Hillcroft Bungalow | Polzeath | Shilla Mill | Cornwall

3.5★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi
Pet-friendly

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

26 Customer Review(s)

Gill
October 2024

“Hi The remarks in customer reviews were still relevant, ie cleanliness not the best and the place needs some updating but that wasn’t a concern for me.”

The location of course is brilliant. Flo’s staff round the corner got to know us v well . I needed somewhere to stay that wd allow me to bring my young pup and at short notice and Hillcroft was great. The hardwiring and well used conservatory and kitchen flooring were a huge relief for me (I’ve never taken a dog into a hol let/ was worried the place wd be too pristine and therefore a concern to keep spotless) I worked out how to get hot water by reading customer reviews. Even tho I was on ...

The location of course is brilliant. Flo’s staff round the corner got to know us v well . I needed somewhere to stay that wd allow me to bring my young pup and at short notice and Hillcroft was great. The hardwiring and well used conservatory and kitchen flooring were a huge relief for me (I’ve never taken a dog into a hol let/ was worried the place wd be too pristine and therefore a concern to keep spotless) I worked out how to get hot water by reading customer reviews. Even tho I was on my own, I found it in short supply - managed a 6 inch bath one eve! This is not the place for those seeking pristine top of the range fancy hol house…..but I’m sure there’s plenty of those in Polzeath area. This is for those more inclined to rural living and realistic about household wear and tear. The lived in nature of the place enabled me to relax more.

- Gill, October 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and would love to welcome you back anytime in the future. All suggestions/comments can be viewed by the property owner so these are appreciated. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Jill September 2024

“We had a lovely week but bungalow is tired and in need of updating.”

- Jill, September 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and would love to welcome you back anytime in the future. All suggestions/comments can be viewed by the property owner so these are appreciated. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Lisa September 2024

“Toilet seat broken in bathroom Showers in both bathrooms need replacing ...”

Toilet seat broken in bathroom Showers in both bathrooms need replacing Perfect position to walk to Daymar bay & Polzeath beach Beautiful views surrounding property

- Lisa, September 2024

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are very pleased that you enjoyed the lovely views and surroundings of the property during your stay, and that it's positioning suited you well. However, we are sorry to hear that you experienced these maintenance issues, your comments have been raised to our maintenance team who will look into this further. We hope to welcome you back again in the future - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Jayne June 2024

“We had a lovely week at Hillcroft, loved the setting and location.”

Beds were very comfy. Garden was perfect with beautiful views. Had everything we needed in kitchen. The only downfall was the hot water, which was in short supply. There was only 3 of us staying with not enough hot water for us to all shower in mornings. After reading up we found there was a boost switch next to boiler which we had to use. We also found the smart meter a little off putting, especially when on holiday. Cold water tap in kitchen was a little temperamental and couldn’t get any water out at one point. After 10 minutes or so it came back on and water was a little cloudy to start with which cleared after a while. Despite a couple of water problems we did have a wonderful week at Hillcroft and would re-visit. Thank you.

- Jayne, June 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and would love to welcome you back anytime in the future. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Louise May 2024

“Showers could do with an upgrade”

- Louise, May 2024

Thank you for providing us with feedback, which is valuable to us. We would love to welcome you back in the future - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Belinda May 2024

“We have stayed here before and knew the bungalows shortcomings.”

It’s for sale and therefore is feeling very tired again. We had issues when we arrived with heat but once the storage heaters were switched on it warmed up. Usual complaint about showers just a dribble and over a bath unsuitable for anyone not completely fit. Toaster broken, sofas saggy, no smart tv, just tired. It’s a shame because it’s not a cheap option, still great location. Needs some love if it’s rented out for a while.

- Belinda, May 2024

Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your stay. We're very sorry that you had to experience these issues during your visit. Your comments have been passed on to the team here at John Bray Cornish Holidays. We hope to welcome you back to north Cornwall in the future. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Jill October 2023

“Beds and towels were spotless and house has plenty of room in great location and ...”

Beds and towels were spotless and house has plenty of room in great location and nice and warm (October visit ) Overall property was very dusty and hard floors were dirty not appeared to have been mopped Lots of cobwebs everywhere above head height Although lots of hot water showers are rubbish need a pump Screen door would not stay shut had to wedge it with paper Riser bar in back bathroom is not high enough to wash hair and continually slips down whilst showering for the price these things should be sorted

- Jill, October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are very pleased that you found the house to be spacious and enjoyed it's surroundings, but are sorry to hear that you experienced some cleanliness and maintenance issues during your stay, your comments will be raised to our housekeeping and maintenance teams. We hope to welcoming you back in the future - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Julie October 2023

“Positives: Great location and views, plenty of hot water and warmth/cozy, bedrooms a good size, good garden/enclosed, good place for dogs.”

Negatives: Cleanliness was basic, behind furniture/skirtings/ corners full of dust, dirt and cobwebs, kitchen basic and in need of modernisation, concerns over sloping kitchen ceiling with polystyrene ceiling tiles and cooker in corner behind a door, showers ineffective.

- Julie, October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are very happy that you found the property cozy and enjoyed the views and its surroundings. We are sorry to hear that you experienced some maintenance and cleanliness issues throughout your stay, your comments will be raised to our maintenance and housekeeping teams - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Stephen August 2023

“Very dated.”

Poor showers. Need to bring your own cleaning equipment

- Stephen, August 2023

Thank you for your comments, We will look into the issues that have been raised. We hope to welcome you back in the near future. John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Anthony August 2023

“Very poor maintenance, kitchen drawer held together with masses of glue.”

the kitchen needs a complete new one. Bathrooms need replacing.

- Anthony, August 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by these issues. Your comments have been passed on to the team here at John Bray Cornish Holidays and to the owner. We hope you still managed to enjoy your visit despite these issues and would love to welcome you back to North Cornwall in the future. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Rachael August 2023

“We loved our stay at Hillcroft Bungalow!”

The country views were beautiful, and the bunglaow had everything we needed for a great family holiday. Two minutes walk away is the lovely new Trebetherick Stores, so we popped along for fresh croissants on quite a a few mornings. The only comment we had was that the showers were a bit of a dribble, especially when both were used at the same time....but there was always plently of hot water so we reverted to baths to warm up after swims on the beach.

- Rachael, August 2023

Thank you for your kind comments, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. The comment regarding the shower will be raised to our maintenance team. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future. John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owners Property Owner
Fiona April 2023

“We have been coming to Cornwall for nearly 50 years, and we have stayed in countless John Bray properties in Trebetherick.”

This is the first property that we have been disappointed with. Whilst the location was superb and the garden views lovely, the bungalow itself was very dated and lacks what you would expect in a rental property in 2023. The kitchen facilities were basic, small fridge, mismatched crockery and cutlery - it desperately needed updating and felt quite unloved. The bathroom off the breakfast room was equally dated and the shower didn't work - only producing a trickle of water on full power, so was unusable. The second bathroom was also very dated, and the shower was passable (just). The two T.V.'s had the basic channels, but surely SMART T.V's should be expected now - not that we spent much time watching T.V. but our two teenagers were quite disappointed. The general cleanliness was inadequate with lots of cobwebs and a previous tenants' underwear left in a drawer for us to find! We love coming to Trebetherick, and don't like writing negative feedback, but this property is in much need of attention, care and some modernisation. The location is so perfect, it seems a shame that this property wasn't more comfortable and welcoming. Having stayed in Pengelly last year, the comparison is stark.

- Fiona, April 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, i will pass these suggestions onto the owner and report the issues onto housekeeping, we do hope to welcome you back to North Cornwall again soon. John Brays on Behalf of the Owners. Property Owner
Camilla August 2022

“Wonderful views, great location.”

Property is beginning to feel its age in the kitchen and bathrooms. However we had a really enjoyable stay and would come back.

- Camilla, August 2022

Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your stay at Hillcroft Bungalow. We will pass your thoughts on to the owner regarding the kitchen and bathrooms. We hope to welcome you back to north Cornwall in the future. Property Owner
Maria August 2022

“We had a lovely week in Cornwall and the property provided us with a great base for our stay - it’s a fantastic location, walking distance to beaches.”

It has everything you need. The garden is lovely and there’s loads of space at the property which is brilliant for family stays. However we found that the cottage was not particularly clean, for example drawers and shelves in the kitchen had bits of dirt in/on them and I was a bit horrified to find an actual mussel in one drawer which was not us as we had not cooked any mussels! The cutlery drawer front is broken - as it was last year (we stayed in the cottage last year as well) we mentioned this in our feedback last year but nothing had been done to fix this and it was difficult to open the drawer which needed to be accessed regularly. In the end we had to put the cutlery tray up on the work surface which is when I discovered the mussel underneath it. Drawers in the other bedrooms were also not very clean. The freezer was not very clean. As we mentioned in our feedback last time the cottage is great and has all the facilities you need but some things are just a bit dated and don’t function as well for example the showers. Also the spin cycle on the washing machine did not always work. My friend was staying at a John bray place in the Highcliffe estate Pengelly and I was a little surprised to discover that he paid only £60 more than I did; Pengelly is a vastly more modern and clean property. I feel that the dated facilities and lack of cleanliness could be reflected more in the price of the property which is expensive. I appreciate that sheets and towels are provided at the cottage which is great. Having said all this, we had a lovely stay at the cottage, it has everything you need and we really like the space and privacy you get (which you don’t get as much of at Highcliffe). We did have a lovely week there.

- Maria, August 2022

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by these issues. Your comments have been passed on to the team here at John Bray Cornish Holidays and to the owner. We are glad that you still managed to enjoy your visit despite these issues and would love to welcome you back to North Cornwall in the future. - John Bray Cornish Holidays on behalf of the owner. Property Owner
Andrew July 2022

“We really enjoyed our week in Hillcroft.”

The location was really handy for us and a big plus with Polzeath beach and the surf one way, and dog friendly Daymer bay the other (perhaps 15 mins leisurely walk to both). Lovely garden and views from which to eat pasties at lunchtime and enjoy the clement weather. Thank you.

- Andrew, July 2022

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's great to hear that you had such a fabulous stay at Hillcroft Bungalow and had the perfect base to explore the north Cornish coastline from. Property Owner
Jenny July 2022

“We’ve stayed at Hillcroft last year so we knew what to expect.”

It is very old fashioned and inparts dated. The bathrooms especially one of the shower heads how old is it!! The kitchen is poorly planned. But we like it.

- Jenny, July 2022

Thank you for your feedback. We are glad you enjoyed your return visit here and would love to be able to welcome you back for a potential third time! We have reported the shower head to our maintenance team - John Bray Cornish Holidays On Behalf Of The Owner. Property Owner
Gary June 2022

“A good location and a well appointed bungalow.”

Not the most modern but well equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one with a separate WC and a useful conservatory/garden room at the back. It would have been useful to have a floor plan on the John Bray website to show the layout of the property. Bottom line, would we visit again using the property? Yes, we would.

- Gary, June 2022

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's great to hear that you had such a fabulous stay and had the perfect base to explore the north Cornish coastline from! Property Owner
William April 2022

“Had wonderful stay at Hillcroft Bungalow.”

Spotlessly clean and very well equipped. Perfect location with fantastic views. Would highly recommend it and we will certainly be coming back.

- William, April 2022

We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and wish to return. We cannot wait to welcome you back in the future! Property Owner
Andrea April 2022

“We have stayed in a John Bray property on several occasions and this time we were looking specifically for the location.”

The information and photos listed showed that we should expect a very basic experience, and this was accurate. However the level of cleanliness was unacceptable. The carpets and floors were covered in pet hairs and the little Henry hoover was ridiculous for cleaning that. There was also dust on all the surfaces. In addition, one of the showers was not working (beyond a tiny little dribble of water) and the shaving light was not working (and had a dead spider dangling out of it). Many of the windows were seized shut. Some of the lights weren’t working, the beds were not comfortable (the main bedroom mattress dipped in the middle and the children could feel the springs in the mattresses in their rooms). The cold water tap in the kitchen sprayed everywhere and the cupboards needed to be cleaned before we stored food in them. So we expected basic, but were really not happy with how unclean it was.

- Andrea, April 2022

Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry that you experienced this during your stay. If you had reported the issues at the time we could have arranged for the cleaner to return and for maintenance to fix the issues stated. We hope you managed to enjoy your stay. Property Owner
Christopher March 2022

“On arrival the bungalow was very cold as the heating had not been turned up, some of the lights and the dishwasher were not working as trip switches needed re-setting, and parts of the property were dirty.”

There was also a snail on the kitchen wall and the garden furniture and barbeque had been left haphazardly in the conservatory, needing to be stacked before that room could be used. These are all signs that the bungalow had not been used for some time and had not been checked prior to our arrival. Some items of furniture need to be replaced and stocks of glasses and mugs need to be replenished. Potential users should also be aware that one of the bathrooms is accessed from the dining room, which is not ideal.

- Christopher, March 2022

Thank you for your feedback, I am really sorry for the issues you encountered upon your arrival. I have passed your feedback onto the caretaking team they will make sure the issues raised are addressed with the cleaner of the property. Property Owner
Lesley October 2021

“As has been said by many the directions are totally inadequate, not helped by the misleading external photo in the listing of the back of the house, which looks totally different to the front.”

Found historic directions on the bungalow's Facebook page which are MUCH better. Additionally, no guidance in the property re the whereabouts of window & internal door keys, or guidance re waste disposal-we found them eventually! The rear door was jammed on arrival-impressive response from John Bray to assist with this on day 1 & later in the week, but suspect a longer term problem is present. The garden etc were ideal for us & our dog, despite initial niggles we had a lovely time!

- Lesley, October 2021
Emma October 2021

“What 3 words would help in locating the property, which is very hard to find.”

Or directions as in first turning left after the Trebetherwick sign! There is no welcome folder with details of the Wi-Fi code or what to do with rubbish & recycling. The key box isn't easy to find, there are lots of keys for the property, & we eventually found the bins & worked out what key for the door to get to the bins. The shower in the bathroom is very poor until you take it off the hook & use it as a handheld shower. A few tweaks would make arrival A lot easier as the bungalow is warm & roomy & in a really great location.

- Emma, October 2021
Angela September 2021

“The property was in good location, but rather dated interior.”

The village stores looks like it had been shut for some time this was not mentioned on details.

- Angela, September 2021
Kathleen September 2021

“It would have helped to have the sign on the main road as it took us over an hour to finally locate it.”

At other cottages we have also had milk in the fridge as a welcome, with tea and cake and sometimes /wine ,a bunch of flowers.etc. The mattresses were on the thin side and for artificial hips not kind! Also the local shop in Trebetherick was shut down and it featured in your description as being open so that was a disappointment. It would have been heplful to have manuals to hand to say how things worked.! But we enjoyed our stay--good, having the garden chairs and ample space . I recall the lighting in the sitting room ,one bulb not working and it would have been helpful to have had a lamp for play reading.

- Kathleen, September 2021
F Carter August 2021

“We had a wonderful time and this seemed to be a fairly-priced property which met most of our needs.”

It would be nice to have a drier and also a better TV. Samsung Smart TVs have a bunch of free channels now that don't require expensive Sky or Virgin subscriptions.

- F Carter, August 2021
Maria August 2021

“The cottage is in a great spot near Polzeath beach, with a beautiful view at the rear.”

Some of the facilities were very basic, especially the bathrooms/showers, but that was reflected in the price, which was less than friends paid nearby with more modern facilities. So we felt a fair price. Certainly didn't detract from a lovely week and a generally good cottage in a great location.

- Maria, August 2021

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x Double, 2 x Twin
2 x bathrooms with overhead showers in bath, WC and basins
Separate WC
Kitchen with dining area
Sitting room
Conservatory
Electric fire
Electric oven and grill, electric hob, fridge/freezer, toaster, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, iron, ironing board and 2 x TV with freeview
Electric and heating inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Sorry, no smoking permitted
Two pets allowed.

The property

Sitting on the crest of Worthy Hill, Hillcroft Bungalow is situated in a fantastic position at the top of a private lane between Daymer Bay and Polzeath, both of which are just half a mile away.

Boasting fantastic rural views out from the back of the house and garden across the valley, this three bedroom self-catering holiday home is ideal for families or small group to come together and relax.

Hillcroft Bungalow is welcoming and perfectly equipped as a base for your holiday, offering light and cheerful interiors with coastal nuances.

as the main lounge and bedrooms lead down to a sunroom at the back, opening up onto the generous lawn.

Settle in and enjoy a cup of tea in the light-filled lounge, with its large picture window overlooking the front garden and offering a modern electric fire to keep you cosy and warm when curled up in front of the TV on those chillier evenings.

The main corridor leads you down to the spacious dining area, with its banquette seating providing extra comfort for family feasts.

Step down into the practical and well-equipped galley kitchen, which offers lovely views out to the garden and beyond across the valley.

Adjoining the kitchen, a second dining area and sunroom lets the sunshine pour in through the windows.

Overlooking the garden, this extra table is a perfect spot for your indulgent Cornish cream tea on a bright afternoon, while the squashy chairs in the sunroom invite you to sit and while away the hours with a good book.

Throw open the French doors in the sunroom and children can run out into the large, flat garden and play to their hearts content.

The expansive garden means the whole family can be outside together; adults can relax, top up on vitamin D in the sunshine and gaze out over the valley.

Even your canine pals will appreciate the space to bound around and wear themselves out!

For those days when the clouds do come across, the extra space at the back of the house provides somewhere to shelter in while still being able to enjoy the garden view.

At the end of the day, your guests can relax in the three bedrooms; the master sits at the front of the house and is spacious, with two further cosier twin bedrooms offering 3 foot wide beds and plenty of storage space.

All bedrooms include homely touches to ensure you can snuggle down and have a restful night to recharge for adventures the following day.

Hillcroft Bungalow also features two separate bathrooms, both with over-bath showers.

Wake up in the morning and potter the 200 metres to the delightful Trebetherick Stores which is stocked with delicious local produce and tempting wares; why not pre-order your rounds of steaming bacon sandwiches to collect for breakfast and become ever so popular when you return to the house!

You certainly won’t be short of choice in what to eat while here, with more stores just 5 minutes drive away in the main village of Rock such as a local butchers, bakery and fishmongers.

Within walking distance of Hillcroft Bungalow, the local Mowhay restaurant and Seaside restaurant at St. Moritz Hotel give a great excuse for a delectable meal out, while guests can also wander down the hill to the recently renovated Oyster Catcher pub.

Just down the road lies the surfer’s paradise of Polzeath beach where you can hire a board, book a lesson or just watch the action while lapping up the rays from the sand.

In the other direction from the house, you can pick up the South West Coastal Path above Greenaway beach and walk south to Daymer Bay; a beautiful family (and doggy) friendly beach, leading around at low tide or via the cliff path to Brae Bay and Rock beach.

When returning from the sands; whether it’s from an energetic surf at Polzeath or a more relaxed paddle in the calm shores of Daymer Bay, Hillcroft Bungalow offers a convenient outside tap with large washing tub and hanging area for wetsuits or swimsuits.

For the keen walker, you can explore north to view the Rumps Headland and up to Port Quin, even up to the picturesque village of Port Isaac, made famous by the Doc Martin series.

You certainly won’t be short of choice in what to eat while here, with more stores just 5 minutes drive away in the main village of Rock such as a local butchers, bakery and fishmongers. To also note: Hillcroft Bungalow provides parking for 2-3 cars and welcomes up to 2 well behaved pets by arrangement.

For access, there are two steps to the front path from the driveway and three steps up to the front entrance door (handrail and grabrail provided for both these areas).

There is one step down to the kitchen from the main dining area.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

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About the location

POLZEATH

Wadebridge 7.5 miles; Padstow 16 miles.

The seaside village of Polzeath boasts a sandy beach, which is bordered by rock pools and is acclaimed to be one of the best surfing beaches in the country. Polzeath itself has a number of small shops, cafes and restaurants, and the South West Coast Path, a 630-mile route, runs through the village. Just over seven miles away is the popular market town of Wadebridge, which is set alongside the River Camel and offers an array of shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as North Cornwall's only family-owned cinema. There’s wonderful countryside in the area, with the renowned Camel Trail passing through the town, and the nearby town of Padstow, with its harbour, pastel-washed medieval houses and celebrated restaurants is well worth exploring. Within driving distance is the UK surfing capital of Newquay, with over 11 miles of golden sandy beaches. Polzeath is an excellent base for exploring this part of Cornwall.

Please note there are two steps to the front path from the driveway and three steps up to the front entrance door handrail and grabrail provided for both these areas.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Hi The remarks in customer reviews were still relevant, ie cleanliness not the best and the place needs some updating but that wasn’t a concern for me.”

“We had a lovely week but bungalow is tired and in need of updating.”

“Toilet seat broken in bathroom Showers in both bathrooms need replacing ...”

“We had a lovely week at Hillcroft, loved the setting and location.”

“Showers could do with an upgrade”

“We have stayed here before and knew the bungalows shortcomings.”

“Beds and towels were spotless and house has plenty of room in great location and ...”

“Positives: Great location and views, plenty of hot water and warmth/cozy, bedrooms a good size, good garden/enclosed, good place for dogs.”

“Very dated.”

“Very poor maintenance, kitchen drawer held together with masses of glue.”

“We loved our stay at Hillcroft Bungalow!”

“We have been coming to Cornwall for nearly 50 years, and we have stayed in countless John Bray properties in Trebetherick.”

“Wonderful views, great location.”

“We had a lovely week in Cornwall and the property provided us with a great base for our stay - it’s a fantastic location, walking distance to beaches.”

“We really enjoyed our week in Hillcroft.”

“We’ve stayed at Hillcroft last year so we knew what to expect.”

“A good location and a well appointed bungalow.”

“Had wonderful stay at Hillcroft Bungalow.”

“We have stayed in a John Bray property on several occasions and this time we were looking specifically for the location.”

“On arrival the bungalow was very cold as the heating had not been turned up, some of the lights and the dishwasher were not working as trip switches needed re-setting, and parts of the property were dirty.”

“As has been said by many the directions are totally inadequate, not helped by the misleading external photo in the listing of the back of the house, which looks totally different to the front.”

“What 3 words would help in locating the property, which is very hard to find.”

“The property was in good location, but rather dated interior.”

“It would have helped to have the sign on the main road as it took us over an hour to finally locate it.”

“We had a wonderful time and this seemed to be a fairly-priced property which met most of our needs.”

“The cottage is in a great spot near Polzeath beach, with a beautiful view at the rear.”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

POLZEATH