“We were not contacted with regards to our stay until we got in touch with the owners before we left home to find out the details.”
Our booking was most definitely forgotten. The directions to get to The Folly from Belsay were poor, on the basis that the 'burn' we are told to turn left after, is really hard to notice, and actually, when you miss it, and follow the directions from the next obvious, 2nd burn, you end up in another property. It took us a while to find the property, only with the help of a local resident, who advised us of the phantom burn used in directions. If you go over a little bridge and swing to the left..you need to turn around. Once we found the entrance gate, with the tiniest signs possible, the lane was easy to navigate, and the cows and sheep were very welcoming and amicable. The key safe was very, very difficult to find. I know other guests have mentioned it was difficult for 'oldies', but actually no, its hard for anyone. It is small, disguised amongst fuse/socket boxes, and in the darkest corner of a brick shed,..oh, and black, not even where the diminishing light can fall...check in from 3:30pm, not 3pm! Had it been any darker, we would not have found it. (Once it was located, even in the daylight as we left, the phone torches had to be used to put in codes) It was during this search that we found the log shed, of which the door could not be opened fully to get logs. Not that it mattered for us, as we had forgotten to bring matches, and the only provision made for us was an empty box. The log baskets had not been replenished either. Confirming that the booking was forgotten. On our second evening, the electricty went off. It came back on again, 30 seconds later, and then back off again. This on and off lasted a couple of minutes, and then it just went off. It was just as night was falling. We anticpated an evening of no heat source, and so after contacting the owners, we decided it was better to pack and leave for home. The owners said it was a power cut, which, after experiencing these before, and managing with 5 small children, we found it to be an odd, and somewhat patronising explanation. Had we been prepared for the possibilty, we would have coped...TAKE MATCHES!! It was then that the electricity came back on, but our trust in the property was now completely gone, and the lack of care to ensure we were okay during the aleged power cut was actually alarmingly rude. It turned the the whole break into a farse. The Folly is beautiful. It is well decorated with gorgeous facbrics and adequate furniture. The garden is enclosed, however the yard at the back of the house does have a gate which requires supervision of determined escapees...children or doggos. We were not aware of outside games area? and parking is generous. The box room which is described as suitable for a cot bed or the zbed provided is actually a through room to the bathroom, and so would really only be suitable for really small children. The 'welcome pack' folder itemises all kitchen utensils, however some of these are still missing, which makes you feel guilty to be honest. As a property and location, The Folly is gorgeous, and comfortable, just be aware of the difficulties we've mentioned, be fully prepared, and it should be a good time. Oh, and maybe take wellies for the opening of the gates.....
