“I think Rookwood is ok-ish (with a few notable issues) but it's hugely over priced for what it is and generally feels like the owners have done all they can to maximise their profits and not put any care into anything.”
The photos make it look MUCH bigger than it is, and it's seen better days - I can't upload the pictures I took but the garden is not the flowery oasis you see in their pictures, it's a yard full of weeds and the smell of the oil tank in the corner wafting over you if you sit out there. The beds were incredibly uncomfortable - super soft and hard to lay flat on without rolling into the middle. You also have to arrive via some very narrow but busy roads so hard for driving, although the cottage itself is peaceful. The lounge is nice but despite them saying they always provide firewood, what they mean is only during some months of the year. Although you wouldn't expect to need it in July we did and so had the expense of buying some locally (we would have brought with us if we'd known), although there is central heating but part of the reason we'd paid extra for the cottage was because we like a fire. We didn't use the upstairs shower, as others have said, it clearly leaks as you can tell from the large stain on the carpet.
As others have said, the shop is permanently closed and the pub is for sale so won't be available any time soon and should therefore be removed from the listing - rather than just putting a note on the page and leaving the bullets so if you're searching for somewhere with those facilities it'll still come up, this is very dishonest. And as others have said, we were told about this change very late on.
The saving grace was the excellent housekeeper Maddy who not only kindly offered to post something I'd accidentally left behind, she also came and saved us when we got locked out the back as there was nothing to warn us the back door locks automatically if you go out. Thank you for your help Maddy.
Thank you for your feedback, the contents of which have been noted. The descriptions of the pub and shops have been updated to reflect that the tiny and ancient Drew Arms and the tiny shop within Drewsteignton have both closed. However, the beautifully situated Fingle Bridge Inn on the banks of the of the river Teign set within the Fingle Woods is within 1 mile of the cottage. The Fingle Woods is run by the Woodland and National Trusts and is crisscrossed with public footpaths, some of which can be accessed right in front of the cottage. Castle Drogo overlooks the Teign Gorge and can be accessed via this network of footpaths (as well as by road). Castle Drogo itself is 1.4 miles from the cottage and has a wonderful café. As far as shopping goes, the small and picturesque market town of Chagford is 3.6 miles away and has a grocery store, a bakery, a florist, a wine shop, a delicatessen catering for picnics, a pharmacy, the well-known James Bowden & Son Hardware & Moorland Centre and several other shops and pubs including the Three Crowns.
We have taken up with our housekeeper the fact that you were not provided with a starter pack of wood for the woodburner and agree with you that this should be there even in July. Maddy usually contacts all our guests telephonically before their arrival to discuss their requirements regarding wood. Similarly, we will discuss with her your comments regarding weeds in the courtyard. We also agree that it is time to upgrade our photograph of the courtyard – the furniture and plantings have changed since that picture was taken.
The cottage was completely renovated internally in 2019 by a professional designer with new flooring, a new kitchen, a remodelled family bathroom (with bath and shower) and all new furniture as well as the inclusion of the small en suite shower room. We know that the en suite is small but we felt it was better to have it than not to have it and the cottage is Grade II listed so it is not possible to have a more extensive en suite. The shower door in the en suite does seal if fully closed. The decision was made at that time to include a hotel quality king zip/link bed to accommodate those guests who prefer twin beds if necessary. We will review that decision and we are contemplating changing to a normal king bed in light of your criticisms.
To conclude, we and our housekeeper Maddy have taken your negative comments on board. Drewsteignton is a small village but we think it is a delightful one. The last few miles of one’s journey does involve the driving on small country lanes but the fact that there are no big roads going through the village is one of the things, in our view, that makes it a special place.
Property Owner
