1 Pines Farm Cottages, Tadcaster

Bear with me, this has been a difficult weekend….. it was Easter, the sun was shining, my mother has cancer and we drove for seven hours to spend some quiet time with her before she has an operation on Friday. Things didn’t go well for us at 1 Pines Cottage. On the first morning the house was very cold and the heating was switching itself on and off repeatedly but there was no heat in the radiators. One would think that this would raise the question ‘is there something wrong with the heating?’ I should have known better. Having slept under a pile of coats and cardigans due to the cold in the bedroom and the somewhat flimsy bed covering we were afforded, having no heating was a nuisance. But the sun was shining so we resolved to get on with our weekend. On the second morning a text arrived to say there was a problem with the water pump and a bottle of water was left on the step. Presumably we were to wash in that and drink it as well. ‘ Bear with us’ said the text,' thank you for your patience'. Now I am usually a reasonably patient woman, however, once again there was no heating although we were again entertained by the heating repeatedly switching itself on and off for two hours. The house was still cold although the sun was shining but as I had already purchased a quilt cover to supplement the less than student standard bedding, at least I had had a warmer night than the first. I come from Yorkshire, I am of sturdy stock but no heating and now no water? I texted the owner on morning number two asking her to sort out the heating as well as the water as we had neither. After telling me that the heating was on the temperature recommended by Sykes, a frosty silence descended and it was clear I had crossed a line. This was confirmed by my encounter with the owner on leaving the property to go to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park - grubby because we had not had a wash and cold because there was no heating. The owner it seemed was too busy to talk to me about my concerns about minor things like heating and water, her livestock were her priority and we were clearly the dumb beasts to be ignored. Rude doesn’t quite describe that encounter, suffice to say this owner’s farm is her priority and it shows. I contacted Sykes for help and was told I needed an urgent call back. The call back I was told I needed from Sykes didn’t materialise by two pm - not sure what their non urgent call backs look like but after five hours I gave up waiting and rang them. Cathy the agent who tried her best but ended up digging a hole so big she couldn’t get out of it, told me that the owners in some of their cottages have the heating under lock and key as ‘people go in and fiddle about with it’….which was not exactly the response I had hoped for. I tried again, - could the heating be fixed please.because it is switching itself on an off repeatedly which is irritating to say the least, we have had no heating since we arrived, the water is off and could I mention the pitiful bed linen? I was then asked several times over by the lovely Cathy, what temperature I have my heating on at home, as if somehow the heating switching itself on and off all morning was about me living in a hothouse and making an unreasonable request. - I replied how would I know? I live in a warehouse in London with a central boiler, I have no idea what the temperature of my home is on a morning. I just wanted heating that heated, a thermostat that didn't repeatedly turn itself on and off for three hours every morning and some water to wash in. Cathy clearly had her script however and I was going off piste, could she bring me back to it please, If I couldn’t tell her what the temperature is in my home in the mornings, how could she help me? All efforts to explain that the issue was the heating switching itself on and off repeatedly were ignored, all concerns about lack of water were waved aside. I tried then to address the bed linen problem - I stay in a lot of self catering homes, the bed linen is not good enough.....the house is cold and I was cold in the night. Cathy wasn’t interested or couldn’t understand that having to purchase a bed quilt for the rental home you have paid £435 for isn’t ideal….I eventually gave up on that one in despair. The owner appeared on our return on the second night with what I can only call attitude. Fair do’s, I was waiting for a call from the States and just didn’t have time to have the circular argument again of ‘what temperature is my home in the mornings’…which is clearly the Sykes family line - I can see it written down at point 47 of the owners manual - 'if the buggers get shirty about the heating folks, just spin this line on them and they’ll soon be feeling as if they are the unreasonable one'… Suffice to say she wasn’t going to change that heating level for love nor money and anyway if the heating was switching itself on and off she would know. She was clearly clairvoyant and I was merely the customer who had been daft enough to hand over £435 to be called a liar. Knowing when I am beaten, I simply gave up at that point. Here is the complaint that I tried so hard to make someone understand No Heating in the house. The heating switches itself on and off repeatedly for two to three hours every morning. No Water for a day. No decent bed linen. Cold House. It should be so easy to understand but I felt as if I were speaking Swahili. End Note My mother came for lunch this afternoon, my daughter cooked a lovely meal and we made the best of a very bad job and even had a laugh about the way we had been treated. We are not difficult people, we are from Yorkshire and we like to get on with people, there’s nothing fancy about us but we like value for money. At least we like heating that heats, water to be available and not having to buy bed linen for the places we stay in. We enjoyed this part of our weekend. At least we got to spend that quiet time with my mum. Sadly even that couldn’t last. As we were leaving and my mum was saying her goodbyes to her granddaughter and great grandson, the owner and her dog appeared around the corner with a face like thunder and stalked past us as if we weren't even there. I felt sorry for my mum and my daughter whose photograph I was taking at the time. My daughter may not see her grandmother again. So I would like to thank you Sykes for your customer care, may your guidelines to your owners to put their heating under lock and key always give them the success Mrs 1 Pines Cottage achieved this weekend. And your way of making customers feel that they are asking for the moon when they are simply asking for assistance is second to none. I commend you for your excellent customer manipulation skills. And to Mrs 1 Pines Cottage who I don’t think we shall ever forget, thank you for your grace, your kindness and your absolute determination to make us feel like unreasonable intruders getting in your way. We felt as welcome on your property as a dose of foot and mouth. Our Easter holiday was spoiled but we still managed to laugh about it. If you don't have a sense of humour however, I recommend you go elsewhere. We won’t be using Sykes again and nor will we visit Mrs 1 Pines Cottage who can rest easy in her conviction that the owner is always completely and utterly in the right. (And please Sykes Cottages, before you try to re-enter the twilight zone of responding to this comment by telling everyone that you tried to help but you couldn’t because I couldn’t tell you what temperature I have my heating on at home….read my complaint again which is listed above. I tried my darnedest to explain it to you but you couldn’t/wouldn’t listen properly, so please don’t try spinning it to make it all about me. It wasn’t me. It IS you).

Nice cottage. Friendly owners. Remote. Could do with larger fridge and freezer and more cooking utensils. Heating controls under lock and key. Owner did change when asked but would be far better to leave control with the guests so they can set time and temperature to suit their needs. Wouldn't want to spend Christmas there. Would recommend with riders. Not allowed to see cattle shown in Sykes pictures as a closed herd.

Spent 5 days staying here.... Lovely, comfortable and quiet. Good size, good enclosed garden, lovely to spend your evening when the weather is as beautiful as the last week has been! Tadcaster is very close, as is York! Great location, lovely and quiet, and would definitely recommend!

This Cottage was so spacious, it was so relaxing and the people so friendly. We all loved it and highly recommend, hope to return soon.

This bungalow was lovely and spacious and very clean. Off a dirt track road so very quiet although it is in the same grounds as the owners farm house and is directly overlooked. The garden was small but adequate but again overlooked. The facilities were great with dishwasher and washing machine. However one thing we really took exception to was the fact that the central heating thermostat control was completely cased in and could only be opened by a key which the owner obviously had. When we asked about this and how we could put the heating on for an hour in the mornings as it was quite chilly we were told in no uncertain terms that it was warm enough and that was that! Not the way to treat a paying guest in my book. There was a log fire but you had to buy the logs. Such a pity really because it is very convenient for getting into York and surrounding areas however I really would not want to stay in winter and have the heating controlled for me.

Everything was amazing, a perfect getaway.

The cottage was very spacious and well appointed so you felt very comfortable and not at all as though you were living away from home. We loved the farm and the owners were very helpful and friendly but not at all intrusive.

Clean and fresh house. Great owners.

We had a fantastic week in Yorkshire, helped by the great weather. The Pines is surprisingly large and would be ideal for two couples sharing. It's comfortable, clean and very well equipped. The family were welcoming but not "in your face", and the cupcakes were delicious (thank you!). The location is quiet but close to the main road so it was easy to get to everywhere - perfect for our touring holiday. There is so much to see and do that we have to go back ' can't wait!

Loved the location of the cottage, it was well situated to visit the surrounding area. It was ideal for our needs.

The accommodation was first class, peaceful and relaxing just what I was looking for.

We really loved the cottage, it was very spacious and well equipped. It was located on a farm and the host was very friendly and helpful and showed us round the farm at our request. It was peaceful and quiet at all times. We were also able to use the well maintained garden. The cottage is located near Tadcaster and a large supermarket. The cottage is ideally located for visiting the various stately homes in that part of Yorkshire. I would recommend this cottage.

No complaints whatsoever about 1 Pines Farm Cottage. It was absolutely perfect, and the owner was more than helpful

This cottage was superb. On the whole, a peaceful place, even though we were on a farm.

Nice cottage with lots of space, it had everything we needed. Lots of things to see and do in Yorkshire.

A very nice cottage in a great location.

Cottage was clean, spacious, well equipped and in excellent order throughout. Super owners & lovely quiet location too.

Our hostess was really friendly and very helpful. Quiet location. Great base for visiting York and Leeds. Well appointed cottage and warm even in November. Close to two villages and Tadcaster for eating out.

The owners met us and introduced us to their spacious, well furnished accommodation. Everything we expected was provided from from large settee to small tea-spooon. The premises are set within an active farm yard some mile or so along a farm track from the nearest a public highway. The activities around the farm in no way detracted from our stay. Some 8 miles or so north east is situated the city of York, offering plenty of attractions which are well documented in their tourism literature. A Park and Ride scheme operates very efficiently and is relatively cheap and well sign- posted. Altogether a very enjoyable stay. We recommend the stay and would certainly return if wanting accommodation in this part of Yorkshire

Very clean, bright and spacious accommodation. Owners extremely helpful and welcoming. Bit off the beaten track but easy to find and very peaceful whilst we were there

Location and quiet. Very friendly owners.

Extremely well furnished and very large rooms. Very quiet despite being on a farm and the owner was very helpful and friendly. Would definitely recommend to others. Great base for visiting York and surrounding area.

Very spacious, modern, exceptionally well equipped cottage. quiet farm location near Tadcaster great for York and Harrogate. Fresh eggs and the owner even baked us a cake! Great price

Pleasant owners, loved the animals, clean spacious cottage. Nice quiet location, good base for seeing the area.

Peaceful farm location. Pleasant and helpful owners. Property spotlessly clean.

The location is very good for those wishing to visit York, Harrogate, Wetherby and other places of interest. The cottage itself is a beautiful barn conversion, the layout is good, plenty of room and all fixtures and fittings of a high standard. The hostess Wendy is very welcoming and the whole family friendly. We enjoyed the location, the welcome and the cottage in equal measure. I take my elderly ather on holiday each year to a cottage and this had everything we needed and more.

Arrived to find a lovely modern cottage decorated to a high standard and very clean. The owners have equipped the cottage with everything you can think of and were very pleasant people. On arrival we were given milk and cupcakes - a very nice touch! The cottage is based on a working farm, of which we heard no noise from at all. It is also next door to the airfield and we waited all week to see/hear some planes and never saw any. So it is very quiet. A brilliant base to visit parts of Yorkshire and especially York City Centre.

Arrived to find a lovely modern cottage decorated to a high standard and very clean. The owners have equipped the cottage with everything you can think of and were very pleasant people. On arrival we were given milk and cupcakes - a very nice touch! The cottage is based on a working farm, of which we heard no noise from at all. It is also next door to the airfield and we waited all week to see/hear some planes and never saw any. So it is very quiet. A brilliant base to visit parts of Yorkshire and especially York City Centre.

How friendly the owners were. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The standard of the property was excellent. Even though the property was on a working farm we heard no noise from the farm. The welcome cakes and milk were very welcome, a very nice personal touch.

Peaceful location. Well equipped cottage. Friendly and helpful owners. Home from home.

Friendly owners, great central location and excellent well equipped cottage.

We loved the quiet location and seeing the cows on the farm. The dogs were friendly too. It was a good base for exploring the area.

We had a very nice visit to Yorkshire and the weather was kind to us. The cottage was clean and comfortable, and the airfield was an added attraction as it had small R.A.F.training planes and was nice to see and hear. The owners were very nice and made us very welcome. We couldn't have asked for more - a lovely country retreat.

The accommodation was fantastic. The photos on the website did not do it justice. The apartment was spacious, well set out, clean and tidy. I have already recommended it to friends and family.

Just being somewhere totally different, meeting the owners and most of all the lovely warm welcome. The owner made some lovely chocolate cakes for our arrival. We never noticed much flying going on which was a pity. The cottage was totally equipped with everything for all needs.

Excellent. Really nice family run cottage, ideal base for exploring North Yorkshire.

Perfect i loved everythink about the stay and owners

This is the third time we have used Sykes and yet again they have turned up trumps. The owners couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful, nothing was too much trouble. It was a very peaceful and relaxing holiday, even the RAF base on the boundary added to the overall enjoyment as these were small light aircraft's for training. We would certainly book this accommodation again.

The cottage was superb in every way. Time and effort had obviously been put in by the owners to ensure that all visitors truly had a home from home. The welcome and attention to detail are to be commended.

The cottage is very spacious and well finished with great attention to detail which allows you to have a very comfortable "home from home" holiday. The owners are very flexible and nothing is too much trouble. If you like peace and quiet (apart from occasional moos from the cows and the odd light aircraft), then this is an ideal place to come and stay. However as it's only a few miutes from the A1 and M1 it also makes a great place for touring.

It was the best place I have stayed in. The people couldn't be more helpful. Very family friendly. Everything about the place and owners was lovely.