Tithe Barn Cottage

We’ve already booked the barn again for next year. It was a lovely place for our family group of 12, with enough space for everyone. The large kitchen table seats 20, so it worked really well for meals together.

The house worked well for our group of five families, 11 adults and 6 children. Each family had its own bedroom area, so we weren't on top of each other, and we could all gather in the large lounge or around the purpose-built kitchen table, which seated everyone. The location was handy too, with Dorchester and Weymouth both within half an hour. Having a clean bathroom for everyone was lovely, though there were some cobwebs. The condition and cleanliness let the place down. The online photos need updating because they show less furniture in the living room and everything looked much newer. The sofas and chairs were old, tired, and saggy. We were told the fire wasn't working when we arrived, and the underfloor heating took a couple of days to warm the house. There was lots of kitchen equipment, but much of it was old or unusable. The frying pans were worn out, some saucepan lids were broken, and the ovens needed cleaning. The grill still had foil and burnt food from its previous use. We had to clean everything we used, and there was no rinse aid or salt in the dishwasher or cupboard, so we had to buy some. The kitchen needs a deep clean and a good sort-out. The games room felt untidy and unwelcoming, and the pool table couldn't be used because of all the cuts in its cloth. In the bedrooms, the duvets didn't fit their covers, there weren't enough pillows, and the ones there were lumpy and seemed very old. The listing mentioned a bedroom with a single bed, but it wasn't there, so we had to improvise. Carpets were worn in places, cobwebs had been there for a while, several bulbs were blown, and some electrical sockets didn't work. The house met our needs and has a lot going for it. With a proper clean and some attention to these issues, it could be fantastic.

The owners were so kind and clearly work hard on the farm. Julie met us when we arrived, showed us around, and had put fresh flowers in every room. We loved seeing the friendly lambs and the peacock, and Julie also likes to show children around the farm. There are games for children too. We came for our first holiday after lockdown and had a lovely, completely peaceful time relaxing inside and outside the barn. It's a beautiful place, with gorgeous surroundings and a stunning location. It suited our small family and would also be great for a big group or special occasion.

I wasn't impressed that my deposit was kept over supposed dog poo on the property. I checked the lawns twice before leaving and they were clear. The owner's dogs roam freely and often come into the garden, while nobody seems to clear away the peacock poo between lettings either.