We had a pleasant stay at the Combine Shed overall, but we did feel the property is starting to look a little tired and could benefit from some updates.
A few items seemed due for replacement, such as some of the pots and pans, and the sofas have noticeably lost their comfort. Also the carpet in front of the woodburner has suffered burn damage.
The shower appears to be fitted the wrong way around, with hot and cold reversed. Unfortunately, this meant our first experience of the water that was either too hot or too cold before we realised, which was concerning.
We also weren’t able to use the hot tub on our first evening. I understand it’s advised that it may not be ready until 7pm, however at 9pm it was still only 30 degrees, so it wasn’t hot enough to use, which was disappointing.
While I appreciate it’s not guaranteed, it would have been a lovely touch to have a small amount of milk provided on arrival. The nearest shop is around a 10-minute drive away, so it’s not ideal when you’ve just arrived and would like a cup of tea. Similarly, three robes rather than two would have been helpful for using the hot tub, although we did appreciate that robes and towels were supplied.
Overall, we had a nice stay, but we do feel the property would benefit from a bit of a refresh and a few thoughtful updates to really enhance the experience.
Location wise, it’s a really lovely spot. The views from the garden and especially from the hot tub are beautiful. There’s a Co-op and a One Stop within a short drive, or around a 15-minute walk away, which is handy.
It’s worth checking in advance whether the local pubs and restaurants are serving food, particularly out of peak season. When we visited in February, quite a few were either closed at the start of the week or not serving food on Mondays and Tuesdays, which we hadn’t realised when we planned to eat out on the Tuesday evening.
I would highly recommend a visit to the Cottage of Content. It’s about a 15-minute walk away. The walk can feel a little precarious late at night as there are no pavements, but the two publicans were very welcoming, offered great local recommendations, and the food was excellent. If we’d stayed longer, we would definitely have gone back.
We also really enjoyed a meal at Balti Hot. The service was great and the curry was delicious. It’s also about a 15-minute walk, this time with pavements the whole way, which makes it an easy option.
For days out, Warwick Castle is around a 40-minute drive and made for a fantastic day. If you’re a National Trust member, Croome is well worth visiting. We’d also recommend a trip to Bourton-on-the-Water, often referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds, which is very picturesque.
Overall, it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding area.