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We Collect & Analyse Reviews

Rural Retreats
Experiences & Reviews

Rural Retreats is a UK holiday cottage agency specialising in self-catering breaks across rural and coastal locations. It curates privately owned cottages and manages bookings, arrivals and guest queries for short breaks and week-long stays. People searching reviews typically want insight on property standards, booking terms and how the agent handles problems.

Overview & Key Metrics

Reviews Analysed 21
Positive Sentiment 57%
Latest Review 17d
Overall Rating
3.2

Our Analysis

🎯

Service quality

Many reviewers describe prompt, helpful booking support and attentive hosts; a comparable number report unresolved complaints and inflexible handling of problems.

Share
16%
Mixed
💰

Value for money

Several guests report poor value due to high prices, withheld deposits or limited facilities; a minority note good value when properties match expectations.

Share
7%
Weak
⚡

User experience

Guests report varied stays: many praise locations, comfort and welcome packs; others cite cleanliness, noise or safety problems that materially affected their holidays.

Share
20%
Mixed
🔧

Product quality

Property standards appear inconsistent: many cottages are well equipped and maintained, while other reports describe missing basics, hygiene issues or outdated amenities.

Share
18%
Mixed
📞

Communication

Reports of clear pre-arrival information and responsive hosts sit alongside many complaints about unanswered queries, slow replies and disagreements over booking terms.

Share
18%
Mixed
⭐

Overall experience

Overall impressions are split: a substantial number recommend Rural Retreats after smooth stays, but many describe serious problems that led to disputes.

Share
21%
Mixed

View all 21 public customer reviews – filtered by relevance →

Our Independent Methodology

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Data Collection

We analyse public reviews from verified platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and Facebook.

AI Analysis

Our AI detects patterns in genuine customer experiences without modifying content.

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Always Current

Updated regularly with the latest reviews and customer feedback.

All Customer Reviews

Filtered, experience-based customer reviews from public sources; vague and duplicate submissions removed.

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Showing all 21 reviews

All Customer Reviews

Sources: Trustpilot (20) · Collected.reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: September 2025

o
on the hill
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

very very shabby ethics and morals

very very shabby ethics and morals. fleeced for £650...recently booked a holiday on the isle of wight, paid the deposit of £650.. my mother passed awa...

D
Dawn903
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

First class service

I contacted Rural Retreats to enquire about Bull Point Cottages in North Devon. I received excellent customer service with my enquiry and booking...

P
Pen
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Query administration and honouring offer

The house at 7a Cathedral Green was exceptional and beautifully maintained by the caretakers. We selected to book through Top Cashback and our claim r...

N
Neavesy
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Wonderful cottage

Just had a wonderful stay with Rural Retreats in Fiddlers Green at Hamworthy. Beautiful cottage and walled garden. Very comfy for lounging around...

P
Paul Thomas Butterfield
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

"Rural Retreats" standards are…

"Rural Retreats" standards are slipping- cottage property specification on TV suppled being VERY BASIC for 21st century. A very small sized ( about 2...

l
linda lashmar
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

We stayed at the garden room in Sussex…

We stayed at the garden room in Sussex , we were very disappointed , the place had cobwebs everywhere, not been cleaned , floor had tea all over it ,...

j
james
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Just made a booking with RR

Just made a booking with RR - excellent...

H
Hester Pendino
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Very disappointing experience…

We booked a property in the Surrey Hills called The Hay Barn with Rural Retreats. I thought that booking with a company that offers luxury accommodati...

P
Paul Price
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Rent a holiday property by a big building site

Last year booked The Manor House in Beeford Yorkshire for a week for just under £3000. Sounded and describe as an idyllic rural retreat for the family...

S
S S
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

I am writing this review to express my…

I am writing this review to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding the recent holiday experience at Lizard Point Lighthouse. Unfortu...

U
Unhappy customer
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Beware of this company. Atrocious service

BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY. A poor and disappointing holiday cottage that was obviously not checked by Rural Retreats and after complaining and chasing mu...

L
Lynn West
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Disappointed in this company

Disappointed in this company. We have a medical issue with our dog and asked if we could move the holiday. They have refused as it’s near the date. We...

T
Teresa Green
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

We stayed in the beautiful Rowena…

We stayed in the beautiful Rowena cottage at Anvil Lighthouse. It is 3 bedrooms with two bathrooms and comfortable stay. The kitchen is large and well...

P
Paul M
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

High quality all the way

9 out of 10 places rented have ei...

S
SJ
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Their Website!

Who designed their website? An idiot who never uses it? All I want to do (in the very limited time I have available) is check what might be available...

t
tam
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Wonderful holiday at Sundown in…

Wonderful holiday at Sundown in Widemouth bay. Was everything we expect of a ruralretreats property. Great property, clean, hampe...

J
Jackie Ratcliffe
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Brilliant Hosts

We where welcome by the host Jenefer who was amazing. The kettle was on & a lovely welcome pack that was un believable awaited us. We visited all arou...

D
Deb Atkinson
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

I stayed in the Cygnet apartment in the…

I stayed in the Cygnet apartment in the centre of Harrogate. It was fantastic. A lovely, thoughtful owner and a mo...

M
Michael Heathfield
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Bereavement Cancellation

They have dealt with a cancellation caused by a double bereavement w...

L
Laura Crosbie
trustpilot.com Sep 30, 2025

Had no issues with our accommodation or…

Had no issues with our accommodation or booking. Everything was perfect and we were given paperwork in plenty of time with instructio...

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Conclusion

Reviews show a mix of reliable, well-equipped cottages and recurring problems that consumers should note. Positive reports highlight helpful staff, clear pre-arrival information and prompt resolution of some issues. Negative reports focus on withheld deposits or rigid cancellation enforcement, cleanliness lapses, proximity to building works and inconsistent amenity standards. If you consider booking, check the property description and safety details carefully, read the supplier’s cancellation and deposit terms, and confirm how the company handles complaints and refunds. Consider travel insurance or flexible tariffs for higher-value bookings to mitigate financial risk.