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"Father and son duo from land-locked Yorkshire, after many weeks of deliberating, decided to take our first holiday abroad."
Scarborough, Brid and Skeggy done to death so, we took the plunge. Bit nervous about sailing across the sea but what calmed us down a bit was the discount just for booking the Barn. Discounts play a massive role in the lives of Yorkshire folk. After landing and trying to get rid of our wobbly sea-legs we set off to our digs for the week. Blooming eck, when we got there, it was on it's own apart from a secretly hidden big house somewhere in the back garden of Garstons Barn. It was a mile from the next house. We live on a cul-de-sac 100 metres long with 15 homes. We were gob-smacked. One thing you never see in a city is a pack of 40 Fox Hounds accompanied by two horse people, one brandishing a whip longer than the one Indiana Jones used, passing by your front door. It's a good job we brought plenty of our own dog POO BAGS to clean up the you know what. We understand that these hounds don't chase foxes but follow a scent trail.
To be serious now. Garstons Barn is a hidden treasure. Remotely located within glorious countryside and upon saying that you are so central it takes just 30 minutes to reach the coast N,S,Eand West. The Barn itself is a dream. Furnished with high quality items, comfortable beds and first class bedding a sound sleep was assured. The living room and kitchen were again of the highest quality and spotlessly clean. We agree with all the previous 5 Star reviews so it's pointless to repeat them. Within 3 days at Garstons Barn, it was booked again by us for next year.
John
Many Thanks John and we look forward to your stay next October. I hope others enjoy reading it as we did!
Property Owner
Reviewed by John5.0★Oct 2025
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"Gastons Barn is located in a beautiful remote area, accessed by a series of single track (but well paved) lanes."
The outlook from the upper floor and courtyard garden over the countryside is a delight. It was peaceful and the night skies very dark so ideal for stargazing. There are walks from the doorstep including a 4 mile circular walk to Carrisbroke and back - a great area for dog walks. The barn was very comfortable and well equipped.
You do need your own transport (it would be a long walk to the nearest bus stop).
Thank you Carole and so happy you enjoyed your stay.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Carole5.0★Sep 2025
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"Overall a good place to stay for the specific arrangements we need of separate bedrooms and bathrooms and a secure outdoor space."
Dogs allowed but no facilities provided, not even spare poo bags. Notes on the guest information booklet also states to not let them upstairs. With no safety gates, a family or group would need to keep doors closed all the time or keep a close eye on pets.
Guest information is available but not as detailed as it could be for first time visitors to the island or anyone not sure how to manage heating controls etc themselves, so prepare for your visit.
There was a couple of broken fittings and fixtures, which at the price bracket shouldn't have been left. We worked around them.
The accommodation has quality fittings and furnishings on the whole otherwise, with lovely curtains in the lounge and large bedroom.
The accommodation was surface clean but attention on windows, under furniture, around taps, sinks and appliances is needed along with disposing of out of date produce and ensuring guests have cleaned pots and pans on departure properly.
A good supply of consumables and cleaning supplies was provided for guests to access during a stay though.
The cottage is at the end of a long track but people do still pass by to walk, ride their horses and some farm traffic uses the access roads so you're not totally isolated.
The walled courtyard is a good space for dogs that are escape artists as it's 6/7ft high.
A peaceful stay with lovely views out over the fields.
We are responding to your feedback as you are the only guests who have not given The Barn 5 Stars regardless of whether their feedback has been published or not.
We set high standards and require The Barn to be immaculate for our guests’ arrival. We regret if it fell below these standards on this one occasion. We were away on a family celebration when you arrived and during your stay and not able to check everything as we usually do. We have since discovered that a substitute cleaner was sent on the day you arrived which may explain some minor cleaning lapses. We believe a small amount of soy sauce and olive oil spray which were out of date were not removed for which we are sorry.
We are however unsure of what you mean by “no facilities for dogs, including poo bags”. We have contacted Sykes, as well as others locally who provide holiday accommodation that take dogs, and like us they have no idea what you mean or expect self-catering accommodation to provide by way “facilities for dogs”. The lack of poo bags they all found risible! It is incumbent surely on dog owners to have their own supply and small and very large dogs require very different sizes. Also as you no doubt observed The Barn is surrounded by several thousand acres of countryside; a city dogs’ heaven!
There are no safety gates since, apart from being unattractive, many elderly people find them a nuisance and a potential hazard at the bottom of the stairs or on doorways. There are doors that can be closed if necessary and as we say: “well behaved dogs are welcome”, i.e. ones not out of their owners’ control that go jumping on beds etc. or causing unpleasant smells in bedrooms for other guests.
Not sure what were the broken fixtures and fittings you worked around as apart from one shower pull not working properly which has now been fixed, we know of none. If we are not told it is sometimes difficult to find these.
In The Barn is a ring binder with detailed instructions for nearly all equipment and includes full instructions including the setting and adjustment of heating, temperature and hot water.
We would assume most guests have done some research on the IOW before booking but nevertheless, there is a drawer full of local information for visitors to the Island.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Kerry3.0★Sep 2025
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"Lovely stone barn conversion."
Courtyard outside space good. Living space good. Kitchen good. Bedrooms, Bathrooms/showers good.
The whole place is amazing!
The location is fantastic!
Very nice, local walks.
Short drive back to Newport.
We would love to come again.
Thank you very much.
Property Owner
Reviewed by John5.0★Jul 2025
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"A great place to stay,beautiful barn and peaceful surroundings."
We found it a great place to stay as central to the island so great for any particular place to visit .
Thank you. Location location location as they say!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Charles5.0★Jul 2025
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"We really enjoyed our two weeks Garstons Barn and hope to return again in the future."
The location was ideal as central to the island and very peaceful.
The barn was equipped to a high standard and the cleanliness of every thing was excellent.
The owner was very helpful when advice required
Thank you so much for your feedback. So glad you had a great time. It was a pleasure to help out where we could.
Property Owner
Reviewed by S5.0★Jun 2025
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"Lovely holiday home comfortable well furnished nice secluded garden and great views"
How very kind of you. We are so pleased you had such a wonderful stay at Garstons Barn.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Lyn5.0★May 2025
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"We enjoyed our stay at Garston‘s Barn very much."
It was homely and comfortable and very secure so we didn’t have to worry our dog would escape. It is situated in a breathtaking spot and there is a good variety of beautiful scenic walks right from the door. It was a lovely base from which to explore the Isle of Wight.
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Garstons Barn.Thank you for the excellent feedback. We completed one first year with Sykes and it’s great to know that we’re getting it more or less right.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Jenny5.0★Apr 2025
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"A lovely cottage very well equipped with a few exceptions."
Both upstairs showers appeared to be rather dated with hand held usage. Why not fit overhead monsoon style shower heads.
For a full occupancy of six I thing you might struggle with such a very small toaster in the mornings.
Great beds, great facilities for washing etc all in all very good and worth the price.
Many thanks.
Richard
Thank you for your review and suggestions. We try to take our guest suggestion up where possible. We are in our first full year and still learning. So far all Reviews published and unpublished by guests save one have given 100/100 and that was 94/100. Both upstairs showers have high wall brackets and do not have to be hand held but can be if required eg for children. The two slice toaster has been replaced with a four sliced one.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Richard5.0★Oct 2024
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"Lovely property in a superb location at the end of a long track with fabulous countryside views."
Just what we were looking for! We have visited the Island many times over the years and there is always something new to do.
Sue
Thank you. We think the location is great especially for a peaceful holiday with great views but with easy access to the whole Island.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Sue5.0★Sep 2024
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"Amazing place."
We enjoyed it very much and we definitely would book this place again.
Mal. Thank you for your very positive feed back.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Mal5.0★Aug 2024
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"Accommodation was great and as advertised."
It was extremely clean and well stocked with everything we needed for our stay.
Richard
Many thanks for your feedback. If you get time let us know how we could have increased our comfort score to 100 like all the other scores you gave us.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Richard5.0★Aug 2024
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"Beautiful property decorated to a high standard with everything you could want on holiday."
Particularly loved the wallpaper in the bathrooms! We definitely hope to return to the Isle of Wight to this lovely house. Perfect location for travelling all over the island.
Thank you so much for your very wonderful feedback.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Lucy5.0★Jul 2024
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"This barn is situated in stunning,peaceful surroundings, it was really comfortable, with everything needed for a comfortable stay."
Thank you so much Anne. In our first year we are on a learning curve!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Anne5.0★May 2024
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"It was very nice
couldn't have asked for more"
Thank you. So happy you had a great holiday at Garstons Barn.
Property Owner
Reviewed by J5.0★May 2024
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"A wonderful barn conversion with everything you could need for a weeks holiday."
Wonderful position in the countryside, but within easy driving distance of shops/pubs etc.
we have already booked a return visit for next year.
Thank you so much for your great feedback and for booking in 2025! We look forwards to welcoming your return.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Sue5.0★May 2024
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"Lovely comfortable stay in a beautiful setting."
We had everything we needed, and would recommend to others.
Karen
We thank you so much for your review which means a lot to us. We have tried to put ourselves in guests positions to ask what else they might reasonably want or need.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Karen5.0★Oct 2023
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"Lovely short break at Garstons Barn, well equipped, fantastic central location with fantastic views and walks, and great hosts too."
Sharon
Thank you so much. You were one of our first guests and it is so encouraging to have such positive feedback.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Sharon5.0★Oct 2023
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