Westdale Edge

the location was great and the house and garden large and comfortable.

Heating did not work. Security system failed and required 4 visits to fix. Showers were poor and need upgrading. The entrance was narrow and we had a large car. This made it difficult to safely enter, but we managed.

The property is a beautiful detached Art Deco house overlooking the sea. The garden is extensive to the back front and side, therefore catching the sun at all times of day. The location is exceptional being on the South West Costal path, about 15 mins walk into Seaton and less to the beach at Seaton Hole. The bedrooms are comfortable and roomy. The bathrooms all function well but are decidedly dated. Avocado and turquoise went out of fashion at least four decades ago. Likewise, some of the furnishings are dated and shabby. Adding some IKEA doesn't really do the trick. We were rather charmed by the quaintness but I think a house of such quality (in its original beautiful design) deserves better. A significant annoyance was that when we arrived, late on a beautiful sunny afternoon we immediately went to open the patio doors to go out onto the patio. The cobweb on the door handle was a giveaway. The agents told us the door had been broken for years. Where our enjoyment of "quaintness" ran out was with the kitchen. For a house that sleeps 8, this is small, poorly designed and very badly equipped. 8 people need more than 8 plates, mugs, knives, forks and spoons. These were the very bottom of IKEA'S range and not what we expected for the cost of our accommodation. To add insult to injury there were only 3 wine glasses, non matching. When we enquired of the agents we were told to use tumblers. So, what should we then use for water? We bought our own wine glasses, cutlery and T towels. (1 is NOT enough for 8 people for one week) Also, the cooker is ancient.

The property is in need of major modernisation It does not have the kitchen or bathrooms of the 21st century The kitchen is tiny and very badly equipped. There are only 8 of everything and only 3 wine glasses This proves a great problem in lockdown as we were cooking for 8 and having to wash everything between meals The cooker was a very old gas cooker similar to the ones I remember from university in the 1970s The patio door to the garden was broken and when I telephoned the agency to see if someone could come to fix it, I was told that it had been broken for 4 years!