The Ivy

6 Customer Reviews

• "Overall the cottage is a great place to stay, short distance to Happisburg beach and lighthouse, clean with ample parking and secure garden for the dogs or kids."

  The cottage has a spacious open plan area which is ideal for a family or friends to relax together on holiday. Plenty of space for us but we’re only a party of 2 plus 2 dogs. Very comfortable beds. Well equipped kitchen with a large fridge freezer and ample storage cupboards for groceries to cater for a large party. Great choice of table games which doubles as a dining table. Furnishings and decor modern and stylish. I disagree with comments regards needing table lamps and plants in the lounge as some cottages can become cluttered. We found leaving kitchen lights on dimmers for relaxing in the evening was fine. However ensuite needs space for toiletries, towels hoops and toilet brush and both showers need shelves for shower gel and shampoo. No wardrobe space in 2nd king bedroom which would be a disappointment for larger holiday parties but didn’t affect us. Hallway or utility room needs coat hooks and shoe stand/tray particularly for poor weather days. There were no instructions for bin days, what recycling items or which bins, each district is different but someone did put the bins out on the day. No instructions given as to what to do with bedding/towels etc, again each cottage has different rules but would help the owners. Feedback was vague regards hot tub and thought we’d get further info on arrival which we didn’t. There are two attractive wall clocks but neither work, probably just need a battery. There was a kitchen cupboard missing with damage to the wall which I assume had been done by previous visitors. We had a problem with the Sky TV connection after a few days that we couldn’t solve with the usual reset etc but this was resolved by Laura who owns the cottage. The Hill House Inn is situated in the village if you don’t mind walking down the narrow country lane, TBH we were too tired after our daily walks that we were happy to relax at the cottage. The Fair Maiden Shellfish seafood shop in the village sells great seafood platters. We got small which we were told serves 2 or 3 but was big enough for two meals for the two of us. Pricey but worth it. Lots of good beaches nearby but car parking charges apply at them all. The points are meant as constructive as The Ivy is a lovely cottage and if I was visiting the area in future I would definitely stay again.

  Reviewed by Vanessa4.0★Oct 2026

• "The property is in a lovely location in Happisburgh, very rural and peaceful."

  It is very clean, sofas very comfortable, a good layout and nice sized rooms so it felt spacious for the 4 of us plus our dog. However it could be so much better with a few additions as we felt it was missing some really obvious things such as no bins in the bathrooms, no lamps in the main living area which made it feel very un homely in the evenings, no bedside table or lamp in the twin room which is very unusual, we tried cooking several times but the equipment was so minimal we really struggled, not even a wooden spoon, no coat hangers for coats. Although the hot tub wasn’t listed, it is disappointing it’s there with mentions of it in the guest book but it’s out of bounds now. Overall we still had a nice weekend but we wouldn’t return unfortunately.

  Reviewed by Hannah4.0★Sep 2026

• "Had a lovely stay at The Ivy."

  3 adults and one dog. Clean and tidy property. Beds were comfy. Nice and quiet location with enclosed garden so could let dog out without worrying she’d go roaming off. We made a few suggestions in the property feedback book to improve the customer experience and to report a faulty sink plug. The property photos show more equipment and furniture than what is currently in there i.e. no air fryer or coffee maker, no dressing table in en-suite room, no drawers or bedside table in twin room. All the other Sykes properties we’ve visited there had been a welcome pack provided but not at The Ivy. We have suggested for future customers that this is included as it starts off your stay. Sykes website said tea, coffee & 1 pint of milk would be available but it wasn’t. Happisburgh is a lovely little village and the beach is quiet and not overcrowded.

  Reviewed by Zoe4.0★Aug 2026

• "A genuinely had a fantastic week at Ivy Cottage."

  The cottage itself is spacious, comfortable and well laid out, with the open-plan living area being a real highlight. It immediately felt like somewhere we could relax and enjoy our holiday, and it proved to be an excellent base for exploring North Norfolk. We found the area peaceful, unspoilt and full of hidden gems. We do have a few suggestions which we hope are helpful, as they’re all relatively small changes that could make the overall guest experience even stronger. Arrival experience Whilst there was a welcome sheet, it felt more like a list of instructions and house rules than a genuine welcome. It came across as being more focused on the owners’ operational needs than the guests’ experience. We completely appreciate the need to include important information, but we’d suggest leading with a warm welcome, a little about the cottage, recommendations for local walks, beaches, pubs and places to eat, before moving on to the practical information. A professionally presented guest guide, together with a small welcome hamper or even a few thoughtful essentials, would make a much stronger first impression. Hot weather preparation We arrived during one of the hottest spells of the year, and the cottage was very warm when we first entered. Simple measures such as drawing the blinds before guests arrive, together with providing fans during hotter periods, would make the property much more comfortable from the moment guests walk through the door. Outdoor seating The garden is a lovely space to relax, but the outdoor furniture would benefit from cushions to make it more comfortable for longer periods outside. Hot tub communication There was some confusion around the hot tub. Before arriving we were advised it had been removed, however it is still in situ but simply not available for guest use. Kitchen essentials The kitchen was generally well equipped and washing-up liquid was provided, but we were surprised there were no basic cupboard essentials such as salt and pepper and cleaning products. They’re inexpensive additions that many holiday cottages provide and make self-catering much easier, particularly for guests arriving after a long journey. Overall, we’ve had a wonderful holiday. The cottage itself is lovely and our feedback is really about bringing the guest experience up to the same standard as the property. With a few thoughtful finishing touches, warmer communication and some simple practical improvements, we think Ivy Cottage could offer an exceptional stay.

  Reviewed by Rachel4.0★Jun 2026

• "Lovely property, immaculate clean."

  Problem with heating in one room and Stuart came over and fixed straight away. We had a great stay. If wanted to mention an improvement I would say a hair dryer, basic salt and pepper, oil, serving bowls in kitchen and hooks and mirror in bathroom. These are minor things and did not deter from our stay. Great hot tub.

  Thank so you much for your kind words. It is great to hear how immaculately clean the property was and how helpful Stuart has been. A little confused regarding the mirror in the bathroom and hairdryer, as there is a mirror in all bedrooms and both bathrooms. We also provide a hairdryer, located in the dressing table of the main bedroom. We have added door hooks to the bathrooms and serving bowls to the kitchen - thank you for helping us improve guest experience. As for the salt, pepper and oil, we are a self catering holiday let. However, we do provide some limited essentials like: toilet roll, hand soap, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, tea, coffee, sugar and milk. This is something guests are advised from Sykes prior to arrival. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Mary4.0★May 2026

• "3 friends and a dog thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Ivy at the beginning of May."

  We cannot fault anything. It was well equipped and very comfortable. We were lucky with the weather and enjoyed the walks from the Ivy. We had a nice meal at the local pub too! The owners were great and we look forward to returning next.

  Reviewed by Anne5.0★May 2026

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