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General Information
Location
Most of the properties in the brochure are situated in the country, sometimes a few miles from the nearest village or town. The location given in the details of the individual property is the distance in a straight line from the town or village, e.g. Bideford (5 miles S) means the property is located 5 miles south of Bideford. Distances given to the beach etc are by road. Each property description shows a map coordinate which should be used with the map at the back of the brochure.
Star Grading System
2 STAR
A reasonable standard of furnishing, full-size cooker, shower or bath, washbasin and WC, electric shaver point or adapter.
3 STAR
Good condition of furnishing throughout. Modern kitchen with washing machine. Bathroom with bath or shower. Some have towels supplied or available for hire; please refer to the individual property description for confirmation.
4 STAR
Good standard of furnishing and appliances throughout. Separate WC if more than 8 persons. Many have towels supplied or available for hire; please refer to the individual property description for confirmation.
5 STAR
Well-furnished and equipped. High standard of kitchen equipment. Garden furniture. Many have towels supplied or available for hire; please refer to the individual property description for confirmation.
For those without cars
The majority of properties in our brochure are in areas which are not served by a good bus service. However, we do have some which are on the edge of larger villages or towns which are on regular bus routes and we are always pleased to give advice on this point.
Arriving and Departing
In order for your accommodation to be properly prepared it is important you do not arrive before 2.30pm and you depart by 10am, where these times vary this will be indicated on the Direction Sheet sent to you prior to the start of your holiday.
Dogs / Pets
"Regret no pets" relates to properties where pets are not permitted, however there is no guarantee a pet has not entered the premises at any time. "Pets welcome" relates to properties which allow pets (at an extra cost). In properties which take "Pets by arrangement", one small well-behaved dog is usually permitted (at an extra cost), but must be checked with us.
However young pets i.e. puppies MUST be declared to Farm & Cottage Holidays at the time of booking and authorised by the owner. If a puppy or young pet is taken to a property without the consent of the owner this could result in you being asked to leave without compensation. When booking online it is advised you check the acceptance of your pet by telephoning the booking department.
Unfortunately, a few people and their dogs cause problems resulting in property owners refusing to allow dogs in future. We therefore ask dog owners to observe the following rules (failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave without compensation).
1. Dogs must be under strict control at all times while in the property.
2. Any fouling of lawns etc. must be cleared up without delay.
3. The owner must bring the dog’s bed or basket for sleeping in.
4. Dogs MUST NOT be left alone in the property at any time.
5. Dogs MUST NOT lie on beds or furnishings, and hair must be well cleared up before departing.
Properties which do not take dogs may have on occasions had guide dogs in them. Please note each dog or pet will incur an extra charge of £20 per week per pet, or £3 per night per pet for short breaks.
Smoking
Each property will show if smoking is prohibited i.e. "Regret no smoking" however the smoke free status of any property cannot be guaranteed. If a non-smoking property has had this request contravened, a charge will be made. In order to comply with the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulation 1999, the amount of such a charge should not be more than the cost of cleaning.
Linen, Towels and Central Heating
Bed linen is included in all of our properties however bed linen is NOT provided for cots. Towels are available as per the property description. Towel hire charges are £5 per person per week and consist of 1 bath and 1 hand towel per person. Towels are not to be removed from the property.
When central heating is provided there maybe an additional cost. This is payable direct to the owner and is usually between £10 and £35 per week, depending on the type of heating, the number of radiators/heaters and the season.
On Site Facilities & Attractions
The property descriptions are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing, however things can change at any time. Therefore if a particular aspect of your chosen property is important to you or your party, please check with our office for up to date confirmation.
Swimming Pools
The majority of properties which have a swimming pool make no extra charge for the use of the pool, but sometimes the owner may wish to reserve it for their own use for the occasional half day. The period they are open is usually from late May to early September depending on the weather.
General Notes Regarding Character Properties
Whilst many of our older cottages have a charm and character all of their own, some of them were built before the days of damp-proof course and cavity insulation. As a result they sometimes have a tendency to be damp. Despite the care we take when inspecting a property, damp patches may occasionally appear, especially after a long wet winter or through condensation if windows have not been left open to let the air circulate. Please remember cottages in the country do attract cobwebs. It does not mean the cottage is dirty or has not been cleaned, as country dwellers will tell you webs can be spun almost as quickly as they have been cleared away. Also some of our properties, particularly in remote areas, could be on spring or well water, which is now regularly tested.
Booking Procedure
The changeover day is normally a Saturday, where this varies this will be indicated in the property description. Outside the main holiday periods and during the winter, midweek or short breaks can usually be arranged.
It is not necessary for you to fill all the beds in the property you choose, but for self catering the price will be the same if there are only 3 people in a property sleeping 6.
It is not necessary for you to have full occupancy in the property you choose, as with self-catering the property price will be the same if there are only 3 people in a property sleeping 6. When you have made your property choice and also selected an alternative, then call us on Bideford (01237) 459888, to check the availability. Your telephone booking will be held for 4 days. Please send off your booking form 1st class mail, with a third of the holiday cost as a deposit and the appropriate amount for the cancellation insurance and booking Fee. On receipt of your booking form and deposit we will send confirmation of booking and details of the balance due. The balance of the cost should reach us 8 weeks before the commencement date of your holiday and you will then receive the full address, directions and other details of your holiday property. It is now possible to make your balance payment securely online. Visit our website: holidaycottages.co.uk/balance.
Bookings made less than 8 weeks before the starting date of the holiday should be accompanied by the full payment, the cancellation insurance charge and the booking fee. Please allow 14 days to receive your confirmation.
Booking Fee
For each booking made there is a £15 booking fee.
Office Hours
Booking Line: 01237 459888
Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm (Booking line only)
Sunday 10am - 4pm (Booking line only)
Bookings & Payments
All payments should be in £ sterling and can be accepted by major Credit or Debit Cards, Bankers cheque, International Money Order or by transfer to our bank account (see below). Regret no Euro cheques or Electron cards.
Barclays Bank, Bideford, Branch Sort No: 20-04-59. Account No. 90460397
All payments should be in £ Sterling.
Please note a 2% surcharge will be made on all payments made by Credit Card. Where more than one cheque for the deposit and one cheque for the balance is made a surcharge of £1 per cheque will be made.
When any payment is returned to us by the Bank, for whatever reason, a surcharge of £8 per cheque will be charged.
All cheques should be made payable to Farm & Cottage Holidays Ltd
Send to: Farm & Cottage Holidays, 5 The Quay, Bideford, Devon EX39 2XX.
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Cancellation Insurance
It is disappointing enough to have to cancel or cut short your eagerly awaited and carefully planned holiday, and even more upsetting when you are responsible for the full balance of the holiday. This is why we at Farm & Cottage Holidays have arranged a special cancellation insurance scheme through Acumus Insurance Solutions Ltd. This scheme is underwritten by UK Insurance who are members of both the Association of British Insurers and Financial Services Ombudsman. The policy includes a unique 'claims charter' to ensure that should you or a member of your party have to make a claim, it is dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Cancellation insurance is required if you wish to pay a deposit for your holiday and recommended if you are paying in full. By offering you the option to pay a deposit we have to be covered in the event that you were to cancel and still had the balance remaining. We do not tie you in to taking our policy, you are more than welcome to source your own of which all we require is the name of the insurance company along with the policy number.
ABI Important Notice
As with all travel insurance, when you take out cover through Farm & Cottage Holidays you must declare any information, medical or otherwise, which may influence the insurers opinion in accepting you for cover. The cancellation Insurance Scheme contains certain restrictions regarding pre existing medical conditions and concerns the health of the people travelling and of other people upon whose health the holiday may depend. If you have a disclosure to make you must contact Acumus Insurance Solutions Ltd on 0844 573 4171. They will deal with your disclosure in a confidential and professional manner - Remember - if in doubt disclose!
Essential Insurance Cover
Travel insurance is an essential purchase. Travel and leisure insurance specialists, Accumus Insurance Solutions Ltd, have arranged our insurance with UK underwriting Ltd and AXA Insurance PLC.
We will arrange this cancellation insurance for you unless you provide us with evidence of alternative cover at the time of booking.
Cancellation Insurance premium
£10-00 up to £250 per week per property
£20-00 up to £500 per week per property
£30-00 up to £750 per week per property
£40-00 up to £1000 per week per property
£50-00 up to £1250 per week per property
£60-00 up to £1500 per week per property
Thereafter £10.00 per £250 per week or part of per property. Premiums include Insurance Premium Tax @17.5%.
Vitally Important
This Insurance does not cover claims (for you or anyone else upon whom your trip depends) arising directly or indirectly from:
a) Travelling or acting against medical advice
b) Awaiting results of tests or medical investigations
c) Being on a hospital waiting list for treatment
d) Having received a terminal prognosis
e) You travelling against any health requirements stipulated by the carrier, their handling agents or any other public transport provider
f) Anxiety, stress or depression (unless admitted as an in-patient)
Cover Includes:
Cancellation and Curtailment - Up to £5,000 per booking.
Additional Expenses incurred following Curtailment - Up to £1,500 per booking.
Additional cover included in the insurance. An excess of £10 per booking for loss of deposit/£30 for fully paid. Claims over £3,000 are subject to an additional excess.
This insurance policy is only available to permament residents of the UK. We are unable to accept your booking without insurance cover. For this reason, we will automatically arrange our insurance cover for all members of your party, unless proof of an alternative policy is sent with your booking form.
Information Applying to our Insurance Cover
Full details of the cover, excesses, terms and conditions can be found in the policy wording, a specimen copy of which is available upon request from Farm & Cottage Holidays or on our website holidaycottages.co.uk If, after reading the policy, this Insurance does not meet with your requirements, please return it to Farm & Cottage Holidays within fourteen days of issue and prior to the commencement of your holiday. If you have paid a premium and have not made a claim, this will then be refunded in full.
Farm and Cottage Holidays is an Appointed Representative of Accumus Insurance Solutions Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (number 309647) and can be contacted on 0844 573 4171. Telephone calls between you an Accumus Insurance Solutions Ltd may be recorded.
We would like to bring the following to your attention:
Your policy Document
This contains the full details of what is and what is not covered. Please read it carefully on receipt to ensure that you understand the cover that is provided. If you would like a specimen copy before effecting cover, please contact Farm & Cottage Holidays or view the policy here.
Conditions and Exclusions
These limit or restrict the cover provided per booking by the policy. Some apply to all sections of the policy, whilst some are specific to certain sections.
Claims for Personal Belongings
Cover under the policy for personal belongings is not on a ‘new for old’ basis, so if you make a claim deductions may be made for wear and tear.
Sums Insured
All sections of the policy have a limit on the amount that the insurers will pay. You should read and understand the limits that apply to each section of cover.
Excesses
Under certain sections of the policy, claims will be subject to an excess. This means that you will be responsible for paying the first part of the claim.
Reasonable Care
It is a condition of the policy that you must take all reasonable care to protect yourself and your property.
Dangerous Sports or Pastimes
If you are going to take part in any dangerous sports or pastimes, you must check that the policy covers you. You can do this by contacting TPS (Insurance Admin Services) Ltd on 0844 573 4159.
Date Recognition Failure
The policy contains exclusions for losses arising from the failure of equipment to correctly identify the calendar date.
Complaints
The policy contains a complaints procedure that tells you what steps to take if you wish to make a complaint.
Click for PDF Document
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Useful Links & Transport
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Plan your route with AA routefinder to our holiday cottages along with estimated travel times and distances.
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With many of our properties a short hop from a train station, the Great Western website offers service links throughout the Westcountry. Visit the website to search and book tickets effortlessly online.
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With flights from London, Manchester, Dublin, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff and more, Newquay airport offers a much quicker alternative when travelling to the South West.
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If you need to hire a car for your holiday, this site allows you to search by location name, post code or even your flight number. A Simplified car selection, allowing you to choose your vehicle via size, petrol type or even transmission is also available.
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With numerous routes throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, National Express is the largest scheduled coach service provider in Europe.
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Train times, Book tickets and reserve seats for UK mainland trains.
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Connecting communities in over 100 towns and cities in the UK, and running a fleet of around 7,000 buses and coaches, Stagecoach UK Bus is one of the largest operators in the country.
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Our taxi and minibus fleet use Biodiesel which is a renewable fuel produced from processed waste vegatable oil and pure Rapeseed. Biodiesel is virtually Carbon Neutral. All of the Carbon produced in combustion is reabsorbed by the crops. This makes BioTravel the most environmentally friendly taxi and minibus company in Cornwall and the U.K.
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We are an environmentally friendly taxi service based in Cornwall, which puts you and the planet first at no extra cost. We provide long and short distance travel for companies and individuals using low emission cars with excellent customer service.
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Holiday Nanny is a unique, specialist nanny agency supplying only high calibre nannies to accompany families on holiday. The agency tailors the nanny to each family - carefully matching skills, qualifications, personalities and talents to the family they are accompanying and the children they will be looking after.
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