The Old Stable, Sherborne

When we arrived we had trouble wondering if we could park the car, then guessing if we were in the right place or not. It was like clockwork orange trying to find the key box on the wall... We got in to the building and couldn’t believe how small it was. The table still had ring and glass stains on it. We had to fix the toilet seat. In no way were we made to feel welcome. It was cold, expensive and not dog friendly at all. I do not recommend this to anybody.

Nice, private location at the back of owner's cottage. If you're looking for somewhere quiet the Old Stable makes good sense. That said, we felt that the accommodation was rather cramped (two adults and a Labrador), especially for a 7 night stay. The two main problems for us were the flight of 6 stone steps up to the cottage. On our arrival I slipped up on them and hurt my arm - this was because they were carpeted with wet leaves. The other issue was the WiFi - the connection was so poor that we simply had to give up. Sorry to say that we will not be returning to the Old Stable. If however you're the type of traveller who prefers their own company this may be for you but we certainly wouldn't recommend it for small families or those with mobility issues

The Old Stables is well located for Sherborne town itself, shops and supermarkets, and also close to the Old Castle and New Castle, with plenty of walking space as well, particularly convenient if you have a dog, as we did. It was well heated and private, something we count on. However, we have been to many holiday cottages over the years and, although The Old Stables has sufficient to put you up for a week, we were very disappointed in the general standard and condition of it. If you have any mobility problems then this is not the cottage for you. It is accessed up steep stone steps and the main bedroom is situated in the loft space of the property, requiring a slow climb up very steep stairs. This is not a place for those experiencing hip or knee problems. The cottage is 'dog friendly', which means you can expect that the cottage will be suitable to bring your pet. If you are in a strange house, your beloved pet will no doubt want to spend the night time with you, but if they like to 'roam' this could be dangerous, as the steps to the bedroom have big gaps that a pet could easily slip through. Similarly the bedroom has a 10 foot drop to the concrete floor of the lounge at one end, which is wide open. The condition of the cottage overall was quite poor, it is in need of a good coat of paint and a deep clean. You shouldn't have to clean the plates, cutlery and even the grill (it had fat/cheese on it) before you can use them. The single couch had the remains of crumbs of food and also (animal?) hair on the cushions, easily fixed if cleaned properly. Similarly, the bathroom was dirty, whoever cleans the property needs a word in their ear. The property is also listed as having WiFi, and when away on holiday arguably this shouldn't be an issue, but this is supplied from the owner's property and is virtually non-existent. One bar if you stand over by the garden and this drops out constantly. If listing WiFi, this should be sufficient in this day and age to use it with confidence and consistency. The Old Stables needs its own dedicated router, something that should come as standard if the property is advertised as having an Internet connection. In summary, great location with sufficient to keep you going for a week. But if you are a stickler for cleanliness and ease of use, this isn't the cottage for you.

Privacy was good and it was a compact but good size for me and my two boys.

Was a lovely little place, had a very chilled and relaxed week.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The location was excellent with easy walking access to town centre and plenty of places to walk the dog without needing to use the car. Off road parking is a bonus in Sherborne and the cottage being behind the main run of buildings resulted in it being quieter than I had expected, which was a bonus. The cottage feels large thanks to the open mezzanine bedroom layout and with the efficient heating installed there was no risk of getting cold. In short it was exactly what we were looking for.

This is a perfectly located cottage within easy walking distance of shops, pubs and restaurants. The village is quiet and relaxing, and Sherborne's two castles are within easy reach. The cottage itself is full of character. There is a patio outside the cottage with a table and chairs, which is perfect to sit on with a glass of wine in the evenings. We enjoyed our holiday here!