Cottage Farm receives a four-star rating for its comfortable accommodation and charming host in a pleasant rural setting. The property offers excellent cleanliness and well-presented bedrooms and bathrooms. Guests receive a warm welcome and hospitality. The breakfast offers quality local products and good service. Some minor improvements were noted regarding the website, guest amenities, and check-in/check-out processes. Overall, Cottage Farm provides a positive guest experience.
2. Cleanliness (3.2 - Common Standards Reference) Score Key Scores and Sectional
Cleanliness - Public areas 4
Cleanliness - Dining room 5 Consistencies
Cleanliness - Bedroom 5 Overall
Cleanliness - Bathroom 5
95% 80% = 4 star; safe (70% to 84%)
Bedrooms (3.6 - Common Standards Reference) Score
Decoration 4 Cleanliness
Furniture, fittings and furnishings 4
95% = 5 star; safe (90% to 100%)
Flooring 4
Beds and bedding 4
Lighting, heating and ventilation 4 Bedrooms
Bedroom accessories 4
Space, comfort and ease of use 4 80% = 4 star; safe (70% to 84%)
80%
Bathrooms (3.7 - Common Standards Reference) Score Bathrooms
Decoration 4 76% = 4 star; safe (70% to 84%)
Fixtures and fittings 4
Flooring 4
Lighting, heating and ventilation 4 Hospitality
Towels and toiletries 3
Space, comfort and ease of use 4 80% = 4 star; safe (75% to 89%)
76%
Hospitality and Friendliness (3.3 - Common Standards Reference) Score Breakfast
Booking and arrival hospitality 4 80% = 4 star; safe (70% to 84%)
Dinner and general hospitality 4
Departure hospitality 4
Breakfast hospitality 4
80% In order to achieve a star rating the
Food Quality (3.10 - Common Standards Reference) Score following elements of the
Breakfast choice and presentation 4 assessment need to be satisfied.
Breakfast food quality 4 1. All Minimum Entry Requirements
80% must be met. (See Minimum Entry
Service and Efficiency (3.4 - Common Standards Reference) Score Requirement page in this report for
Booking and arrival service 4 detail)
Dinner and general service 4
Departure service 4
2. The Star rating awarded will be
Breakfast service 4 no higher than the rating achieved
80% in the Overall assessment.
Dining Room or Restaurant (3.9 - Common Standards Reference) Score 3. Key Area Scores:
Decoration 4 All sectional consistency areas
Furniture, fittings and furnishings 4 must be equal to or higher than the
Flooring 4
overall rating (No areas to be below
Lighting, heating and ventilation 4
Table appointment 4 the overall)
Space, comfort and ease of use 3 4. The Star rating will be capped if
76% Key Requirements are not met at
All Public Areas (3.8 - Common Standards Reference) Score each rating level.
Stairs, corridors, landings and public WC 4
80% Where the Overall score or a Key
Exterior (3.5 - Common Standards Reference) Score Area is marked as ‘High’ this
Buildings 4 indicates that the score for this area
Grounds, gardens and frontage 4
is close to achieving a higher level.
Car parking 3
73% Where the Overall score or a Key
Area is marked as ‘Safe’ this
80%
indicates that the score for this area
sits comfortably within this level.
Where the Overall score or a Key
Area is marked as ‘Low’ this
indicates that the score in this area
is at the lower end of the banding
indicating quality improvements are
advised to maintain the section at
this level.
N.B.Where a day visit has taken place to a serviced property, the scores shown in this report for food, hospitality and service are carried
forward from the previous overnight assessment.
Cottage Farm 2 620678-469814-1727
3. Executive Summary
Overall Score
Cottage Farm achieves a Four Star Bed & Breakfast rating and sits comfortably within the rating
awarded at 80%. It offers comfortable accommodation with a charming host, in a pleasant rural
environment.
I would like to wish Sandra McCappin wish every success with this new venture
Rooms Seen
Room 1 occupied, both rooms seen accompanied by Sandra McCappin.
Website Feedback
The web site is easy to navigate and contains a very good selection of attractive photographs of
the property and surrounding countryside. Thought could be given to having the Access
Statement available on the site. Perhaps some guest comments could be added in the future,
along with the Star rating and logo that can now be added
Cleanliness
Standards of cleanliness were excellent in the room occupied with shining mirrors, sparkling
chrome and tiles. All visible areas were free of dust.
The dining room was very clean, as were the entrance hall, stairs and landing
Bedrooms
The room occupied is spacious with comfortable seating. Clean, crisp decor with pictures to add
interest. Practical hard wearing carpeting presents well. The solid pine furniture is in keeping with
the decor. The bed is of a very good quality with the mattress offering comfort and support and
crisp linen and throws to finish. Noted that spare bedding is in bags to preserve their freshness
and protect against moth. Thermostatic radiators offer ease of use for guests. Task lighting is
effective but consideration could be given to placing an occasional lamp in the dressing table or
by the hospitality tray. There is a good supply of tourist information, flat screen television and
local magazines. Another way to upgrade the accessories would be to fill the flask with some
chilled water prior to guests' arrival with the idea of some home made biscuits being another
thoughtful touch.
Bathrooms
The en suite bathrooms are very well presented with quality tiling. The tiled floor finishes off the
overall presentation. Task lighting is effective and the heated ladder towel rail and underfloor
heating added comfort. The drencher shower and hand held shower worked effectively, soon
getting to the desired temperature and remaining at a strong constant pressure. The towels are of
a good size and fluffy and some toiletries were thoughtfully provided but perhaps expand the
range with some shampoo in future.
Hospitality and guest experience
The reservation was made at 18.10 on 13th April and the telephone promptly answered. Name,
mobile number and credit card details were taken. Guest was informed that credit cards are not
accepted as a form of payment but directions were offered. Mrs McCappin finished the
conversation by saying she was looking forward to meeting the guest again. Thought could be
given to taking an e-mail address to confirm booking
A very warm welcome was experienced on arrival with Mrs McCappin coming to meet the guest
before the door bell was rung. After being shown to the room, there was the kind offer of tea and
Cottage Farm 3 620678-469814-1727
4. cake in the room or in the sitting room giving chance to build a rapport and offer suggestions of
things to do in the area.
On departure a receipt was prepared as payment was handed over, with a cheery farewell offered
but thought could be given to attaching a business card or brochure to the receipt may encourage
return and recommendation.
Breakfast
The dining room is spacious for the number of guests catered for with a choice of tables if two
different sets of people are staying. The table was well appointed with tulips adding a cheerful
touch and high quality crockery and cutlery.
Sandra McCappin offered a warm greeting and took the order, inviting guest to help themselves
to the cold buffet. All items were served at a comfortable pace, with frequent satisfaction checks
made.
Starter sampled - (Orange juice, Sandra's healthy Eton Mess - meringue, fresh fruit, low fat
yoghurt and honey, cafetiere of coffee, toasted brown bread and marmalade) a selection of
cereals and granola was also available, along with a loaf for cutting and sliced white and brown
bread for toasting. Could consider expanding the very good marmalade to include locally
produced preserves.
Main course sampled - (Fried egg, bacon, sausage, fresh tomato and flat mushroom) all items of
a very good quality, locally sourced. All well cooked and served on a hot plate.
Highlights
The property is in a pleasant rural location, with some stunning views from the house.
There are plenty of walks in the surrounding area with numerous places to explore in the locality.
The exterior is well maintained and there is sufficient room for parking
Potential for Improvement
Thought could be given to having the Access Statement available on the site.
Consideration could be given to expanding the range of toiletries with some shampoo in future.
Thought could be given to taking an e-mail address to confirm booking.
Cottage Farm 4 620678-469814-1727
5. Minimum Entry Requirements
Standard: Guest Accommodation
Designator: Guest Accommodation
Rating: Four Star
Specialities:
For a rating to be awarded by VisitEngland a property must meet all:
Minimum Entry Requirements
Key Requirements, as appropriate to the Star level
Any Additional Requirements
At the time of our visit all of the Minimum Entry Requirements and Additional Requirements/Key
Requirements were provided.
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6. Visit Report
Your VisitEngland quality assessment report, comprising scores, star rating and commentary reflects the experience of the Quality in Tourism
assessor on the day of the visit.
Appeals procedure
If for any reason you wish to appeal against the rating awarded, VisitEngland has an established appeals procedure, which Quality in
Tourism operates on its behalf. A fee is payable, which is refunded if the appeal is upheld. Applications should be made within 30 days of
receipt of the report. For details please contact Quality in Tourism at qualityintourism@uk.g4s.com or telephone 0845 300 6996. Details can
also be found at www.qualityintourism.com.
Additional visits
Visits are generally carried out annually, but if you are aiming for a higher rating or accolade and prefer an earlier visit during the same
participation year, this can be arranged for an additional fee. Contact Quality in Tourism for details.
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Cottage Farm 6 620678-469814-1727