I feel rested and rejuvenated, having just returned from a wonderful stay at Wave Cottage, Sandgate.
The joy of my break in Sandgate began before I had even arrived, at the packing stage. I usually find this to be the most stressful part, but Bloom Stays had sent a comprehensive list of everything the property provided a few days before my arrival. Because of this, there were no cumbersome extras to consider; I travelled with my little dog, and was relieved to find that even feeding bowls and blankets (so I didn’t have to worry about leaving ‘hairy’ furniture) were already covered. I wanted to pack minimally as I thought that parking would be a little sparse on the roadside, however, I needn’t have worried as when I arrived at this pleasantly accessible holiday cottage I found there’s both residential and 2-hour parking nearby, so unloading was found to be fairly painless after all.
Upon arrival, I was greeted with flowers and a little note providing a phone number to call should there be an unexpected problem. As someone of more mature years, and flying solo (well, except my little canine companion), I find notes like these to be so reassuring.
The cottage was charming and extremely well-thought-out; I loved all the little personal touches. Everything that makes a getaway special was provided in the kitchen, making self-catering easy. Naturally, the coffee machine received a lot of attention from me in the mornings and afternoons, while I took the opportunity to enjoy the endless seaside vistas from the outside decking with a final coffee in the evenings.
During my stay, I found this decking to provide the perfect area for all sorts of holiday activities: dining, reading, writing, a moments’ solitude, and simply people-watching. Most importantly though, it’s just a short (level) step from the kitchen, making it easily accessible, too. The recliner garden chairs provided offer a comfortable spot to stretch out, catch some sun, nap and enjoy the day, and I was quite happy to just float carelessly from brunch to tea, and, later, to supper.
Come dusk, the cottage is flooded with ambient lighting, and the little fairy lights come alive on the decking, making this a particularly fantastic experience by nightfall. Just the sounds of the water on the shingle and the darkness of the sky encompass everything, interrupted only by distant tiny lights from further along the coast.
How good it was to find a staircase with a sturdy handrail on both sides, and a stair carpet that wasn’t so thick that it made the treads impossible to manoeuvre without performing the crab walk! An accessible holiday cottage, indeed. The ground floor of this property was so thoughtfully laid out, and the upstairs is no different. The beds were soft and comfortable, with crisp linens and – crucially – just the right height for easy mobility. The little bedside lights were also a really nice addition, and meant I didn’t need to bat around for a switch in the middle of the night, and could just switch these off with a touch. With such comfort and quiet, I found sleep to be more or less guaranteed.
I also noted the bathroom to be well-designed, and was grateful to find matte surface tiles on the floor rather than the more glossy, hazardous choice. The shower was of the open, walk-in variety – very practical with plenty of room to manoeuvre, and simple controls.
I had the most marvellous time staying here in the early summer, but I can easily imagine the pleasure of an autumn or winter spent at Wave Cottage. In the living room, an electric-controlled stove emits warm flames – a pleasant surprise, as I’d expected a traditional log burner from my previous glance at the pictures. This meant no clearing out of lay up, and no chores (who wants to do chores when they’re on holiday?); just the flick of a switch and I was all set, book at the ready, accompanied by the little battery-powered candlelights to add more sparkle. I also found a basket full of warm throws, which I thought would serve as a reassuring extra for the colder months. Already, I was longing for a winter stay of my own – and I hadn’t even left yet! The sofas I also found to be cosy and supportive – no saggy bottoms – while I used the dining table both left up in its full dimensions for mealtimes and folded down to make room for my slow morning stretches.
Wave Cottage’s location is really so convenient, the little local cafés and restaurants of Sandgate are only a short walk away, and are almost all dog-friendly. This made my stay very easy as I was able to try something new most days. Admittedly, I was rather lazy on the cooking front, but then, I was on holiday! I really cannot praise this accommodation enough for a fulfilling and relaxing holiday experience – it was a real home from home. I’m sure it will be as cosy and enjoyable in the out-of-season months especially, something that is much appreciated by this out-of-season travelling veteran. For a lone traveller plus one small dog, Wave Cottage proved exceptional, and I’m already looking forward to the next time I return.
