A Wonderful Family Christmas
Review Submitted: January 15, 2012
Date of Stay: December 2011
The excellent web site for The Old Smithy immediately attracted us - it was so well laid out, full of helpful details and the photographs showed it to be an extremely spacious and attractive property. Reading the reviews left by previous tenants increased our feeling that this would be ideal for us - all mentioned three generations of family sharing the spacious accommodation - which echoed our situation. The only difference being that theirs were all summer lettings.
On contacting the owner, Mrs Withers, to enquire as to whether a Christmas booking would be possible, she assured us that it would and confirmed that both the house and the Folly would be beautifully warm, with a woodburning stove in the sitting room, central heating radiators plus additional freestanding warm air heaters should these be necessary. She also added that the house would be decorated for Christmas - with a tree and lights.
We are all just SO pleased that we chose The Old Smithy! We felt it a privilege that the owners allowed us to stay in their home with access to their children's many toys, books, DVDs etc and the lovely family photos on the walls - the three boys absolutely loved the attic bedroom/playroom and enjoyed letting off steam periodically with their fathers in the huge garden, playing various ball games and generally enjoying the good weather and fresh air.
The Old Smithy is a delightful, unusual, comfortable and historic family home with many quirky features, excellent cooking and dining facilities and comfortable seating areas in the sitting room and conservatory.
The house was indeed beautifully decorated for Christmas - a tree in the entrance hall, a huge decorated tree in the sitting room, masses of twinkling lights throughout the sitting room, kitchen, dining room and conservatory - an absolute delight!
In addition, Mrs Withers was extremely helpful in the days leading up to our stay, sending additional information with 'Tips to help you enjoy your stay' and a list of 'Places to visit, eat and go out for a drink' and giving us two telephone numbers to contact at any time should we experience any difficulties.
We would have no hesitation in recommending The Old Smithy to family and friends and indeed would hope to stay there again ourselves some time in the future and explore the surrounding countryside more fully.
Owner Submitted Review
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