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"This is our second visit, with our first at the end of the the first major lockdown."
I was disappointed this time as the swimming pool wasn’t available and we hadn’t be advised in advance.
I was also surprised that the welcome biscuits and milk were not sealed but placed on saucer/jug - I would have expected a packet/pint.
Overall our stay was very good, accommodation comfortable and we had everything we needed.
Very enjoyable.
Reviewed by SaraMay 2022
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"Would recommend the accommodation."
Clean, spacious and comfortable.
Lovely facility for young families.
Owner was helpful and prompt to respond to any issues.
Some recommendations to make it even better :
Freezer availability..even if only big enough for ice blocks
Improved lighting in bedroom to enable reading in bed.
Shower facility. It was difficult to wash hair in the bath.
Coasters/ mats.. we were worried we might ruin the wooden surfaces
However it was a really lovely holiday.
Reviewed by PamAug 2021
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"There are some lovely play areas for children of all ages, however holidaymakers are forbidden to use most of these until after 6pm on weekdays and on weekends only."
This is because a play scheme has access to these areas and the owners wanted some COVID bubble separation between the different groups. This is fair enough, but we had no warning of this before booking or arriving. The pictures on the website therefore were not a fair representation of the facilities that were generally available to us. We booked the private indoor swimming pool for an hour. It was warm and clean and a real treat. However, the price is now £10 per hour and not £5 as advertised on the Sykes website at time of writing. There is no freezer in the cottage. There is room for a small under counter freezer which would have been great for freezer blocks to keep our picnics cool and for ice creams for the kids. There is a shared freezer in the shared laundry room, but this is unplugged and unavailable due to COVID. Many holiday cottages will have a washing machine included. This cottage has a laundry room shared with other cottages. This is absolutely fine. However, we felt it was a bit cheeky to charge a pound for a wash. The cottage has two mezzanine bedrooms. One has a tiny window (smaller than A4), the other has no window. It got very hot and stuffy and I slept on the sofa downstairs for the whole week. The TV and sofa and dining and kitchen areas were all fine. However there is no facility to recycle anything on site or in the local village of Lechlade. We found this very disappointing. There is a small kitchen bin which filled quickly but no spare bin liners, so we had to buy our own. The bathroom has a bath with a shower hose but we were advised not to use it for showering because water splash will damage the floor. It is for hair washing only. It is a small walk from car park to the cottage, which was fine for our family, but it might effect other holidaymakers. There are some communal BBQs available which were appreciated. The owners were friendly and knowledgeable which was great. It was really lovely to meet all the animals in the farm (donkey, goats, sheep, pigs, cows and horses). We fell in love with the donkey.
Reviewed by RogerJul 2021
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"Had a lovely 5 nights at the smythy, girls loved the trampolines and animals we could go and see ."
Easy to get into lechlade, really enjoyed a break away .
Reviewed by SallyMay 2021
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"Lovely cottage in a great location, although not the easiest place to find in the dark."
Downstairs twin for my 2 boys was great and the two upstairs doubles were comfortable. All equipment you could need was available in the kitchen area, and washing machines and dryers available on site which you could pay for. Unfortunately the pool was out of action for the first part of the week, but was offered free for the rest. Loads of animals on site including donkeys, goats and ponies, which the boys loved stroking. There are trampolines dotted around and lots of play equipment for little ones. As the cottages are set in a farm there are loads of places to walk whether to stroke the animals or through woodland. Would have been great if I had taken the bikes too! We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely go back, to great accommodation in a beautiful part of the world.
Reviewed by GrantAug 2019
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"Fantastic peaceful place, lots to do with the children on site that u wouldn't normally be able to do at home without paying extra."
The smythy had everything we needed.
Owners were really helpful and friendly.
Would definitely reccomend this place for little get away.
Reviewed by AmandaJul 2019
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"We spent 3 nights here with friends (we were two families of 5, so 10 people total), while exploring the Cotswolds."
We each had a cottage (we were in the Smythy). The accommodation was super comfortable, enough room for us all, all amenities provided and a laundry room outside in the courtyard (1 pound for wash/dry), which was much needed after travelling around before getting to the Smythy! We had a fabulous time - great location in a cute little village. We would explore by day and make our dinners at night, eating out in the courtyard on the picnic tables provided. Really lovely!
Reviewed by AnnJun 2019
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"Great location, amazing experience."
We loved our stay in the Smythy.
Reviewed by LesleylpakkaJun 2019
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"We had a very relaxing and lovely holiday with a teenager and 1 pre-teen both of whom loved staying at the Smythy."
The quirky layout was an instant hit with both of them and having the attic "eyries" gave them the space they wanted but kept them in touch with the rest of the family. Having read previous feedback we had taken a couple of plug boards and these easily stretched into the upper rooms to allow tech dependants to maintain charge on appliances whilst staying connected and accessible to the rest of the family in the lower living space. We stayed during the May/June half term and whilst I had also brought fans we didn't need these as the upper areas where a pleasant temperature to sleep in. Additionally there is now access to a shared freezer in the laundry room which was really helpful. Our 15 year old felt that this is the best accommodation we have ever stayed in.
The setting was great and whilst I was a little concerned that my kids might find it a little childish the woodland area with it's zip line and boating lake where both suitable for their age range and instant hits.
The biggest selling point however was the swimming pool which they thoroughly enjoyed and was a great way to get them out of bed to start the day without any arguments!
The farm is a 15 min walk to the "centre" of Lechlade and the only disappointment of the holiday was the fact that none of the three village tea shops sold cream teas but there were great chocolate brownies, an Indian restaurant and local pubs to compensate along with England's oldest Christmas shop. Situated 30-40 mins from almost anywhere in the Cotswold this is a fabulous location from which to explore numerous Cotswold villages, Oxford, The Uffington Chalk Horse and many more sites.
Reviewed by AnnaMay 2019
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"Had a great time this weekend."
Cottage was well equipped and all facilities were great. We did use the pool and had a good walk around the farm. Excellent facilities for kids and big kids alike! It was ideally situated within walking of shops, pubs and boat hire. We had a fab weekend. Thank you for your hospitality. Ps I even enjoyed the easy check in system.
Reviewed by MarieApr 2019
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"We had a wonderful holiday at the Smythy."
It is perfectly positioned just outside Lechlade and our two year old birthday boy really enjoyed running around the fields and seeing all the animals. The cottage was ideal in most ways, given there was one downstairs bedroom that wasn’t accessed by precipitous stairs. Wouldn’t be suitable for some toddlers but worked well for us.
Reviewed by LornaOct 2018
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"Would have liked a shower over the bath with curtain."
Surroundings were delightful and grandchildren were able to roam on their own.
Feeding the animals was the highlight of the week for them.
Reviewed by SusanJun 2018
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"It was a lovely place in a good situation, easy access for town."
Owner very friendly and tea and biscuits on arrival, lovely touch.
Reviewed by SallyApr 2017
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"On arrival the owner was extremely friendly and even offered my Daughter and her newborn baby the cottage next to us at no extra charge so she didn't wake is all up!"
A particularly great place if you have small children as there is lots to do.
Reviewed by SarahSep 2016
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"Fantastic location on the farm ideal for children of all ages a safe environment on the farm for them to play and explore."
The farm is set in an excellent location in the heart of the Costwolds ideally placed to visit many pretty villages and places of interest.
Reviewed by RuthAug 2016