Elm View, Chipping Campden

Very much enjoyed our stay at Elm View cottage. Most previous negative comments seemed to be taken care of so no issues there. Had everything we needed in fact. Only issues would be to warn prospective visitors even more strongly about the 2nd floor access to the top (3rd) bedroom. Anyone over 4 ft tall and good on ladders would struggle, given the headroom access and steepness of the stairs to this top level. Even the stairs to the 1st floor are steep. It's an old building so to be expected, to some degree. Other thing was the barking dogs next door, usually only out in the garden for 10 minutes at a time or so, but one occasion at 6.40am and another night at 01.40am. Not really acceptable. This was the lady next door across the driveway, not the chap next door (i.e adjoining - is a semi-detached) who was very friendly. She's either deaf and doesn't hear the dogs, or more likely, has a 'chip' about visitors in her village (keeping the pubs, shops, restaurants etc open by the way). Probably an ant-social behaviour issue actually and a letter from the owners to the council might be a start. Didn't actually affect us that much as we were out most of the time but, if a family were there, it could be painful. Would we return though? Yes, probably.

We just booked three nights at this cottage but in actual fact we came home after two nights because we realised we were very uncomfortable and more comfortable at our own house so kind of lost the point of being away. The cottage is in desperate need of modernisation. The beds are all very small even though we are not particularly large adults. For the money we paid, I think the cottage is overpriced and there should be a smart TV at least so people can watch Netflix and/or prime video in the evening. It was just my wife and I in the cottage but yet it all felt a little cramped and one toilet not ideal The books in the toilet were a cute touch and one of the highlights. The power shower is from the 90’s The sofas in the lounge were super uncomfortable and not deep enough to sit comfortably There needs to be black out blinds in the bedroom. The Churchill arms pub is well located next door. I paid around £750 for 3 nights. It should be more like £450. This is my complaint. If it were cheaper, I’d have expected less and perhaps accepted it as it was.

We stayed here in October 2020, getting in a week's holiday while we could in the current climate. October is usually wet, so we wanted somewhere cosy so we could curl up with a log fire if the weather turned cold... Elm View is in a small village, with a pub, a church, and not much else - perfect! It is also ideally situated for driving to the lovely local towns of Chippings Camden and Norton, Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, all within a short drive through beautiful countryside. The gravel driveway allows for spacious and safe off-road parking, with a decent sized garden at the rear. Be aware that the main photo shows one big house - it's actually a semi-detached house! Downstairs is a good-sized living room, with open fire, DVD player and CD/hi-fi unit, good sized Freeview TV and the BT router. The Onkyo CD/hifi player and the TV are both connected to the Q Acoustics speakers, which makes a huge difference. You can connect an iPod to the Onkyo too. The sofas are new-ish - the three seater is very comfortable, the two seater isn't. On the other side of the small lobby is the kitchen, and a separate larder with dishwasher, proper 50/50 fridge/freezer and washing machine (note: no tumble dryer). The kitchen has everything you need - oven, electric hob, microwave, table and sink. Up the fairly steep stairs to the first floor, where you'll find the main bedroom - large with a double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe and cot - and the second bedroom, smaller but with built-in wardrobe and chest of drawers, double bed and lovely views. There is also the bathroom, with separate shower enclosure, bath and sink. The second floor is accessed by steep stairs and a very low doorway, and comprises just the third bedroom. It's a bit awkward to get to, and I wouldn't fancy a nighttime trip down those stairs for a wee, but once in the room it is a large, comfortable room with a double bed. So, pluses and minuses time. Pluses: Lovely cosy log fire Comfortable sofa Excellent broadband / wifi - with a standard BT router if you need to connect an ethernet cable Great CD player/hifi, with quality Onkyo stereo and Q Acoustics 2020i speakers Good sized TV and a DVD player Minuses: The pillows - take your own, as they are awful - feel like they are filled with ball bearings The mugs - a truly horrible mix and match of novelty mugs, they need binning and a new set from Ikea! The water is foul - we ended up buying a couple of large still water bottles for drinking water. The tap water makes the tea, coffee, rooibos disgusting, with sludge and scum. Really would check it with Thames Water as it is awful. Double bed in the main bedroom - it is both uncomfortable and too small - the room is huge, so why not have a King? On arrival we also noticed no hot water, the shower trap was blocked, and the shower head knackered. Called Manor Cottages (on a Sunday!) and within an hour and a half the maintenance man was there to fix all three problems, which was exceptional. After that, lovely hot water, new shower head, clear draining shower - I really don't understand why the previous reviewer didn't simply make a call to have the issues resolved. To be fair, I would have expected the cleaners to have noticed the tepid water, and certainly the blocked shower trap, but fair play to Manor for sorting it out. With just a few adjustments (and not terribly expensive ones) this would be a 5 star review - as it is, I would definitely return (just remembering to take my own pillows, a Brita filter and mugs!).

We booked a cottage rather than take the motorhome as we wanted a car to explore the Cotswalds, back to the van next trip! the cottage looks very tired to us, needs some TLC. the furniture was well worn, the kitchen table and chairs all wobbled and the groves in the table contained lots of crumbs etc. wanted a bath but ended up having to top it up with kettles of hot water! the last review mentioned lack of hot water so seems it hasn't been sorted, and the shower head hung down so not a lot of good. couldn't sit out in the garden much, trees put it in shade and the furniture is still covered in bird poo, looked for a BBQ but it was unusable, and the dogs next door were forever yapping when they heard you outside, or when they were let out first thing, 6.30 one morning! so sadly I have to say that having paid over £800 for the week it just wasn't worth it

The key phrase here is ‘home from home’. Kept in character with many personal items belonging to the owners. A very cosy spot and handily placed for all Cotswold attractions. The village itself is tiny but easily accessible and well placed for visits. We only stayed 2 nights as a family get together for family from Warks and Notts. We did venture out to Batsford Arboretum which was well worth a visit. The cottage is well equipped and easy to operate in. We cooked 2 meals easily as if at home. Our only ‘constructive’ comments would be - tall people 6feet plus should approach top bedroom with caution!. We did struggle to get any hot water until this morning not a problem as an electric shower. Lastly it would be nice to use the garden furniture but despite our scrubbing we couldn’t get the bird poo off but a jet wash should sort that out and we understand it is only just sitting out weather and this will be addressed. Absolutely recommend for all groups - famiilies, friends, with children or just couples.....one to remember.