1 Plough Square, POWBURN

Rated 2/50 by K P on 4th October 2019

"First impressions, other than not actually knowing where to park, was the external of the property was really pretty and very like the picture. Opening the front door the first thing we noticed was the smell of damp mingled with freshener. The living room alone had two plug-ins, a scented candle and a diffuser. That said the living room was comfortable and a nice space - dirty under the sofa's (our dog lost a toy under one) and a damp catcher behind another. The TV from the second night had sound issues every time we turned it on. If you suffer from asthma you may have issues staying in a cottage with such damp issues. Also not helping this is the advice stuck to the wall about keeping the heating down or off when leaving the property. Surely the best was to deal with damp is the heating left on low as often as possible with the windows on the latch. The kitchen small and compact looked, initially to be great. Opening a cupboard to find some pans the smell of damp was very strong. The frying pans turned out to be very cheap ones where the bottom 'non stick' layer comes off after one use. The tins etc also all smelt of damp. The left over frozen food in the freezer was a little weird. It was nice to get a bottle of red wine, milk, bread and butter as a welcome gift but neither of us like/drink red wine. The communal garden was a great size and we appeared to have it on our own the week we were there luckily but it would have been interesting in the summer if everyone was using it. It is also lucky the pub the cottage is attached too is empty currently as it may not have been so peaceful otherwise. The bedrooms were a nice size and the double bed was the most comfortable we have ever stayed on in a holiday let. The shame was how low the bed was - a foot off the floor at most. Not ideal if you have a bad back etc - the comments book in the cottage showed this had been an issue for some. If the owners are not willing to change the issue it should at least be made clear in the advert. The spare room seemed good and the twin beds normal size - we used this as our wardrobe. The biggest let down was the bathroom - it was awful. To start with the back/bottom of the toilet seat lid was dirty and not cleaned. The bath panel is held on with sticky tap, the inside of the bath has gouges out of it, the shower is not much more than a dribble, the grey silicone looks very bodged, one of the spot lights was obviously put in the wrong area - changed and the hole just left. The paint is peeling off the walls, there are dark grey splatters all over, a radiator too big to use, a door where the bottom hinge is coming loose, and cobwebs all over. The biggest health and safety issue was the wooden floor that where it ended at the bathroom and kitchen entrances the end of the wood was just left cut off - I almost cut my foot open not knowing the first night and walking into it. This could cause someone serious damage. Unfortunately the village at night was not as peaceful as it probably is normally but that was due to the A1 being shut every night for 12 weeks and the diversion going through the small village of Powburn and this cottage is very near the road - just bad luck for us. The tawny owls calling at night was lovely to hear and it was so dark the stars were amazing. The cottage is well positioned for exploring. Places to visit Linhope Spout Breamish Valley Ingram Cafe - dog friendly Craster & Craster Seafood Restaurant - dog friendly The Tankerville Arms in Wooler is dated but lovely food and service The list goes on - you definitely need more than a week in Northumberland but I would not stay at this cottage again. We have tried reviewing via Sykes who we booked through but they have not published the review or responded to our queries as to why - or even called to discuss all these issues with a property we paid for with our hard earned money. Coming home we've had to wash all the clothes we didn't wear too as they just smelt of damp. I am very surprised it was rated 3 stars - it should be a 2 and that is being generous. The biggest let down in holiday accommodation we've ever had. We look pictures of the issues (not the damp smell obviously) also."