The Cart Lodge at Chigborough

Characterful lodge that had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Lovely location with pleasant walks around the lakes and a popular cafe and fresh fish shop on site. Maldon and Heybridge Basin are close by and lovely places to visit for walks, pubs, restaurants and shops.

We would have appreciated more detailed information in advance of our stay about kitchen inventory and where to find the key, although Sam was quick to respond when we called. A towel holder by the basin in the toilet would have been welcome.

We stayed in the Lodge and were a bit concerned at the entrance to it but once inside it was absolutely lovely . Modern kitchen ,good size lounge ,modern bathroom and comfortable double bed . Plus two good size flat screen tv’s . The property has approximately a dozen lakes with lovely walks around them with lots of wild life and no farm animals. Staff very helpful and friendly with a top class cafe on site . The whole site is clean and tidy as is the campground.

I liked the location which was near our family in Essex. The price was reasonable for a holiday home in the school holidays. It was quiet and peaceful.

The bedroom would benefit from some sort of coverings on the windows. Even thought they are quite small they let a lot of light in early in the morning.

Good location. Quirky little place, although very dark and could of been cleaner with a little more care. Nicely laid out and well equipped in the kitchen although we didn’t cook or use the dishwasher whilst there. Comfortable bed, lovely fresh smelling towels. Great hot and powerful shower with lovely hand and body soaps. Secure and covered terrace area at the front so you could sit outside and not worry about the dogs running off.

Although the property states that parking is on site, the parking area was further up the road on the opposite side. We weren’t happy to leave our vehicle in an area right near the road where other businesses and people were coming and going and it being out of sight. Purely our preference. The property was in need of a deep clean. It had obviously had the basics cleaned, linen changed, bedding, bathroom, toilet, kitchen. The floor was grubby, I’d taken my slippers to wear and had to wash the bottoms of them before wearing them at home after our stay. My husband’s socks were filthy and I had to brush my feet off before getting into bed. Dead spiders and cobwebs around, although you do expect the odd insect around in an old building. Our dogs spent a great deal of time with their noses sniffing the floor! The dining chair cushions had spillages or dust on them and although the bedding smelt fresh, there was an underlying musty smell from one of the pillows. The outside terrace was ok but the fabric seating had bird poo over it. We cleaned it before sitting. There was a small raised planting bed and another garden bed but both had just mud with no plants or flowers at all. Even the gate had cobwebs on! Generally the whole place was a little unloved and with time and effort could be so much better.