Sue Harris
4/5
The cottage isn't the easiest place to find. Paradise Row is signposted, but the cottage is at the end of a terrace of what look like private residences and it's necessary to walk across the back gardens of the other properties which didn't feel right, so I gave up on my first attempt and retreated. I asked a local and it was correct, so I retraced my steps but this time, I crossed all of the gardens to the end property - Eden Cottage.
The keys are left in a box and you are given the code to access two keys. It would have been useful to know that one of the keys wasn't needed. After many frustrating minutes of trying to open the door with the older key, I gave up and tried the Yale lock, which worked.
Initial impressions are of a well-equipped kitchen, a cosy lounge, a downstairs shower room and two nicely presented bedrooms - a double with en-suite and a twin room.
However, closer inspection was a bit disappointing. Unfortunately the drain in the downstairs shower hadn't been cleaned properly and there was a clump of hair still in the drain.
I chose to sleep in the twin room, but as the room is a dormer, there is no room for a wardrobe (in either bedroom), so there's a cupboard with hanging space (but not long enough for dresses), attached to a shelf and two drawers. To say this cottage sleeps four people, you would struggle to accommodate clothes for a stay of more than two or three nights.
Parking is a bit hit and miss, although I was lucky enough to get a space on the road by the cottage.
When the causeway is open (observe the tide times, which are easily available online), the island gets very busy but that's fine. You aren't allowed to waiver from the check-in and check-out times though so it may be worth checking the tides before you book. For example, I had to leave the property by 10am but the crossing didn't open until 11.15am. Not a huge wait, but when you're all packed up and the car is loaded, it's nice not to have to hang around. My timings were relatively OK, but it's well worth checking so that you can make the most of your stay, especially when getting on to the island.
I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't a welcome pack, not even a biscuit or two. There's a small Post Office with a very limited stock and there are no provisions in the cottage, apart from six small milk sachets in the fridge.
The lady who was staying in the cottage next door got a bottle of milk, juice, wine and chocolates. She had fresh roses and a cupboard stocked with tea, coffee and sugar. It is a self-catering holiday so I imagine you would be prepared, but it's worth knowing that there's no supermarket on the island.
I was under the impression from the website where I booked, that the cottage was very close to the sea, but this isn't the case. Nevertheless, Holy Island is a fascinating place and well worth visiting.
