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The Old Byres

(Ref. 968441)

Washford near Watchet, Somerset Show on map

4.9

Sykes rating

  • 16 Guests

  • 8 Bedrooms

  • 7 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Hot tub
  • Swimming pool
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Sauna
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Games Room
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • all (38)
  • family (33)
  • house (33)
  • great (33)
  • hot (32)
  • perfect (30)

88 Customer Reviews

  • "We all had a great holiday in this amazing house."

    When we booked The Old Byres for our family holiday our expectations was high for us all be together and make life long memories the house has so much to offer in this high standard accommodation i would highly recommend and have no hesitation to book again. Only have one issue, as the weather was not perfect the pool for the children was not hot warm enough, having said that what brilliant holiday.

    Reviewed by John4.7Aug 2024

  • "A perfect house to celebrate my 70th birthday together with my family of all generations."

    The extensive entertainment facilities offered something for all to enjoy we didn’t really need to go out in the evening, everyone had fun in the house We would certainly consider returning

    Reviewed by Dominic5.0Aug 2024

  • "We all enjoyed the holiday in Old Byers, I have booked to take the family again next year."

    Obviously a big effort is used to make sure all the facilities at the property are in good condition.

    Reviewed by Jennifer5.0Aug 2024

  • "This property is perfect for family group holiday."

    Comfortable and plenty of room for everyone, especially when raining. Kitchen is the hub of the holiday. The chef is not cut off from rest of party.

    Reviewed by Angela5.0Jul 2024

  • "An excellent holiday cottage, great for our family holiday."

    Listing does not do The Old Byres justice! There was a lot more space both inside and out than we expected but the pool was smaller than it looks in the photos. Our 5 young children loved the enclosed garden with the Wendy house and we all enjoyed the large field at the back of the house. The house was very well equipped for 16 with plenty of space for everyone and their multiple activities. We would certainly recommend this holiday property but be aware it is not easy to walk from as it is on a busy main road with no pavement.

    Reviewed by Alison4.7Apr 2024

  • "Wonderful property."

    Spacious, extremely clean, and ideal for a large family of varying ages to enjoy. Plenty of toys and games for the youngsters including a charming playhouse in the garden. Pool table, hot tub, table tennis and swimming pool for all to enjoy. All contents and fittings of the barn of very high quality. Our family of 13 thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return again and stay a little longer.

    Reviewed by Catherine5.0Mar 2024

  • "The booking of Old Byres was for a special family celebration and the venue proved ideal; a friendly and helpful owner, great facilities and close to pleasant walks, a great pub and lovely beaches."

    Thank you.

    Reviewed by Brian5.0Mar 2024

  • "Fantastic house for a lot of guests plenty of room and equipment absolute god send having 2 dishwashers everyone had a fantastic time."

    Cooking Christmas dinner for 11 people was a breeze. Communication with the owner was excellent having had a Airbnb ourselves we new how much you have to do to get the good reviews everything was spick and span The 5 star review is well deserved . The only thing is the pub in walking distant is closed and the next closest was too dangerous to walk in the evening but plenty of us to drive and was a good pub Many Thanks for such an enjoyable stay

    So glad you had a great time! Thank you for sharing your experience. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sonia5.0Dec 2023

  • "A fabulous property,spacious,warm and perfectly equipped for a large party of people ie16."

    .Amenities,sauna,hot tub,pool table kept the family entertained despite the inclimate weather,the best property we have ever stayed in

    Thank you for your lovely comments! We strive to make every stay memorable and are so glad you had such a fantastic time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lynne5.0Oct 2023

  • "Our stay was great, but the house needs some TLC."

    Lots of light bulbs out, mattress seen better days, can opener not working, dining chairs had legs broken, and are actually dangerous, sofa had no support and the wifi is really terrible. Not all doors had keys that we could find. We were also shocked to find the building of at least 5 houses next door, that meant we had a week of builders on roofs looking into the garden and music and the beeping of machines going from 8am! We felt that this really should be disclosed before booking. We did have to ask someone to come out due to the hot tub smelling after the first day, and the next day it was dealt with. The swimming pool really does need a good clean at the bottom but no one does clean it unfortunately. We did ask for more bin bags but they never did get delivered. We saw that the house is up for sale and felt perhaps this was why lots of things weren’t up to a high standard. All this said we had a great time and had plenty of space, the rooms are all a great size. The use of the field next to the house was amazing for us to walk our dog.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I want to assure you that ongoing maintenance is always a top priority for us, regardless of whether or not the property is on the market. I am sorry to hear that your stay was impacted by uncontrollable factors such as bad weather. Our team is always available to assist with any needs you may have, including maintenance tasks like light bulb replacements and hot tub maintenance. While I understand that there were some issues that could have been improved, such as the need for new mattresses and a replacement sofa. We are actively working to address these issues and ensure that future guests have an even better experience. Our team is dedicated to providing a clean and safe environment for our guests, and we change the hot tub water weekly to keep it fresh. I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delayed recycling collection, and we have taken steps to prevent these issues from happening again. Once again, thank you for your feedback. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Clare3.1Sep 2023

  • "A wonderfully spacious house even for 15 adults, 3 toddlers/babies and 2 dogs."

    Plenty to do especially as the kind owner kept the pool open beyond its normal operating time. The kitchen/dining/snug room opening onto the table tennis/Wendy house/lawn area provided most of the social interaction time for our party and the huge field beyond the pool was perfect for exercising the dogs. I can't recommend the place enough.

    Reviewed by John5.0Sep 2023

  • "The service was great when the smoke alarm decided to play up."

    We loved the house. A couple of very small things Some of mattresses are beginning to feel a little lumpy. Couldn’t find a butter dish. Welcome pack was much appreciated particularly the milk in the fridge. Would happily return again.

    Reviewed by Barbara4.7Aug 2023

  • "We very much enjoyed our stay."

    The property was all we had hoped for and the location is excellent with the heritage railway just a short walk away and Tropiquaria just a short drive away, to mention just two attractions. I have given 'facilities and maintenance' a notch lower than the other ratings because the recycling bins were mostly full when we arrived so within a day or so they were full...but I accept this is beyond the direct control of the Old Byres team. They were always on hand via WhatsApp and communication was good. Overall and excellent holiday!

    Reviewed by Jim4.7Aug 2023

  • "This was our second visit to the old Byres and like our first stay the holiday was superb."

    The house is extremely well laid out for a large family gathering and has so many things to do and such useable space, the pool was a lovely temperature which with the lack of sunshine was much appreciated The adjacent field was great with the dogs and the children, all in all an exceptional house, we had a wonderful time.

    Reviewed by Michelle5.0Jul 2023

  • "The perfect house for family holidays."

    Plenty of things to do. Not all on top of each other.

    Reviewed by Angela5.0Jul 2023

  • "Everything was excellent and great fun opening the drawers and cupboards to find things especially in the kitchen."

    There was considerable traffic noise and as the weather was rather hot , we had to have the windows open. However this was mentioned in the description info. The pool was very popular with our family, but I would have liked a grab rail as I am unable to manage steps safely. Unfortunately the builders next door did cause some noise but not enough to spoil our perfect week.

    Reviewed by Joan5.0Jun 2023

  • "We had a fantastic week here beginning of June, can not fault the property at ..."

    We had a fantastic week here beginning of June, can not fault the property at all everything you wanted was there for you

    Thank you so much for your feedback, we are so glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to see you back soon! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Caroline5.0Jun 2023

  • "We had a great family weekend at The Old Byres celebrating a 30th birthday."

    We were so lucky with the weather and made good use of the pool and hot tub. We didnt get to use the sauna as we were all too warm! The size of the property was perfect for us with 10 adults and 6 children and 2 dogs. It's extremely spacious and having access to the field at the back of the property was great for us to exercise the dogs and have a game of rounders. The toddlers loved the Wendy house in the garden and the little wooden dolls house and puzzles in the snug area. We also enjoyed a few games of table tennis too. This property has something for everyone and we would definitely go back again.

    This is so lovely to hear that the birthday celebrations with us were such a success! We are glad to hear that the little ones enjoyed the garden space, and everyone was happy with the facilities on offer. We would love to see you back with us again here at The Old Byres. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sam5.0Jun 2023

  • "It is a fabulous property and was perfect for our group."

    The garden was really well designed.

    We are very appreciative of your feedback and happy that you thought so highly of the property. Thank you for leaving us your review, they are all important to us. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Nicola5.0Apr 2023

  • "This is a great house for large parties we had a lovely time visiting"

    Thank you for leaving your review of the property, it would be lovely to have you return to us in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rebecca5.0Mar 2023

  • "Due to a missed family Christmas we decided to try & all get together in one big property for a long weekend in February."

    Old Byers was recommended by one family member who had stayed before so that took away the worry of it not living up to the website impression. Sixteen of us stayed, very comfortably. Every room was clean, bright & comfortable. All white bed linen & towels & neutral decor make it aesthetically pleasing. There isn’t any clutter but it still feels homely. There are plenty of areas to relax & so no one felt on top of each other. The hot tub was a massive bonus (I imagine the pool must be fabulous in the summer) and little extras like two separate garden areas were great as we took 3 dogs with us. The teenage girls discovered a games console and played a favourite dancing game for hours Whilst the boys loved the pool table. The kitchen is massive which means lots of people could help with meal prep & it wasn’t all just left to muggins. Two ovens & two dishwashers made life so much easier. The property is on a main road but once inside you’d never know. Our bedroom was upstairs & we heard no traffic noise. The location is perfect. <15 minutes away from the South Coast Path at Minehead, fabulous walks in Exmoor, beautiful Dunster castle & wonderful villages pubs like the Royal Oak at Luxborough. I would definitely like to return to Old Byers our stay was straightforward, hassle free & exceeded our expectations.

    What a lovely review for us to read, thank you so much for leaving us this feedback. The property and upkeep of it is something we are very proud of here at The Old Byres, so to have that recognised by our lovely guests really means the world to us. We’re glad we could be a place for you to come and have your delayed Christmas as a family together. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alexia4.7Feb 2023

  • "Amazing cottage great location"

    Reviewed by Joanne5.0Jan 2023

  • "The property is fabulous."

    The accommodation lends itself really well to a large group but allows separation for a bit of down time to. The kitchen is really well appointed and there is plenty of equipment . There are lots of things available in the property from the lovely large lounge with a great film watching tv, games room, hot tub and the outside space was excellent for the dogs , we didn’t go in the pool too chilly in December! It took about fifteen minutes to get to the beach for walking the dogs who loved every minute. We used two of the restaurants mentioned in The Old Byres details both of which were excellent. We visited the White Horse pub which is within walking distance which was excellent and also enjoyed an Indian from the Spice Merchant which the restaurant was happy to deliver. We loved every minute of our stay and are definitely going back.

    Reviewed by Michelle5.0Dec 2022

  • "We stayed here over Christmas with our large family ranging in ages from 3yrs to 86, plus dogs."

    We had a fabulous time. The house was decorated with lovely trees and decorations which was very unexpected and so appreciated. We made full use of the hot tub and pool table. The house surpassed our expectations. It was well equipped and super clean. We visited several local pubs for meals. Great fish and chips 2 mins away. Great Indian takeaway delivery. All mentioned in the welcome book at the house. Definitely recommend a stay here! I imagine the pool in Summer would be perfect….

    Reviewed by Jeremy5.0Dec 2022

  • "A beautiful cottage."

    The owner was very helpful and was contactable if we needed anything .The cottage had everything you needed very clean and comfortable, highly recommended, and will definitely be rebooking for our next family get-together

    Reviewed by Chantelle5.0Dec 2022

  • "A couple of minor points were raised with the owners and were dealt with expeditiously."

    Generally we had a very good and comfortable time there.

    Reviewed by David4.4Nov 2022

  • "The house is stunning!"

    Even with 15 of us we had a ton of space. Every amenity you could think of but yet so full of characture. Beautiful part of the world as well with lots to do.

    Reviewed by Claire5.0Oct 2022

  • "The Old Byres is a fantastic place for a complete relaxing holiday."

    It is full of things to do there was 12 of us and a dog. It was a family get together my daughter and son and there family. There was so.much to do and not once was there anygthing we needed. Sarah the owner was so welcoming and so was all the modern facilities.

    Reviewed by Susan5.0Oct 2022

  • "Perfect in every way."

    Only one small negative for us is the lack of a pavement from the property on a very busy road. Makes walking with children and dogs difficult.

    Reviewed by Caron5.0Sep 2022

  • "The Old Byres is an utterly superb property!"

    It is thoroughly well appointed, has several facilities that enhance a holiday even if the weather is not favourable. We made good use of the pool and ping pong tables. We loved the rustic feel to the ambience and the many appliances to make catering and cleaning dishes very easy. The pool was rather smaller than the photos implied but the hot tub was a wonderful extra. The ONLY downside is the proximity to a very busy, noisy main road.

    Reviewed by Antonya4.7Jul 2022

  • "The house is perfect for big family holidays."

    The kitchen has plenty of crockery, glasses, with 2 dishwashers and big fridge and freezer to make it easy. Washing machine good if you have young children. Swimming pool is brilliant for whole family, plus table tennis and Poole table. What else could you want.

    Reviewed by Angela5.0Jul 2022

  • "On arrival to the Old Byres we found the property ready for a fantastic holiday."

    The property was was everything we expected and more and really made our family holiday. Our family ranged from 8 months to 70 +, the kitchen dining area especially was so family orientated, we spent a lot of our time in there (we'll when not in the lovely heated pool). We found the extra small kitchen very beneficial when cooking for our large family. Overall the property, its surrounding and the very friendly owner: couldn't be more welcoming when we met her as she was checking the hot tub and pool, and we would certainly recommend to any families thinking of holidaying here to go for it. We're so glad we did!!!

    Reviewed by Stuart5.0Jul 2022

  • "Absolutely top marks."

    The very best 'cottage' I have rented. It is without doubt the most comfortable, relaxing, clean, accommodating and jam-packed with all mod-cons property that I have had the privilege to stay. A weeks' stay was not long enough and my party (there was 14 of us) could not have enjoyed the week any more - we were spoilt. I cannot think of any one aspect of the accommodation that I would of changed. I will be returning. Thank you.

    Reviewed by Mark5.0Jun 2022

  • "The cottage was excellent and ideal for a large family/friends get together."

    The weather was very good and meant the pool area was well used and enjoyed. The standard of accommodation was as advertised and everyone enjoyed the luxury. It’s a tough journey on a Friday from several parts of the country but worth suffering the M25, M4 and M5 for. Stuart

    Reviewed by Stuart4.7Jun 2022

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay."

    It had everything you could have wanted and more. Everyone enjoyed their stay. The hi-lights were the swimming pool and jacuzzi. You thought of everything from pool room to unity room, and en suite. A perfect location and enough parking .

    Reviewed by Simon5.0Jun 2022

  • "Perfect holiday!"

    We love “Old Byres”. My fiancé proposed to me on our stay. A very memorable week.

    Reviewed by Geraldine5.0May 2022

  • "The house was amazing, and was absolutely perfect for my belated ‘Hen do’."

    The kitchen was very well equipped, and there were plenty of areas inside and out to sit and chill. It was so sunny on the Saturday that we felt like we were abroad sat by the pool. 14 ladies had a brilliant time! Would definitely go back to the house again in the future.

    Reviewed by Caroline5.0May 2022

  • "The Old Byres was a wonderful place for a three generations family get together plus three dogs."

    Sarah has thought of everything to keep everyone happy. We had waited a long time for this holiday to come to fruition, booked pre COVID, but it was well worth the wait. The cleanliness was excellent and the kitchen was very well equipped for even a foodie family. Thank you Sarah for going above and beyond. We hope to be back.

    Reviewed by Sue5.0Apr 2022

  • "This property is amazing and perfect for a large family gathering."

    Although the pictures make it look good, the reality is even better. Everything is spotless and the property is extremely well equipped. The facilities are fantastic for a family of all ages so that you can happily spend all day at the property if the weather is not so good, and its so spacious that everyone can spread out.This is without doubt the best property we have ever booked.

    Reviewed by Anthony5.0Apr 2022

  • "Lovely place to stay."

    Everything you could wish for. Highly recommend it

    Reviewed by Tracey5.0Mar 2022

  • "What an absolutely brilliant cottage for a family get together."

    Everything has been thought of, like 2 toasters and kettles for those large rounds of toast and coffee in the morning. There is enough space inside and outside for the whole family to relax and not be on top of each other. The hot tub is amazing and well worth using. The views from the garden are amazing and somewhere to let the dogs off their leads and run around. Would recommend.

    Reviewed by Nick5.0Feb 2022

  • "Wonderful stay, perfect size for 3 families with activities and space to keep everyone happy."

    Great facilities especially the kitchen making it easy to cater for a large group. Great location.

    Reviewed by Phillippa5.0Feb 2022

  • "The Old Byres is a very spacious, beautifully ornate and cosy cottage."

    The pictures don't really do it justice. The hot tub was maintained daily, the pool, table tennis, pool table and sauna were amazing additions too! They put up the Christmas decorations prior to our stay too which was a lovely touch. The instructions and information sent was very clear and helpful and Sarah was on hand if we had any questions. The house is perfectly equipped, hairdryers and tvs in all rooms and the kitchen had everything we needed as well as two dishwashers. Fire places and kindling, a bbq, a tumble dryer and washing machine. This house really did have everything, as well as beautiful surroundings. We will 100% be coming back.

    Reviewed by Chelsea5.0Nov 2021

  • "The place was perfect."

    It was spacious but still cosy. It had everyone you could need and more. It was immaculately cleaned. Really lovely local pubs just a short walk away. Would definitely book again in the future

    Reviewed by Maria5.0Nov 2021

  • "The house was absolutely stunning, the pictures do not do it justice."

    Would definitely go back there again.

    Reviewed by Jackie5.0Oct 2021

  • "A wonderful place to stay!"

    We all met up for a family gathering and it was the perfect accommodation and the owner couldn’t have been more helpful. Hot sunshine in October completed a great holiday. I would thoroughly recommend The Old Byres.

    Reviewed by Nick5.0Oct 2021

  • "The photos were great but in reality it’s even better!"

    Absolutely fab family weekend. Plenty of space to do your own thing but plenty of space to all be together too. Loads of outdoor areas - children and dogs all safely enclosed. Even in October, we were in the pool and warmed up afterwards in the hot tub. Thank you Old Byres for providing every home comfort and a wonderful family weekend location.

    Reviewed by Vanessa5.0Oct 2021

  • "Two parts for my feedback 1."

    We booked a cottage originally for April 2020 which was obviously cancelled due to COVID, unfortunately Sykes we’re a nightmare to deal with at the time and several months later when I finally got to speak to them we book an alternative cottage. 2. The Old Byres Fantastic cottage, the owner Sarah was lovely and so helpful, the cottage has everything you need for a perfect holiday. So much space, the hot tub, pool and games room keeps everyone entertained. I cannot recommend The Old Byres enough, I’d love to go back one day.

    Reviewed by Jacqueline5.0Sep 2021

  • "Family stay for a long weekend celebrating 40th and 10th Birthdays."

    The cottage was perfect for all ages . It exceeded our expectations and we will definitely return.

    Reviewed by Gail5.0Sep 2021

  • "Lovely cottage with lots of things to do without leaving it."

    The children loved the pool and hot tub. The grown ups, the pool table and table tennis. Fairly central to towns and villages. Very relaxing venue.

    Reviewed by Christina4.7Aug 2021

  • "Fantastic place for even a small group as we had loads of extra space."

    The pool was lovely and warm and great to sit in as a group as it had a ledge inside all the way round. A great place for entertainment as you had everything there you needed so didn’t really need to go out! We did go for a wonderful meal at an expensive restaurant called reeves but the cost was worth it! Would really recommend this place to anyone. Thank you to Sarah too as she was always on hand to answer any questions

    Reviewed by Louise5.0Jun 2021

  • "We had some minor niggles with electronics not working, however once we brought this to the owners attention they were immediately dealt with - definitely a sign of a good and well managed property."

    Partly due to Covis we were only a party of 5 but it was wonderful to have all that space and privacy but the property still felt intimate and comfortable. Plenty of room for mixed interests to do their own thing and come together for meals and group fun.

    Reviewed by Gary5.0Sep 2020

  • "It was amazing and the owners looked after our needs so well!"

    The pictures really don’t do this house any favours it was so much more and better! It was just perfect!! We hired it for my partners 40th for his close friends and we had the best time and so did the kids!! The lounge was massive so I set up teepee tents for them to enjoy, I had ordered in caterers which all found the kitchen to be amazing and well equipped!! Even had a butler to help us to enjoy are stay even more!! This house was amazing and want to hire it again for the family as we loved it so much!!!

    Reviewed by Sara-jane5.0Aug 2020

  • "An exceptional holiday experience."

    Highly recommended.

    Reviewed by David5.0Aug 2020

  • "The house is very large and beautiful."

    13 in our party ranging from 1 to 73 and we all had a ball. The pool and hot tub were great and we used the pool table and ping pong table too. There were many enthusiastic cooks in our party and the kitchen was extremely well equipped. There were a few little problems which were dealt with immediately by Sarah. A lovely welcome pack on arrival and a super bunch of local flowers delivered. I would thoroughly recommend this holiday let, we loved it! X

    Reviewed by Marie5.0Aug 2020

  • "The Old Byres is such a perfect place for a mixed family group holiday, very luxurious in many ways ,ie hot tub ,pool, snooker table and sauna, but spacious and comfortable for everyone to relax in."

    We all really enjoyed the welcome goodies too! Well done Sarah for coping with the Covid restrictions so well, the introductory video and hygiene precautions were excellent,we’ll definitely be back! This area of Somerset is delightful, a lovely coast great walking in the Quantocks, the charming mediaeval village of Dunster all very close by. A lovely push chair friendly walk from the Old Byres to Watchet was very enjoyable A real gem of a place to stay

    Reviewed by Doug5.0Jul 2020

  • "Really is a great property, has absolutely everything you could need."

    The configuration of the Indoor and outdoor spaces enable you to still enjoy family time, even during the social changes in place at the moment. Thanks for everything.

    Reviewed by Jason5.0Jul 2020

  • "The comprehensive set of photos on the website meant that we had a very good idea of what to expect."

    However, you only realise the true size of the place when you are there. The outdoor space also exceeded expectations with an extensive area to throw a ball for the dog. The games room with the pool table and adjacent hot tub area were very popular.

    Reviewed by Nicholas5.0Feb 2020

  • "It was just a fantastic space for a large group of people and you could see that it would really work well if there were children in the party."

    Reviewed by Trevor5.0Dec 2019

  • "The Old Byres in Washford, Somerset is a splendid house."

    14 of us all agreed that it was the best house we had ever stayed in. The huge dining kitchen was just perfect.

    Reviewed by Sherry5.0Nov 2019

  • "Fantastic house."

    kept to high standard.

    Reviewed by Richard5.0Oct 2019

  • "We chose the house based on facilities and lovely photos."

    We were 11 adults and four children under 4. The reality far exceeded our expectations. The house is enormous - the kitchen/dining space perfect for us all to gather in with a dedicated snug area for children's toys (adjacent so you could watch the children whilst cooking). Off the kitchen was a secure garden with wendy house, table tennis and dining table for about 18 people! Again this was great to know the children were safe outside. The lounge could seat at least 20 people. The outdoor pool and hot tub were a great bonus. All the bedrooms were a good size and even had hair dryers. Sarah and Hannah could not have been more helpful and responded immeadiately to any queries. There is so much to do in the area - beach- steam train - Dunster Castle all within a few miles. We have been holidaying together for 20 years and all agreed this was one of the best houses we have ever rented. Thank you Sarah.

    Reviewed by Claire5.0Sep 2019

  • "Everything was perfect - nothing whatsoever that I would change, hope to return."

    Reviewed by Kate5.0Sep 2019

  • "We arrived after a long journey to a delicious welcome hamper left by the owner."

    The house was ideally suited to our large family (age 2 to 68), with plenty of toys indoor and outdoors for the little ones to amuse themselves while we prepared our food. Everyone enjoyed the pool, hot tub and pool table. Thanks to Hannah and the team for making the house very clean and comfortable and for sorting out the little problem with the pool. We all said we would love to come back in the future

    Reviewed by Jacqueline5.0Aug 2019

  • "The house was the most well equipped holiday house I have ever stayed in, the owner had thought of everything."

    The layout was perfect for a large party and high quality finishes. The staff looking after garden and hot tub were extremely efficient and when we had a small problem it was addressed immediately. Lovely outdoor furniture and plenty of it. Only one thing would improve facilities and that is Sky TV , men were missing their sport .

    Reviewed by Deborah5.0Aug 2019

  • "The house and each room had plenty of space."

    The facilities and equipment were plentiful and excellent. No problem entertaining 6 grandchildren on a rainy day.

    Reviewed by Terry5.0Aug 2019

  • "The house perfect for large groups."

    Plenty to do and places to sit in peace if you wish to have a rest.

    Reviewed by Angela5.0Jul 2019

  • "Accommodation was really good, great facilities, contact with owner was easy and swift, and to top it off we had great weather."

    Reviewed by Carrie5.0Jun 2019

  • "A lovely place to stay we had a group of 15 people aged 22 - 78 and there was plenty to do for everyone including a game of rounders in the field !"

    ! Lovely setting with lovely local pub The White Horse and a wonderful butchers in nearby Watchet where we got great food for the barbecues we had in the evenings Plenty of local places to visit and would definitely recommend as we all thoroughly enjoyed our seven night stay

    Reviewed by Trevor5.0Jun 2019

  • "We all had a great time, facilities excellent for all age groups."

    Staff amazingly helpful. Will certainly use Sykes Cottages again.

    Reviewed by Philip5.0May 2019

  • "Absolutely beautiful house, plenty of room, lots to do."

    Owners only a text away or nip round to sort hot tub , if you need to no anything. Lovely welcome pack. Two good sized enclosed gardens for dogs. 2 1/2 mile country path to watcher harbour where there is a few pubs with live band small market of a weekend.

    Reviewed by Janet5.0May 2019

  • "Simply wonderful!"

    The house was perfect for a family get-together with facilities to suit us all. The hot tub and sauna were a huge hit and the children loved the plentiful toys and Wendy house. Friends dropped in during the week and together we enjoyed the bbq, sociable kitchen and the relaxing chill out areas. The bedrooms were all good size and nicely appointed. We could not have wished for anything better in such a beautiful area.

    Reviewed by Susan5.0Apr 2019

  • "The property was extremely well equipped, spacious, comfortable and clean."

    Reviewed by Helen5.0Apr 2019

  • "Fantastic and very thoughtfully designed."

    Very spacious and cozy. The hot tub was very good. Pool table was a hit with my friends. Nice welcome basket with goodies. Owner was very helpful. Had a great time.

    Reviewed by Neeraj5.0Mar 2019

  • "The house was stunning and far exceeded expectations."

    We had the most wonderful time and would love to go back again. Sarah was so friendly and helpful. It was all just perfect!

    Reviewed by Kirstie5.0Mar 2019

  • "Everyone thought the house was fantastic."

    Brilliant facilities. Pool room was great. Owners were really helpful and so was Hannah. Great amount of crockery, glasses, etc. Plenty of room for everyone. Photos don’t do it justice!

    Reviewed by Hannah5.0Jan 2019

  • "The house is amazing and Hannah that looked after us was fabulous and extremely responsive."

    The local area also has loads to do for the children so it’s a great location.

    Reviewed by Clare5.0Dec 2018

  • "The Old Byres is a beautiful property set in the gorgeous town of Washford."

    It sleeps 16 adults comfortably; there were 14 of us staying for 4 nights over Christmas 2018. It’s spacious and very well maintained; it has everything you could need. We all had an amazing time and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it and Sykes.

    Reviewed by Lisa5.0Dec 2018

  • "Lovely cottage with a warm spirit."

    A great place for a family gathering. Very spacious, kitchen well equipped. There was 16 of us and you could still get your own space if you wished. Plenty of sitting down area with fireplaces.I would highly recommend for any occasion. Hot tub and sauna is a great add up to the property.Music stereo system is fantastic. Great location, shops near by. Good communication with Sarah and Hannah. We would definitely be back in summer time, so we can use the outdoor area a bit more too. Thank you Sarah and Hannah.My husband had a lovely 40th birthday. Thank you for a welcoming pack and a Christmas tree. Looks great on our family photos.

    Reviewed by Anna5.0Dec 2018

  • "Great accommodation for the whole family x"

    Reviewed by Lyn5.0Oct 2018

  • "Great place for a grop gathering."

    Fourteen of us have just been there for a week for a university reunion. Both indoor and outdoor places were great. Was also in a good location for nearby tourist attractions. Weather was so good for October that we were able to sit outdoors in the private secluded gardens. Hot tub was also used. The only grumble we had was that the single bedroom was very small for an adult. Otherwise it was brilliant. Definitely rececommended!

    Reviewed by Elizabeth3.8Oct 2018

  • "The Old Byres is a great place with lots to do for all ages; the welcome pack of goodies was a lovely surprise."

    There was loads of space and 15 of us, three generations, were happily accommodated and occupied over a Golden Wedding weekend. Highly recommended!

    Reviewed by Robert5.0Sep 2018

  • "Fantastic holiday cottage with excellent facilities which exceeded all our expectations."

    A good time was had by all!

    Reviewed by Sion5.0Sep 2018

  • "Very well equipped house with fantastic space and facilities for our party of 13 plus an infant."

    We particularly enjoyed using the large kitchen and being able to seat everyone around the long table.

    Reviewed by Joanna4.7Apr 2018

  • "What a great find!"

    We were a family party of 15 towards the end of March 2018 and what we most enjoyed was the big open space in the kitchen / dining area where there was room for us all to cook and socialise together. We appreciated being met and shown around by Sarah on arrival and the very generous welcome hamper. The kitchen is very well equipped with everything you may need for self catering. The additional little kitchen near the games room was particularly handy for storing drinks and desserts. The bedrooms were all very comfortable with crisp white linen and good quality fluffy towels. The second upstairs bedroom is a twin (shown as a double in the picture) and is spacious and very comfortable for two females but the bathroom was not suitable for men due to the sloping ceiling over the loo! (This was not a problem in the master suite). What was great about the house was that all guests had their own bathroom (counting the shower in the sauna, which was used as the bathroom for the couple in the small double room). The younger ones in our party loved the hot tub and games room. Due to the time of year and weather we didn't use the garden much, but it is also well equipped with a BBQ, plenty of seating and a large table. It is private and not overlooked and there are beautiful views of the rolling countryside. The house is very well run and maintained and I cannot recommend it highly enough. One small tip - take a hair dryer!

    Reviewed by Nicola4.7Mar 2018

  • "The property is AMAZING!"

    Wonderfully set out and beautiful. Fully equipped (esp the kitchen as I managed to do baking and full extravagant dinners from scratch). The hot tub is terrific and it is the kind of place you could just stay there and not even venture out. I really can't fault anything about it. Yes it's close to the A39 but this makes no difference at all (apart from possibly having to wait to pull out). We went as a group of 12 and had a truly memorable time. I'd DEFINITELY go back again and again.

    Reviewed by Simon5.0Feb 2018

  • "Very well furnished and everything available in relation to kitchen equipment."

    Hot tub and sauna a nice feature. The owner was readily available to sort out any problems. Would recommend for families and large groups and would not hesitate to book again.

    Reviewed by Peter4.8Jan 2018

  • "The Cottage is absolutely stunning ."

    Inside it is clean and has terrific amenities such as hot tub, sauna and games room that kept every member of the group occupied. The bedrooms are spacious and very clean and tidy with the beds very comfortable as well. The dining area and lounge are a great size that gives you lots of room to cook as well as chat. There are numerous televisions around as well for everyone to watch as it caters for all ages and groups. I would definitely recommend this cottage for sure.

    Reviewed by Ian5.0Dec 2017

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Summary

  • Eight bedrooms: 1 x super-king-size double with en-suite bath, shower, double basin and WC, 1 x super-king-size double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor super-king-size double with TV and en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor super-king-size double with TV and en-suite bath, shower over, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor twin with TV and en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor family room with 1 super-king-size double and 1 single, 1 x ground floor double, 1 x single
  • Ground-floor sauna with shower, basin and WC
  • Ground-floor bathroom with shower, basin and WC
  • Kitchen with dining area, sofa area and woodburner
  • Utility
  • Sitting room with woodburner
  • Snug with traditional board games
  • Games room with pool table and electric woodburner
  • Oil central heating with 2 x woodburning stoves and underfloor heating
  • Electric range oven and hob, double oven, ceramic hob, 2 x microwaves, large fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, 4 x TVs with Freeview, 2 x DVDs, Xbox, CD/radio, stereo music system, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs
  • Fuel, power and starter pack for stoves inc. in rent, sauna charged via coin meter
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Cot, highchair and stairgate
  • Off road parking for 5 cars
  • Private patio and lawned garden with furniture and BBQ leading to shared lawned garden opening on to accessible field
  • Sole use of hot tub and outdoor swimming pool
  • Three well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop and pub 5 mins walk
  • Note: There are outdoor steps and a stream in the grounds and care should be taken
  • Note: The drive at the property is only large enough to accommodate family-sized cars, up to people carriers
  • Note: There may be some road noise
  • The swimming pool will be heated only from June to August
  • Note: The first floor bedrooms have some limited headroom, care to be taken
  • Note: If the booking is a hen/stag party or similar please make the owner aware prior to arrival.

The property

Watchet 2.5 miles.

Situated in the charming village of Washford in West Somerset is this lovely cottage, boasting a spacious interior and offering fabulous accommodation for a southern getaway.

The Old Byres provides the perfect spot to host a family celebration or special occasion with all the family surrounded by style and luxury.

Combining character features with modern décor, as well as underfloor heating and two woodburning stoves, this wonderful cottage feels welcoming and special.

The hub of the home is no doubt the large kitchen/diner with a handmade refectory table positioned close to the patio doors so that everyone can spill out onto the lawn for alfresco breakfasts and summery evening barbecues.

On cooler evenings, retreat back into this hub where a woodburning stove and sofas provide a snug spot for relaxing in front of the chef as they whip up some delicious food for all.

The delightful sitting room has a high vaulted ceiling with plenty of exposed oak beams, with a collection of deep sofas and a woodburning stove resting beneath them, creating the best place to toast your toes after a day of walking in the countryside.

Relax together here for a film night, or for a quieter moment there is a piano for the musical member of the family to entertain you.

The cottage boasts a mixture of ground-floor and first-floor bedrooms, most with en-suite bathroom, and some even enjoying private TVs, and with a combination of bed sizes that ensure the whole family has a superb sleeping spot.

The master bedroom hosts a marvellous super-king-size bed with an en-suite bathroom, with the added feature of an ethanol fire built between the bedroom and bathroom for a romantic and luxury touch.

To keep the whole family amused between meals and outings, there is a warm games room which has an electric stove-effect fire and sofas, perfect for the spectators of the pool game to perch on.

Why not further relax in the sauna, or have a dip in the swimming pool for some refreshing lengths, or wind down in the hot tub beneath stars.

For the little ones and your pets, the enclosed courtyard garden which has a Wendy house and lawned area is a fantastic space for them to run around, with some seats for the adults to sit peacefully.

The location affords easy access to the coast, being just around two-miles away, visit the ancient port of Watchet and Blue Anchor Beach for fun days in the sun and sand, the children can enjoy a paddle in the waves while the adults have an epic sandcastle competition.

Hop onto the West Somerset Railway to experience some of the lovely scenery found in these parts, or head to the Tropiquaria Wildlife Park to get up close to exotic reptiles, birds and tropical fish in the aquarium providing a great day out for all ages.

As well as plenty of walking and cycling routes and trails scattered around and historic houses and gardens waiting to be visited, The Old Byres makes for a wonderful choice for a family holiday to Somerset.

Note: This property has a refundable Good Housekeeping bond of £500.

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About the location

WASHFORD

Watchet 2 miles; Minehead 6 miles.

Washford is a West Somerset rural village, on the A39 between Minehead and Bridgwater. Located two miles from the pretty coastal port of Watchet, this is an ideal base from which to explore Exmoor National Park and The Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are many pretty coastal and inland villages to explore including Porlock with its steep hill and pretty winding streets, Dunster with dramatic castle perched above the historic village and the busy resort of Minehead with sandy beach, golf course and traditional seaside attractions. An excellent choice of holiday destination for rural beauty, dramatic coastline and splendid walking.

Note - Pets other than dogs may also be welcome, please enquire with the office if uncertain.
Note - If the booking is a hen/stag party or similar please make the owner aware prior to arrival.