Cecily Cottage

3.7★

5 Guests
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets Yes
Show on map

Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Seaside
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

30 Customer Review(s)

Kenneth
September 2024

“On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became ...”

On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became an issue part way through the week, shower door didn’t close properly, windows need a good clean, Fridge smelled very strongly of fish, bathroom door wouldn’t stay shut, some lights didn’t work, TV signal was poor so had to rely on streaming services, garden had multiple weeds making the garden look uncared for, had to clean out drawers in master bedroom before putting clothes in it, both double beds were hard ...

On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became an issue part way through the week, shower door didn’t close properly, windows need a good clean, Fridge smelled very strongly of fish, bathroom door wouldn’t stay shut, some lights didn’t work, TV signal was poor so had to rely on streaming services, garden had multiple weeds making the garden look uncared for, had to clean out drawers in master bedroom before putting clothes in it, both double beds were hard and uncomfortable unless you like hard orthopaedic mattresses, Dining chairs felt damp after sitting on them, would not stay at Cecily Cottage again

- Kenneth, September 2024
Jennie August 2024

“A renovated cottage half way up a cliff.”

Access was hard to get to, especially as the only road in was closed for roadworks. Property was tired with a mixture of old and modern. Garden unkempt. Blind in bathroom would not work. However, well equipped with everything we could want. The beds were clean and comfortable. Over priced for this property.

- Jennie, August 2024
Graeme August 2023

“We had a great holiday and really enjoyed the cottage.”

Very comfortable inside. Couple of things to improve on. The garden needs serious attention, unable to enjoy it with the kids and dog which seems a waste. Windows are very dirty and haven’t been cleaned for a long time which takes away from the beautiful view (ended up cleaning myself where I could reach) Small improvements but would make a huge difference.

- Graeme, August 2023
Clare December 2022

“We stayed for a couple of days over New Year.”

The cottage was lovely and much bigger than we were expecting. The views were beautiful and the location was excellent for Westward Ho! We had our dog with us and the courtyard garden was perfect for her. We would definitely come back and also recommend.

- Clare, December 2022
Claire September 2022

“The cottage itself was fine and offered the accommodation we were expecting.”

However the level of cleanliness left a lot to be desired. Some of the pillows and the mattress cover were badly stained. We found toenail clippings on the bedroom floor and old socks underneath the sofa. The shower was partially blocked and didn’t drain properly and the shower door didn’t close properly, which meant the floor was wet after showering.

- Claire, September 2022
Barry May 2022

“The cottage was decent, parking a nightmare though.”

Scraped my cars wheels on the high kerb several times, owing to the near impossible task of turning the car around to get out. The main grumble was the shower. First day the shower tray very nearly overflowed due to the drain being completely blocked with hair. i just managed to notice before shower water poured down the stairs! Bought a bottle of drain unblocker which sorted the problem. Apart from that all good.

- Barry, May 2022
Nicole May 2022

“I feel awful complaining as the owner allowed us to take our three dogs, however, even though we have dogs it does not mean that we are prepared to pay for a holiday let that obviously has lost interest in their property and their guests.”

A number of issues that individually are minor , but added together show a complete lack of respect for visitors. To start, the blurb on

- Nicole, May 2022
Judith April 2022

“We’ll located for all amenities and beach if you don’t mind hills to get there.”

House was lovely. Clean and had all we needed for a comfortable stay. Would definitely stay there again.

- Judith, April 2022
Hayley October 2021

“We had a lovely stay at this cottage.”

We found it to be clean, tidy, warm and cosy and very well equipped. Our son said it was the most at home he had felt on holiday. The beds were very comfortable and the TV and WiFi worked very well. The parking was a little tight but once you got the hang of where to turn it was fine. We would like to come back next Spring for a long weekend.

- Hayley, October 2021
Anonymous September 2021

“Really good property with friendly neigbours, but NO tea pot provided.”

It's in England. Come on.

- Anonymous, September 2021
Elizabeth July 2021

“Lovely clean and comfortable cottage in great position for Westward Ho!”

and North Devon coast. Amazing views from bedrooms. Hillside location could be difficult for some but kept us fit!

- Elizabeth, July 2021
Matthew July 2021

“Cecily cottage really lovely.”

Well positioned for the sea with great views. House has excellent facilities including a nice outside space. Lots of room for the whole family. Well furnished and equipped. We had a great stay.

- Matthew, July 2021
John July 2021

“Great Location.”

Apartment very good. If you're visiting North Devon stay in Ho! If you're staying in Ho! stay here!

- John, July 2021
Colette June 2021

“Lovely cottage in a great location.”

Less than 10 minutes walk down hill to the beach. You can hear and see the sea from the front bedrooms. All amenities in Westward Ho. Cottage was very clean inside. Previous comments seem to have been addressed. There were some areas that could be even better. We left this feedback for the owner.

- Colette, June 2021
Ian May 2021

“Great break in a great cottage with great views in a great location!”

- Ian, May 2021
Debra May 2021

“ALL OF THE BEDS HAD NO MATTRESS OR PILLOW PROTECTORS THE BEDDING WAS OF A VERY POOR QUALITY.”

THE SHOWER DOOR WAS VERY HARD TO CLOSE AND IT LEAKED. THE BATHROOM FLOOR WAS DIRTY. THE METAL TOILET ROLL HOLDER WAS WAS DIRTY AND RUSTY. THE COOKER AND TRAYS ETC WERE OLD AND NOT USABLE. THE GARDEN WAS UNTIDY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN SWEPT UP OR A BRUSH AVAILABLE TO DO SO. THERE WAS NO MAT BY THE BACK DOOR TO CLEAN OUR SHOES SO WE BROUGHT THE DIRT INTO THE KITCHEN. THE FRONT DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE AND HAD TO BE BANGED EACH TIME. WE HAVE BOOKED COTTAGES WITH YOU BEFORE AND I FEEL THIS COTTAGE WAS NOT TO A SATISFACTORY STANDARD.

- Debra, May 2021
Diane April 2021

“This is a nice cottage, good position, the walk back up, could be an issue for some.”

The cleanliness was an issue, especially, skirting boards and tiles in bathroom, we feel that the whole cottage could do with a good clean. Not sure if the owners read the reviews, as this has been mentioned before. Such a shame, but with some TLC this cottage could be so so good.

- Diane, April 2021
Melanie April 2021

“Cecily Cottage was a lovely post-lockdown stay.”

We booked 12th April 2021 for 4 nights. It was our first break away in a long time and first with our boxer puppy and was very dog friendly, as is the area. I loved this cottage, had everything we needed, and loved the decor. Bathroom is fabulous. Plus overall space was bigger than expected. Just over a mile to Westward Ho! Beach, which is dog friendly, and all the amenities. Close to The Big Sheep, Milky Way and Clovelly so plenty to do just a short drive away. Definitely recommend for a fabulous family get away.

- Melanie, April 2021
Liz October 2020

“We loved the cottage which was homely and had lots of added extras and quirky features.”

Excellent location and amazing views. Overall a great experience and we will certainly return.

- Liz, October 2020
Ann-marie September 2020

“Cecily Cottage in Westward Ho was a reasonably clean and comfortable dog friendly cottage with some quirky touches.”

It really suited us for a weeks stay in N Devon - Not far from the beach and great access to the SW coastal path. It was excellent value for money in a great location.

- Ann-marie, September 2020
Pamela September 2020

“Situated in a high location.”

Difficult to negotiate to and from sea front.

- Pamela, September 2020
Philip September 2020

“Lovely week in Westward Ho!”

and Daisy, the miniature schnauzer enjoyed all the local beeches and pubs. The only problem with the cottage is the cleanliness, why don’t you employ decent cleaners and then people will leave positive reviews. Also the speed of the broadband is ridiculous, less than 1mg speed, so no streaming Netflix. Simple solution, upgrade to fibre and put the additional cost onto the weekly rent, probably an extra £5 each week.

- Philip, September 2020
Helen August 2020

“A lot of mould in single bedroom (possible roof leak?”

). Tumble dryer extremely loud. Lounge needed another hoover (which we did) as there was plenty of dirt, especially on and under the rug. Otherwise we were happy with the property.

- Helen, August 2020
Caroline July 2020

“We had a wonderful stay - lovely comfortable cottage with beautiful view.”

The only improvement I would suggest is that the drain/manhole on the patio is a trip hazard and needs a cover ( we put a chair over it ). Also the stair gate locking mechanism was broken ( a suitcase at the bottom of the stairs worked for us though ! ).

- Caroline, July 2020
Steven March 2020

“We feel the house was lovely and quirky but not really suitable for young ...”

We feel the house was lovely and quirky but not really suitable for young children as we feel there should be stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and the floors were quite hard the view was beautiful but the 10 minute walk was a bit misleading as one way you had to walk along the road as there was no path and it was very steep and the other way you had steep steps that you had to lift the pushchair down but it is perfect for a young family that are passed the pushchair stage we had a lovely break just not suitable for a twenty month old child

- Steven, March 2020
Kay August 2019

“Great position lovely cottage .”

Well equipped just the cleanliness could have been better .

- Kay, August 2019
Kate August 2019

“Pros: 1. The house was in a lovely spot with easy access to the beach/ sea front.”

2. Lovely views from the front upstairs windows 3. Outdoor shower in back garden - which is very useful when returning from the beach Cons: 1. No sign/number on house. 2. On arrival at the house the TV would not come on, we reported it to the caretaker he did come the same day and tried to sort the problem out which was the TV remote. He said he would order another which he did and this come the 4th day into our holiday. On looking at recent past reviews other holiday makers had stated they had issues with the TV over the past few months and this was on going. All appliances etc should be sorted/checked on change over day each week to check for any faults that may need rectifying. 2. The general cleanliness of the house was disappointing, it could have done with a good clean and sweep. The house does accept pets and it was obvious that in recent times a dog had been upstairs which the owner in the guest book had requested not to let pets upstairs. We had to buy our own dust pan and brush and give the house a clean, we feel that it was cleaner when we left that what we had found it in!!! 3. The house could have done with some TLC - such as the kitchen needs updating etc. We have stayed in properties with Sykes Cottages in the past and paid much less for a better standard, the property could be really nice with that extra care and attention. I appreciate it is the summer months so the prices do increase however when you pay so much money for a well earned break that you have looked forward to for months you expect a good standard and this was lacking which was disappointing.

- Kate, August 2019
Angela July 2019

“Reviews before were bad.”

But the cottage was lovely in great location, walking distance of the centre , was on hill but manageable. the cottage was well equipped , clean and comfortable

- Angela, July 2019
Jill June 2019

“This is the first time I have stayed in a holiday cottage that I do not want to return to.”

The biggest disappointment is the garden. Overgrown with weeds, growing up through the drains and the astroturf I swept the seating area, which was disgraceful, so it wouldn't look quite as bad for the next occupier. There is a broken bar-b-q (which we were told by Sykes had been removed), a broken sun parasol (unusable) and, on arrival, 7 bags of full black refuse bags plus 2 full dustbins in the small garden, most unpleasant. Most of the refuse bags were removed a couple of days later (I had complained). The outdoor table and chairs are long past their best. When I stayed there was scaffolding overhanging the garden from the house next door. Inside:- less important - TV remote still not working despite being reported by the previous reviewer, and looked into by Sykes who informed me it had been seen too, Toaster didn't work and still had crumbs in and around. The oven needs cleaning. Cobwebs in the bedside lamp. As the previous reviewer remarked:- quite a steep climb which some people would not be able to manage and isn't mentioned in the description. Parking is quite tricky to manoeuvre. No information is provided , eg health care, local vets, etc. This is the only holiday cottage I've stayed in where no info is provided and no welcome pack. The keysafe box is a bit fiddly - be patient and keep trying! This property is the only one I've stayed where I have no wish to return. It has the potential to be a lovely place to stay but gives the impression to me of being uncared for. One huge wall against the adjoining house is just a wall of peeling paint, looks awful. I saw a previous reviewers comments a few days before I was going. I was upset and contacted Sykes Cottage for reassurance that the issues had been addressed. I had to contact Sykes again just 24 hours before I was due to go because I had heard nothing back. Sykes e mail to me told that they had contacted to the owner and the issues had been addressed. On arrival I discovered that they had not. Sykes told me that the grotty bar-b-q had been removed - it hadn't. The run up to my previously highly anticipated holiday was spoiled by the previous poor review. The good points:- The cottage has a wonderful view from the front bedrooms and the kitchen has everything you need. We loved Westward Ho itself.

- Jill, June 2019
Pat May 2019

“On arrival at a small terrace on unmade road tight spot to back into.”

Cottage looked dirty and unappealing with black cobwebs all over dirty Windows. Bbq in garden not fit for use. Garden needed a good sweep and tidy. Astro turf on uneven ground. Kitchen I cleaned on arrival as fridge covered in dirty finger prints. Only 2 rings on hob stayed alight so only ones that could use 4 saucepan lids 2 saucepans. Heating was off. No logs for log burner. Caretaker took 2 days to put heating on and failed to replaice broken TVs remote which he promised he would. Freezer drawers were dirty so didn't use. No folder to advise any local information or where boiler was or would have attempted to do heating ourselves. Any good was spoilt by things that could have easily been rectified the house in general was nice apart from kitchen area which was suffering from wear and tear 10 minute walk to town was a very steep walk up and down. Would have expected this to have been advised. Wouldn't book again

- Pat, May 2019

Show less

Summary

Three bedrooms: 2 x double, 1 x single
Bathroom with free-standing bath, separate shower, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner
Dining room with wood-burning stove
Sitting room.
Gas central heating with woodburning stove
Electric oven and induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/ dryer, dishwasher
2 x TV's, DVD player, WiFi (Fibre Optic), selection of books, games and DVDs
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Travel cot, highchair and stairgate available
Allocated parking for 1 car, with plenty of roadside parking nearby
Patio with seating, steps up to lawned area,is good for dogs as fully enclosed
One well-behaved dog welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop and pub 10 mins walk
Note: Logs for the wood burner won't be provided during the summer period (April - September)
Note: the property is up hill from the beach

The property

Set on a quiet, private road, with an elevated position and enviable views over Westward Ho! Beach, is this Victorian terrace.

Cecily Cottage is just a short stroll from this seaside village, with spacious and welcoming rooms, followed by a lovely enclosed garden at the rear.

The cosy lounge invites you into a calming sense of luxury, with bold décor uplifting your mood.

Put the kettle on and make yourselves at home from the moment you arrive!

The kitchen offers an elegant setup with modern fittings and a lovely breakfast area.

There is also a formal dining room, with a woodburner sitting proudly within the inglenook.

Get together for a family dinner after an afternoon exploring the attractions of Devon!

Climb the stairs to a split landing and three comfortable bedrooms; two doubles with superb sea views, followed by a single room.

The glamorous bathroom plays host to a beautiful, free standing slipper bath and a separate shower cubicle.

Luxuriate in a hot soak after countryside walking, or wake up to a rejuvenating shower each morning.

Gather with friends and family out in the enclosed garden, perfectly secure for your dog and children to play on the lawn, as you enjoy a balmy afternoon on the patio!

This cottage is ideally situated for exploring the north of Devon, with walking, surfing and family attractions aplenty!

There are also many sandy beaches in the area including Bideford Bay and Saunton Sands.

Golfers have the Royal North Devon Golf Club, as well as Northam Burrows Country Park whilst surfing enthusiasts can enjoy the North Devon Surf School.

The fishing village of Appledore is nearby with its quay and maze of narrow streets and Bideford offers a vibrant shopping area!

Enjoy a day trip to Barnstabple, which lies at the end of the Tarka line railway and is just a short distance away from Exmoor National Park.

A fabulous base to choose for your next family holiday!

View on map

About the location

WESTWARD HO!

Bideford 3 miles.

Dominated by 2 miles of spectacular coastline, Westward Ho!, made famous in Charles Kingsley's novel of the same name, proudly retains the prestigious Blue Flag award year upon year. Its golden sandy beach, backed by a unique pebble ridge, attracts visitors from all over the country and offers fantastic bathing and watersports activities. Just beyond the pebble ridge lies Northam Burrows Country Park, home to England's oldest golf course. The South West Coastal path and Tarka Trails pass closely by providing magnificent walks, whilst the Big Sheep Adventure Park and bustling market town of Bideford, with its renowned Atlantic Shopping Centre, lovely quayside and medieval bridge is within 3 miles. The secluded fishing village of Clovelly is just 8 miles away and boasts quaint cobbled streets, littered with many art shops, tea rooms and craft centres. The North Devon coast boasts numerous beautiful beaches, many within easy reach, including those found at Instow, Saunton Sands, Croyde, Woolacombe and Bude. An area of breathtaking beauty, with plenty to see and do for all the family.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Your selection:

Features

Reviews & Ratings

“On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became ...”

“A renovated cottage half way up a cliff.”

“We had a great holiday and really enjoyed the cottage.”

“We stayed for a couple of days over New Year.”

“The cottage itself was fine and offered the accommodation we were expecting.”

“The cottage was decent, parking a nightmare though.”

“I feel awful complaining as the owner allowed us to take our three dogs, however, even though we have dogs it does not mean that we are prepared to pay for a holiday let that obviously has lost interest in their property and their guests.”

“We’ll located for all amenities and beach if you don’t mind hills to get there.”

“We had a lovely stay at this cottage.”

“Really good property with friendly neigbours, but NO tea pot provided.”

“Lovely clean and comfortable cottage in great position for Westward Ho!”

“Cecily cottage really lovely.”

“Great Location.”

“Lovely cottage in a great location.”

“Great break in a great cottage with great views in a great location!”

“ALL OF THE BEDS HAD NO MATTRESS OR PILLOW PROTECTORS THE BEDDING WAS OF A VERY POOR QUALITY.”

“This is a nice cottage, good position, the walk back up, could be an issue for some.”

“Cecily Cottage was a lovely post-lockdown stay.”

“We loved the cottage which was homely and had lots of added extras and quirky features.”

“Cecily Cottage in Westward Ho was a reasonably clean and comfortable dog friendly cottage with some quirky touches.”

“Situated in a high location.”

“Lovely week in Westward Ho!”

“A lot of mould in single bedroom (possible roof leak?”

“We had a wonderful stay - lovely comfortable cottage with beautiful view.”

“We feel the house was lovely and quirky but not really suitable for young ...”

“Great position lovely cottage .”

“Pros: 1. The house was in a lovely spot with easy access to the beach/ sea front.”

“Reviews before were bad.”

“This is the first time I have stayed in a holiday cottage that I do not want to return to.”

“On arrival at a small terrace on unmade road tight spot to back into.”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

WESTWARD HO!