Things you need to know
1. Bedlinen, towels and tea-towels As of 13th February 2010 we will be providing bedlinen, teatowels and towels for 4 guests per booking. A weekly change of bedlinen can be provided for bookings of 2 weeks or more. The cottage can accommodate 6 people with various permutations of single/double/triple bedded rooms being possible, please enquire when booking as to how you would like beds set out to suit your party.
2. Provisions: Basics such as tea, coffee, sugar & condiments are provided, also shower gel, soap & shampoo. Various other things appear having been left by guests so cooking oil, vinegar, marmite, mustard etc may also be in the cupboards. Our intention in leaving these items is to lighten your load when packing and it would be appreciated if you could contribute something to the provisions if you know you have relied heavily on our supplies.
3. Cot We no longer supply a cot but there is plenty of space in either bedroom for a travel cot.
4. The Downstairs Loo is a Saniflo unit and cannot cope with sanitary items, nappy wipes, face wipes, cotton buds or copious amounts of loo roll! We provide a bin and disposal bags and urge you to use them to get rid of the items listed above plus anything else you may initially think you could flush away. It would a shame to spend part of your holiday with one bathroom out of action and repairs can take some time due to our remote location and lack of local plumbers.
5. Arrival The barn will be ready for occupation at 4.30pm on the day of your arrival.
6. And departure Please leave the barn clean and tidy when you leave and leave promptly at 10.30 am so that our caretaker has plenty of time to get the barn ready for the next visitors. Please report any breakages or damage that has occurred so that the next visitors are not inconvenienced – see booking conditions. Please adhere to these timings so that our caretaker can clean and prepare the barn for use
7. Entertainment Digital TV is available and there is a video player with a small selection of videos [on the bookshelf]. There is also a good selection of games and books. We have a growing selection of DVDs, the local shop [at the petrol station] hires DVD's or you could bring your own. There is an ipod docking station in the sitting room and a CD/radio/cassette player.
8. Photography The layout and furniture in the barn may vary from photographs on this website as we are continually improving and replacing items. The photographs should therefore be viewed as an indicator of the quality of the accommodation rather than an exact record.
9. Keys Keys will be in a keysafe for your use on arrival. The information sent to you when you make your booking will contain details of how to access the keysafe. The keys will be your responsibility during your stay and you will be asked to pay any costs incurred through loss, damage, loss of access to the property or through keys not being returned to their original collection point.
10. Heating Fuel costs are included in the cost of your holiday. The cottage has gas central heating controlled by a thermosat in the dining room with instructions on the door of the control panel.
11. Allergies Please be aware that the barn does accommodate dogs even if there are no dogs in your party and this may affect those with allergies.
12. Dogs Dogs are accepted under the strict understanding that they are:
• Never left alone in the property
• Kept under control at all times, particularly with regard to the farm animals in adjacent fields
• Provided with beds and bowls by their owner
• Not allowed on beds or furniture
• Up to date with flea and worming treatments
Please note as well that:
• you should clear up all dog poo and take responsibility for any damage caused by your dog.
• The garden is fenced but not ‘dog proof’ for a determined escapee.
• Not all beaches welcome dogs at all times of the year so check notice boards
13. Access The barn is not suited to wheelchair access as there are several [uneven] steps internally and no ramps. If your party includes toddlers or elderly people [or elderly dogs!] please note that there are uneven steps within the barn. The upstairs bedroom is accessed via a spiral staircase, there is a stairgate which fits to the top of the staircase.
14. Farms. The barn is situated between 3 farms but please note that hiring the barn does not give you a right to enter these farms. Farms are interesting but dangerous places for children, with lots of machinery and other things to tempt them in, so please ensure that your children do not wander beyond the boundaries of Cottage Barn.
15. Please shut the gate! We have installed a 5 bar gate at the front of the barn for 2 reasons,
one it stops a neighbour's dog from coming in and pooing by the dustbins [unpleasant and unhygienic I know but he is intent on leaving his calling card whenever possible]
and two it deters foxes from poking around the bins, if bin bags have been left out foxes will spread your refuse far and wide looking for an easy meal.
It would be hugely appreciated - not to mention making your stay more pleasant - if you shut the gate whenever you can.
16. Refuse and bins Bin day is on a Wednesday, we operate a two bins system so that bins can be easily emptied by the council and you can still have one for your use beside the front door. All rubbish that goes into the wheelie bin must be in in black bags [stored under the sink if you need one] or the bin men will refuse to take the rubbish away. Please make your stay more pleasant by using the black bags and putting rubbish into the wheelie bin, if bags are left out on the ground foxes will tear open the bags and spread your rubbish about in the road and driveway.