Mayfly Cottage

Great location and comfortable cottage.

The lack of a good WIFI signal was disappointing.

As it says in the listings, the bedroom has low beams and they are low.

I am just under 5' and in places I had to duck. I feel the Owners have gone for 'quirky' in the cottage rather than practicality. Storage space is Very limited. In the listing it shows a cupboard on the wall to the left of the cooker. One side of the cupboard is taken up by the boiler. The microwave and Nespresso machine were on the floor, under the stairs. I put the toaster under there too to give me a fraction more space. In the listing it says it is a gas hob and oven. They are actually both electric. Give the owners their due, the bulb had gone in the extractor fan which they duly replaced and when I asked for more mugs and a dustpan and brush, they gave the mugs to me straight away and the dustpan and brush the next day. The cottage was clean; warm and had plenty of hot water. The cottage served its purpose for what I required. As for the area itself, it was magnificent.

Beautiful cottage in a perfect location to explore The Cotswolds.

Would love to visit again in the future. Great local shop,some wonderful pubs and places to eat within a short drive. There are several local footpaths and we especially enjoyed the walk to nearby Bibury. This meant no driving around trying to find parking and allowed us to enjoy food and a few drinks whilst exploring. Would be absolutely perfect if we could have brought our beautiful spaniel along. However, this was a lovely break and we managed a wonderful theatre show in Stratford which was spectacular.

The Mayfly Cottage is a beautiful little place to be.

Surrounded by a wonderful garden, in an peaceful area where you can have lovely walks. Kate and David are great hosts. They helped us with our daytrip planning and it was fun to talk to them. Thank you :)

Mayfly cottage is a beautiful cottage, we had a lovely experience, with a beautiful garden, even a lake in the garden with swans, such a lovely place to stay,The couple who own the cottage are such fantastic friendly warm people who make you feel so relaxed.

So much to see in and around surrounding areas plenty of different attractions to see, the local, inn pub just down the road was a warm friendly cosy pub, if anyone is looking for a getaway from the stresses of life this is the perfect place to stay highly recommend definitely returning next year ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Made very welcome by the owner , enjoyable stay and lovely village, ideal area for walking and good access for touring Cotswolds attractions.

My partner and I enjoyed our stay at the mayfly we were greeted with open arms from the landlord he couldn’t have have done much more to make us feel really welcome I would go back .

A lovely cosy cottage set in a beautiful area.

Easily accessible and we were made to feel very welcome. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Loved the location, it’s situated within easy walking distance of two lovely villages in a really pretty setting.

The place is on the small side and is only suitable for a max of two people. The hosts were great and we had everything we needed for our four night stay.

The gardens and surrounding area are very nice but the cottage is very overpriced for what you get and nothing like the photos online and very small.

There was no storage in the kitchen for groceries, we had two dinner plates two small plates two bowls and two mugs and the bare minimum of cooking utensils. The shower ran hot and cold and although we had two bath towels only one hand towel. The fan in the bathroom wasn’t working and the window didn’t open so the bathroom was constantly wet.I must say the bed was very comfortable but the bedroom had no storage to speak of, one set of drawers and a metal key rack with four metal coat hangers this was our wardrobe space for the week, unbelievable. We are not very tall people but found it very difficult to get dressed in the room very low beams and don’t even try to sit up in bed. We paid over £600 for this cottage and was extremely disappointed. I don’t really blame the owners I blame your company for obviously not checking the property and not advising the owners to put things right.

We were surprised on arriving at Mayfly cottage that the photos on which we had judged it for our holiday in the Cotswolds were largely inaccurate.

The location, property and garden were essentially as shown but otherwise the inside was changed and not all for the better. The dining set for example had been changed to hard plastic chairs and a PVC covered table, something the owner, to his credit was quick to remedy when we talked to him but it did cause us to wonder when Manor Cottages( through whom we booked) had last inspected the property. We blame them for not better advising the owners about what a five star property should offer. When I asked the owner if he would holiday here, the silence was deafening. Not his fault if he prefers and can obviously afford more salubrious holidays away but Manor cottages should therefore tell him bluntly what guests expect for 5* SC accommodation as this wasn’t it. It is a very, very small barn conversion which does present significant challenges when moving about on the mezzanine upstairs- and in fairness these had been alluded to. However, the lack of head height up there really is very difficult to manage and it is disappointing when on holiday not to be able to relax sitting up in bed with a cuppa. What was most difficult to manage in the property was the erratic hot water in the shower in a largely tired bathroom, badly planned kitchenette and the constant issue with live wasps. When we arrived there were a number of dead wasps in the sitting room and we assumed that they had come in after the cleaner had left. As it turned out there was a wasp nest and we did not have a single day there where we were not significantly bothered by wasps in the property, the low point being when we were stung in bed at 4am in the morning. Not the owners fault you may think but they were actually coming in THROUGH the small alcove wall in the sitting room ( it’s all open plan so we couldn’t shut the door on them when going to bed). Worse,there was evidence that previous guests had also tried to block up entry points so it was clearly a long-standing issue. Some basic building maintenance would sort it but pushing tissue into the entry holes we could see didn’t help much, if at all. It was a hot week and the wasps meant we kept everything closed up, thinking initially that the wasps were getting in through window frames and the door. We refused entry therefore when the owner, aware of our “disappointment” around the property had offered to arrange some further maintenance and cleaning ( of dirty grout around the bath etc., something that surely should occur before guests arrive anyway). He asked for our bank details and sent around around 18% of what we had paid Manor cottages back to us and arranged for some remedial work when we were out daytimes - plus there were some treats left in the fridge - but sorry, it wasn’t enough to rescue the holiday and we were never so glad to leave somewhere and get home. We would have left far sooner but we had friends house sitting in our own property back in Cornwall ( also 200 years old, so we do understand the issues with old property) and didn’t want to affect their holiday too. We simply do not understand the apparently ‘positive’ reviews we had read on the Manor Cottages site before booking ( late last year ) and on closer study since have found more poor reviews on different sites. Had it not purported to be a five star establishment we would have been far less annoyed but this was supposed to be a very special anniversary break for us. We enjoyed stunning weather and the Cotswolds were as beautiful as always so we could be out much of the time but the experience with this property has been extremely disappointing and we feel very let down by Manor Cottages.

Perfect, cosy little cottage in fantastic surroundings.

It really was just what we wanted for a short break and a base to go to a nearby airshow. David and Kate, the owners, were lovely and on hand if needed, but not too intrusive. (The lemon drizzle cake was a lovely touch too) Loved it a lot and we'll be back next year.

What an enchanting little cottage in a very peaceful location, very comfortable and had everything you needed.

The owner David was welcoming as were his dogs and chickens. There are two restaurants in easy walking distance and a local shop, post office and cafe. There are also lovely walks from your doorstep along the Coln valley. We would definitely recommend and would love to return ourselves

Delightful, restful haven near world-class walking paths and quaint villages.

Highly recommend!

I’m disappointed and furious about Mayfly holiday cottage where I’ve just spent a week.

I spent over £500 for this awful holiday. What a waste of my money. I’d previously had a good holiday at nearby Shrove Cottage, Pancake Hill, via Manor Cottages and everything at Shrove Cottage in 2023 was up to expected standard including a comfy bed, but Mayfly by contrast was not. Here’s a list of the disappointing issues found in Mayfly that need addressing: Firstly, the location post code given doesn’t even lead to the cottage. It clearly hasn’t been tested out by anyone. Unresolved issues: 1. The most disappointing issue was the bed. A good bed to sleep on is the most basic fundamental item on the list for any holiday let. The Manor cottages listing says ‘double bedroom’ indicating a double mattress as is normally the case. At Mayfly I found two worn out uncomfortable bumpy old twin bed mattress. The mattress topper is worn out too. I came home with backache. 2. It was unseasonably chilly this June. Only one thin duvet was provided, insufficient for a cold weather summer June 2024. Fortunately I brought a 10 tog duvet with me. 3. Toilet doesn’t flush strongly enough to flush away waste. 4. Unsafe broken electrical bedside light, last PAT test 5/4/2019, it wouldn’t pass a PAT test now. 5. Torch provided for emergencies doesn’t work, the battery had not been checked. 6. Damp coming through bedroom ceiling and various places at skirting board level. 7. Old floor vinyl rucking up. 8. No thought given to interior décor furnishings, just leftovers chucked together. Pictures on walls covered in dust and cobwebs. The Manor cottages photographs are out of date too. I expect Manor Cottages doesn’t check properties. Resolved issues: 1. A continually flowing bathroom sink hot tap, (more than just a drip) it woke me at night. So much for a tranquil holiday. The tap was wasting gallons of water continually and has obviously been dripping for about a year judging by the constant water flow. It’s just neglectful to leave it un-repaired. I complained and the taps were replaced according to my advice. 2. No sofa blanket provided, a blanket is usually provided in holiday cottages. I requested one and one was brought to me. This is a cold building inside. I am only 5’ 2” tall yet the very low beams around the bed were bothersome even for me. I’m very disappointed in Manor Cottages. I’m so relieved to return to the comforts of home where I can recover from this holiday endurance test before returning to work. I cannot book again with Manor Cottages because I now don’t trust them as a holiday business. I can’t recommend Manor Cottages or Mayfly to my friends. I’ll have to mention this review on Manor Cottages website.

Excellent property beautiful surroundingseowner very helpful and friendly will be going back year

Lovely location and delightful and helpful hosts :)

We have had the most relaxing enjoyable holiday in this cozy, clean cottage which is ideal for two.

A very warm welcome by David the owner who had left us cake, milk and fresh eggs waiting for us when we arrive the eggs were so fresh - lovely to be met by chickens in the garden. The owners dogs are just adorable and so friendly just a pleasure to meet. This place is a quiet haven in a very picturesque part of the country a delightful quaint cottage . We hope to go there again there are plenty places to visit, we were out all day returning in the evening to relax -

Stunningly beautiful and very peaceful location.

Lovely walks from our doorstep. Lovely village, store and pub. David, the owner, charming, friendly and informative whilst unintrusive. We loved the chickens, pigs, owner's dear little dogs, the tree house and zip wire. Mayfly Cottage worked very well for us as a comfy and tranquil base to explore the beautiful Cotswolds.

Really nice place and nice welcome from the owners had a great stay will definitely be returning

We’re delighted we booked this cottage.

It’s clever conversion from an old barn makes it a comfortable and cosy cottage for two to enjoy. The owners were friendly and welcomed us to this secluded spot along side the Old Mill and freedom to roam the charming garden with chickens and a couple of pigs. The village is a short walk away and an interesting place to take time to know plus it has a well stocked shop. An ideal location from which to explore the Cotswold by foot or by car.

Lovely location and grounds.

David and Kate were very friendly and offered us produce from their garden.

A peaceful, cozy cottage in a beautiful setting on edge of Cotswolds.

The owner was very welcoming and helpful and their two dogs absolutely delightful!

A lovely little cottage in a superb location, with beautiful countryside all around, great for walking, birdwatching and relaxing.

Hosts David and Kate are lovely people, we hope we can come back soon.

Very well received by the owners.

It is a pleasant place to be, comfortabele and beautiful surroundings. We hope to be back in this attractive spot within the scenic Cotswolds region.

The cottage was in a great location, very clean, tidy & cosy, the only one down side for us was the bed was to firm which we found uncomfortable and the low beans were a little challenging, the host was very friendly and was always on hand if required

There was a nice welcome from David, and we were not disturbed during the stay as we went for peace and quiet.

My hubby has a pacemaker, so it's important that the cooker listing is accurate. It's listed as gas, but when we arrived, we were not sure whether or not the hob was 'induction'. The kitchen could do with the addition of a peeler and a cooking spoon without slots. The surroundings were peaceful and the pigs were very friendly

Great central location Perfect cottage for two adults.

Would recommend to family and friends

A lovely little cottage in a peaceful and quiet location.

Great base for exploring the Cotswolds and further afield. So much more to see so would definitely stay here again.

Love the property, large garden, very quiet in AL lovely village with shop, café, pub and many possibilities for walking.

Would definitely stay here again!

It was a wonderful stay and we had everything we need.

Wonderful cottage in a beautiful location.

Use of the garden was a huge bonus. We had everything we needed, including peace and tranquility...and a few inquisitive hens! Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Fantastic property in beautiful tranquil surroundings ideal for exploring the area

Overall a very pleasant experience.

A few more kitchen implements and a couple of serving dishes would help.

Otherwise this cottage was well equipped and everything was working well. The garden is its outstanding feature - we so enjoyed having a beautiful space just outside the door. The owners were extremely warm and friendly and readily accommodated us having our 18 month granddaughter visit on a couple of days. We would highly recommend this lovely little cottage in its stunning location. A feast for the eyes and the soul!

We love staying at Mayfly Cottage - This is our third stay.

We always struggle with the kitchen a little. One shelf in the oven wasn't really enough for us. It was also a challengig oven to cook with as seemed to get hotter than temp set. We were delighted to see that there has been some modernisation in terms of furniture and furnishings. It would be great for the photos on the website to reflect this. It is such a cozy place to retreat to for a peaceful weekend. David was wonderfully friendly as was the beautiful chicken who came to visit us. We also recommend eating at The Swan in Bibury - great food and very close by!

A fantastic rural location in the Coln River valley

Our second visit, and it won’t be the last!

Beautiful cottage in a Great Location

Absolutely gorgeous little cottage with beautiful gardens which include a lovely treehouse for evening drinks .

The owners were on hand in main house if needed with good recommendations for places to eat etc . A really beautiful place would highly recommend.

A really peaceful location.

A compact cottage but we were fully aware of that from the description/other visitor comments.Four chickens tried to join us, but we had to advise insufficient room! An ideal base for The Cotswolds. The owners were available if needed, but not intrusive in any way. The ability to sit in their garden was really welcome. A huge thank you to the family for giving us the opportunity to stay at the cottage.

The cottage was lovely with beautiful surroundings, pubs and wonderful breathtaking walks from the door.

The owners David and Kate couldn’t do enough to make us feel welcome and were there at all times for any extra needs. We will definitely be visiting the cute little barn conversion again in the future! Tania and Ken.

Mayfly cottage is in a beautiful location by the the river Coln.

Perfect location for lovely walks.Pub/restaurant and village po and shop and cafe short walk away ..Wildlife in abundance .Although the cottage is in the owners garden the owners leave you to it ,they are not intrusive at all .We spoke to David and his wife they are very nice people.We had a fantastic holiday and we only have 1 complaint about the cottage ,very limited kitchen utensils ..

Pleasant owner and very helpful.

Quiet location ideal for relaxing/sleeping .Cirencester & Cotswolds villages within easy reach on very quiet roads . Scenic village with shop nearby and many local walks near the river. The property is typical of an old cottage property, quirky but could do with some updating of kitchen utensils and crockery. Good bathroom and warm property throughout . Comfortable bed but care needed due to low beams. Torch provided! One thing missing as pointed out to the owner was an instruction book for the tv, heating etc. Plenty of local guides and maps were provided .Overall nice property for a weeks stay. Thanks. Corina & Chris

It would be really helpful to have some better signage to the property perhaps a sign at the end of the lane and a name on the actual cottage.

The satnav took us to another part of the village. However, the villagers were all very helpful and gave us directions. The owners were very helpful and friendly and the surroundings were lovely. The teas in the post office garden were lovely. The workspace in the kitchen was very small and I was nervous about the leads for the kettle and toaster being very close to the hob. Not sure how this could be solved. All in all I would be happy to return for another restful break

Had a very relaxing, long overdue, break in this cute little cottage.

Its situated in a very quiet location which we loved as we really needed a tranquil spot to chill. The cottage was smaller than other cottages we had stayed in but was equipped well considering the size. Not much prep area for food and very little storage if you enjoy cooking your own meals, which we do but we managed. Suppose each occupant will have their own view of what a holiday cottage should be like but overhaul we had a very comfortable and enjoyable stay in a beautiful location.

the pictures are a bit deceptive as the cottage was smaller than I expected and anyone over say 5foot 7 inches tall would have difficulty moving around in the bedroom as it features beams.

Having said all that we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there was everything one needed in the cottage. The owner was friendly and helpful and has 2 adorable dogs who love being made a fuss of. Lovely , peaceful area and plenty of good walks.

Great little cottage in a quiet location with walking from the door and a variety of activities close by.

Excellent facilities at the cottage although storage is limited (unsurprising given the size of the cottage!) a great excuse to eat out at one of the multitude of local pubs. Comfortable bed, powerful shower and green space in front of the house with good views over the valley. Owners are very helpful and close by in case of any issues. Their friendly dogs an added bonus!

The cottage must have been lovely when it was first done but the furnishings have faded.

The furniture is not what was in the picture. The bed had lost all spring and was just hard and lumpy. There was no way of controlling the heating. It came on at 6:30am and went off at 10:30pm And was extremely noisy as it was open plan and below the bedroom and too hot for us. The kitchen facilities were extremely limited; No coffee pot, 4 mugs, one chipped and no space to prepare food. No bins in kitchen or bathroom just an open weave basket in living area. Shower was above the taps of bath and no bath mat-so I slipped. Bathroom became drenched!! No wardrobe or place to hang coats apart from flimsy key hooks by tv. Sorry. The owners were nice but extremely close as was the other cottage but the gardens looked lovely. This property is extremely over priced. It would have been a lot cheaper to have stayed in the pub in the village and it was a lovely pub.

Lovely little cottage, cozy and warm.

Walks are right on your doorstep, Two very welcoming pubs close by, couldn’t ask for more !!

Mayfly cottage is absolutely delightful.

It is in a very pretty location and the owners are friendly but still give you space (just what we look for in a holiday). We regularly go on self catering holidays and rarely return to the same place but we will be returning to Mayfly cottage. There is a washing machine, microwave, kettle, oven and hob, caffitiere, good wifi, TV and radio. The double bed is made up of 2 singles pushed together and the mattress is firm, (easily rectified by taking a mattress topper, which we will do next time). There is not much storgae space in the bedroom but there is a chest of drawers to put clothes in which is pretty much enough for a short break. The hot water took a little time to understnad - the water pressure is high which gives a powerful shower and easy to run bath, but it is too high for the boiler to cope with. You therefore need to only turn on the tap / shower about 1/3 - 1/2 to allow the water to heat up as it goes hthrough - this still gives enough water for a shower and bath and is nice and hot. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

No problems, all good thank you

We had a wonderful week in this lovely cottage, just the right size for two people.

Very quaint, power shower was great. Listing needs amending slightly as there isn’t a dishwasher, not that we could find anyway! Owners are very friendly and were on hand if we needed anything, which luckily we didn’t. Beautiful setting and we would recommend to anyone.

Idyllic setting on the edge of a lovely quiet village.

Ideally placed to tour the Cotswolds. Interior a bit tired and didn't help that we had no hot water on our last day.

Beautiful location near a quiet village with good amenities.

The cottage is small so you have to organise yourselves and your things. The garden is shared with the owners and other tenants but is lovely and very large with a treehouse, crazy golf and lots of places to sit and relax.

you want a peaceful and relaxing cottage holiday you have to come here.

The cottage is quaint and superb in relaxing grounds next to the small River Coln and the owners house. From our day of arrival to the day of leaving we have had a superb stay at Mayfly Cottage while visiting RIAT. The description given didnt do it justice as from both the outside and inside it is a typical Cotswold Cottage that has been converted to a high standard with the only downside being the bed mattress being too hard for us but we got used to it. The bathroom was excellent with a very powerful shower we only wished we had at home. The owner was unfortunately away during our stay but I did contact him a week before and he was very informative in explaining things to me over the phone which we found to be of help when we arrived. He even let us bring a small bbq with us to use during our time there. He also had a lady called Melissa who was looking after his animals while he was away and again Melissa was very friendly and answered any questions we had even about the animals she was looking after. So to end we enjoyed our weeks stay at Mayfly Cottage but would we stay there again.... We would as already booked for next year.

Not what we expected from the.

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Thank you, we had a lovely week and the weather was so nice.

The cottage was fine but needed a few things to make it a bit better I.e.a toilet roll holder, a mirror that’s not sited over the toilet pan but an adjustable one on the window sill. Lastly a bit more space for hanging clothes. It really was a beautiful and peaceful 7days

We had such an amazing time at the Mayfly Cottage.

The surrounding area is so beautiful you couldn't help but just sit out the garden and listen to the wildlife around you we stayed out for hours just listening and star watching in the evenings. We were missing staying there even before we'd left. We will definitely be back in the future

We enjoyed a relaxing break at Mayfly Cottage.

The owner was always on hand if we had a query. Lovely area for walking and exploring things further afield by car. A great pub a short walking distance away. One tip take a torch if you are walking back after dark. No street lighting but luckily my husband had the forethought to bring one.

We had a really enjoyable week in this delightful cottage.

The weather was unseasonably kind and we managed to visit some lovely places. The cottage was beautiful, well furnished, in tranquil settings. Our host was very considerate and a pleasure to meet.

A wonderful little cottage, very cosy and in a great location.

The owner was friendly but didn't intrude on us at all. A nice touch were the freshly laid hens eggs left on our doorstep. Highly recommended.

Mayfly Cottage is in a perfect countryside location in the midst of the owners' beautiful grounds and overlooks the mill leet, a backwater of the main river.

It is a few minutes walk, via 2 different routes, from the idyllic village of Coln St Aldwyns with its excellent pub and village shop with café. We didn't need to use the car at all and spent our time exploring the wonderful countryside via the many and well-marked footpaths and bridleways. The wildlife was a real high point for us with many species of birds being seen along the banks of the river Coln. Everyone we met in the village was friendly and ready to chat to strangers which made us feel almost part of the community. The owners could not have been more friendly and helpful and we shall certainly return, probably in the Spring.

For us, it's just right for the two of us, cosy and warm.

Private and quiet.

It was for 2 people; feels isolated (private) but is accessible to village and Cirencester.

We were left\ \ \ in peace to enjoy our privacy! Owner came to say hello and wish us Happy New Year which was lovely. Chance to spend time together without being disturbed.

The setting was very relaxing and peaceful.

The central location made everything very easy especially at this time of year when the weather is not great.

low bedroom ceilings and beams were quite difficult even for me (5'1) and definitely for man of 6' height!

A few banged heads and more or less impossible to stand upright in most of the bedroom! At the same time, rather quaint.

Wonderful small cottage in the Cotswolds.

The cottage was as we expected: nice, kind, warm, confortable and how we say it in Dutch: gezellig.

Excellent, perhaps the tree house should be mentioned in the advert, as a selling pint.

excellent value for money.

Our stay at Mayfly Cottage was very enjoyable ,a beautiful setting ,owners friendly and house sitter.

The cottage was clean and a very good choice on price and setting. (The dripping tap needs mending and maybe better path to cottage as its at present stepping stones in grass ,cottage is carpeted , so its shoes off every time you come in as grass is a little muddy, it was February though!) No big deal though! Good cycling country ,hard to find a ugly property round about churches interesting and all the food (cafes pubs ) we had out was good value and good quality

This cottage has a fantastic location which I feel can not be bettered.

We were able to do several walks directly from the cottage which made the holiday. We could even walk the shop and the new Inn without driving The weather was wonderful. very reasonably priced.

The setting is lovely, picturesque and peaceful.

We are dog lovers, so the visits from their doggies each day was a treat for us.

We loved being out in the beautiful countryside, with lovely views over the river, fields with sheep in them, squirrels and birds in the gardens etc.

It was also just a short walk to a quaint village with history to be learned and lovely stone cottages to see. In fact Mayfly Cottage itself was a quaint little stone cottage. The gardens were lovely too.

A nice period cottage in a rural, pure and relaxed setting.

We've been here several times before and always enjoy it.

On this occasion it was\ our honeymoon and the owners made it extra special by leaving us some gifts.\

Location!

Location! Location! Idyllic setting in spacious grounds, close to mill stream and\ River Coln. Within easy walking distance of 2 good pubs and excellent community shop. Helpful owners on hand.\ Plenty of good walks and cycle rides on the door step.\

Our host David was very helpful and welcoming, as was the rest of the family.

We loved the dogs and the duck and the walks available in the area. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. We had a couple of rainy days during our three-week stay but the cottage was very comfortable and snug and we enjoyed just having time to read and watch some of the Tour de France.

Fantastic location & brilliant hosts.

We have stayed there many times over the last eighteen years.

The owners are friendly but not intrusive, it lends itself to instant relaxation.

Location was a perfect getaway to the Cotswolds, clean and well presented!

Very cosy, properly equipped, very charming.

Mr Helmes, July 2017.

Comfortable with all necessary amenities.

Mr Sterling, June 2017.