INFORMATION & SERVICES

Tea and Cakes for Your Arrival

The House will be open for your arrival, please do go in and make yourselves at home.

Arrival time is after 3pm and before 5pm. Due to the cleaning and maintenance program early arrivals are not possible. 

The Caretaker will greet you at the House approximately between 5pm - 5.30pm Please make sure you are available.

You will be given full instructions on the workings of the pool and Hot Tub together with any other help you may

require in order to make your stay a perfect one.

In the House

Included in the house for our guests:

Tea, coffee and sugar, washing up liquid, dish cloths and scourers, tea towels, hand towels for bathrooms

dishwasher tabs (extra supplied by guests) toilet Rolls (extra supplied by guests)

1 Large basket of logs.

Late Arrivals After 5pm

Due to Health & Safety Regulations, the pool or hot tub cannot be used without full instructions from the Caretaker.

Guests will need to on arrival telephone 01202 923 118 to arrange a new meeting for the next day.

Damage Deposit and Extra Expenses

£400 damage deposit is payable. The damage deposit will be retained pending local inspection of the property and contents,

to check that The Owner has no consequential expenses due to breakages, damages, additional cleaning, compensation due

to noise, late departure after 10am etc. due to the liability of The Guest. The extent of recoverable costs from The Guest by The Owner are limited to the cost of any work done and other costs incurred by The Owner and are not limited to the damage deposit. Providing no damage or expense has been caused to the property, interior/exterior contents and/or grounds due to your stay. The Damage and Expense Deposit will be returned in full pending inspection of the property. This may take up to 14 days.

Please Respect Our Neighbours

This is a very peaceful location. Please respect our Village by keeping the noise down after 11.00pm.

On the occasion that we are called out after 11.30pm to deal with noise levels, we will charge a call out fee of £100 payable by yourselves. Extreme noise may result in the termination of your stay.

Cars

Under NO Circumstances are electric cars to be charged using the house domestic supply. This will overload/overheat the house electrical system and is a FIRE HAZARD. You will void any insurance claim for loss and injury to yourselves.

Please keep driveway and the driveway to the barn clear for emergency and farm vehicles.

Maintenance

The owner/caretaker reserves the right to maintain and inspect the property, including the gardens, lawns, land and pool at their discretion, during your stay. The swimming pool complex requires daily maintenance. However, please be assured that all such maintenance will be carried out as unobtrusively as possible. In this respect every effort will be made so as not to disturb or inconvenience you. In the rare event of the pool being closed, for whatever reason, the owner cannot be held liable, nor offer compensation. This also applies to spa when applicable. Please note: Any queries or problems relating to your holiday must be dealt with during your stay by the signee only.

Accidents

Please inform us immediately should any accidental breakages or damage occur so that we have time to sort it out

before our next guests arrival.

The Septic Tank

Both properties have a septic tank, not mains drainage. Please do not flush paper towels, facial or baby wipes, nappies or feminine products down the toilets. Please use bins provided. Please ensure that only natural waste products and toilet paper are disposed of in the toilets. The septic tank and drains are checked regularly every Friday. Any blockages caused by The Guest will be charged for. The owner accepts no liability for inconvenience or disruption.

Swimming Pool and Hot Tub

Please note we do NOT supply Bath or Pool towels.

Due to new guidelines the pool area will receive a deep clean between guests usage. 8.00am. and 12.30pm.

Hot Tubs will also be maintained at 12.30pm. (Please make sure they are vacated at this time).

Swimming Pool Rules

Houghton Lodge has private use of the pool from 8.30am - 12.30pm and Downview Farm from 12.30pm until 11.30pm.

Please keep our swimming pool safe and clean for everyone.

Strictly no Glass Objects are allowed in the pool area. Strictly no Food or Drinks allowed in the pool area.

It is very important that all guests shower before and after using the pool for their own and others safety. Hair products, deodorant, perfume, make-up and dirt etc. will result in clouding of the water and possible closure of the pool.

After using the pool you must replace the cover and switch off all lights. If you leave the pool cover off for prolonged periods

it will result in major heat loss, condensation will set off alarms, cleansing chemicals will evaporate, also resulting in closure

of the swimming pool.

Hot-Tub

Children under 16 are not permitted in the hot-tub.

The same as the pool, please make sure all guests shower before and after using the hot tub.

VERY IMPORTANT - Inside the hot-tub there is a black filter inlet, the water must be 1 inch below the top of this. The water must not go below this point, as the pump will take in air and break. Please use the hose provided and re-fill the hot-tub after use to the correct level 4 inches above the filter, please do not over fill. Please DO NOT stand or sit on hot-tub cover as it is only polystyrene, a new cover costs £600. Strictly no Food or Drinks allowed in the hot-tub.

Towels and Cot Linen

We regret that cot linen, pool or bath towels are NOT supplied.

Indoor Fire / Wood Burner

A spark guard is supplied - please use it when you are not in the room.

A fire will be laid in for your arrival. We provide 1 large basket of logs.

Coal can be pre-ordered by the Guests at £15 per large bag.

Extra logs can be provided by arrangement.

Pets

Pets by arrangement only. £35 per pet, per week or weekend.

Maximum of 2 pets only.

Barbecue

The outdoor barbecue is charcoal, this is not provided, Guests are required to bring their own.

Outdoor Fire Pit

A fire will be laid in for your arrival (sticks and logs only). Extra logs can be pre-ordered, Please contact us before Your stay. Further fires will be Guests full responsibility.

All children MUST be accompanied by an adult at ALL TIMES around the fire pit.

Do not leave a lit or glowing fire pit unattended. Never light the fire in windy weather.

The most important tip is to keep your fire small.

There's no need for a blazing bonfire, a big fire is much harder to control and so there is far greater potential for disaster. Have a bucket or container of water close by or a garden hose on standby in case things do get out of control.

DO NOT start the fire with petrol or other flammable liquid - it is HIGHLY DANGEROUS. Light a crumpled piece of newspaper or a shop-bought fire lighter covered with a few small sticks to get a fire started. As it begins to burn, larger sticks can

be added until able to add a log or two.

Never extinguish the roaring fire rapidly with water, allow the fire to die down naturally and then extinguish with water slowly.

Please Respect Our Neighbours

Please respect our Village by keeping the noise down after 11.00pm.

Extreme noise may result in the termination of your stay.

Strictly

No Paper Sky Lanterns or Fireworks.

There are many thatched cottages and farm animals in this area.

Electricity & Fuel

We ask our guests to please respect our rising fuel costs and turn off lights when not in use. 

Excessive usage of electricity and/or fuel may be charged for.

Please consider the environment. Please remember to switch all lights off after use.

Rubbish and Waste Recycling

Please recycle your rubbish and place in appropriate bins provided.

1. Glass bottles and jars are to be placed in a separate glass only Green recycle bin or box.

2. Tin cans, plastic bottles, plastic packaging, paper and card to be placed in the separate Green recycle bin.

3. Food and General waste e.g. plastic bags, nappies etc. to be placed in the separate Black bin.

If you do not recycle your waste, a charge for sorting out waste will be made to you.

Departure

Guest are required to leave the property neat and tidy on departure. (an extra charge may be made to guests for extra cleaning). On the day of your departure please be ready to vacate the property no later than 10am.

Please turn off all lights, close all windows and lock all doors.

Please notify us by call or text when you are leaving 01202 923 118 or 01202 923 118

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR STAY IN DORSET