstairs bedrooms was described as 1 x Ground-floor double, Ground floor family room with 1 x double, 1 x twin and shower room with shower, WC and hand basin. In reality the 'family' room did not have 1x double or 1x twin but a sofa bed (not made up) and another sofa (sofa bed?) with insufficient room to put either of these up. As a result of this one couple did not have an en-suite room as expected. Regarding the description for 'Fuel, power and starter pack inc. in rent', no starter pack was provided. Additionally the property was not as clean as we would have expected especially at this time of Covid-19 conditions. In particular a number of cooking pans and trays were found in the cupboards in a used but unwashed state. One thing to note regarding the hot tub, the steps for the hot tub are unstable and extremely slippery due to plastic, grip-less material. One of our party did actually fall when getting out. The outside space and the location was very nice and the local pub and butchery was great. We trust that your room description will be reviewed to avoid future disappointments and the owners advised of our comments.

- Paul, June 2021

A log starter pack should be provided for each guest booking, there is usually always a basket of logs next to the fireplace and I am sorry if on this occasion you could not locate them and I would have assisted if I had known. The cleaners have been spoken to regarding cooking pans/trays and moving forwards I will be receiving evidence that these have been scrupulously cleaned between guest visits. The steps have of course been checked straight away and the none slip grain was visible. Testing was done for climbing in and out of the hot tub and the steps still gripped well. The hot tub steps are purpose built none slip and specifically sold with the hot tub, with no prior issues - although I am sorry to hear of any distress and I am aware that Sykes have liaised with you regarding this. The property has only ever had two ensuite bathrooms but we appreciate that the line "1 x twin and shower room with shower, WC and hand basin" may have caused some confusion and we will make this clearer moving forward on the advert. Thank you for letting me know. Property Owner
Frederick May 2021

“Amazing place, lovely owner and beautiful area.”

- Frederick, May 2021

Thank you for your feedback, we’re glad you had a great stay Property Owner
Unis September 2020

“Lovely place.”

Excellent location.

- Unis, September 2020
Georgina August 2020

“The overall appearance of the cottage was good, nice secluded garden and lovely hot tub, the house is beautiful.”

There were adequate white goods for a comfortable stay and it was clean and has lots of bathrooms, lots of cutlery, plates, baking trays etc. A few basics for cooking in the cupboard which was good. Sam and Martin text me on the night before and were very approachable if you need anything. However the bad points :The AGA converted to electric was a real pain to use as the only form of cooking (Apart from microwave and bbq). The radio didn't work and there was poor tech facilities, if you are going and expecting to dance around the kitchen with your kids - take a bluetooth speaker, I wish we had. The TV is not a smart TV so no logging into Amazon Prime or Netflix, maybe we could have used a laptop and an hdmi cable if I knew I would have taken ours. No recycle bin available. Draw handles falling off drawers, broken windows etc. a little shabby for a five star. We did enjoy the hot tub and as the weather was so hot the week we went, we took a paddling pool for the kiddos and used the hose to fill-up. There were no kitchen scales and Sam and Martin were quick to supply some which was fab. The local area was very nice and can recommend the Indian restaurant turned takeaway in Blandford next to The Crown Hotel. Overall a good stay.

- Georgina, August 2020
Maria March 2020

“We’ve just had a fabulous weekend at Apple Tree Cottage .”

The house is very cosy and well presented. We made use of the log burner and all loved the hot tub . The Monkton Arms is also worth a visit for its amazing food . We look forward to visiting again in the future .

- Maria, March 2020
Sion February 2020

“The cottage was well kept, very spacious and easy to get around, this was especially important as we had a disabled guest in a wheelchair, this posed no problem and the downstairs toilet was accessible in the wheelchair.”

- Sion, February 2020
Daniel January 2020

“We booked Apple Tree cottage as a group of friends for a weekend escape and it was absolutely perfect.”

Very clean, comfy beds, a log burner ready to use with what turned out to be enough fuel for the whole wintery weekend. The owner is on hand to answer any queries. Hot tub was fab and there is a lovely pub within short walking distance. Definitely recommend.

- Daniel, January 2020
Sebastien December 2019

“Lovely cottage in a peaceful location.”

Owner was very helpful throughout our stay. Only a short walk to the local pub with a great children’s play garden.

- Sebastien, December 2019
Matt November 2019

“Location and picturesque cottages, which has all amenities required for a relaxing break”

- Matt, November 2019
Claire September 2019

“It was a beautiful cottage in a lovely English village.”

Everything was lovely but being such an old property there were many cobwebs and spiders. However it was very comfortable and the garden was superb with a lovely big hot tub. We really did have a fantastic weekend thank you.

- Claire, September 2019
Selma July 2019

“It was a beautiful house in the country side.”

The owners live close to the house and where very helpful. We loved staying there and would highly recommend this house.

- Selma, July 2019
Jessica June 2019

“Lovely house and lovely location, we had a fantastic weekend.”

Thank you!

- Jessica, June 2019
Claire May 2019

“Owners very helpful, flexible and responsive, great outdoor space”

- Claire, May 2019
Ellie May 2019

“This cottage was incredible and perfect for a weekend away with a large group.”

The photos on the website were incredibly accurate and the owner of the cottage was incredibly friendly and useful. Not too far away from the coast or other areas in Dorset (Poole, Swanage, Wareham) where there were activities during the day. The cooking facilities were excellent and easy to use. The hot tub was great, although would probably need to be cleaned more regularly if staying for a long period of time. I would definitely recommend this cottage and would stay again.

- Ellie, May 2019
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The property

Blandford Forum 5.1 miles.

A traditionally thatched cottage holding original charm and a combination of contemporary delights, Apple Tree Cottage makes an ideal base for a family gathering in this scenic spot of Dorset.

Surrounded by luscious countryside lands and the Cranbone Chase AONB, you are perfectly situated for a variety of outdoor adventures.

The kitchen area is sure to be the social hub of your holiday; a spacious room holding a variety of appliances for all your self-catering needs, here you can enjoy your meals together around the rustic wooden table taking centre stage in the room, or choose to unwind into the sofa with a glass of wine for some quality time with your partner as your dinner simmers on the AGA cooker.

Spend the remainder of your evening in the sitting room amongst the woodburning stove; boasting plush sofas and a homely ambiance, it makes a great area to catch up on your reading or flick on your favourite television programmes before retiring to one of the five bedrooms to count some sheep.

The bedrooms consist of a flexible arrangement to allow each member of the group to indulge in a bright and airy sleeping spot; home to a ground-floor double with en-suite shower room, a further ground-floor double, a family room made up of two interlinking rooms with a double and twin beds, a double with en-suite bathroom and a final double with en-suite shower room, each of these luxurious rooms boasts its own contemporary charm with a touch of tradition.

The dwelling also benefits from holding its own large lawned area, with a patio and a hot tub, there’s no better place to spend your evenings beneath the stars in the warmth of the soothing bubbles.

The immediate area of the property is remote and tranquil, ideal for those seeking a rural base in the stunning countryside of Dorset.

If you’re seeking a vibrant atmosphere, the nearby town of Blanford Forum hosts a wide selection of amenities; from historic landmarks and museums to a selection of leisure facilities and busting bars, this area holds something for every taste.

Explore the natural wonders of the Cranbrone Chase AONB, or venture out to the coast of Bournemouth for a day at the beach.

Whatever adventure you’re seeking, Apple Tree Cottage is the ideal base for your exploration of Dorset.

Summary

Four bedrooms: First-floor: 2 x Double bedrooms with en-suite, 1 x Double bedroom which is linked to a further Twin room
1 x Ground-floor double snug room/sofa bed
Downstairs wet room with shower, WC and hand basin plus a separate downstairs cloakroom with basin and WC
Kitchen/diner with Aga oven
Utility
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Oil central heating, underfloor heating, woodburning stove
AGA oven and hob, toaster, kettle, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer, TV, a selection of books and games and WiFi
Fuel, power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking for several cars
Enclosed lawned garden and patio area with hot tub and furniture
Sorry, no pets and no smoking
Shop 1.7 miles and pub 0.8 miles, local micro-brewery open Fridays 4pm-8pm
Note: There is a sofa bed in the snug, a further two guests can be accommodated for upon request

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £300.

About the location

BLANDFORD FORUM

Thornicombe 2.7 miles; Child Okeford 6.5 miles; Moors Valley Country Park & Forest 17.9 miles.

Blandford Forum is a market town in Dorset, England, situated by the River Stour. Notable for its Georgian architecture, most of the town was rebuilt in the 18th century after it was destroyed by a fire in 1731. King George II made a donation to rebuild the town centre with designs from local architects John and William Bastard. The Blandford Georgian Fayre is an annual event held in the first week of May and celebrates its Georgian heritage, with presentations, historical re-enactments and music and dancing. One of the town’s biggest events takes place on the late Bank Holiday weekend, the Great Dorset Steam Fair. A largely colourful festival with over 2,000 exhibits and an old time steam funfair. Offering a wide selection of independent store, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, cafés and a Georgian tearoom. So much to visit within this quaint town and makes for a wonderful tourist attraction, whatever the season.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute

Blandford Forum, Dorset (Ref. 1003180)

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Features

Reviews

“We had high expectations for our week away.”