Larina - verified booking

"We stayed 7 nights, Monday to Monday, Lodge was lovely, although the oven took about 2 hours to cook anything, we paid extra for the lodge with hot tub, hot tub was too hot, we couldn’t stay in it for longer than ten minutes and when we asked at reception to turn the thermostat down we were told it was pre set by the manufacturer. We then went down to the main area in the evening for the evening entertainment as we had our 2 children with us to find out the main entertainment bar was shut until Friday so we went in to the smaller bar where we were told the entertainment would be held until Friday where 2 entertainment crew members got out a jenga, some foam squares and a small crawl through tunnel ! My ten year old decided to go in to the amusements to amuse herself and my 5 year old sat and played jenga for half an hour eventually getting board so we decided to head back to the lodge, we didn’t bother returning to the main centre in the evening until Friday, the entertainment Friday, Saturday and was good obviously because they were then catering to the weekend and half term visitors ! We had no prior notice that the main entertainment room would be shut for the week which I found very unproffesional and rude, also in the smaller bar it is more like a pub and we found a lot of random men were in there with no partners or family just drinking beer and being a bit rowdy, not great with loads of kids around. Food in the restaurant was poor, only ate their once for that reason. Swimming pool was ok with the slide, sauna and steam room. Arcade was ok, kept the children entertained for a while as there was nothing else to do at the park except arcade or swim, wasn’t impressed that the desk to claim your prizes from winning tickets was never open which was very annoying. Woods next to the park is a nice walk. We were going to book activities while there like archery and crazy golf but they didn’t seem to be open and to be honest had seen better days, didn’t seem to be maintained at all. No security hut or barrier on the entrance to the park so anyone could come in to the main area probably why there were loads of men in the pub area which made me feel unsafe with my children around. Hot tub maintainance men seemed to maintain the hot tub everyday at the crack of dawn waking everyone up talking on their radios. Shop onsite was ok but shut at 6 so couldn’t go in the evening and get anything. Surrounding areas are nice, moors valley is lovely and Poole is nice for a day trip. would definitely not return to a shorefield park especially for the money we paid."

Carmen - verified booking

"We had a fantastic stay at the farmhouse to celebrate 4 50th birthdays. A beautiful house with ample space for 3 couples and very well equipped. The only very slight constructive criticism would be the showers were not very hot and the dishwasher did not clean very well, I must add that neither of these spoilt our stay.Before the booking we had requested an early check in and check out, the check out was agreed with a charge of £50 for 2 hours. We were told early check in could not be guaranteed. We arrived about 1pm and parked at the farmhouse, had a look in the windows and it all looked clean and tidy, there was no one there so we walked over to the golf club and asked if there was any chance we could have the keys early, the receptionist said they were still in there cleaning, I said that was no problem we would be in the bar if they could come and find us when they were ready. Our friends arrived about 2pm and also parked in the farmhouse and said no one was there. The reception staff never came to find us, I went to the desk at 3pm and one of the receptionists said to her colleague “they can have them now”. The house had clearly been ready a while, I appreciate our check time was 3pm but don’t understand why if the house was ready what harm it would have been to give us the keys, especially when I had emailed previously requesting an early check in, and the reply was this cannot be guaranteed but not refused.We found the reception staff at the golf club came across unprofessional and unfriendly, comments such as “they can have them now” when we asked for the keys and one members of staff asked her colleague “how is your day” she replied “I want to kill someone” this was in front of a reception full of guests. The ladies working at the spa were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. We enjoyed a lunch in the hotel so booked for an evening meal which was very poor, it was served very quickly and was just about warm, they tasted like processed ready meals.I would definitely recommend this beautiful, well equipped and spacious house but would only use the spa in the hotel."

Emma - verified booking

"The view from the cottage was lovely but the rest a little disappointing. On entering the cottage there was a smell, reminded me of walking into my grandparents house when I was a kid. The pictures do make the accommodation look ok, but reality is a little different. The front room/dining room needs redoing, the cane furniture feels old and it seems to be a bit of a dumping ground for outdoor furniture cushions and random ornaments. The kitchen is low quality and the pantry/fuse box cupboard is grotty & disorganised, although if you wanted to bake something or have gravy (3 gravy boats) you’ll love it. The main bathroom is really nicely done, but took forever to fill the bath for my daughter every night with poor water pressure and not very hot water. The lounge is nice comfy and bright with sky tv which was good. New carpets everywhere except the dining room. The main double bedroom and ensuite were ok, the bathroom doesn’t have a window so the room constantly smelt damp with water just sitting there after the shower was used. The other double bedroom we couldn’t use because the mattress was all springs & simply awful - needs replacing, we ended up sleeping in single beds next door which were more comfy. The ensuite in the twin room need a revamp, exposed pipes, wonky tiles and toilet does flush very well. The garden was lovely but when we went outside to play realised it was cordoned off so all we had was a small patch off grass next to the road and some very steep steps down to a deck area. With a toddler we were looking forward to having the space to run around outside so that was disappointing. I understand this is an old building but it feels like it’s been done on a tight budget. We paid over £1000 for a week mid June and I’ve come away feeling massively hard done by. I’ve paid a lot less and stayed in much better accommodation. The view is amazing, but isn’t worthy of the prices you are charging."

S - verified booking

"Fabulous lodge, very peaceful, hot tub was blissful, log burner amazing though it got so hot one night we slept (in October) with the bedroom doors and windows wide open, it feels very safe as so far out of the way.The only thing I would say is missing, and they are minor, is salt and pepper in the lodge, we brought some amazing steaks, I don’t usually cook on holiday but did these, some basic condiments to compliment would have been useful.I would also say there is nowhere to put wet and muddy boots and coats, we really struggled to dry out one of my sons welly boots because they are lined and somewhere to put wet and muddy boots would have been great especially as both my sons got soaked when jumping in muddy puddles (as in up to their waist), the washing machine was well used.This is a peaceful holiday with no WiFi or phone signal, it was amazing to be off grid but not far (2 miles) to the local town and shops so not isolated, I checked my emails once a day and it has been a very long time since I could say that. There are no real extras but the staff are very friendly and helpful, shop well priced and items produced at the farm. This is a working farm and so looks like it when you arrive but up at the Lodges it is pure peace and quiet."

sarah - verified booking

"If you want a get away from it all holiday in luxury, this is the place. A fabulously quiet place in open fields with horses and birds for company. The house has been built and equipped to a very high standard with every need catered for - for both humans and dogs. Our party ranged from 4 months to 86 years, with two dogs and an owl and everyone enjoyed the week. Beds and seating area very comfy and plenty of room indoors for wet weather activity. The hot tub and sports kit were a wonderful surprise and were well used during our dry days. I really can not recommend the Haybarn more highly. Wimborne was only a few minutes away and had a fantastic butcher and fishmonger together with all the usual shops, coffee houses, pubs and restaurants. The treasure hunt created some fun and encouraged everyone to explore the beautiful woods and walks."