The Garden Annex blog

  I needed somewhere local to stay as I was getting building work done on my home and I found the Garden Annex via Google - booked and arrived and was... read more welcomed by the lovely Jean who showed me around (with social distancing measures in place!) and I had 6 wonderful nights of perfect restful sleep in a totally clean and welcoming "home from home". My only regret was having to go back to my actual home while the builders were finishing off their work!

  Myself and my husband have just enjoyed a great few days at the annex. The garden is beautiful and the annex is comfy and really well equipped, a real home... read more from home! Jean kindly provided breakfast items for us to cater for ourselves and was a very welcoming host who even gave us a tour of her lovely garden. The annex is a great place to explore the local area, so many great places within a short drive, we hope to return again soon :)

  It is with regret I am compelled to write such a negative review, however our stay at this property was an unhappy, problematic experience and we feel we have a... read more duty of care to highlight the numerous problems we encountered, to allow guests to make informed choices when considering this listing. Our booking was made through Air B n B and we usually book with Superhosts but with the pandemic limiting available properties, we found ourselves with no choice but to book this non-Superhost listing. We booked a month in advance for four weeks but left early due to the endless problems we encountered, some before our arrival. A week prior, I received an email from the host inquiring whether I was going ahead with the booking. An unusual query, as I gave no indication I would be cancelling. She informed me another guest wanted the annex for six weeks, which coincided with our booking. I told her we could not cancel due to work and received no reply. The seeds of doubt were sown, as it was clear she wanted the booking of six weeks over four. Fearing the host would cancel leaving us adrift during a pandemic, I aired my concerns to Air BnB for reassurance. She informed them she had had numerous cancellations and wanted to make sure we were coming. However, when we arrived, my partner asked her about the unfortunate cancellations and she said she... It is with regret I am compelled to write such a negative review, however our stay at this property was an unhappy, problematic experience and we feel we have a duty of care to highlight the numerous problems we encountered, to allow guests to make informed choices when considering this listing.

Our booking was made through Air B n B and we usually book with Superhosts but with the pandemic limiting available properties, we found ourselves with no choice but to book this non-Superhost listing. We booked a month in advance for four weeks but left early due to the endless problems we encountered, some before our arrival. A week prior, I received an email from the host inquiring whether I was going ahead with the booking. An unusual query, as I gave no indication I would be cancelling. She informed me another guest wanted the annex for six weeks, which coincided with our booking. I told her we could not cancel due to work and received no reply. The seeds of doubt were sown, as it was clear she wanted the booking of six weeks over four. Fearing the host would cancel leaving us adrift during a pandemic, I aired my concerns to Air BnB for reassurance. She informed them she had had numerous cancellations and wanted to make sure we were coming. However, when we arrived, my partner asked her about the unfortunate cancellations and she said she had none!

The day before our arrival, I contacted the host to confirm our arrival time and received no reply! I repeatedly contacted her, expressing my concerns at her lack of communication, to which I received a host of argumentative retorts, stating I must not be getting her replies! I contacted Air BnB, as I was apprehensive about spending a month in this atmosphere during a pandemic. Our work situation was insecure due to the virus and like many; we were playing the waiting game. Having had two exceptional Air BnB lockdown experiences with outstanding hospitality, I was extremely nervous about this listing and I had not even met the host!

When we arrived, the annex was small and the couch uncomfortable but it looked out to a beautiful garden through large patio doors, which I hoped would provide comfort during this precarious time. I was wrong. Privacy is a colossal concern and guests are extremely exposed in the garden, particularly being inside more due to the pandemic. Our next issue occurred a few mornings into the stay. The annex kitchen connects to the host’s kitchen and you can hear everything she does and vice versa. There is a note stating this connecting door is a fire escape and remains locked at all times. This was incorrect. One morning while my partner was in the shower and I was in my pyjamas the host unlocked and entered this door to inquire if the bins needed emptying just as I entered the kitchen. It was a huge shock to see her in our private space. She said she had been knocking, but I did not hear her and this was not the point! I was upset at this severe breach of privacy, intensifying the unease I felt in the property. I was concerned she was entering our private space freely while we were away and our belongings unprotected. The host denied entering, stating, “I did knock and call out to you and you did not respond”. That the host denied entering the kitchen door was horrifying. I immediately contacted Air BnB, expressing my concerns. I wanted to leave straight away but availability elsewhere was extremely limited owing to the pandemic. We eventually resolved we would stay and communicate via the back patio doors, as we had been doing all along. We never relaxed after this incident.

Unfortunately, problems persisted. Another morning, we awoke to a stranger in the garden laughing with the host, who proceeded to wave at my partner. We were both in a state of undress and I was extremely distressed at this further intrusion. The disregard for privacy was becoming intolerable, and when my partner spoke to the host, she said he was the gardener and was not in the back garden but only the front! Another blatant denial from the host! The final straw was waking up to an email from the host stating the electricity would be turned off anytime between 1-5pm as a meter was being installed. I was preparing for a work meeting that day, my first work activity in three months and I was concerned I would have no access to electricity. Air BnB intervened for the fifth time at 1am for four hours. My job was in the balance and my anxiety severely heightened by the latest problem at this property, which was now impacting my work. We asked to leave a week early before any further damage was caused. We asked for a refund for the final week plus compensation for all the disturbances. The annex was very expensive given all the turbulence. The host had disappeared and was not answering messages and we were unable to book another stay, as we had not finalised a refund. She finally responded the following day and refused our refund request. We settled on leaving three days early with a refund for the days unused but no compensation or acknowledgment of the distress caused. We were beyond exhausted from this chaotic stay; we accepted, though we do not believe this was reflective of our truly negative experience.

Unfortunately, our stay at 245 London Road was tense and problematic and we found the host to be argumentative, defensive and dishonest. We repeatedly had to contact Air BnB with concerns. We felt the host did not respect us as guests, our privacy or our worrying work situation. We had to accommodate the host rather than her accommodate us. She created a hostile environment as we battled the enormity of the pandemic. We simply sought peace and privacy but experienced continual disruption and intrusion. To make guests feel so distressed during a pandemic, while their work and living situations were precarious, was unacceptable. We could not recommend this property and would advise potential guests to proceed with caution. More

  Stayed here for one night while visiting friends in the area, but wished I could have stayed longer! Really comfortable, beautifully decorated and immaculately clean self-contained apartment, with fully equipped... read more kitchen, separate living/dining room, bedroom with very comfortable bed, great shower room. Weather wasn't good,...More

  Stayed here for one night while visiting friends in the area, but wished I could have stayed longer! Really comfortable, beautifully decorated and immaculately clean self-contained apartment, with fully equipped... read more kitchen, separate living/dining room, bedroom with very comfortable bed, great shower room. Weather wasn't good, so couldn't take advantage of the lovely garden - but was nice to view from the living room. Plenty of choice for breakfast and homemade bread and cake supplied by Jean, the owner, who was extremely accommodating and efficient right from initial enquiry, and can arrange pick up from railway station if needed. The next day I took the bus, as the stop was only a minute's walk away, and 25 minute journey, to visit Avebury Manor and stones. I would definitely recommend staying here, and would return if back in this area. More

  Perfection at its best. Jean is such a lovely host and prepared everything to be great. Everything is bright and clean. A modern and spacious bathroom with plenty of hot... read more water and great smelly towels. The bedroom has plenty of space in the wardrobe and...More

  I stayed at Jean's annex for the first time in several years for one night. Everything was as good as before, with Jean's friendly welcome and the well appointed annex.... read more A lovely quiet night sleeping in a comfy bed, newly refurbished shower room and improved...More

  A beautifully peaceful comfortable spacious annexe with a warm welcome from the friendly owner Jean. Every effort was made to personalise our stay from the fulfilment of special requests for... read more fruit and suggestions for places to visit. Just great. The garden on which the four...More

  A beautifully peaceful comfortable spacious annexe with a warm welcome from the friendly owner Jean. Every effort was made to personalise our stay from the fulfilment of special requests for... read more fruit and suggestions for places to visit. Just great.
The garden on which the four room annexe opens is just beautiful, the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine after a day out exploring. It has a separate kitchen with an initial stock of goodies, separate bathroom with toilet and full shower, a queen size bedroom airy plenty of storage space and a sitting room/lounge and the garden with table and chairs.

  The London Road Garden Annexe provides very clean and well-equipped accommodation for your stay. Jean is the perfect host and the garden is delightful. Sat in the sunshine... read more reading and watching the birds come and go was so enjoyable.

  The London Road Garden Annexe provides very clean and well-equipped accommodation for your stay. Jean is the perfect host and the garden is delightful. Sat in the sunshine... read more reading and watching the birds come and go was so enjoyable. More

  Perfect setting for access in the surrounding area, very spacious, clean, comfortable, quiet, lovely host, like a home away from home. Couldn't have asked for more, all the facilities were... read more perfect, a very relaxing stay.

  We had a wonderful stay at Jean’s garden annex. It was warm and homely, with lots of little thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, beautiful freshly baked bread, and yummy little... read more cakes on arrival. The beds were very comfortable, including the stretcher bed for a third...More

  This one-bedroom flat is completely self-contained and quiet/private. It would make a good base for visitors seeking to visit Stonehenge, Bath, Lacock, etc. There were lots of birds... read more in the garden, which I would imagine is beautiful in the summer. The Wifi was very good.More

  Jean is a wonderful host who has thought of everything. Freshly baked bread for our arrival. Lovely bright and chearful spacious rooms. Thoroughly enjoyed our 3 week visit. Convenient... read more to the Cotswolds, Stonehenge and Oxford.

  I stay at the annex on a regular basis when I’m in Chippenham for work and it’s a real home from home, so much nicer than a hotel! All the... read more facilities you could want in a spacious annex, with a gorgeous view of the garden...More

  I have stayed a few times when in Wiltshire for work. Jean is a wonderful host and accommodates all needs. The accommodation is very comfortable and clean and has everything... read more you need for your stay. I love that after a day at work I can...More

  I have stayed a few times when in Wiltshire for work. Jean is a wonderful host and accommodates all needs. The accommodation is very comfortable and clean and has everything... read more you need for your stay. I love that after a day at work I can come back to more than just a hotel room. The kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom are well equipped and spotless. Great Wi-Fi connection. Jean makes a lovely loaf of bread on arrival and cake! Breakfast for you to cook is provided which suits me well. There is a delightful garden to sit out in. Will be my first option anytime I'm down this way. Thanks Jean.