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POPULAR REGION! A property was booked in Somerset & Wiltshire 0 minutes ago

4 people have viewed this property in the last 24 hours

The Coach House

Castle Cary, Somerset (Ref. 1175191)

Customer rating

4.1

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Helpful Holidays rating

  • 4 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

  • Show on map

Features

  • Garden / Patio
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

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10 Customer Review(s)

  • Connor

    “We’ve just returned from a week at this cottage, and while it has great potential and some really lovely features, there are several things that let it down quite badly — mainly around cleanliness and management.”

    First and foremost, the cleanliness was very poor. The floors clearly hadn’t been properly mopped in a long time. Only small areas where there were obvious drips or water marks had been wiped over, but when I ran a wet wipe across the floor it came up brown, which tells you everything. The carpets are also dirty — they look grey but are actually blackened in places. A regular deep clean or carpet wash, even once a month, would make a big difference. It’s very obvious that these floors ...

    First and foremost, the cleanliness was very poor. The floors clearly hadn’t been properly mopped in a long time. Only small areas where there were obvious drips or water marks had been wiped over, but when I ran a wet wipe across the floor it came up brown, which tells you everything. The carpets are also dirty — they look grey but are actually blackened in places. A regular deep clean or carpet wash, even once a month, would make a big difference. It’s very obvious that these floors haven’t had a proper clean for quite some time. The bathrooms also need attention. Both toilet seats — one in the downstairs shower room and one in the upstairs bathroom — are extremely loose. Sitting on them is like balancing on a surfboard. It’s uncomfortable and, more importantly, unsafe. If an elderly guest were to use these toilets, they could very easily slip and hurt themselves. A good cleaner or property manager should have noticed this instantly and had it fixed before guests arrived. It’s not a small issue, and both toilets being the same suggests it’s been like that for a while. The garden was another disappointment. It looked as though all the leaves had simply been blown or raked into one corner, with the outdoor furniture stacked on top of them. The fire pit was knocked over, and both the rubbish and recycling bins were full when we arrived. I understand the bins are collected on Fridays, but it doesn’t look very good for new guests to have to deal with the previous guests’ rubbish. That should be properly managed before check-in. Regarding access, I did know when I booked that you have to walk through the neighbour’s garden to reach the property. While the neighbours themselves have been absolutely lovely — friendly, polite, and very quiet — I still feel it would be much nicer for everyone’s privacy if there were a separate entrance. If there’s any space at the back of their garden, it would be a good idea to consider putting in a small alleyway or pathway to give each property its own access. It would make things feel more private and comfortable for guests, especially when bringing in luggage or dogs. Now onto the positives, because there are definitely some good points. The property itself is very spacious — much bigger than it looks in the photos. There’s plenty of room throughout, especially in the kitchen, which has lots of workspace and a nice table and chairs. The lounge area is comfortable, with good seating and a nice television setup. The beds are comfortable, and overall the house is very well laid out. The location is excellent, with two parking spaces and the town just a short distance away. It’s in a lovely area and has real potential to be one of the best properties around if managed and maintained properly. However, the problem lies with the standards and management. There are a lot of rules for guests, yet it feels like the same attention and care isn’t being given in return when it comes to ensuring the property is actually ready for guests. There’s a five-hour window between check-out (10am) and check-in (3pm), which should be more than enough time to clean thoroughly, check everything works properly, and make sure the property is up to standard. That clearly isn’t happening. And now, to address what I know will probably be said in response — “why didn’t you get in touch during your stay?” The simple answer is that after travelling four hours, unloading the car, unpacking bags, and settling in with two dogs, the last thing I want to do is start emailing, phoning, or arranging for people to come back and fix things that should have been right before I even arrived. I shouldn’t have to spend my holiday doing the job of the cleaner or property manager. It is not my responsibility to check or report on the state of the property — it is the responsibility of the owner or managing company to make sure everything is properly cleaned, safe, and ready before guests walk through the door. I’ve stayed in many holiday accommodations before, some costing less than this one, that have been absolutely spotless and perfectly managed from start to finish. So it can be done. This one just needs that same level of care and attention. Someone should be inspecting the property after every clean to make sure standards are being met — that’s the only way you can guarantee guests get the experience they’re paying for. To be clear, this isn’t meant as a nasty review. I genuinely think this cottage could be fantastic — it’s in a lovely area, it’s spacious, well-equipped, and has so much potential. But without better management, proper cleaning, and regular checks, it’s falling short of what guests rightly expect. Hopefully this feedback helps, because it really could be one of the nicest places around if these issues are properly addressed.

    - Connor, November 2025

    Update: I met a representative of the cleaning company at the Coach House and we tried to replicate the guest's claim that the hard flooring was not clean. We tested it in three different, high traffic, locations and the result was - clean! We will continue with the existing method of mopping with hot water and eco-friendly cleaning fluid after each guest vacates the property. Similarly, an inspection of the carpets found no 'black' areas - perhaps the guest mistook the 'knap' in the carpet pile left by the vacuum cleaning. Nevertheless the carpets were given a good shampooing and this will be done on a more frequent basis in future. The toilet seats are about to be replaced - we are waiting for new ones to be delivered. The leaves have been cleared from the garden - the guest's comments seemed a little 'overblown' as all the leaves only filled 2 black bin bags! There are still some leaves to come down from the oak tree so we will repeat the clear-up in a week or two. Original response: Thank you for your feedback Connor. Whilst there are many positives to your comments it is disheartening to read your critique of the cleaning and maintenance schedule. We employ, at considerable expense, a professional cleaning company to handle the changeovers at the Coach House and, to a large extent, manage the property. Belinda and I lived there ourselves until earlier this year when we moved away and are now a three hour drive from Castle Cary. Our return visits to the Coach House have been sporadic and we have been highly reliant on the feedback of guests to alert us to any deficiencies or issues there may be with the house. We have always sought to react swiftly to guests' feedback and will endeavour to do so in response to yours. Firstly, we will pass your comments onto the cleaning company and will resolve the issues with cleanliness with them. The toilet seats will be checked and replaced, if necessary. I'd be grateful if you could cut me a bit of slack with the garden - there is a very large Oak tree which, in the high winds we had just before your stay, lost all its leaves in one go and they apparently were blown into one corner of the garden - the garden furniture was half-buried under leaves. The wind also blew over the fire pit and no one saw fit to stand it back up again. All this will be rectified in the next few days. I have had it in mind for some time to speak to our lovely neighbours about the access and your suggestion is one which we are considering. It would mean, however, them sacrificing part of their garden with little in return - other than a small increase in privacy. Our ambition is indeed to make the Coach House one of the 'nicest places around' and we will use your feedback to help us get there! So, thanks again and please come back for another stay one day to see how we're getting on! All the best, Chris and Belinda Property Owner

Summary

  • Two bedrooms: 2 x double,- each with a single child's bed
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
  • Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area, and sitting area
  • Gas central heating
  • Electric oven, electric hob, microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher
  • Smart TV and WiFi
  • Airfryer
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Designated parking places for 2 cars
  • Enclosed rear garden with artificial lawn, furniture and fire
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop and pub 0.4 miles, lake 0.6 miles
  • Please note: This property only accepts week long bookings during school holidays and other peak dates
  • This property accepts a minimum of 5 nights

The property

The Coach House is a delightful escape tucked away in the centre of Castle Cary, Somerset.

Ideally located within walking distance of local shops and pubs, this inviting home-from-home is ideal for families or groups of friends in search of a break.

The property boasts a generous open-plan living space and a fire pit in the garden, making it the perfect choice for unwinding and outdoor evenings under the stars.

Step inside and you’ll be welcomed by the light-filled living area, thoughtfully designed for socialising.

Choose from one of the three sofas to put your feet up and settle in after a day out exploring.

The stylish kitchen comes fully equipped with an electric oven, hob, and an air fryer, giving you everything you need to whip up your favourite meals.

Once prepared, you can gather around the dining table for a hearty dinner or head outside to the enclosed rear garden where outdoor furniture awaits.

Soak up the sunshine while you dine alfresco, then pour a drink and watch the sun dip below the horizon before lighting the fire pit for an intimate evening of conversation and stargazing.

When it’s time to rest, the property offers two welcoming bedrooms: a serene double and a spacious family room, both served by a bathroom and a convenient ground-floor shower room.

A shop and a pub are just a short stroll away, ideal for picking up essentials or enjoying a drink out.

While staying at The Coach House, explore nearby attractions such as the historic Bruton Dovecote, Castle Cary and District Museum, or get up close to falcons at Pitcombe Rock Falconry.

Spend a day exploring the stunning Wookey Hole Caves, marvel at Wells Cathedral, or enjoy the gardens of The Bishop’s Palace.

For a magical day out, head to Glastonbury to climb the iconic Tor, visit the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, or discover the sacred Chalice Well.

Whatever your plans, The Coach House offers a wonderful base for an unforgettable Somerset escape.

Please note: This property only accepts week long bookings during school holidays and other peak dates.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250.

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About the location

CASTLE CARY

Bruton 6 miles; Glastonbury 14 miles; Wells 14 miles.

Castle Cary is a small, attractive country town 12 miles north east of Yeovil and 24 miles south of Bath. It lies on the edge of rolling countryside between the Somerset Levels to the West and the ridgeline of Penselwood to the east, halfway between the Mendip Hills and the Blackmore Vale. The main Paddington to Penzance railway line runs about a mile to the north. The old part of Castle Cary, which is still the town centre and contains buildings like the Market House, the Round House and the old George Inn, runs along the foot of steep, grassy Lodge Hill, below where the castle used to stand. The town is the main centre for a large area of South Somerset, with a wide range of shops and services, and free parking.

Please note: This property only accepts week long bookings during school holidays and other peak dates.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute