MkGWestSussex - verified booking

"Orchard Cottage was the perfect base from which to explore Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. It was the perfect home from home, spotlessly clean, beautifully presented, and very well equipped with every home comfort we could imagine. It even had an Aga in the kitchen, and an open fire in the living room. The friendly owners, Mr & Mrs Bates, live nextdoor and were always nearby if we ever needed them. There was a family bathroom upstairs, and a shower room and toilet downstairs, giving everyone plenty of space. The views from the conservatory adjoining the kitchen were fabulous, looking out over the little orchard, open fields, and rolling hills beyond, and made a perfect place to enjoy breakfast, or just relax in the afternoon whatever the weather. The views from the bedrooms were equally tranquil, and there is something quite special about drawing the curtains in the morning and seeing a cow gazing back at you ! The countryside around Orchard Cottage is teeming with wildlife, and in particular we enjoyed watching the red kites gliding overhead, along with the pheasants and swallows at the orchard. There were plenty of shopping facilities a short car journey away at Thame, and local shops in nearby Cuddington and Brill. We chose to eat out most evenings and found excellent cuisine at The Mole & Chicken Inn at nearby Easington, and the Crown at Cuddington. The Akeman Inn at Kingswood on the A41 was also excellent. We found that there was enough to do and see in the immediate area to more than fill the week we spent at Orchard Cottage. We chose to visit the nearby magnificent Waddesdon Manor, along with the beautiful Blenheim Palace, Claydon House, and the fabulous Stowe gardens. We also ventured as far as Windsor in just over an hour, and also into London in just under 2 hours. We could easily (and willingly !) have stayed an extra week to visit Oxford, Stratford, the Aylesbury steam railway, and explore some of the picturesque local villages, and much more. We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Orchard Cottage, and along with the glowing references from all the other former guests in the Visitors' Book at the cottage, we heartily recommend it."

- MkGWestSussex, June 2015 - verified booking

"Orchard Cottage was the perfect base from which to explore Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. It was the perfect home from home, spotlessly clean, beautifully presented, and very well equipped with every home comfort we could imagine. It even had an Aga in the kitchen, and an open fire in the living room. The friendly owners, Mr & Mrs Bates, live nextdoor and were always nearby if we ever needed them. There was a family bathroom upstairs, and a shower room and toilet downstairs, giving everyone plenty of space. The views from the conservatory adjoining the kitchen were fabulous, looking out over the little orchard, open fields, and rolling hills beyond, and made a perfect place to enjoy breakfast, or just relax in the afternoon whatever the weather. The views from the bedrooms were equally tranquil, and there is something quite special about drawing the curtains in the morning and seeing a cow gazing back at you ! The countryside around Orchard Cottage is teeming with wildlife, and in particular we enjoyed watching the red kites gliding overhead, along with the pheasants and swallows at the orchard. There were plenty of shopping facilities a short car journey away at Thame, and local shops in nearby Cuddington and Brill. We chose to eat out most evenings and found excellent cuisine at The Mole & Chicken Inn at nearby Easington, and the Crown at Cuddington. The Akeman Inn at Kingswood on the A41 was also excellent. We found that there was enough to do and see in the immediate area to more than fill the week we spent at Orchard Cottage. We chose to visit the nearby magnificent Waddesdon Manor, along with the beautiful Blenheim Palace, Claydon House, and the fabulous Stowe gardens. We also ventured as far as Windsor in just over an hour, and also into London in just under 2 hours. We could easily (and willingly !) have stayed an extra week to visit Oxford, Stratford, the Aylesbury steam railway, and explore some of the picturesque local villages, and much more. We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Orchard Cottage, and along with the glowing references from all the other former guests in the Visitors' Book at the cottage, we heartily recommend it."

Irene - verified booking

"Disappointing .....We have stayed at many self catering holiday homes, our initial impression was that hospitality was not up to the normal standards.We recommend the owners review their welcoming....A bottle of wine, some local produce, bread, butter and sometimes we have had local jams.We got 2 slices of very tasty cake...good.....a few packets of tea coffee and drinking chocolate. Milk....And a bowl of fruit...that was it.No toiletries ...most unusual....Not a flower in the place....I also considered the tone of what to do before you leave a little condescending Plus I have never stayed anywhere I have had to strip the beds.I recommend our hosts do more homework and go and experience an excellent holiday rental.The paintwork particularly around the Windows needed attention.The entrance porch had not been swept for a long time...neither had the back porch.Apart from that it was fine...."

Mary - verified booking

"I have stayed there twice this season and had wonderful times both times. Everything is there at the cottage you could possibly want and need. Only one thing missing a vase for flowers ! A minor thing, so I just took my own. Because it sleeps three it is a great place for a single person to holiday with friends, which is exactly what I did. I stayed with family from Yorkshire there, and last week friends from New Zealand there. I am a local girl who loves Wendover anyway, but they all loved it. So many walks to do from there, depending on the rain of course, and enough restaurants in Wendover to eat at a different one every night. Although everything is supplied for cooking at the cottage which we also did several nights. Thank you a wonderful place, but I don't want to tell many people !"

Sue - verified booking

"Charming cottage in a wonderful location. The cottage is clean, comfortable and well equipped with appealing furnishing. Although ‘in the middle of nowhere’ being a National Trust property there is the benefit of a house to visit, a café across the Courtyard and wonderful grounds to walk in. Extremely peaceful after hours. We found a good choice of dog friendly pubs to eat in and an invaluable co-op in a nearby village. There are several art and craft studios to tempt you to part with your money and even courses to attend ( which was the purpose of our stay and excellent ). Beware of enormous potholes in roads nearby. The worst I’ve seen anywhere. I’d recommend this cottage and have already booked again so that I can attend another art course in this very special setting!"