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South Winds

South Winds

4.3
out of 5
Ratings from 52 reviews
79% of guests
recommend
Cleanliness
4.2
Comfort
4.4
Condition
4.1
Location
4.8
Value
4.1
Customer
Service
4.4

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In the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, this spacious bolthole is set in an incredible location. With four bedrooms and a private garden, South Winds offers a wonderful place to unwind with friends or family. Just moments from some of the Cotswolds’ most notable landmarks, spend your days walking along the river, exploring Stow-on-the-Wold or discovering the history of Cheltenham Spa.

Not worth the money

Review submitted on Mon, 07 Sep 2026
3.2
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
3.0
We arrived at south winds to it not being cleaned from the previous guests. We understand mishaps happen and the cleaner was so apologetic. Sadly we arrived wanting a bath, takeaway and early night but this made it not so. The cleaners did the best they could in the time they had to not disturb us too much, so I can’t comment on the normal cleanliness of the house. Unfortunately, cleaning mishap aside, the house is quite tatty and not what I expect for the price we paid compared to the many other houses we’ve stayed in the Uk. The fabrics of the dining chairs and garden furniture need looking at as they are filthy. The pillows should really have protectors as they are stained, as were the protectors that were on the mattresses. The main upstairs bed was sunken on one side that left my husband uncomfortable. The rug in the dining room is filthy even after hoovering. The windows are filthy. On a plus side, the garden is completely secure for our dog and it’s in a good location to walk into Bourton on the water. Glad to have fans as the kitchen area is extremely warm . Would I stay again. No. Just far too expensive and disappointed bolthole haven’t contacted us for compensation on the house not being cleaned or to apologise. I can imagine this house when first set up was lovely but now needs a bit of an overhaul.

Guest from Rayleigh stayed at South Winds for 4 nights in September 2026


Bolthole Retreats replied 64 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We’re very sorry that you arrived at South Winds before the property had been fully cleaned. We weren’t made aware of this at the time, so we’re particularly disappointed that we didn’t have the opportunity to contact you and apologise or see if there was anything we could do to help. We’re pleased that the cleaning team did their best to resolve the situation as quickly and discreetly as possible, and that you were able to enjoy some of the positives of the property, including the secure garden and its location. We’ve also taken on board your wider comments regarding the condition of the furnishings, bedding, windows, rug and main bedroom bed. These have been passed on to the property team for review with the owner. We’re sorry that your experience fell short of expectations and appreciate you bringing these points to our attention.

Nice but could be better

Review submitted on Mon, 31 Aug 2026
3.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
4.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
4.0
The location is great but the house was slightly dirty when we arrived. It could do with a bit of TLC

Andy from Oxford stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in August 2026


Bolthole Retreats replied 64 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed the location, but we’re sorry that the cleanliness on arrival and the general condition of the property fell short of expectations. We’ve passed your comments on to the property team so that the cleaning and any areas requiring a little TLC can be reviewed. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and hope we have the opportunity to provide a better experience in the future.

Cottage in need of repairs and maintenance

Review submitted on Mon, 29 Jun 2026
3.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
4.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Cottage was off the main very busy Bourton village centre and was very quiet. However it needs maintenance in several areas.
Unfortunately we went in a very hot period and the kitchen/dining area was unbearably hot which made breakfast the only meal where we could use the dining table. There was an outside seating area in full sun until late evening and the parasol had been “dumped” behind the shed as was dirty and torn, but we managed to recover it for our use.

Guest from Cranleigh stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in June 2026


Fab location & a lovely house : just a bit of TLC needed here & there...

Review submitted on Mon, 22 Jun 2026
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Truly fabulous location : a short walk from the village (parking there can be a challenge, so parking for 3 / 4 cars at the house very welcome!) and fundamentally a lovely house with a fab kitchen area opening out onto the garden. Possibly a little 'sparse' (looks like the house isn't lived in at all & is a pure rental property) but pretty much everything you'd need. But some of the window frames and the showers look tired, maybe even 'mouldy' and the 'overhead' rain showers are somewhat lacking in power (but each shower also has a 'hand' shower which was much better.
Not a cheap property (it's a very £££££ area, for sure) but just needs an honest look from the owners and tidy up those windows etc to make it feel truly upmarket. We left thinking "it was OK" rather than "it was really nice!"
To the final question, 'Would I recommend this property?' - I'll say 'yes' BUT with reservations...I'd probably look around the area & try somewhere else...

Andrew from Congleton stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in June 2026


Staycation with family and two dogs

Review submitted on Thu, 28 May 2026
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Had a lovely stay at Southwinds the furnishings were all very comfortable and clean.bored games to play. Great you had electric fans in each room as the weather was absolutely gorgeous
very well equipped kitchen a nice welcome pack on arrival ,bathrooms were lovely and big.

The only thing I thought that let it down was the outside area. It needed a bit of TLC grass could’ve done with a cut
a bag of grass cuttings lying at the bottom of the garden. A dirty ashtray
The outside furniture wasn’t put together properly and the umbrella was not there
as it was so hot and the garden is in full sun the umbrella was very much needed.

We all had a lovely time


emma from Norwich stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in May 2026


Family time at South Winds

Review submitted on Wed, 06 May 2026
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
My family enjoyed their stay at South Winds. The property was spacious and homely, with plenty of room for the three generations staying. Our granddaughter, 20 months, loved running and playing ball in the garden as did our little grand dog. The location was very good, just a short stroll into Bourton.

Tracy from Thame stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in May 2026


South Winds, Bourton-on-the-Water

Review submitted on Tue, 28 Apr 2026
3.8
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Overall, we felt the house was somewhat tired and in need of a refresh. There was visible mould on some of the windows, and the rooms were very basic. That said, the new dining area was a real highlight and proved essential, especially given how small the other rooms were.
We did encounter a few issues during our stay. There was limited china and glassware available, with some items being plastic wine glasses. More concerning was an ongoing ant infestation on the worktops. As we were staying with two babies and a toddler, this was particularly worrying. On one occasion, a baby milk machine we had brought with us was covered in ants, and unfortunately, this problem persisted throughout the weekend.
We were lucky to have beautiful weather, so it was disappointing that the garden was not well maintained. The grass needed cutting, there were chipping’s scattered across the terrace, the outdoor table was unclean, and what appeared to be a broken umbrella had been left behind the garden shed.
On a positive note the location was only a 10 minute walk to the town centre.

Richard from Wickwar stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in April 2026


Bolthole Retreats replied 197 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback following your stay. We’re sorry to hear that aspects of the property felt tired and in need of attention, and particularly concerned to read your comments regarding mould on the windows and the presence of ants on the worktops. Your feedback has been shared with the owners so that these matters can be investigated thoroughly, including pest control and housekeeping checks, to ensure the property is presented to a much higher standard going forward. We also appreciate your comments regarding the kitchen equipment and outdoor areas. These points will be reviewed with the housekeeping and maintenance teams so that any necessary improvements can be made. It’s lovely to hear that you enjoyed the dining area and found the location convenient for the short walk into town. Thank you again for your detailed feedback.

Multi generational holiday

Review submitted on Sun, 26 Apr 2026
3.8
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Location is great. Not having to drive in Bourton a bonus as it’s very busy.
We booked the house as one of the relatives is of poor mobility. The downstairs accessible room and toilet is not wide enough to get a trolley through sadly. Hand rails in the shower would be welcomed also.
The beds were comfortable. We loved the social space of the kitchen/dining room and spent most of our time in there.
The kitchen however is poorly equipped if you’re used to cooking. No scissors, small frying pan, only 3 wine glasses. We were 5 adults and found this a bit disappointing.
Upstairs the rooms were of a good size but mouldy windows and blinds need dealing with.
Also the information for recycling needs updating as confusing and makes me believe everything goes into landfill which would be disappointing. Could be great if a few things are addressed but guess the location would mean it’s always rented.

Sarah from Dorking stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in April 2026


Pleasant Stay

Review submitted on Tue, 20 Jan 2026
3.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Good instructions, nice house, pretty well equipped on the whole, but not for much more than a couple of days I think.

Lovely heating underfloor, comfortable beds and no issues in communicating by email. We had no issues during the stay and the location is brilliant. Great space for entertaining/eating/drinking together. We were a family of 7 for a birthday and was a really great space for us all. No worries about room, 3 bathrooms and helpfully a downstairs en-suite with shower for the older folks.
10min walk into Bourton, far enough from the heavy tourist areas and some good pubs in reach.

COmmunication by email, but all pretty good and replied late on the Saturday to a question about check out, so was appreciated. Booking process and information received well in advance again much appreciated.

Only downsides, to nitpick a bit....for ~£500 / night, you'd expect far fewer cobwebs and something a good bit cleaner in general. It's obviously a long standing rental as it's generally a bit tired (some, not all furniture) and grubby, with really obvious cheap fixes (there's a TV bracket on the wall, but a new TV just on the stand in front of it, which barely works, I think because of the rotten batteries in the BT TV box). The internet just isnt' acceptable in 2026. Do not expect to be able to work or have more than one device looking anything up at once. Certainly don't expect the TV to stream without buffering, which is your only choice as the aerial cable wasn't connected or didn't work.

Not massive issues, but not great when you consider the price point vs reality.

Would stay again as everyone enjoyed it and space worked for us, but only for one / two nights.


Simon from Woodstock stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in January 2026


Bolthole Retreats replied 293 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review and for highlighting the many aspects you enjoyed, particularly the space, layout, location, comfort of the beds, underfloor heating, and communication. We’re very pleased the house worked well for your family celebration and that everyone enjoyed their stay overall. Guests are always encouraged to contact our housekeeper during their stay should anything require attention, as any issues can then be addressed immediately. Had the housekeeper been contacted during your stay they would have been able to assist with this. We’d also like to note that the property has benefited from recent improvements, including new flooring on much of the ground floor, newly sanded kitchen worktops earlier this year, and recent redecoration of the top floor and parts of the ground floor. Further updates are already planned, with the sitting room due to be repainted and furnished with new furniture shortly. We’re pleased you would consider staying again and truly appreciate your balanced feedback. While we understand that opinions can differ, we remain confident in the comfort, space, and overall quality of the home, which is consistently praised by guests. All points raised have been noted and will be addressed where appropriate. We hope we can welcome you back to the Cotswolds soon.

Photographs need updated to show current lower standard

Review submitted on Sun, 07 Sep 2025
3.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
2.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
3.0
Good location but quite disappointed with the property for the price we paid. From the photos on Bolthole’s website I expected this to be a very comfortable house and a reasonably high standard for a family get-together but it would appear that there’s a new owner (?) who has removed some furniture and is willing to spend less on maintenance and guest comfort. Most of the upstairs windows had mould on the surrounds plus leaks in the flat roof extension had resulted in areas of mould and the garden umbrella was covered in green mould (no response from the housekeeping team when I sent photos). Although it had everything we needed, a lot of items were very basic as if the owner expected guests to trash everything e.g. the plastic sheet over the dining table was an interesting touch.

At the moment I couldn’t recommend the property since the website photos somewhat sell it under false pretences. Update the photos, remove the mould and make the repairs.

Guest from Upwell stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in August 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at South Winds. We’re very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the property owners and housekeepers, who have taken your comments on board and are already looking into making the necessary improvements. We do hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.

Perfect location

Review submitted on Mon, 02 Jun 2025
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The house was perfect for our family group. Handy to be close to the centre of Bourton on the Water but far away enough to be away from the crowds.
Plenty of walks from the door.

Michael from Herne Bay stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in May 2025


Location great

Review submitted on Wed, 12 Mar 2025
3.0
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
2.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
3.0
We arrived at South Winds and thought the location was perfect. The house very much needs a deep clean, dead flies in bath, crumbs in kitchen drawers, frying pan full of fat and generally dusty. The blind in bedroom would not open and tv ariel was broken. The dining area was the best part of the house.

Amanda from Lymington stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in March 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your recent stay at South Winds. We're so pleased that you enjoyed the location, though we're sorry to hear that some aspects didn’t meet your expectations. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we've shared it along with the owner and housekeeper. They've let us know that the house was deep cleaned before your arrival, and the housekeeper wishes you had reached out during your stay, as they would have been more than happy to visit and address any concerns. Also, the TV has now been fixed, and the blind is in the process of being repaired.

Fantastic family stay in the heart of the Cotswolds

Review submitted on Thu, 13 Feb 2025
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had the most wonderful time at South Winds. The property is in a fantastic location and is only a short walk into the heart of Bourton on the water. We were a party of 6 adults, 1 child, 2 infants and a dog and the property could not have been more perfect. The large open plan kitchen diner was a perfect space for kids to run around whilst the adults socialised. The property is well kept and so so beautiful. Communication from the house manager was brilliant and she was very accommodating. We would definitely stay again and recommend South winds as a place to stay if you are coming to Bourton on Water.

Emily from Hertford stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in January 2025


Good but some issues to fix

Review submitted on Fri, 03 Jan 2025
4.0
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Excellent location, lovely character cottage and ground floor space, Christmas decorations and welcome hamper were lovely additional touches.
The damp/condensation and mouldy windows upstairs in the bedrooms and bathrooms are a problem that disrupts the premium feel of the cottage and really isn’t healthy for sleeping during cold weather. Even though it is an old character property, It’s a pity this isn’t addressed.

Guest from Singapore stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in December 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at South Winds. We are delighted to hear you liked the property and location. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the owner who has taken these points on board and has let us know that these are being looked into.

Lovely property in great location. Easy walk into Bourton on the water

Review submitted on Wed, 20 Nov 2024
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This property is lovely and generally very clean and really well equipped. Set off the main road into Bourton it is a quiet location (even building work next door didn't disturb us at any time) and has a lovely big parking area that we easily got 3 cars on. Easy walking distance along well made footpaths (just under a mile) to the town with loads of restaurants and pubs. Lovely big social area around table in kitchen which had everything we needed for our stay. We used the master bedroom and ensuite which is nice and roomy, has a comfortable bed, big ensuite with lovely powerful shower over bath. Another couple had the other double upstairs which they found comfortable (although they did find the shower a little snug). The third couple used the double downstairs but did comment on it feeling cold even though the heating was on. Our only reason for the 4 on condition was that there seemed to be reasonable amount of mould around windows and water collecting on some upstairs windowsills which I think may have been made worse by upstairs extractor fans either not working properly or not very well so we had to rely on opening windows to get some airflow through the rooms. Welcome basket was very much appreciated (couldn't find any pods for the coffee machine though but we had our own instant coffee as a backup). Overall a very pleasant stay in a comfortable property.

David from Hockley stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in November 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent stay at South Winds. We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time there, though we’re sorry to learn about the concerns you’ve mentioned. Your comments have been passed on to the owner and property manager, who wished you had reached out during your stay so they could have promptly addressed these issues for you. They’ve assured us that the windows will be cleaned, and the heating has now been fixed. We hope to welcome you back to the Cotswolds again soon.

Lovely weekend break at this property

Review submitted on Wed, 30 Oct 2024
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Lovely weekend break at this property. Comfortable stay , lovely welcome pack provided. A few issues with the keys but sorted with the housekeeper.

Diane from Brierley Hill stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in October 2024


Comfortable stay

Review submitted on Wed, 30 Oct 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We stayed as a family of 5 adults and a baby. The layout was perfect for us and gave us all privacy. The family room on the back was great for us all to come together.
Walking distance to Bourton.
Had a great stay.

Andrew from Solihull stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in October 2024


DO NOT BOOK WITH BOLTHOLE RETREATS

Review submitted on Sun, 15 Sep 2024
2.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Condition
2.0
Location
4.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
2.0
We would strongly recommend that you do not make a booking with Bolthole Retreats. We booked South Winds back in July and whilst the house is in a perfect location it is very tired and in need of some redecoration. The house was very unclean on our arrival and Bolthole are of the view that it is acceptable for human hair to be left in the bedroom wardrobe and stuck to the internal doors. Plus food debris left on the work surface and dirty cupboards, cutlery, crockery, towels, grubby walls & paintwork and fifthly windows. Bolthole feel it was OK to not use up-to-date photographs of the property in their advertisement as it was not in the same condition or decorated to the same standard as advertised. They say that some of the rooms had been redecorated immediately prior to our arrival! They will tell you they are available to talk to you Monday to Friday (between 9am to 5pm) and the housekeeper is available 24/7 outside of this time. That was not the case for us and we did not receive a return phone call until the following day – by which time we had spent the evening before cleaning the property ourselves. We note that since our stay in July, other guests have posted reviews referring to the noise of the major external building works being undertaken on the property next door. Bolthole have denied knowledge that these were going on but we raised the issue with them back in July so there were on notice of same back then. Their answer to this is that as per the booking T&C’s they cannot be responsible for noise or disturbance which comes from beyond the boundaries of the Property, or which is beyond the Owner's control. But they fail to mention they were aware of the issue prior to the guests arriving after us, which we suggest shows a total lack of courtesy towards those subsequent visitors. Bolthole have tried to fob us off with a derisory offer to which reflects approx. 5% of the total cost we paid for our rental. But they were quick enough to take our money at the time of booking. They say they have acted fairly & reasonably to our complaint and have told us the matter is closed as far as they are concerned. We have never encountered such poor customer service before and would urge anyone who is thinking of booking with Bolthole to think twice before doing so. In our experience there are far better and more professionally run holiday companies than them.

Maria from Selby stayed at South Winds for 5 nights in July 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your stay. We are sorry that the property was not up to standard on your arrival, and that the housekeeper, who was the contact for your stay, did not response to your thoughts immediately. We do however understand that the housekeeper had offered to put this right for you however you had decided to attend to the cleaning yourself and had no photographic evidence of any issues which you have raised. That being said, the owner still agreed to a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill, which we are pleased that you were able to accept. As a precaution the owner has also since employed a new property management team, to ensure this does not happen again. We weren’t aware of any building work being carried out next door to the property and would have informed you before your arrival as courtesy. As you can imagine, work being carried out to other properties on the same street is outside of our reasonable control, which is expressly detailed in the booking terms and conditions.

Building works next door and cleanliness

Review submitted on Sun, 11 Aug 2024
3.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Feel we should have been advised of the building works taking place next door, builders would arrive at 7.30am and leave at 4pm. The noise from the building works and their radio affected the use of the garden.
Property was not very clean. The highchair was covered in dried food and had to be cleaned before we could use if for our granddaughter. There were cobwebs hanging from the ceiling window in the kitchen. Food and drink stains were on the walls in the kitchen.

Guest from Cowbridge stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in August 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at South Winds. We are sorry to hear your stay was spoilt by the building works on neighbouring property, we at Bolthole Retreats were not aware of any planned work, and will follow this up with the house manager, had we known we would have informed you before your arrival. As you can appreciate any work on other properties is out of our and the owner's control, again had we known the work was going on, we would have informed you. We have also shared your feedback with the owner regarding the cleanliness who has taken these points on board, and these will be looked into.

South Winds Bourton.

Review submitted on Sat, 15 Jun 2024
3.5
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
2.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
2.0
A nice spacious house but so upset about the patio area outside. It had two foot weeds growing around it, broken pottery planters with old empty plastic pots. The barbecue was filthy. Nothing like the advertised picture. Very upset because I chose this house for the patio area so we could relax outside. No chance of that. I informed the housekeeper and head office to give them a chance to put this right but nobody turned up and nobody followed up my complaint to see if it had been corrected. I have put pictures on the Bolthole review site.



Lorraine from Warrington stayed at South Winds for 4 nights in June 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at South Winds. We are glad to hear that you liked the house however sorry to hear about the patio area. We have spoken to the housekeeper who has confirmed that the gardener attended the property on the Tuesday during your stay and has confirmed that everything has now been sorted.

Gorgeous stay in a perfect home

Review submitted on Wed, 24 Apr 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We stayed at South Winds for a weekend in April. The home is beautiful, well arranged and pristine. It’s in a fab location, just a short walk from Bourton on the Water. Highly recommend!

Selina from Kingston upon Thames stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in April 2024


Well situated spacious property, comfortable and well equipped.

Review submitted on Wed, 10 Apr 2024
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
3.0
Location
4.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had a really enjoyable stay here. A 10-15 minute walk from the centre of Bourton on the Water. It was spacious and clean with a large open plan kitchen which is modern and well-equipped. I really liked the option of 3 sitting spaces, one in the snug, one in the main lounge and one area in the kitchen. The children slept well and the area is very quiet. The only negative is that the property needs some TLC in certain areas - there is mould and damp around some of the upstairs windows, the door latch was loose and eventually broke so we weren't able to lock the door from inside. The grass really needed a cut but appreciate it may have been too wet. There was a large collection of rubbish in the back garden with a full black bin plus 2 other bags on the floor, we checked local bin collection dates but it said they weren't collecting in the area. The fridge door is broken so it needs a good push otherwise it will stay open. The freezer main door has come away from the cupboard door so it had to be opened from underneath. If these issues were addressed I'd be happy to stay again as the property is very nice.

Guest from Cardiff stayed at South Winds for 4 nights in April 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at South Winds. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. However, we are disappointed to read your feedback and the points you have raised. We have shared this with the owner who wishes that this had been reported during your stay as they would have sent someone out to the property. They are looking into all of the points raised to rectify these as soon as possible.

Spacious house

Review submitted on Sun, 31 Mar 2024
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Lovely house and position- the large thick rug in the dining room was full of old pine needles probably left over from Christmas tree was concerned considering we had a baby on the floor and didn’t see them until we had trodden on them and quite painful.
The cleaning fee of £175.00 for the weekend was I thought extortionate

Patsy from Nottingham stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in March 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at South Winds. We are very glad to hear that you liked the house and the position, however disappointed to read your feedback regarding the rug in the dining room. We have shared your feedback with the owner who apologies for this and wishes you had reported this during your stay so they could have sent the housekeeper out.

Would recommend

Review submitted on Sat, 30 Mar 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This property met all our expectations, well equipped and spacious and just a short walk to Bourton-on the water. A great base to explore the Cotswolds.

Rebecca from Baldock stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in March 2024


Excellent location and property. Some attention to detail required.

Review submitted on Sat, 02 Dec 2023
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
3.0
Location and property excellent.

Information provided by email and information folder in the house incorrect/inconsistent/ confusing. Password for Internet incorrectly written in 3 places, only by chance error spotted later in Information folder.
Check out time given in folder inconsistent.
Would suggest review of folder and information contained therein. Consider separate folders for each letting agency??

Cobwebs on ceiling in ground floor bedroom, Visible without spectacles.

Lorraine from Coleford stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in November 2023


Great stay!

Review submitted on Mon, 23 Oct 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We all loved the house and would highly recommend to future guests! It was as pictured and the location was fantastic, 10/10!

Natasha from Birmingham stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in October 2023


A Wonderful Stay

Review submitted on Sat, 16 Sep 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The house was lovely and very well equipped. It was situated perfectly for us. We enjoyed our stay

Guest from London Colney stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in September 2023


Perfect location in Bourton

Review submitted on Mon, 28 Aug 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Excellent spacious property , perfect for our family gathering . Easy flat walk into the town .
Appreciated the welcome basket .
Comfy beds and excellent showers .
Bright sunny garden which the weather allowed us to enjoy .

Sandra from St Neots stayed at South Winds for 4 nights in August 2023


Family weekend away for daughters’s 30th birthday

Review submitted on Mon, 26 Jun 2023
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The house is in an excellent location within easy walking distance to the centre.
The space both inside and out was ideal for the six of us. Each couple had a double bedroom with their own bathroom.
Beds were very comfy as was the outside seating but we all felt the lounge seating was not comfy at all. The lower rating for the condition of the property is because we felt it looked tired in places.


Julie from Sale stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in June 2023


Weekend break with friends

Review submitted on Mon, 13 Mar 2023
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
South Winds is an attractive property on the outskirts of Bourton on the Water. It is well appointed but the kitchen wear, cups, cutlery etc. needs sorting out and in some cases renewing. There were aspects of the house that could have been better cleaned.
The bedrooms were comfortable and once we had adjusted the heating , warm. It would be nice to have some shampoo supplied as there was only body wash in the bathrooms.
Overall, a very good stay.

Guest from Nottingham stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in March 2023


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for your feedback, we have fed this back to the owners. we are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at South Winds. The owners have checked all the crockery and the kitchenware has been checked and is in perfect order and have replaced the broken casserole dish. Thank you again for your feedback and hope to see you again in the Cotswolds.

Great place to get together

Review submitted on Mon, 30 Jan 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Great location for Bourton. Super social kitchen/family space. The house was very well equipped.
Great service from Bolthole Retreats. We would visit again and use Bolthole Retreats again.

Donna from Kegworth stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in January 2023


Christmas 2022

Review submitted on Thu, 05 Jan 2023
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Beautiful house in a wonderful location. Few cobwebs within the house gave impression of not adequate cleaning but that was the only flaw. Very comfortable. We had an issue with the cooker but replaced quickly with minimum fuss even when the weather was bad due to snow. Would suggest a set of drawers in master bedroom. Beautiful house wonderful stay thoroughly enjoyable.

Matt from Dubai stayed at South Winds for 20 nights in December 2022


Stayed here for my daughters wedding

Review submitted on Sat, 17 Sep 2022
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Stayed here for 1 week as daughter getting married.
There was 7 of us staying at Southwinds and it was very spacious and roomy with a large kitchen /diner with table set for 8
Bedrooms were nicely decorated and clean
Large garden with patio furniture
Spent most of our evenings sat outside as the weather was fine
Lovely Welcome pack too in the kitchen
Enjoyed our stay here and would definitely return


Guest from Hull stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in August 2022


Relaxing break in wonderful location

Review submitted on Thu, 19 May 2022
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We wanted a midweek break in May and this was a great choice.
The house has plenty of room and everything you need, including plenty of parking and 2 TVs.
The ground floor bedroom with en-suite was great for elderly or infirm (just one small step down from the bathroom) and the patio area was a real sun trap.
On the edge of the village there were walks from the front door, but still only a stroll into town.

Michael from Wirral stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in May 2022


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Hello Michael Thank you for your review. We are glad that you had a lovely stay in The Cotswolds and hope to see you here again soon. Kind regards

A short stay

Review submitted on Tue, 19 Apr 2022
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We stayed in Bourton-on-the-Water in April 2022. Southwinds was well presented and comfortable base for our activities.

Andrew from Rayleigh stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in April 2022


Lovely 3 night stay for all the family

Review submitted on Mon, 04 Apr 2022
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We chose to visit the Cotswolds for my 30th and after checking which large houses were available to accommodate us all settled on South Winds in Bourton-On-The-Water.

The Meet & Greet wasn't available on our arrival date but this was fine as everything was explained in a quick phone call ahead of time and we were able to let ourselves in with the key box.

The house was a good size for the number of guests, and was decorated tastefully throughout. Each bedroom, even the single room, was a decent size and everyone commented on how comfortable the bedding was.
The dining area was so lovely that we found ourselves congregating there rather than in the family rooms and the kitchen was a good size to accommodate multiple chefs at once and was stocked with essentials like washing up liquid, kitchen foil, cooking oil etc. as well as a full-size fridge, oven, hob and dishwasher perfect for a large group.

The garden was also a good size and would been great for kids, the garden furniture and bbq looked nice, though it was too cold for us to use during our stay.

Overall we had a lovely stay and would happily come back again in the future

Laura from Churchinford stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in March 2022


Very comfortable

Review submitted on Sun, 20 Feb 2022
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had a lovely stay in Bourton- on-the-Water with a catered dinner for 6 plus baby which went well.

Chris from Twickenham stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in February 2022


Fantastic!

Review submitted on Wed, 29 Dec 2021
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Great cottage in a great place! We enjoyed ourselves immensely. The cottage was completely decorated for Christmas which our two little boys loved. It is cozy and everything you need is present. Thanks Bolthole, we'd love to come back!

Kim from Gorssel stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in December 2021


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Dear Kim, Thank you for leaving a review for your stay at South Winds. We're so pleased you and your family had a lovely time here and hope we can welcome you back one day. With best wishes for the New Year Bolthole Retreats

We had a lovely stay.

Review submitted on Sun, 10 Oct 2021
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
5.0
All was really good. We had a lovely time despite poor weather. The accommodation was excellent. It suited all ages.

Anne from Sheffield stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in October 2021


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Dear Anne, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay at South Winds. We're pleased to see that despite the inclement British weather you still enjoyed your time here. Kind regards Bolthole Retreats

Relaxing family weekend

Review submitted on Sun, 12 Sep 2021
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
A lovely family weekend break for 3 generations. South Winds is easy walking distance from the village and has ample parking making it an ideal location for a Cotswold break. The house is pleasant and quite well equipped, the beds are comfortable, and the furnishings are in good condition. Not a cheap rental house but is recommended if you are looking for convenient village comfort.

Sharon from Langley Mill stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in September 2021


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Dear Sharon, Thank you for your review of your stay at South Winds. We're pleased that it was a good location for your multi-generational gathering and hopefully we can welcome you back to the Cotswolds again in the future. Kind regards Bolthole Retreats

A Perfect Stay

Review submitted on Mon, 30 Aug 2021
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
South Winds is a beautiful 4 bedroom cottage with all the essentials needed for a comfortable stay. The massive kitchen diner with large kitchen table was especially impressive. My family of 6 adults and a toddler had lots of quality time around the very large kitchen table. The garden is lovely and safe for children to play. Our grandson had lots of fun playing football. There is comfortable outside seating with a table. We had a couple of BBQ nights which was good fun. The location of the house is perfect as it’s within easy walking distance to the main village area but away enough to feel very peaceful. Bolthole Retreats had excellent communication, always replied to any queries I had prior to departure swiftly and all the necessary information in regards to check in/departure etc was given in ample time. There is also a very good information booklet at the cottage itself. Had a wonderful stay.

Teresa from London stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in August 2021


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Dear Teresa, Thank you for such a lovely review of your time at South Winds. We're so pleased you enjoyed your time there and hope we can welcome you back to the Cotswolds again in the very near future. Kind regards Bolthole Retreats

Lovely cottage, ideally located

Review submitted on Fri, 11 Jun 2021
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed our short stay at South Winds. The cottage is spacious and very comfortable, perfect for our party of 4 adults and 2 children. The well equipped kitchen/dining area was really lovely with patio doors opening out onto the rear garden - we were lucky to have gorgeous weather and the sun was on the garden all day long. The cottage's location is within a quiet residential cul-de-sac which was very peaceful, but it is only a 15 minute walk into the bustling, beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-water. We were pleased that we did not have to worry about finding a car parking space in the village, with car parks being very full on a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

Special thanks to James on the Management Team who was extremely courteous and helpful when we stupidly locked ourselves out of the cottage one evening.

Peter from Gnosall stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in May 2021


BoltholeRetreats replied more than 1 year ago
Hi Peter, Thanks for your review and feedback - we are glad you enjoyed your stay! Kind regards, BoltholeRetreats

Lovely roomy house

Review submitted on Sun, 15 Dec 2019
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We stayed in South Winds for 3 nights in December and were very comfortable and warm. The kitchen area is fantastic and well equipped. It is conveniently located without being in an area that is too busy and crowded.
My only small criticism was that the meet and greet service were unable to meet and greet us!


Wendy from Bridgnorth stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in December 2019


Amazing House

Review submitted on Wed, 30 Oct 2019
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We booked Southwinds for a few days before our wedding and the house was amazing. Perfect location in a lovely village. Will defiantly be returning.

James from Dartford stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in October 2019


Pleasant Break

Review submitted on Tue, 08 Oct 2019
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
The house is a mere 11 minutes walk into Bourton On The Water so ideally located. The beds were very comfortable. The kitchen diner area is the main hub as it is so bright and airy. The views over the rear are lovely and open. It was a lovely quick stay.

Guest from Godshill stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in October 2019


Great location and beautiful cottage

Review submitted on Tue, 24 Sep 2019
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
South Winds is a beautiful cottage in a great location, providing essentials such as a BBQ, TV, a fabulous kitchen and comfortable bedrooms. It was clean and tidy, and the company we booked with were very helpful and accommodating to ours needs.

There were a few issues, however, such as one back door and several windows not opening. They were apparently 'still' broken. It got incredibly hot and made it difficult to cool down. There wasn't enough bin bags or toilet roll provided either.

Louise from Leighton Buzzard stayed at South Winds for 3 nights in September 2019


Everything you need and more

Review submitted on Mon, 15 Apr 2019
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Great home comforts, plenty of space for six/seven people. Everything to a high spec. Location ideal for pubs/restaurants and walks, without being in the middle of tourist hot spots.

Thomas from Solihull stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in April 2019


Cheltenham Festival

Review submitted on Sat, 16 Mar 2019
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We stayed at South Winds for the Festival and enjoyed it immensely. Everything about the house was fantastic, the cleanliness, the facilities, the aspect and most of all the comfort. I normally judge a rental by the quality of it’s cutlery and it was up there with the best.
Would love to go back in warmer weather for some walking in the area followed by a barbecue in the garden.

John from Raynes Park stayed at South Winds for 5 nights in March 2019


Brilliant weekend getaway

Review submitted on Sun, 10 Feb 2019
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We stayed here for a weekend to celebrate my Dad's birthday. We were a group of 8 - 6 adults and two small children - and it felt really spacious, especially as each couple had their own bathrooms. The dining/kitchen area was lovely and perfect for family meals. Would definitely recommend!

Isabelle from London stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in February 2019


Practically perfect!

Review submitted on Wed, 16 Jan 2019
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We searched extensively before booking our accommodation as we were three couples and one child looking for various individual requirements. South Winds ticked all our boxes and after spending a lovely week there it actually exceeded our expectations.
It's obviously fairly recently refurbished and has everything you need for a wonderful stay.
The location was just as we wanted too being just a short walk to all the attractions in Bourton include plenty of eating venue options and having plenty of walks around the area.


Raymond from Lytham St Annes stayed at South Winds for 7 nights in January 2019


Some things need to change for the money paid

Review submitted on Thu, 08 Nov 2018
2.7
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
3.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
3.0
The property needs to be fully completed after renovation before being let out, some basic faults:
No privacy from big windows in back extension. This room with its glass roof would be unbearable hot in summer.
Downstairs bedroom still has feel of a garage - continual flashing of smoke alarm, wall heating light, old bathroom with step up from bedroom ( not suited to those with limited mobility as stated in promotion of property. Also lack of safety rails and rubber non-slip mat in shower. Continual ticking of metre boxes in this bedroom unbearable so don't expect to get a good night's sleep
No occasional tables anywhere e.g. In lounge, reading area in big back room
Under floor heating needs to be sorted out properly
Cleaning of a very poor standard
Could get better accommodation for money charged

Guest from stayed at South Winds for 14 nights in October 2018


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Hello, since this review was written, South Winds has been thoroughly updated, and in response to the flashing smoke alarm and ticking gas meter box: 1) The smoke detector is a standalone device that can be moved to minimize the effect of the light flashing 2) The gas meter has been more thoroughly insulated since the review you mention, to contain the sound. Of course, we cannot rule out that someone who is very sensitive to things like this could be affected by them, but we have had no further complaints since the insulation has been installed and so assume it is all OK.

Fantastic weekend away in the perfect cottage

Review submitted on Mon, 20 Aug 2018
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We recently visited Bourton on the water and stayed at the Southfield property for my mothers 60th birthday.

The house itself is absolutely perfect for 7 people to stay at with 3 large double bedrooms two of which are en suite and one smaller single bed room. Downstairs is a large open plan dining room/ kitchen where spent most of our time with a table that can seat 10 comfortably. There are also two other separate living rooms with televisions and big sofas to relax in. Double French doors open to the garden which has a very nice patio area complete with bbq and outside table and chairs. The rest of the garden is grass and excremental for children to play in.

The location of the house is just outside of Bourton on the water, about a 5-10 minute walk away. The village is lovely though extremely busy during the weekend as it seems very touristy. In the evening though it was very pleasant.

I’m summary I would thoroughly recommend staying in this property it was very clean and very well decorated. By far the best property I saw for the price when searching extensively in the Cotswolds for a weekend away!

Guy from London stayed at South Winds for 2 nights in August 2018