Wayside Cottage

This was a perfect home from home!

We loved the cottage so much we only went out twice! We had a lovely chilled out week away from work and everyday life in a beautiful cottage with everything we needed to relax and enjoy!

Wayside Cottage had everything we needed for a short stay.

The cottage was very cosy and its not too far away from anywhere. Great stay.

A last minute booking for a break away.

What a lovely little cottage

When me and my partner arrived we did notice immediately that the carpets had not been hoovered.

Once we started to unload our bags we spotted food left over in the freezer (which is specifically asked to be removed by the previous occupants) and stagnant water in the sink which smelt. We then moved to the garden to inspect the hot tub to find that the hot tub was not on, nor did it have any chlorine in it which again left a tub full of sitting water that smelt. Once closing the lid for the hot tub I then discovered a dog poo next to a smashed mirror behind the hot tub. I immediately cleaned it up to stop our dog from sniffing around it. That’s not the end of it. We both then checked upstairs, we then found used bath towels on the floor next to the shower and the beds had not been changed from the previous occupants. It was obvious then that we needed to contact the owner to get it resolved but after 2 calls and voicemails from myself and my partner we then decided to call Sykes but as it’s automated we couldn’t get through to anyone. We then made the decision to leave the property and head back home, absolutely gutted that our bank holiday weekend had been ruined by incompetence and ignorance. I am not one for complaining about things but I have to say I’m disappointed and frankly disgusted with how this has been dealt with. I will be demanding a full refund.

For publishing: Beautiful cottage in a lovely location.

Hot tub was a nice touch for relaxing in the evening. Had all the equipment needed to cook but plenty of choice for takeaways to be delivered. Would stay again. Note: ceilings are low in places for anyone over 5”8”.

Wayside cottage is a gorgeous home from home.

Having stayed a week, with our cat, due to completing house sale, but new home not ready for a week, we were delighted to find Wayside Cottage. From opening the front door, your greeted with a great big warm cozy hug! So characterful, clean and comforting. Everything you need was there, even some cooking oil for fried breakfast! The lounge had a gorgeous wood burner, we didn't use though, but lots of wood had been left to use if we wanted to. The bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in. Fab big bath, in very pretty bathroom. Courtyard garden even had the hot tub, bubbling away inviting uou in. We loved our break in the Cottage, and thanks to to the owner for making our stay hassle free, highly recommended!!

Was very disappointed to find that despite calling Sykes before booking this property to check the reviews I had been reading, things had not improved a great deal.

On arrival we noted the upstairs area of the cottage had'bits'on the floors and the shower is really awful, mucky grout and mould on sealant. The washing machine didn't work. There was only one bath towel for each person and that was tired ,and a lack of instructions about rubbish collection, washing machine etc made things difficult. Tried calling owner on number provided but no response all week. It is a pretty cottage and could be a very nice rental as location good and walking directly from cottage is excellent and as mentioned by others, very friendly pub close by. Overall a disappointing stay.

Had a lovely holiday of a week, cute cottage, everything we needed and beatiful countryside at the doorstep.

Overall, Wayside Cottage is a lovely holiday home.

Thoughtfully decorated and homely. However, there is a lack of attention to detail that one needs to maintain this type of property. Main bedroom carpet is stained and this could have explained the stale smell. The courtyard could be lovely but looked sad and neglected. Hot tub not on so very cold, so didn't bother to use. TV aerial didn't work we only had the catchup apps, owner was informed and did try and fix but after a Saturday visit never saw or heard from him again for the remainder of the week. Very poor concern for guest comfort. The highlight was The Cock pub, several doors down. We were very warmly welcomed and had fish and chips on the Friday we arrived. Well worth a visit. All in all we enjoyed our stay but you need to fix the issues that are reported to you and take on board your guest's comments and try and rectify these issues for the enjoyment of your future guests.

Lovely little village location, very quiet.

However level of cleanliness was not good. One bed had not been changed (hairs, stains and even a plaster in the bed!) and we spent our first evening trying to get clean sheets. Fridge and freezer had crumbs in them, shower cubicle was stained. Beds were comfortable.

The property would really benefit from a deep clean and refresh.

The pots, pans etc were quite worn and dirty, microwave looked ancient and the oven did not work (despite having been mentioned by previous visitors). It almost felt as if you were staying in a property where the previous owner had only just departed and could possibly return at any moment - it did not give off a neutral holiday let sort of vibe which we look for. The step down into the kitchen is challenging but the step down into the bathroom whilst stooping to get through a low door is positively dangerous and should really be mentioned as it is not safe for elderly or infirm visitors. The rear yard with hot tub is absolutely claustrophobic and has not been brushed or cleaned for quite some time. The hot tub had quite a bit of sand/grit in the bottom and there was no evidence of water checks or use of purification products so we chose not to use it.

Beautiful cottage in ideal location.

However, the cleanliness was a real issue and we left after 1 night when had booked for 3. The courtyard was covered in leaves and dirt, some clearly old and been there for a while, this had not just dropped that day. It was literally piled up in the corners and walls. This meant the dogs were walking it into the house constantly and not an area our daughter could play in. The dirt and leaves were also all around and on the hot tub steps so impossible to get in without bringing it in with you. The sofa was covered in dog hair and the carpets had stains (which looked like dog urine). The ivy on the wall was so overgrown it was difficult to shut the side gate without pushing it away with your hands. Really disappointed. Have registered a complaint 3 days ago, but yet to hear back.

A lovely cottage in a friendly village.

The pub is great and the village is well placed for the A6.

Excellent holiday cottage.

So cosy and comfortable and we loved the local walks, the village pub and the hot tub ❤️

This is a charming comfortable cottage in a lovely village.

Lots of good walks, great countryside and places to see. The best thing is the welcoming village pub, chatty customers and the Friday fish and chips. Plus the prices are very low. We spent many evenings in the pub, enjoying the beer, watching the skittles and hearing the local gossip (and I loved the hot tub)!

This wonderful cottage gave us a very charming and comfortable base for our dog walks and exploration of the area.

The beds were really comfortable and the hot tub was divine. The village pub is one of the best we’ve ever been to; we were made very welcome, the locals are friendly and we had a great time with lots of laughter. Plus the drinks are incredible value. The only minor problem was the control nob on the oven doesn’t turn (the plastic nob turns but isn’t working perhaps the plastic thread has work as it moves but isn’t shifting the inner post). The shower doors are hard to move and one of the handles is not attached at one end. But overall, fantastic!

Lovely cottage lovely setting, tastefully decorated

Really nice cottage in a beautiful location.

We had a great weekend and would certainly stay again. The hot tub is a nice treat and there are loads of beautiful walks from the doorstep. Great cottage!

Lovely cottage,everything in there we could want, only issue hard to lock/unlock front door from outside , netflix was advertised but unfortunatly not available, location and village very good.

very good communications from sykes cottages, will defo use sykes cottages again.

Lovely cosy cottage with all necessary facilities.

Really nice village, great walks, very friendly local pub. Perfect for dogs. We would be very happy to return ... and the hot tub is a real bonus!

Lovely cosy cottage in a nice central area to discover the environs of Bedford.

Prior Park and the Great Ouse Park were really nice to walk around and the amazing Bletchley Park is not far away either. The two man hot tub was devine for morning and evening dips even when it was -4C outside and the open fire lovely to wtch in the evening. The Cock Pub, just a few steps away, was warm friendly and had great live music on Sunday afternoons, beer at £3.80 a pint (unheard of) and fish and chips for a tenner (can't get better than that). A really enjoyable break. Just watch your heads on the just under 6ft high door frames and remember to take a dressing gown for the hot tub. Everything provided for. Thanks David.

A lovely cottage.

Low doors so be careful if tall -- I was ok at 5ft 2 but only just. Kitchen well equipped. Bed comfy and bathroom large - shower and bath. Owner on hand if needed. We did have problems with door lock but owner called to resolve. Great base for travelling around the area

Welcoming and warm.

Friendly village and made welcome at the very local pub.

Lovely small cottage perfect for our anniversary get away.

Close enough to meet up with friends to other villages. Friendly neighbours and lovely dog walks

Lovely cottage David was very friendly and accommodating the only downside is because it's an older property it could really do with a deep clean

Lovely cottage.

Everything we needed was there. Nice walks close by.

We stayed from Monday to Friday in the cottage (May 2023) and had absolutely everything we needed to enjoy our visit.

The host was very friendly and helpful and gave lots of useful information on the local area. We loved the hot tub and exploring the Bunyan/Ouse valley way walks. Beautiful countryside and quaint villages with lots of lovely pubs. Amazing food at the Sun inn. We would definitely stay here again.

Fab little cottage.

Kitchen well stocked, living room cosy, mod cons available too and well thought out , having an Alexa was a nice added touch. Decor was lovely. Everything was so clean. Large bathroom with big shower and bath. Nice hot tub for two. The host was very friendly and answered any questions quickly. I’m fact everyone we met was friendly and it made our trip. I would highly recommend staying at the cottage. We had no idea about the area and what it had to offer and our host gave us some really good advice on what to do.

Cafetiere would be useful as coffee capsules not to our taste.

A beautiful cottage that worked well for me and my 2 med-large size dogs.

Very well maintained and very clean. So easy to get out for lovely walks directly from the property. The garden was really secure for the dogs which is always a concern when looking for somewhere to stay with dogs. Thank you :)

What a wonderful little cottage.

Absolutely perfect for a quiet weekend away. Couldve spent longer.

The cottage is well maintained, clean and has excellent facilities - well supplied with everything you could need.

At the rear, the yard is very secure for dogs, with a side gate directly on to a footpath. We enjoyed our stay, thank you.

Thank you so much for a wonderful stay!

The property is just beautiful and has absolutely everything we were looking for, to celebrate my husband's birthday. The village is just so pretty with some gorgeous walks right outside the door! The hot tub & wood burner were just what we needed after a good old stomp & stretch of the legs! We've been fortunate enough over the years to stay in some wonderful places, but sometimes beds can be very hit and miss, but not at Wayside cottage! I don't think either of us have slept so well and in the peace and it just made for a wonderful long weekend! We shall definitely be returning to this scrumptious property and beautiful little village. Thank you so much to our hosts who have thought of and included everything you would need for a relaxing break away to recharge from the every day busyness of life! The sad part other than leaving was only being able to give 5* when it's clearly worth so much more!

Wayside cottage was absolutely delightful.

5 star accommodation. Comfortable, cosy and quaint. Great dog walks just outside the back gate. Friendly locals and a great pub in Odell. Harrald country park was great for exercising the dogs with wonderful wildlife. I would recommend this cottage to anyone who has not visited Bedfordshire before. We used it as a base to catch up with friends and family. Thank you David for letting us share your cottage.

David was a great host- very accommodating and available if you need anything.

We loved the cottage and would recommend it for peace and relaxation. It was very well equipped.

What can I say!

The cottage is absolutely lovely with a home from home feel. David (the owner) was really welcoming, very helpful and provided us with some useful local information. We have never visited this area before and to be honest chose the Bedford area due to it being a bit closer to home for us. The thought of 'Bedford ' area didn't really instill us with confidence as a good area to stay but crikey were we wrong! There are some beautiful, quaint villages with thatched roofs and stonework houses in abundance with some fabulous scenic walks, minimum traffic and very friendly people. Pavenham is a lovely village. We had our dog with us and the cottage was ideal. Literally open the back gate (which leads onto the alleyway and farm land. It's like an extension of the garden. Via this route you can pick up the John Bunyan trail leading to 'West End' (village), Stevington, Carlton, Biddenden and so on. If you like your walking the location is ideal. You actually don't have to get in the car! Different walking routes from the doorstep! Oh, also some nice pubs to have refreshment stops! Harrold and Odell country park, Bromham Mill park are also worth a look (and also great if you have children). AnywayI have waffled on a bit but this is testament to the location being brilliant. We would definitely come again.

Booking was simple and straightforward.

Cottage was clean and beautifully cosy. Bed was a dream. The hot tub was clean and thoroughly enjoyed! Overall a lovely stay in a stunning sleepy little village with beautiful surroundings and friendly people! Thankyou David for a warm welcome with everything we needed for our relaxing stay.

Two words… Just.

Perfect. We couldn’t recommend it more, the cottage was beautiful in every way, & the host couldn’t be more helpful. The location is stunning & we will definitely be back. Sykes Cottages & the host’s communications were super helpful & informative. Thank you all!

What a beautiful cottage and the service provided by David was outstanding, nothing was too much trouble.

Stairgates lent to keep little one contained and allowed us to stay a little later on check out day due to waiting for house sale to complete. The whole place was fabulous and the hot tub was amazing! Highly recommend this cottage :)

10/10: - 1/ Property was chosen as it accepted our cat.

2/ Property is special. 3/ Well situated for larger towns and cities; so rating is validated as top-draw.

A lovely location and cottage.

David the host was an absolute star. People in village very friendly. Great dog walks and local pubs. We will be back in New Year as a good base to see our friends and family in the south.

Great little cottage, with wonderful touches, and high end finish and furnishings.

We took our 2 small dogs with us, and enjoyed local walks and nature trails. Wayside cottage was a great base, with a small 2 person hot tub to enjoy after long walks and days out.

A beautiful little cottage, well equipped with everything you need, we had a lovely break.

It’s a shame the pub just down the road doesn’t serve food anymore, but the walk along the river to the Red Lion at Stevington was great. Thank you for a lovely bank holiday weekend!

A very comfortable cottage in a quiet village.

Ideally met our needs to catch up with family in Bedford. Lots of lovely local walks.

Beautiful cottage in a lovely village, surrounded by gorgeous countryside.

The cottage had all that we needed and was very comfortable. We had excellent support from the owner who answered any queries promptly. We would happily return for another stay and would highly recommend to others.

Fab little cottage: quirky door frames, well provisioned kitchen, comfy beds, and comfortable living room which had a surprising amount of space even when the table was fully extended.

There were board games provided and the TV with Netflix was an absolute dream for a family of 3 adults to binge some TV during storms Eunice & Franklin. WiFi was excellent. Although located on the main village road, there was little traffic or traffic noise. Be aware though the main village has no street lights (torch provided by owner). Parking was never a problem even if not always directly outside cottage. Owner very responsive and helpful.

We spent 28 days at this property, it was a real pleasure.

The cottage is very well equipped and extremely cosy. David, who owns the property is very accommodating, nothing is too much trouble. Great walks are literally outside your door. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone that wants an idyllic break.

Lovely cottage.

Full of character. Although we stayed during a cold snap the cottage was warm and snug without having to light the wood burner. Very well equipped in the kitchen. Bed was large and very comfy. We had a very nice week and would love to come again.