Buzzard Holt Hosting — Hotel in Great Britain

Unfortunately our stay at Buzzard Hold was not the relaxing break we had hoped for. We were met with a catalogue of issues from the minute we arrived to the minute we left which, with a bit more information on the website and better communication from the venue may have been avoided.

Upon arrival, none of the lights worked; the fairy lights, the wind-up lamp, the outdoor lamp. Nothing. We continued to try, but to no avail, and called for support. Nobody was able to take the call who knew what to do (despite using the number from the website and having the call answered by someone who basically knew nothing about it!). I was told I’d receive a call back, but didn’t. However to make matters worse we then saw the person from the call walking around the tents checking the lighting - one of which had working lights - so we asked if we could move tents to one that worked. This was apparently not possible. So she then provided a working wind-up lamp to replace our broken one (at my partners request), informing us her son who knew what to do would be onsite the next day. He was not (at least that we saw). So, so far a complete shambles.

In terms of the tent itself, there were also further issues with this. As if the lights weren’t enough of a problem, we now realise that the fireplace is not safe to use — it entirely fills the tent with smoke! (The airflow was broken so when the oven door is closed, the fireplace dies). We also checked the air-valve, so it was definitely broken as this was in the correct open position. So if you want to be warm, which you do in this weather, you have to battle the smoke inhalation (thick black smoke). Not a roll of the dice I wanted to take!

The website also says there is a hot tub included. Not true - it’s an additional charge, you book online, which is super misleading on the website. Some people may not have even wanted to book if they’d known so I find this really dishonest.

The site itself is also really muddy, as you’d expect considering the current weather, however there are no safety lights illuminating the walkways so it was really quite treacherous (even with a working lamp!) to explore the site.

Luckily, there is a charging point on site but - you’ve guessed it - it also doesn’t work properly. I specifically booked this site because of the electric vehicle charging point. The cable does connect, but it doesn’t charge. There is an app to download - this wasn’t clear from the website but it’s easy enough to download - but, no QR code so the charging point isn’t identifiable on the app, as such couldn’t charge the car.

So, all in all, if you are happy to not be able to see, breathe or charge your car, this is the place for you. Tesco charging point though? Spot on, if you’re happy waiting three hours on your...

Where to start on this abysmal weekend trip away?||1: We arrived to be told that everyone had 'gone to the pub' - great. How do we check in with no clear instructions? We were informed by another unhappy guest that it's 'self-check in'. Great, shouldn't someone have let us know that in pre-arrival communication?||This venture clearly started as a 'good idea' and then slowly turned into a chore that still spits out cash. I'm not convinced the owners really know what they're doing in all honesty.||2: We followed signage to the "Tent car-park" and got stuck in the field. Common sense should have told us not to go, but having seen the aggressive signage at the other car park indicating that it's "ONLY FOR DAY GUESTS" we thought better not to risk a fine, so followed the signs. Bad call - soaked and annoyed, we waded through the rest of the field to our tent, only to be later informed that we were the second car that day to get stuck and need to be towed out. WHY NOT REMOVE THE SIGNS THEN OR BLOCK THE ENTRANCE? Too much trouble, obviously.||3: At our tent we found all of our wood that had been left for us - totally soaked and unuseable, which led to a very cold night in a wet and miserable 'bell tent' (see picture of partially burnt 'kindling' and saw dust all over our tent entrance. Totally unacceptable)||4: Communication with the hosts was just impossible. He responded when we called 15 times, text 3 times, emailed and tried every other manner conceivable, but the place is just lonely. There's no reception, signs, instructions or number to call - just a glass window where one can see 'some humans' sitting reading the paper. No indication that it's permitted to disturb them.||5: Admittedly, we think the 'park' would be pleasant in the summer. When there's no wind, rain, puddles, swamps or cold, it could be an enjoyable place to spend an evening or two, however, when I specifically asked if it would be cold, or if we would be better placed to look for a hotel, the guest told me clearly on text: "No, it's fine, the tents are warm" - he must have thicker skin than me then, as it was freezing and our measly little log burner did not work at all - it flooded our tent with smoke and had allowed in some water from the chimney so it was damp inside. Great!||6: We ended up leaving a day early as it was just so miserable. I've never left a place of accommodation earlier than my anticipated departure day, and trust me, I've stayed in some hovels in SE Asia. Even they were more pleasant than our experience here at BHH.||7: Just a word of warning: unless the weather is fine - do not go...

Where to start on this abysmal weekend trip away?

1: We arrived to be told that everyone had 'gone to the pub' - great. How do we check in with no clear instructions? We were informed by another unhappy guest that it's 'self-check in'. Great, shouldn't someone have let us know that in pre-arrival communication?

This venture clearly started as a 'good idea' and then slowly turned into a chore that still spits out cash. I'm not convinced the owners really know what they're doing in all honesty.

2: We followed signage to the "Tent car-park" and got stuck in the field. Common sense should have told us not to go, but having seen the aggressive signage at the other car park indicating that it's "ONLY FOR DAY GUESTS" we thought better not to risk a fine, so followed the signs. Bad call - soaked and annoyed, we waded through the rest of the field to our tent, only to be later informed that we were the second car that day to get stuck and need to be towed out. WHY NOT REMOVE THE SIGNS THEN OR BLOCK THE ENTRANCE? Too much trouble, obviously.

3: At our tent we found all of our wood that had been left for us - totally soaked and unuseable, which led to a very cold night in a wet and miserable 'bell tent' (see picture of partially burnt 'kindling' and saw dust all over our tent entrance. Totally unacceptable)

4: Communication with the hosts was just impossible. He responded when we called 15 times, text 3 times, emailed and tried every other manner conceivable, but the place is just lonely. There's no reception, signs, instructions or number to call - just a glass window where one can see 'some humans' sitting reading the paper. No indication that it's permitted to disturb them.

5: Admittedly, we think the 'park' would be pleasant in the summer. When there's no wind, rain, puddles, swamps or cold, it could be an enjoyable place to spend an evening or two, however, when I specifically asked if it would be cold, or if we would be better placed to look for a hotel, the guest told me clearly on text: "No, it's fine, the tents are warm" - he must have thicker skin than me then, as it was freezing and our measly little log burner did not work at all - it flooded our tent with smoke and had allowed in some water from the chimney so it was damp inside. Great!

6: We ended up leaving a day early as it was just so miserable. I've never left a place of accommodation earlier than my anticipated departure day, and trust me, I've stayed in some hovels in SE Asia. Even they were more pleasant than our experience here at BHH.

7: Just a word of warning: unless the weather is fine - do not go...