Samantha O'Connor review 11 Jul 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The friendliness of John and Pearl.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't eat too much at dinner - you'll want to enjoy the breakfast!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Certainly benefited the local people, as we spent quite a bit of money in the local bars, restaurants, farm shops and attractions. Given we bought local produce, I guess that has a benefit in minimising impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good.
Sean Breen review 7 May 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We were made to feel very welcome by Pearl and her family. Very helpful advice, which really understood the type of activities young children enjoy. The cottage was lovely and had everything we needed for our break. The use of the amenities such as the trampoline was a real bonus for children and adults alike.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Listen to Pearl's advice on places to visit, she is a wealth of knowledge.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Use of local produce for meals, availability of recycling bags, fair trade products and use of ecofriendly products in the cottage was great to see.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a very enjoyable time and were made to feel very welcome. We have already recommended staying at the farm to our friends.
Duncan Harris review 29 May 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
For the kids, the most memorable part of the holiday was the enormous trampoline (which gave me a good workout!), beautiful garden and the friendly and playful cats and dogs. For us adults it was the attention to detail, there were so many of the little things that had been done to make our stay perfect - it was very much appreciated. Oh and we got to see a newly born calf getting to know its new home...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't think about it, just do it, you'll have a great time. My only regret is not booking for longer.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We went to an excellent nearby organic market and bought loads of local produce, which was very, very tasty. We also visited a local cider producer and supported them by buying a crate of Perry! As for minimizing the impact on the environment, well we didn't fly anywhere, but I'm afraid we did drive all the way from Yorkshire, so neutral I suppose.
Mondanna Fleming review 20 Apr 2007
To be honest we had a slightly odd holiday as our baby was ill for the first 4 days - so we actually did not get to do much as we couldn't leave the farm. But all in all we did enjoy ourselves and the farm was lovely as were the family who run it.
They were very helpful and did more than they could to help us - and we really appreciated the family atmosphere. It was a beautiful place and the cottage itself was lovely and well equipped. I would definitely go back and recommend to others/friends.
Glenn Pears review 14 Jan 2007
Just stayed at Apple Blossom Cottage, on the farm for a long weekend stay. I must say that we enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the farm, and the hospitality of the host, Pearl. The cottage was just what we had expected, and was clean and spacious. The breakfast was all locally produced and enjoyable. We especially enjoyed walking the surrounding farmland, and driving around the local villages. We plan to return in the spring!
Francesca Richards review 7 Jan 2007
We really enjoyed our stay at this Hereford farmstay accommodation - we had a lovely cottage all to ourselves, including a four poster bed and a fully equipped kitchen. The family's commitment to minimising our environmental impact was evident from the Ecover washing up liquid and recycling facilities! Pearl cooked fantastic breakfasts with wonderful ingredients including cheese made in the local dairy with sage from Pearl's garden, organic yoghurt and fresh vegetable and fruit juices.
The farm is a bit far from pubs or shops, so a car is necessary to get about but there is lots to see and do including visiting cider mills, the bookshops in Hay on Wye (great for a rainy day!) and various outdoor activities such as walking and riding. Pearl was very knowledgeable about the best places to go whatever the weather and directed us to a small farmshop where we managed to stock up on eggs laid that morning, sprouts picked that day and other wonderful goodies to take back with us to the big smoke.
Mary Ulicsak review 21 Nov 2006
It's hard to answer your questions, as it wasn't meant to be an exciting break and you can't really give tips when you're relaxing, and by the nature of being part of a farm it had to benefit the owners - who by default are local.
To summarise, it was a lovely cottage with lovely hosts even if we did miss the turn off to it the first time! We did what was intended, which was just relaxing and pottering, and for that it was perfect.
I would give it at least ***, can't give 4 as am not sure would tell the grandchildren had a weekend sleeping and looking at black and white villages!
