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Reviews of Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space

Cozy comfortable cottage by the sea and water, surrounded by fields and space
Lee over Sands, ENG

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

james l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very cosy in a beautiful location
Lovely property where the hosts have thought about every need. Great for families with toddlers and for those who like rural walks
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

carole s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and relaxing
We wanted to be somewhere quiet and relaxing so our nervous dog wouldn't be disturbed by the fireworks! Humperdink was the ideal location! Although the weather wasn't great the cottage was cosy and warm. The welcome basket was a nice thought too, thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Bank Holiday wknd getaway
We had some wet weather and some dry sunny weather. Humperdink is perfect for both. The cottage is more than adequately equipped for a relaxing stay and is very welcoming. We had some very enjoyable walks exploring around the area . Will definitely recommend a stay and hope ti come back in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2023
Many thanks for your review, glad you had a good time and enjoyed yourselves.

10/10 Excellent

perry g.

Liked: Cleanliness
weekend of peace
we loved our stay in a well stocked kitchen, comfy bed and very quiet area will try and get back asap
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loverly stay
Would recommend this property x
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shona M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful retreat
Easy process, great house, cosy, warm, brilliantly equipped. The views are brilliant, big skies, abundant wildlife, the area is so quiet I forgot everything that I was stressed about. Lovely decor too. Overall a really relaxing stay in a great house.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May 2022
Thank you for your review, so pleased you enjoyed yourselves and had a good time.

10/10 Excellent

Matt M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean and peaceful
Very short but nice stay at humperdink , clean house and lovely peaceful area , will Be back
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May 2022
Thank you for your comments, glad you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Ray S., London, England

Liked: Cleanliness
A cosy cottage in a remote location
We spent a very enjoyable few days at the cottage. Although the weather was cold outside, the cottage was warm and comfortable. It is clean and well-maintained and has the feel of a well-loved home rather than a holiday let. We enjoyed some excellent walking in the area and would love to return in the summer months.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue U.

Liked: Cleanliness
A comfortable house in a beautiful location
We had a lovely stay in Humperdink. The cottage is very nice and comfortable and the location is stunning and so peaceful. As a frazzled NHS worker this was just the relaxing break that I needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Aug 2021
So pleased you were able to recharge your batteries, thank you for all you do with the nhs!

10/10 Excellent

Patrik E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birds & beach
Lovely calming spot. Short walk to beach. Well stocked house and facilities.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cosy, comfortable get-away in the middle of the salt-marshes
The property is small but cosy and well appointed, with everything you need for a comfortable stay, whatever the weather. The location is peaceful and very much "away from it all", despite the preponderance of caravan sites all around, nothing but wide open space as far as the eye can see. The owners are very helpful and provided lots of useful information about the local area as well as the property.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jun 2021
Thank you for your review, glad you enjoyed our cottage and the area.

10/10 Excellent

Ian B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Property and Location
A great property in a great location So good to get away after so long and a truly tranquil location which is just what was needed Excellent communication and information on the property and local area from the owners Highly recommended Thank You
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ruth H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Escape from the big, bad covid world.
This is a difficult review to write. Whilst I want to say how brilliant our stay at Humperdink was, I also want to be able to book to stay again! The house and location are an oasis away from the chaos of the real world. Absolutely perfect for nature lovers, we spent 2 days just sat on the decking watching the wildlife in the fields. The walk to the beach was a bit too far for my elderly parents, however they loved exploring the sea wall and the creek. The house is equipped with EVERYTHING you could need, but is not cluttered. We used the downstairs bedroom as it was clear from the photos of the stairs that they wouldn't be suitable for elderly legs, this provided my parents with everything they needed on one level. Everyone in this tiny community were friendly and always willing to stop for a socially distanced chat, however our favourite neighbours were the sheep over the road, we already miss them!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun 2021
So pleased you enjoyed your stay and had the opportunity to take in all that Humperdink can provide, a break away from it all. We love it there and so pleased that we are able to share it with others. You are very welcome back.

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

Liked: Cleanliness
April 2021 - Humperdink Cottage
Before talking about the property I must say that the host, Diana was super efficient and attentive, she really did add the personal touch and answer any query quickly - and efficiently and the information on the cottage is also super detailed before you arrive. 5* We stayed for my wifes birthday over two nights with kids and mother-in-law. Beach is a 10-15min walk away but pretty much abandoned! great fun crabbing off the old wooden bridge with the kids. Wish we had more time to explore the sea wall walks which begin just outside the cottage. The cottage had pretty much everything you could ever want and although appear small in size never felt small inside! Really quiet of a night with just the odd Barrr from the sheep opposite, and a great place to just switch off from city life :) thanks Diana we had a great mini-break.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr 2021
So glad you had a good time and appear to have enjoyed what our cottage and the area provides but then we are biased!

10/10 Excellent

Andrea C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and tranquil setting
This was a very short notice trip as my mum who lives in the area, had some devastating health news. Diana and Simon did everything to accommodate me and my family's needs. We are very grateful to them, we had a lovely time making some lovely memories with mum in their lovely cottage. It is a very peaceful place and has the most amazing sunsets due to the location. We couldn’t have asked for anything more Thank you x
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Apr 2021
You’re very welcome and so glad it worked out well for you all.

10/10 Excellent

Guy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Well appointed and remote. Perfect.
Excellent
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Dec 2020
Glad you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Janice D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely escape!
This property was sooo charming and the hosts were so helpful. There was a basket of treats on arrival, everything was in very good condition, very comfortable and had everything we needed. The kids loved it!
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2020
Really glad you had a good stay and enjoyed yourselves, most important !!!

10/10 Excellent

Ivana V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice getaway
Lovely Views, secluded and cozy cottage. Windy place, but didn’t stop us swimming.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul 2020
Sounds like you had fun, that’s what life is all about, especially at this time!

10/10 Excellent

Emma N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect peaceful place
Loved our stay at Humperdink, true peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings. The cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed. Communication with owners was excellent and always prompt. The road was no issue as long as you are sensible. The surronding nature reserve and beach were just a short walk away and always deserted! I'm sure we will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Angela H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place by the sea
We had a wonderful few days in this quaint house by the coast. The owners were very communicative and left is a lovely welcome pack. Will definitely return!

8/10 Good

Tracey C.

Very charming, clean cottage
Booked to stay here over Christmas for a week, cottage itself was lovely, clean, had everything we needed......except it was so cold. The heating only came on periodically for a short time and we were asked (by a sign on the boiler itself) not to adjust the boiler settings. I had to go out and buy a heater in order to stay warm and prevent everything from feeling damp. Enjoyable stay but wouldn’t go back in the cold weather.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
I am very sorry that you were cold but I am at a complete loss as to why you did not contact us at the time (I gave you our contact details in my email sent a week shortly before your stay asking you to contact us should you have any queries or problems at all). Also you did not mention the heating in your message "thanking me so much" following your stay . If only you had contacted us we would have advised you to adjust the temperature on the control unit or to put it onto "on" instead of "auto" (as in the attachment also sent in my email, marked heating during winter months).There is also a folder, that you are advised about, with lots more information about the cottage and surrounding area that is left clearly visible when you first enter our cottage. The message, on the boiler, is a safety measure as advised by our Engineer, as a previous guest had tried re-wiring the boiler for some unknown reason and the boiler is not the thermostat for the heating, which you are advised about. This is the first time that we have had any comments like this and previous guests have commented as to how lovely and warm and cosy our cottage is, even during the snow last year.

10/10 Excellent

Stacey P.

Lovely, comfortable stay
We rented Humperdink for about 6 weeks while we were working in the area. The stay was extremely comfortable and the location is amazing. Diana and Simon were incredibly helpful and accommodating to all our needs and we would thoroughly recommend staying at Humperdink - We would love to return!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Linda, Peterborough

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Peace and quiet
We stayed for a few days in this house and found it very clean, well equipped, comfortable and just what we wanted. It is probably a rare find on this coast. We walked to the beach most evenings to watch the sunset (about 20 minutes stroll across the nature reserve) and enjoyed the special quality of peace that surrounded us all through our stay. Breakfasts on the patio and suppers on the bench at the front. Very nice neighbours - not intrusive - just friendly with lots of advice to offer if you needed it. The road down to the cottage needs care when driving, but it fine if you negotiate it sensibly. Altogether a beautiful holiday and I would recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Melanie R.

Peaceful and cozy getaway location
The property is cute and homely. The location is perfect as a base for a variety of nearby things to do (Mersea Island, Clacton, Beth Chatto gardens, local walking) and Humperdink is great for just relaxing. We had a lovely bank holiday weekend here.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

6/10 Okay

Stephanie J.

Lovely unspoilt beaches but basic cottage
If you want to get away from it all to total peace and quiet then this is the place for you. However, it is very basic, tired, and quite cramped for space, with several basic things missing like tea towels. Also, the kitchen utensils weren't clean and had to be washed before use, eg the cheese grater was completely covered in grated cheese and had just been put away unwashed, and unchecked too! Although the owner has thought to put a safety gate at the bottom of the steep stairs, any self respecting small child or dog could get through the massive gaps between the bannisters or even fall through. We slept in the downstairs bed but I have to say it THE MOST uncomfortable bed I have ever tried to sleep on, and there are no facilities like convenient mirrors which can be used downstairs. I am disabled and unable to use the stairs for any facilities which might have been up there. I also have to say that whereas I understand the owners want to use things that belonged to her parents, the cottage did seem like a shrine to them, complete with photo, and it was as though we had stepped into someone else's home rather than a cottage meant for visitors. On the plus side, we had no problem in having our deposit returned. So, if you want long walks by the beach in an unspoilt part of the coast next to the nature reserve, and love the birds, snakes and just the freedom of the fresh air, then I'm sure you will find this area just right for you.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
I'm very sorry that you had a disappointing stay. Up until now everyone has loved our cottage. We had previously ordered a new sofa bed and two new sofas for the living room which have now been delivered and we hope now everyone has an even more enjoyable stay.

10/10 Excellent

Hilary K.

What a find! Unique and Quirky
The owners were very prompt with all email contacts and very helpful with information supplied about the property. The photos on the website give a great indication of the remoteness of Humperdink- two miles from a road, so incredibly peaceful. I loved the wooden floors and tiny stairs which added to a "beach house" charm and the squishy sofas were welcome when we did get a day's bad weather. We were there for the hot Bank Holiday and the sunset was stunning. I have rented many holiday lets and Humperdink is certainly the most impressively equipped I've stayed in . The owners are gracious about dogs who are welcome everywhere except on the beds. The garden isn't enclosed and next door have sheep and cats but all of this is made clear on booking. My dog had a lovely time. Overall I wish I'd booked for longer just to laze around the cottage!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write your review. It's good to hear when our guests have a lovely time and enjoy our cottage with all its quirks and foibles.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah F., Aylesbury

Idyllic Location
We had a wonderful stay at Humperdink (3 adults, 1 child and 2 dogs). It's a lovely cosy seaside chalet/cottage on a nature reserve. The setting is so peaceful, and the bumpy ride from the main road is definitely worth it (just take it slow). The beach is mainly pebbles with some sand, we took a picnic down and watched the boats go by whilst having lunch. We had the entire beach to ourselves! The Fish and Chips in St Oysths is worth the trip out to get, they had to be the best and biggest I've ever had! We ventured out to Frinton-on-Sea, it's a huge stretch of pure sand and the water is very shallow for the little ones. We had the most amazing and comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
So pleased you had a lovely stay and you enjoyed what our cottage and its surroundings are able to give. The fish and chip shop also deliver, which is free over a certain amount and they now know where our cottage is!

10/10 Excellent

Alan C.

Warm and comfy home from home
We have just spent a Mon-Fri here and had an amazing few days.. there was 3 Adults 2 kids and 2 dogs. I honestly don't know where to start first ! The house is gorgeous , very clean with everything you need , you have a large garden to the front with picnic table and even bigger garden at the back with raised decking and garden furniture. The neighbours were so friendly and will help with anything you need to know and the gentleman enjoys a good chat lol. The location is perfect for a quiet peaceful holiday. You have a 15/20 min walk to the beach that's only because we walked down to the bridge that crosses the river, when the tide is out and if you have wellies you could walk across the river straight to the beach. We went there every day and didn't see another single person the whole time. The beach is stones the a section of lovely sand and then stones and see shells. I would recommend an old pair of trainers to go exploring as the sea goes out. We enjoyed a swim in the sea which was very clean, surprisingly when the sea is coming in the first few feet out was luke warm. The walk to the beach is thorough a nature reserve with many wild birds. We did a bit of crabbing off the bridge with some string and some bacon which the kids enjoyed. We didn't travel out at all as we was so relaxed and content in this cosey quiet location, although was told of many diff places locally you could visit. We had a birthday while there and even managed to get a takeaway delivered lol. We didn't have a bad thing to say while here, there are comments in other reviews about the road which makes you worry a little but we found it totally fine if you drive sensibly! The Tarmac drops on one side so either drive with that in the centre of your wheels or if enough room on one side of it. It was totally fine and couldn't see what all the fuss was about. We struggled to find the beach (as we didn't read the info left in the house lol ) so text the owners who responded in 5 mins to explain how to find it. The children enjoyed the games that are there, also some films for the evening. I can't honestly fault this holiday in anyway and could only keep going over again and again about how happy we was and what a wonderful time we all had. Will certainly recommend this to family and friends and will defiantly be back again ourselves. Thank you so much for a wonderful break. 👍🏻👍🏻😀
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely, reassuring, helpful and informative review. We love it there and are so happy to share our home with our guests. It is so unique is so many ways and it is not until you go there you believe what you are told and then find our for yourself. The sunsets are absolutely beautiful and sometimes the whole sky is lit up. We have recently enjoyed all the starlings gathering and dancing in the skies as well as the Clacton air show which we enjoyed from standing on the bridge and could see the spectacular display by the Red Arrows.

10/10 Excellent

Phil W., CHELMSFORD

Perfect to get away from it all!
Had a marvellous long weekend with family and my daughter's dog Alfie, who loved the deserted beach. House very comfortable and very well equipped. Simon and Diana were accommodating and responsive hosts. All perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Delighted that you had a lovely time and enjoyed our cottage.

10/10 Excellent

Marion Y.

A lovely property with a family history, located in a unique landscape.
We were looking for a quiet break and were not disappointed. The weather was changeable but this actually added to the experience - huge skies, changing colours of the landscape. We loved it. My Mum is disabled and the downstairs bedroom was a great help for her. The cottage is well equipped and the owners and the neighbours could not have been more helpful. There's been a lot written about the road to the cottage and I was wondering what to expect! However, it was absolutely fine. We couldn't see what the fuss was about. If you drive it with care, acknowledging that it's a farm track, it's absolutely fine. If you drive it like it's the A12, then you will have problems. It's used daily by local people and it really isn't an issue.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Many thanks for taking the time to write a review and particularly comment about the road which has caused us no problems over the years. It just adds to the uniqueness of the area. So pleased you had a lovely stay.

10/10 Excellent

Esther b.

Relaxing escape to really quite countryside in a comfortable cottage!
We loved our stay. The cottage is very cosy and clean with beautiful views! It's a very secluded area and really relaxing. The neighbors are lovely people and they have some sheep and cats, it added to the experience. We'll definitely recommend this cottage and hopefully we will come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Thank you for your review. So pleased that you enjoyed your time at Humperdink. We love it there and always feel refreshed when we return home. Look forward to hearing from you in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Aimee J.

Beautiful house and surroundings
This property is so well placed for peace and tranquility, it really was an amazing place to stay to get some time out from the 'rat race'! The neighbours were very helpful and friendly and with the property accepting dogs (with owners prior permission) we and the dogs had a great getaway. The house is well equipped with everyday appliances and lots of board games for the whole family to enjoy & very comfy beds too! All in all we will be back :)
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Thank you for your review. So pleased you enjoyed your stay. We love our cottage and it's uniqueness and are delighted when others are able to appreciate it. Look forward to hearing from you again sometime.

8/10 Good

Katherine G.

Sweet cottage but location quite bleak and difficult access
Lovely house, however we found the location a bit too remote and the access drive is so bad that we burst two tyres and had to call out the AA.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Glad that you like our cottage. The remoteness is what appeals to those who like to get away from the hustle and bustle of town and city life and we have tried to show, in our photos, that there are just a few properties around and then the beach and surrounding area that lend themselves to some lovely walks. The access to our cottage belongs to the farmer who farms the nearby land and also has a holiday house opposite. It does mean that people drive more carefully and slowly to the properties.

8/10 Good

Mark E.

Beautiful location
Although I used this property for work purposes, I had a lovely stay. The house is in a quite spot not far from the sea. I would recommend this property for a family holiday. I won't forget the stunning sunsets.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
I agree, we stayed with the family last weekend and the sky was as though it was on fire, truly spectacular!

8/10 Good

Lesley D.

Comfortable cottage in lovely surroundings
Had a lovely short break in humperdinck.the cottage was very clean and comfortable. Perfect for seeing wildlife.we saw a barn owl,grass snake and lots of kestrels.lovely walks for the family and our little dog.A muddy walk to the beach after tide had come in,but my grand daughter just took her shoes off and walked through the mud.A little bit of care is needed on the stairs if you are a bit wobbly on your feet.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Sandra W.

A quiet, peaceful location very near to a lovely beach. Clean and well eqipped.
We had a great time. The house is very well equipped and was very clean. Communication with the owners was good and they were helpful. The best thing for us was the location right near a beach. The beach was really good. We think it's essentially a private beach for the local houses so it was almost empty and we had it to ourselves. We'd advise you to take old shoes for the walk to the beach because the high tide comes over the path so it gets a bit muddy. We'd recommend this property to anyone who wanted a quiet, peaceful break.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016

10/10 Excellent

lisa h.

Perfect
Perfect rural retreat for a quite reliant weekend . Home fully equipped with everthing you need . Would like to go back in the summer
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2020
Really happy you enjoyed your weekend. You would be very welcome back as during the summer it is just lovely. You would then be able to enjoy it at its full potential!

10/10 Excellent

Dr.Stephan P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Top Hollidays
Hervorragender, ruhiger, interessanter, ausgeglichener Urlaub. Vielen Dank den Vermietern und den Nachbarn.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2022
Excellent, quiet, interesting, balanced holiday. Many thanks to the landlords and the neighbours. (Translated review) Glad you had a good time.