Drayton, Abingdon Brook Farm Cottages

If you are looking for a rural idyll this is not the place for you. However if you need a place to stay in Oxfordshire that is conveniently located and has all the basic necessities this is it.

We stayed in the Old Dairy which is small but comfortable. It is warm, having underfloor heating. There is plenty of hot water and clean and comfortable bedding. The kitchen is well equipped. The wi-fi internet is very fast and reliable.

The owner was very flexible and accommodating.

There is a farm shop on site where you can buy fresh free range eggs and vegetables. The cottage was stocked with bread, milk, eggs, butter, cereal and other basics when we arrived.

We would recommend Brook Farm Cottages to anyone looking for a short term place to stay in Oxfordshire.

Well, where to begin? This would have been a "0" rating if it weren't for the good points noted above. The owners, though kind enough, seemed somehow oblivious to the shortcomings of the cottages they rent compared to others we've seen. The Brook Farm Cottages website and brochure do a quite convincing job selling their cottages and surrounding attractions. However, we would not wish our experience on anyone who desires to have a relaxing, quiet holiday in the English countryside.

This is not a welcoming place. As you pass the 'beware of dog - enter at own risk' sign after check-in, you begin to wonder if you're even in the right place at all. As it was truthfully stated in the brochure, our cottage was situated in the middle of a working farm. That said, I guess we should not have been surprised when we were within feet of the horse stalls and all the odours and flies that go with them. Our first instinct upon arrival was to open our doors for some fresh air (!) We spent that night (and many others) hoovering flies off the walls. During the day and into the evening we heard the constant barking of a dog kennel next door - as well as building going on at a neighbouring home. Each night, almost without fail, a dog on the farm would bark loud enough to wake us from a dead sleep. Earplugs were little help, and after a week we were thoroughly sleep deprived.

If the owners were to move their cottages to a quieter part of the farm, they might have something to offer. As it is, we were just lucky enough to be away during the day - anyone planning to stay full time will surely wish they spent their money elsewhere - unless you enjoy paying to much for a view of cement, old caravans, corrugated buildings and junk!