The Old Smithy

50 Customer Reviews

• "The cottage has everything you could want."

  The road outside is narrow, but it's a short way to the main road and entirely manageable. Certainly the dustman seemed to manage OK. There was a bus going along it one day as well, and although it has passing points it seems like a motorway compared to some of the Devon roads we've had to contend with on holiday. Bridport is great - quite alternative, with some lovely cafes and shops, plus two supermarkets, so stocking up is easy. Burton Bradstock (Hive N.T) beach was the highlight for us; miles of coastline and quite sandy, with a coffee shop on site, and toilets. West Bay is smaller and more 'boaty' with a marina and some nice cafes. Big car park as well. Just Park seems to be the local car parking app of choice, so worth getting it set up before you leave, to save standing in the rain trying to get your credit card details accepted with an iffy signal (we've all done it). As for the cottage, it was very clean and had all the usual bits and pieces available. Our dog refused to go upstairs (the first three steps are polished wood, which I think put her off), but was content with her bed in the lounge. It is very dark there, so a night-light was useful just to get everyone safely to the downstairs loo in the middle of the night (and dog relaxed in new surroundings). The only thing I would change is the usual holiday cottage bath/shower combo which they all have, and tend to be as successful as all compromises in life. Personally I would just have a shower, but then I'm not turning up with children who need to be bathed, so compromises are usually necessary in these cases, and we can all cope with them for a week. The toilet is in the bathroom, so mornings might be stressful if two couples were staying there, especially if one likes longer showers! Fine for families though (or quick showerers). Dave, the owner (very nice and most accommodating) said some changes were being planned, and I presume a separate loo and shower are part of that equation. Overall, the cottage has everything you need to have a successful and comfortable stay. The heating system is particularly good (when required), and hot water always available. Small but well stocked kitchen meets all needs. Thoroughly recommended.

  Reviewed by David5.0★Oct 2024

• "We found the property very clean and well equipped."

  We found it difficult with the dog as footpath was closed. We kept our dog on lead but were worried about sheep and traffic. Offlead would have been impossible owing to extremely busy road. No peaceful country lane. Non stop cars ,vans Lorries milk tankers tractors with trailers.There were huge trucks with building materials .this went on from 7a.m till on one night midnight. We kept the windows closed because of noise.Frankly this cottage could be difficult for dogs and children. Weather and traffic pollution sent us packing early on Thursday and going home.

  Thank you for the positive feedback regarding the cleanliness and equipment in our cottage. We are very sorry to hear that the traffic outside our cottage was busy during your stay. Our son and his family, with 2 children aged 6 & 4 and their Labrador dog stayed in our cottage for 2 weeks after you and didn't experience any of the traffic volumes that you've mentioned. Like all Rural Roads in the UK, the location of The Old Smithy may experience some increased tractor traffic during busy farming periods, dependant on the weather & their commitments. The public footpath which runs beside our property and leads into the neighbouring farms was open throughout the 2 weeks of their stay and our son was able to take their dog for walks across the fields. It may have been that the neighbouring farmer had sick or injured sheep so had temporarily closed their gate. Our son always ensures that his dog is on a short lead when near sheep and other livestock, so that he complies with the Countryside Code. He has never had any problems with walking their dog, on or off the lead, in the 8 years that they have used our cottage. We do have some books in our cottage to try and help and educate Dog Owners regarding their countryside responsibilities and we will try and ensure that these are readily available for all guests . Kind Regards David & Wendy. Owners of The Old Smithy Property Owner

  Reviewed by Marian3.8★Jul 2024

• "What a treat of a cottage!"

  We loved our stay, so warm and cosy. We came for a relax and a recharge, the stunning countryside, local towns and local community made our break wonderful. A fantastic break, very comfortable stay in this beautiful cottage.

  Reviewed by Jean-paul5.0★Dec 2023

• "Very homely, comfortable accommodation ."

  Very well equipped, caters for every need.

  Reviewed by Brian4.7★Nov 2023

• "We had a brilliant stay at The Old Smithy."

  The house and gardens were spotless. Great location, close to Bridport and convenient for the surrounding areas. Would definitely recommend.

  Reviewed by Karis5.0★Sep 2023

• "This is a little gem."

  Bright, roomy super clean and very conveniently positioned for exploring the Jurassic coast. Very well cared for.

  Reviewed by Sue4.7★May 2023

• "Lovely, cozy, warm cottage full of character."

  Only downside is the bathroom being downstairs (for nighttime use) but totally understand the reasons for layout. We would certainly book again in the future!

  Reviewed by Jane5.0★Mar 2023

• "A delightful cottage in a really good location."

  Bridport is only a few miles away for shopping and the countryside for good walks on your doorstep.

  Reviewed by Lynn5.0★Mar 2023

• "As soon as we got in we felt at home, very comfortable and surprisingly large with two nice rooms on the ground floor."

  Bedrooms were nice and cozy and very comfortable beds. Shower was great with a good head of pressure. Good selection of DVD's & CD's if you don't want to watch what's on tv. A good base to vist the Dorset coast and towns. Loved our stay.

  Reviewed by Steve5.0★Nov 2022

• "Would recommend"

  Reviewed by Don4.7★Oct 2022

• "Lovely cottage with all you need for a relaxing holiday."

  Location is great with short drive to West Bay and other coastal gems

  Reviewed by Yvonne5.0★Oct 2022

• "It should have been made clearer that the drive is shared with the neighbours."

  It meant that the gates to the property could not be closed. This could be potentially dangerous for small children especially as part of the fencing is only 18 inches high. Any 3 year old could be over that in seconds. I don't see how 2 cars could park there without causing serious rows with the neighbours. It would be quite a feat to cook a roast dinner for 4 adults in the kitchen. On the plus side the location for touring is excellent. For dog owners there is plenty of ways to exercise a dog without driving elsewhere. For a country lane the traffic load is more in keeping with a main road. The property is very bright inside and warm. The beds are comfortable and the bathroom is very good.

  Thanks for the feedback, but what you have said about the Drive and Gate is incorrect. We own The Old Smithy and all of its land. However, we have to allow our neighbour access over our land to get into their property. The front gates can be closed at any time. Our son's family regularly use our property and they have 2 children aged 4 and 2 years and a dog. If they are playing in the garden and drive they shut the front gates. However, for ease of access for both cottages, the front gates are normally left open virtually all of the time. We also regularly use our property and normally have workmans vans and cars parked in the corner. There is plenty of room. Our neighbours are decent and responsible people and there have never been any issues over parking or access. We have found that common-sense, courtesy and polite communication is the key issues to having a nice holiday. With regard to the traffic in the country lane, our property is set in a rural location with stunning countryside views across neighbouring fieldsâ?. These fields are farmers fields and you rented our property during Harvest time, when a slight increase in tractors, etc would be expected. Thanks for the positive feedback regarding the comfortable beds and bathroom. We take pride in trying to ensure that anyone who rents our property has an enjoyable holiday. David & Wendy (The Owners) Many Thanks Property Owner

  Reviewed by David4.4★Sep 2022

• "Lovely little cottage, in a lovely area and very spacious."

  Sofa seats were tired and worn out and wasn't comfortable to sit on.Double bed wasnt comfortable, mattress could do with replacing. Kitchen- shame there wasn't a dishwasher, when opening the cupboard and crockery drawer most of the items hadn't been washed properly, dirty. first thing i had to do was start washing enough plates, glasses for the three of us which isn't a good start to our holiday. Crockery all miss match, some bowls were so old and stained which couldn't be used. Some of the cutlery was also dirty, had to wash it before we were able to use it. Toaster and kettle is old, sediments floating in kettle which was very off putting. Out door table, chairs, bench are old and rickety, we sat on them once after i had to clean them, and thought best to leave them alone which was a shame as the weather was gorgeous and would have loved to sit out on the evening.

  Thanks for the feedback. We are sorry to hear that some items required cleaning on your arrival and during your stay. I will speak with our changeover team to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. We will also review the situation with our crockery, cutlery and contents of the house and garden in September, when we are next at our cottage. Regarding the mattress on the main bed; this is only 2 years old and to be honest we used it in June, our son and his wife used it in early July and we all thought it was comfortable. Regarding the garden furniture; there is a brand new 3 Seater Garden Bench in the front garden so that guests can sit out in the evening. I will ask the changeover team to check the safety of the other table & chairs and tighten any screws that may be needed. Whilst we accept that they aren’t new, we used them in June and our son’s family used them in early July without any issues. David & Wendy (The Owners) Property Owner

  Reviewed by Diane3.4★Jul 2022

• "The Old Smithy is situated in a convenient location for guests with dogs as there are 2 public footpaths either side of the road next to the cottage."

  There is also outside seating for good weather occasions.

  Reviewed by David5.0★May 2022

• "Dishwasher instead of a washing machine would be better for holiday makers"

  Reviewed by Alan4.4★Apr 2022

• "Lovely cosy cottage."

  Clean and very well equipped. Beds were especially comfortable. It was like a home from home. We had a fab week exploring Dorset and enjoyed relaxing in the cottage in the evenings. Definitely would stay again.

  Reviewed by Nicole5.0★Feb 2022

• "We had an enjoyable week in the warm, clean and comfortable cottage."

  Would come again. Great area too.

  Reviewed by Anthony5.0★Jan 2022

• "Well-equipped, comfortable cottage."

  Ideally situated for exploring the Jurassic coast area.

  Reviewed by Kathryn5.0★Sep 2021

• "The cottage was very cosy but the lane outside was surprisingly busy with tractors moving up and down frequently, I understand that it was harvesting time so this is to be expected."

  The TV and internet were intermittent which was a little disappointing. Altogether though we had a great holiday and would definitely return to the area at some time in the future.

  Thanks for the feedback. We are sorry to hear that the TV & internet were intermittent during your visit. We have had a local company reposition and upgrade the TV Aerial digital system and there is now excellent TV Reception. SSE is our Internet provider and they have provided us with a new ASDL Filter box and a new cable. We have used these new items and I was able to stream live Football onto our iPad without any drop outs and our internet browsing was consistent; so hopefully this has corrected this issue. David & Wendy (The Owners) Property Owner

  Reviewed by Karen4.4★Aug 2021

• "Lovely cosy cottage."

  A good base for exploring the surrounding areas. Everything provided you could possibly want in the cottage. Would recommend highly.

  Reviewed by Joanne5.0★Aug 2021

• "The lane was busier than we would have expected, so caution is required when exiting the drive."

  Very pleasant seating area at the top of the garden which catches the sun all day.

  Reviewed by Roger4.7★Jun 2021

• "We had a wonderful stay in probably the best equipped cottage we have ever stayed in."

  Plenty of kitchen equipment, games, books, CDs and DVDs available; spotlessly clean and warm and cosy. The cottage is perfectly located for exploring the coastal towns and villages and the beautiful beaches in the area. Hive beach was our favourite beach locally. The cottage is on a fairly narrow country road and we were a little surprised at the fairly constant stream of farm traffic up and down the lane, travelling at some speed. it is not a major issue as such but something to be aware of if you have small children or dogs. The small garden surrounding the Old Smithy is enclosed by a low wall and gate. Bridport is a very nice town though the twice weekly market was a little disappointing. There are plenty of good takeaways in Bridport and some fantastic restaurants. We recommend the Seaside Boarding House restaurant at Burton Bradstock, exceptional food and service in beautiful surroundings. We tend not to re-visit places as there is so much of the world to explore however we would have no hesitation in returning to the Old Smithy and thoroughly recommend it.

  Reviewed by Lyn5.0★May 2021

• "We loved our stay at this beautiful cottage."

  Spotlessly clean, every detail thought of. Hosts were very helpful pre-arrival with information and advice. Beautiful views from the garden and upstairs windows. Wonderful to wake up to sheep, lambs, trees and stunning scenery. Footpath straight from the front door.

  Reviewed by Shirley5.0★Apr 2021

• "Lovely comfy & well equipped cottage, great location for beach dog friendly cafes & pubs."

  We would stay there again.

  Reviewed by Jennifer4.1★Feb 2020

• "Cosy,warm,well equipped and comfortable cottage."

  Excellent rural location.....peaceful most of the time with fabulous views from upstairs. The cottage is on quite a narrow lane and although it is in walking distance of Bridport,personally,I wouldn't want to walk along the lane as sometimes the local traffic whips along at a fair old rate. The only extra piece of equipment I would have liked in the cottage is a slow cooker......but that really is 'nit picking' and is all down to personal preference. All in all 10/10 for location and comfort.

  Reviewed by Shirley5.0★Dec 2019

• "We have been renting cottages, twice a year, all over the UK for more than 13 years and this was one of the nicest yet!"

  It was very comfortable, warm and spotlessly clean and had all the facilities we needed. There were walks right from the door into the beautiful surrounding countryside and the lovely town of Bridport was only a 1.5 mile walk away. We would highly recommend a stay at The Old Smithy.

  Reviewed by Colette5.0★Nov 2019

• "The cottage was well equipped, lacking only a dishwasher."

  The heating was very efficient. The country lane it adjoins was surprisingly busy even late at night with mainly tractors with very bright lights, so blinds fitted to the upstairs bedrooms would be a useful addition.

  Reviewed by Rob4.7★Oct 2019

• "The lane outside the cottage was very busy and quite noisy even throughout the night."

  Sorry to hear the traffic was busy during that week this is not normally the case. Due to the good weather at that time local the farmer may have taken advantage of this to bring is harvest in before the onset of the wet weather. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Carole3.4★Sep 2019

• "The cottage was lovely, just what we wanted."

  We all had a great time, many thanks

  Reviewed by Sam5.0★Aug 2019

• "What a lovely cottage with amazing views, so quiet and peaceful and had everything you need for your holiday."

  We had a great time and we recommend it to anyone.

  Reviewed by Kelly5.0★Jul 2019

• "Lovely cottage, very well equiped with everything including spare light bulbs and torches!"

  Nice small fenced garden area perfect to sit with pets or young children. Close to Bridport and West Bay.

  Reviewed by Ian5.0★Jun 2019

• "It was like home from home and in a good location close to amenities and still in the country ."

  A great relaxing holiday .

  Reviewed by Terence5.0★May 2019

• "Lovely location, very cute cosy house, and very comfortable bed, we had a very nice few days."

  Reviewed by Stephen5.0★Apr 2019

• "I like the fact that all the properties have detailed write ups on both the accommodation and surrounding areas."

  This cottage was exactly as described and was a joy to stay in. I now use Sykes cottages as my main booking site when looking for a holiday due to the accuracy and ease of use.

  Reviewed by Anne5.0★Apr 2019

• "This was our second stay at The Old Smithy and we enjoyed it as much as the first."

  Its an excellent, well-equipped cottage, very clean and comfortable. Its very convenient for exploring the area. This visit we climbed Colmers Hill opposite and loved the footpaths around there.

  Reviewed by Kathryn5.0★Mar 2019

• "This is a brilliant cottage and was warm and cosy even in January!"

  It is deceptively spacious with plenty of room for the two of us. There is a really good farm shop just a few minutes drive away or supermarkets in nearby Bridport. A short drive to West Bay or Burton Bradstock and perhaps 20 minutes to Dorchester so the property is in a convenient location. It’s actually up a fairly quiet lane so is a restful and relaxing place in which to stay. The property is well equipped and we couldn’t think of anything else we might need. The owner has thoughtfully provided a drawer full of spare bulbs etc all clearly labelled as to what they fit.....we didn’t need to use any of them but it was a nice gesture. Tea and coffee was available but we had brought our own. The slight downside is that the property may be less suitable for anyone with mobility issues as there are steps up to the kitchen and bathroom and of course to the bedrooms. This is pointed out in the property details and wasn’t an issue for us. We would use this cottage again if we return to the area.

  Reviewed by Ian5.0★Jan 2019

• "We had a great holiday in lovely cottage."

  Only drawback , no loo upstairs but we managed.

  Reviewed by Trevor4.4★Jul 2018

• "A very comfortable, well-equipped cottage."

  We would love to go again. Very conveniently situated for visiting a variety of places and closeness to the coastal path. Would recommend it. Our dog liked it too!

  Reviewed by Kathryn5.0★Jun 2018

• "Another excellent stay at this cottage and the weather was spot on, will definitely book again."

  Reviewed by Alan4.7★Jun 2018

• "The cottage is in a stunningly beautiful setting."

  It was extremely well equipped with everything we needed for our stay. It’s location makes it easy to reach other places of interest such as West Bay, Lyme Regis and Bridport. We had a fantastic time there and cannot wait to return. Thank you.

  Reviewed by Deborah5.0★May 2018

• "Its a fantastic cottage, very clean, its got everything you need, beds are very ..."

  Its a fantastic cottage, very clean, its got everything you need, beds are very comfy, the cottage is surrounded by fields, we didnt want to leave

  Reviewed by Farley5.0★Apr 2018

• "The cottage was very comfortable to return to after a day exploring."

  Reviewed by Pauline5.0★Oct 2017

• "The cottage was so well appointed & spotless"

  Reviewed by John4.8★Sep 2017

• "Excellent facilities."

  Could have done with a key to open both front doors. Great location. Not ideal for the elderly but that's my fault for not checking

  Reviewed by Gillian4.8★Jul 2017

• "Great location, a real home from home."

  Pity there is no garden to speak of but plenty of parks and beaches for the kids to play on. Lovely scenic walks and pubs to try out. You won't regret booking this one!

  Reviewed by Kerri4.2★Jul 2017

• "The cottage was very good and the location in the countryside was excellent,ideal for walking dog in meadow behind cottage."

  The country lane could get quite busy but plenty of passing points.Most enjoyable.

  Reviewed by Andre5.0★Jul 2017

• "We had a fantastic stay, family of 4 and dog!"

  Lovely cottage in a great location and we were made very welcome. It is our 6th visit to Dorset and we will definitely be back to stay at the old smithy!

  Reviewed by Rachel5.0★Feb 2017

• "This is a lovely house, very comfy and everything there that you need."

  Very good area and within easy reach of everywhere.. Very enjoyable and good for us travellers with a dog

  Reviewed by Sandra3.8★Dec 2016

• "Fantastic weeks holiday in a lovely cottage."

  Highly recommend

  Reviewed by Marcus4.8★Nov 2016

• "The cottage was beautiful, it was well equipped and in a beautiful location, there was no need to travel far as the coast was only a few miles away and Bridport had everything that we needed."

  a super holiday

  Reviewed by Terence5.0★Oct 2016

• There are no reviews featuring this term Show all reviews