West Coombe
Dorset, United Kingdom
Loose Reins
- Our low price promise from £185 p/n
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Safari tent
Sleeps 6
- One four-poster king-size bed, one king-size cabin bed and one bunk bed
Overview
One of three canvas lodges, nestled along the edge of a shallow valley in the foothills of Shillingstone Hill (and all kept nice and private by trees and shrubs!). Sleeping up to six, they’re a perfect fit for families, with comfy beds, fully equipped kitchens with gas hobs, proper loos, and electricity. You can gather around the wood burning stove on the sofas or make the most of the open skies and views over Blackmore Vale, by sitting out on the sheltered porch and cooking supper over the fire bowl, or taking a soak in the large wood-fired hot tub. The shepherd's hut general store sells comforting home style dishes ready to warm up; think delicious roast chicken and leek pie, wild mushroom risotto and comforting cottage pie.
Junior hustlers can help feed the sheep - they are adorable, very gentle and love a good back scratch - or join in with organic egg collecting from the happy free range hens! Loose Reins is within easy reach of some of the finest walks and cycle routes in England. Go walking, cycling or just kick back by the fire, you could even take a picnic to the top of the ridge, on a clear day you can see as far as the Severn bridge 50 miles away – it’s up to you, cowboy.
**Adult-only groups are permitted by prior arrangement. Please be aware that Loose Reins is a peaceful site with families visiting during school holidays; if you are looking to party, it may not be a good match - but if you are looking for a tranquil retreat, you've found the right place to hang your hat! If in doubt, please call us on 0117 204 7830 to discuss.**
Loose Reins have been awarded the Visit England Gold Standard and are a finalist in the Visit England Excellence Awards for the UK's best new tourism business. They have also previously won three Golds at the Dorset Tourism Awards, and a Gold and a Bronze at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 4:30 pm
- Check out: 10 am
- Please bring walking boots, wellies, waterproofs and reading materials
- Please note: dogs are very welcome in West Coombe but there are a few doggy rules to bear in mind: dogs must stay off the furniture; be on a lead at all times on site; must not be left unattended and muddy paws should be washed before entering the cabin
- Mobile phone signal varies depending on provider
- There is guest wifi available, although the signal isn't very strong. You will find the strongest signal near the barn
- The rooms are separated by wooden walls and have long floor length curtains for doorways to provide privacy
Sleeping arrangements
- One four-poster king-size bed, one king-size cabin bed and one bunk bed
Extra space available
Space for 1 baby no charge. Travel cot and high chair available
Space for 2 pets from £25 per pet per stay 2 dogs welcome. If you'd like to bring 3 dogs please email bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk to enquire.
Kids & Pets
2 dogs welcome. If you'd like to bring 3 dogs please email bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk to enquire. Bunk beds are suitable for adults and children, however the bottom bunk is only suitable for 3yrs+ and top bunk is 6yrs+ due to it having a low guard.
Cooking
- Gas oven and hob
- Fire bowl
- Undercounter fridge
- Woodburning stove
- Belfast sink
Washing
- Hot shower and flushing loo
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Woodburning stove
- Electric lighting
- All bedding, blankets and towels provided
- Plug sockets available
- Wind up torch in each cabin
Entertainment
- 6 seater wood-fired hot tub, tucked away in a secluded spot in the woodland near the space
- Selection of traditional board games and a bed-time story book
- Pure DAB radios are supplied
- Loose Reins has a communal fire pit adjacent to the riding arena where you will find a horseshoe throwing game and bull roping area. Traditional cook outs frequently take place and occasionally a member of staff will play acoustic guitar and sing American folk music whilst guests enjoy some authentic Western food and the warmth of the fire
Getting there
Ridgeway Farm, Lanchards Lane, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0TF
Main road turn off: ///prospered.fighters.bravest
**If you wish to take part in a horsemanship experience during your stay it is important you contact us before booking to ensure space is available to avoid disappointment.
By train:
The nearest train station Gillingham, 25 minutes away.
By bus:
The nearest bus stop is in Shillingstone Village, 1.5 miles away.
By car:
Parking is a 2-5 minute walk, depending on which cabin you book
From Sturminster Newton:
As you enter the Shillingstone village on the A357 from Sturminster Newton, take the sharp right hand bend into the 30mph zone and continue up to the brow of the hill, past the Forum School on your right. At the brow of the hill, take the right hand turning (Poplar Hill) towards Okeford Fitzpaine. After approx. 150m, at the bottom of the hill and immediately past the row of cottages on your left, carefully take the sharp left turning into Lanchards Lane. Loose Reins is right at the end of the no-through road on Lanchards Lane, so keep on going for a good mile, right to the very end of the lane and you’ll find us. Don’t be tempted to turn into ‘Penhills Farm’, just take the sharp left hand bend at that point and carry on – you’ll be nearly with us by then – look out for our signs. On arrival, take the left hand gate into the yard, pass the front of the barn and park on the concrete to the right of the barn. Follow the signs to the Loose Reins Office where we will give you your keys and show you to your accommodation.
From Blandford Forum:
From the A350, turn left over the River Stour at Durweston traffic lights and continue on for approx. 3 miles until you enter the 30mph zone in the village of Shillingstone. Take the third turning on the left hand side into Gunn Lane. This is next to the red post box. (If you get to the pub you’ve missed it so use the pub car park to turn around and Gunn Lane will be your first turning right.) Continue on Gunn Lane, past Everetts Lane on your right and Wessex Avenue on your left. Take the next turning right (in front of the small cottage on the triangle) into Brodham Way. Continue for about half a mile, passing Hillsfoot Farm and Broughton House on your left. At the T Junction turn left into Lanchards Lane. Loose Reins is right at the end of the no through road on Lanchards Lane, so keep on going passed all the houses on your right, to the very end of the lane and you’ll find us. Don’t be tempted to turn into ‘Penhills Farm’, just take the sharp left hand bend at that point and carry on – you’ll be nearly with us by then, look out for our sign posts. On arrival, take the left hand gate into the yard, pass the front of the barn and park on the concrete to the right of the barn. Follow the signs to the Loose Reins Office where we will give you your keys and show you to your accommodation.
***Check in is between 3-6pm - please remember to call ahead to advise us of your arrival time or to seek further directions. Office 01258 863533. Have a safe journey! ***
Food & Drink
At Loose Reins:
Tea, coffee and sugar are provided in the cabins and lodges along with some other welcome provisions to help you settle in and feel at home. Cooking basics such as oils, vinegar, salt and pepper are provided and a pot of fresh herbs can be found on the front porch.
Locally produced breakfast and BBQ hampers with local charcoal available, please contact the owners for more details.
Local shops:
There is a Co-Op in the closest village and a Tesco Superstore in Blandford.
Pubs & Restaurants:
The Fiddleford Inn - 7 mins drive - Newly refurbished. Large garden. Right on the Trail Way. Great walk from Shillingstone and back again (1.5 miles each way)
The Fontmell - 15 mins drive - Comfortable cosy bar, great local food (recommend Pizza nights). The pub was extended over Collier’s Brook Stream, which flows between the bar and the dining room
Plumber Manor - 12 mins drive - Warm welcome, incredible food, wine and gins… Sunday lunch, week nights
Activities
At Loose Reins:
Please pre-book activities before you book your stay to avoid disappointment and ensure there is enough space. If you have any questions about your suitability please do call 0117 204 7830 to discuss.
Sheep feeding and free range egg collecting - seasonal
Learn how to forage in the hedgerows for treats for the Pygmy goats (they especially love hazel trimmings!) - seasonal
Buckaroo Club - children can help look after and feed friendly rare breed ewes! They can also feed corn to and collect eggs from the happy hens. Brush and make friends with the gorgeous miniature ponies (Peaches and Tango) or help with general barnyard chores. Find the den on the edge of the forest, discover the wildlife, play hide and seek. The opportunities for fun activities and making new friends are endless. £45 for 90 minutes (Wednesdays and Saturdays, usually at 10am).
Ask the Loose Reins office if any craftsmen are working that day in the living classroom in Bonsley Wood where the Dorset Coppice Group are based. Loose Reins is a member of the group and fellow craftsmen are often happy to do an impromptu demonstration of their skills and crafts. The living classroom is a purpose built facility, opened by Princess Anne. It showcases the work of the Coppice Group who have revived the ancient skill of coppicing the hazel and harvesting its wood to make all manner of items. The rocking chairs and many other items at Trappers Cabin were hand made by Coppice Group members.
Places to visit:
Blandford Forum – Georgian market town with a market in the Town Square on Thursdays and Saturdays between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm
Shaftesbury – Ancient hill town famous for ‘Gold Hill’, the location of the Hovis Bread advert
Sturminster Newton – the centre of the Blackmore Vale and famous for previously hosting the largest calf market in Europe. Weekly Monday morning market in the Square
Sherborne – home to it’s beautiful Abbey and public schools. Cheap Street is a treasure of small independent shops and cafes
Dorchester – Dorset’s county town and home to Prince Charles’ ‘Poundbury’
Bournemouth and Poole – Shops, theatre, cinema, restaurants, as well as long, sandy beaches
Jurassic Coast – A stunning coastline dotted with beaches of all descriptions, views to die for and miles and miles of fabulous walks along the cliffs
Outdoor & Active:
Hiking and Biking - take a map and hike, bring your bike and discover your trail on two feet or two wheels. Loose Reins has immediate access to the Blandford Forest, the North Dorset Trailway, the Wessex Ridgeway, miles of paths and bridleways, and hundreds of acres of unspoilt Dorset filled with birds, animals, insects, wild flowers, plants, trees - and stunning views.
Riding - if guests wish to ride the owners are happy to information about places to ride in the surrounding area and can send this with the booking confirmation.
Go coastal (max 1 hour drive):
Lulworth Cove
Studland
Old Harry Rocks
Worth Matravers
Weymouth
Bournemouth
Meet your hosts
Meet Yasmin & Sam
Yasmin and Sam are the new owners, taking over the "reins" in September 2020. Loose Reins is an authentic pioneer style holiday destination, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Dorset. It offers beautifully handcrafted and fully-equipped pioneer lodges and ranch cabins.
Wildlife & Environment
Loose Reins is nestled in the foothills of Shillingstone Hill, under the Wessex Ridgeway and the second highest hill in Dorset. The land comprises two large fields called West Coombe and Hazels. The accommodation is sited on the edges of a natural Coombe which is surrounded by Blandford Forest. Loose Reins is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and views from the site take in the local landmarks of Hambledon and Hod hills, both ancient hill forts. The National Trust has recently purchased Hambledon Hill due to it’s cultural importance. Wildlife is extensive and most native woodland animals can be seen regularly on site and in the forest surrounding the site. Buzzards are seen and heard daily and a family of ravens has taken up residency above the site. There is a badger set on the West ridge and when on foot or on horseback, deer, foxes and squirrels are often encountered. Evening birdsong on site is a cacophony of all native breeds as the natural bowl created by the Coombe intensifies the sound.
Loose Reins has its own borehole from which crystal clear water rises through the green sand and chalk layers before being pumped to each cabin and lodge. Waste water is treated on site using a recently installed, underground bio filter system before returning via land drains to the local watercourse.
Loose Reins operates a recycling system with the local Dorset Waster Partnership and guests are encouraged to split their waste for easy handling
Reviews
We had the most idyllic 3 nights at Loose Reins and would re-book in a heartbeat. The lodges had absolutely everything we needed, down to egg cups, the beds were warm and comfortable and the owners were just so lovely. Our three children had the absolute time of their lives exploring the farm and the woods. We can’t wait to go back
07/04/2023Rachel
West Coombe was a lovely place to stay with the family and would highly recommend. Very child and dog friendly and a little peace of calm away from the usual chaos life brings us.
25/07/2022Andrew
From the moment we arrived we felt our shoulders drop in relaxation. The views of the ranch and farmers fields hosting donkeys, sheep, goats and horses was a treat to the eyes and soul. Upon being delivered to our cabin door by Kerry (wonderfully friendly and helpful) we felt welcomed and at home in the cosy cabin. The cabin was spotlessly clean and the essentials were there waiting for us. The cabin catered for our two primary age children with some unexpected extra surprises. Our children loved participating in the buckaroo club (attending the animals first thing in the morning), Grooming the Shetland ponies, riding like true cowboy/cowgirls and walking the rescue donkeys around the ranch. The adults particularly enjoy the late summer nights on the balcony, listening to the buzzards and owls as we indulged in local produce and gin. After a weeks stay we were sad to say goodbye to our tranquil home for the week. A huge thank you to Kerry and Katie who took great care and gave attention to our children, making the experiences we signed up to so special. As a family and if you’re looking as adults without chuldren- we highly recommend Loose Reins for memory making.
23/08/2019Lisa
It was to celebrate my wife’s 40th with friends and it exceeded our expectations. Lovely, friendly hosts, gorgeous (and very clean) accommodation that made quite a few hotels look shabby, great location.
15/04/2019Allison
We had a wonderful 3 nights at West Combe. The hosts were friendly and efficient, the safari tent had everything we could have asked for and more. The location was beautiful - amazing views from our deck, totally unspoilt countryside. The safari tent was immaculately clean on arrival.
20/07/2018Linda
Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
We had the most idyllic 3 nights at Loose Reins and would re-book in a heartbeat. The lodges had absolutely everything we needed, down to egg cups, the beds were warm and comfortable and the owners were just so lovely. Our three children had the absolute time of their lives exploring the farm and the woods. We can’t wait to go back
07/04/2023