Sheldon House and Barn, Bed & Breakfast and self-catering holiday accommodation.
Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions: ‘We’, ‘our’, ‘us’ mean the owners of Sheldon House & Barn and providers of Bed & Breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Sheldon House and Sheldon Barn respectively. ‘You’, ‘your’, ‘yours’ mean the person(s) enquiring and/or booking accommodation in Sheldon House and/or Sheldon Barn.
2. Abbreviations: ‘B&B’ and ‘Sheldon House’ refer to Bed and Breakfast accommodation; ‘Sheldon Barn’ and ‘the Barn’ refer to our self-catering accommodation. ‘Ts&Cs’ refers to these Terms and Conditions.
3. Reservations and Bookings policy: Bookings for B&B may be made direct with us following an enquiry and request for accommodation by you, whether made by email or telephone. When you phone us or email us, either direct or via our website, with specific dates requested, if we have suitable B&B availability for those dates we will hold a reservation for up to three days pending receipt of your deposit.
For both B&B and the Barn the person making the booking will be the ‘Lead Name’ on the booking and a contract will exist between us and the Lead Name. Names and addresses of all guests will be required prior to your arrival.
B&B bookings may also be made via the ‘availability and booking’ button on the B&B page of our website, with a deposit payable as part of that booking process. Alternatively you may use the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website to enquire about availability and booking. Names and addresses of all guests will be required prior to or at the time of your arrival.
Sheldon Barn Bookings may be made direct with us (via the Contact Us page) or through a booking Agency. If you book the Barn direct with us a deposit will be required within seven days of a reservation being made, otherwise the dates will be released for other enquirers. (See clause 8 below for deposit amounts.) Names and addresses of all guests will be required prior to your arrival. Sheldon Barn is normally let from Friday to Friday, although we may be flexible on this and other arrival and departure days may be possible.
4. Group bookings: We will consider group bookings for Sheldon House and/or Sheldon Barn, subject to availability. Please contact us for further information and prices. When we accept a group booking we will deem one person nominated by you as the ‘Lead Name’, being responsible and legally liable for the contract between us and you acting on behalf of your group. When a group booking is accepted by us the names of all persons in the group will be required and accommodation will only be available to persons so named unless you notify us in writing of any change(s).
5. Pricing: We reserve the right to change our pricing structure at any time. Any changes to B&B pricing will be published on our website. Prices for Sheldon Barn will be those listed on our Agency website at any given time.
When a reservation is made and confirmed by payment of a deposit, the price of the booking will be the published price as at the time of the booking. Prices for B&B are inclusive for the room and breakfast; prices for the Barn are for the Barn as described on our website including provision of bed linen and towels.
6. Offers: At such times as we may choose we may offer discounted accommodation in Sheldon House and/or Sheldon Barn. Such offers may be withdrawn without notice but enquiries made while an offer remains published on our website will be honoured at the offer price. Payment terms for offers remain as above. We may also offer out-of-season short-term lets of Sheldon Barn (minimum three nights) subject to availability; please contact us for further details.
7. Payment methods and terms:
Bookings made direct with us by email or telephone enquiry - payments of deposits may be made by bank transfer and our bank details will be provided when your booking is confirmed by email. All deposit payments will be confirmed by email when your payment has arrived in our account. We request that if possible the balance for B&B accommodation is paid by electronic transfer on or before arrival; alternatively it may be paid by credit/debit card before departure.
Bookings made via the ‘availability and booking’ button on the B&B page of our website will take a card payment deposit at the time of booking. If not fully pre-paid, the balance is then payable on arrival by electronic bank transfer or by credit/debit card. If you book by this method your card details will be retained by the online booking system and, in the event of non-arrival or cancellation (see clause 19 below for cancellation terms), these card details will be used to take any payment still due.
For Sheldon Barn bookings made direct with us, payment of the outstanding balance is due four weeks before your arrival. If a booking for Sheldon Barn is made less than four weeks before arrival the full payment is due at the time of booking. If Sheldon Barn has been booked through our Agency, their terms apply for payment of the balance.
8. Deposits:
Bookings made direct with us by email or telephone enquiry - a deposit of £40 per night is required for B&B accommodation. We will reserve your room for three days pending receipt of your deposit; if your deposit is not received within three days we may release the room for other guests.
Bookings made via the ‘availability and booking’ button on the B&B page of our website – a deposit of 40% of the total booking value will be taken at the time of booking.
For Sheldon Barn direct bookings made direct with us a deposit of approximately one-third of the rental cost of the Barn is required within seven days of a reservation being made. (See clause 7 above for payment methods.) Your confirmation of a booking by paying a deposit will be deemed to be your acceptance of these Ts&Cs in their entirety insofar as they apply to bookings of Sheldon Barn. For Sheldon Barn bookings made via our booking Agency, their Terms and Conditions apply.
Accidental Damage Deposit (Sheldon Barn only) - For direct bookings of Sheldon Barn a refundable damage deposit of £150 is also required; this will be refunded to you within seven working days of your departure as long as no substantive damage is evident.
9. Check-in and check-out:
B&B check-in is usually between 4pm and 6pm on arrival day; check-out is by 10am on departure day. If other timings are desired, please contact us.
Sheldon Barn check-in is after 4pm on arrival day; check-out is by 10 am on departure day.
Check-in for both B&B and Barn should be no later than 9pm on arrival day, unless previously agreed by us. Notwithstanding this clause, in the event of significant travel delays we request that you keep us informed of your estimated time of arrival.
10. Guest registration: We are required to maintain records of all guests, including the dates of arrival and departure, full name and nationality. We will also record the passport number, country of issue and next destination of guests from non-UK countries. We will retain contact details after your stay in case we need to inform you of a COVID-19 or other incident which may impact you. Your details will not be sold or otherwise disclosed to any third party unless we are legally required to do so.
11. Room occupancy: You must not exceed the maximum number of guests per room as stated by us. Under-18s may not stay at Sheldon House or Sheldon Barn unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Any additional people, including babies and children, must be confirmed to us at the time of your booking. Any changes to the number of people staying must be notified to us in writing.
12. Car parking: B&B guests may park at the front of Sheldon House where there are three designated off-road parking spaces. Sheldon Barn guests may park one car in the car parking area behind the Barn, accessed through the gate to the right of Sheldon House (as seen from the road).
13. Electrical Vehicle charging: An EV dedicated charging point (DCP) is available for use by Guests; it is not available to visitors not resident in Sheldon House or Sheldon Barn. It is the user’s sole responsibility to provide a suitable ‘type 2’ charging cable to connect to the DCP. Only an approved DCP EV charging cable may be used and it must not be spit or modified in any way. Use of the DCP is chargeable, current rates are available on request. Charges will be payable on check-out. We do not guarantee the availability of the DCP and any non-availability shall not constitute a breach or out guest terms. Use of the DCP is at the owner’s own risk and we do not accept any liability for loss or damage sustained by you or your EV as a result of using the DCP unless the damage was caused directly by our negligence. You shall be responsible to us for any damage to the DCP or loss suffered by us caused by your use of the DCP. We will not be liable in the event that the DCP fails to satisfactorily charge the user’s car.
14. Keys: B&B guests will be provided with keys for their room and for the side door of Sheldon House. Sheldon Barn guests will be given information on how to access the Barn in advance of their arrival. Keys must be left in the door at the end of your stay with us. Any lost keys will be charged at £80 each to cover costs of replacement keys and locks.
15. Access to rooms and Privacy (B&B only): Only access to your allocated room and the dining room is currently permitted; access by guests to other rooms is not permitted. We are not a hotel with all-day access and we expect B&B guests to be out between 10.30am and 3.30pm.
16. Wi-Fi: You are welcome to use our Wi-Fi service at no additional cost. Login details will be available to you on your arrival. We endeavour to maintain a reliable Wi-Fi service but cannot guarantee a consistent service and will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer in the event of an interruption to our Wi-Fi service.
17. Cycle storage; Boot room: We welcome people who enjoy walking and cycling. Secure cycle storage is available, but please let us know in advance if you wish to use this. As with your other possessions, we do not accept any liability for cycles including when they are in our secure storage. We request that muddy footwear is not worn inside the house or barn. Boots may be left in the boot room.
18. Breakfast times (B&B only): Breakfast is served at a shared table, usually between 8am and 9.00am. Guests may be asked to stagger their breakfast times to facilitate social distancing in the dining room.
19. Allergies and Special Diets: We will make every effort to accommodate specific food requirement and/or allergies. Vegetarian and vegan options and other specific dietary requirements will be accommodated as long as advance notice is given. Where our food offer contains nuts this will be made clear, however we do use nuts in our kitchen and cannot guarantee that traces of nuts will not be present in other foods.
20. Cancellations and amendments by you: (See also Clause 20 below regarding cancellations due to Covid-19.)
When your booking is confirmed and your deposit received by us you have entered into a legal contract with us. If you wish to cancel or amend your booking please contact us as soon as possible. This includes but is not limited to cancellation by you for illness (including Covid-19), a requirement to self-isolate or quarantine, shielding yourself or another person, a call for jury service, a change in your circumstances, family emergency illness or death, change in personal circumstances, travel delays, vehicle breakdown, military service. These and similar circumstances remain at your risk and you are strongly recommended to arrange appropriate travel insurance to cover this risk. If you choose not to purchase appropriate travel insurance we deem you to accept personal responsibility for any loss you may incur. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing and are subject to these terms:
B&B cancellations – (booking value is the total cost of your stay as initially booked.)
· If you cancel a booking less than seven days before your arrival date a charge equal to 80% of the booking value will be charged.
· If you cancel a booking between eight and 30 days before your arrival date a charge equal to 50% of the booking value will be charged.
· If you cancel more than 30 days before your arrival date a charge equal to 10% of the booking value will be charged, plus a £5 administration fee.
· If you amend a B&B booking by reducing the length of your stay (after arrival) the full cost of your stay as initially booked will be charged.
· If you fail to arrive, without notice, the full cost of your stay as initially booked will be charged (see clause 25 below).
Sheldon Barn cancellations – if you cancel a direct (non-agency) booking less than four weeks before your arrival date you will forfeit all payments made. If you cancel more than four weeks before your arrival date you will forfeit your deposit. If we are able to re-let the Barn to another guest for the same dates as your booking we will refund payments made by you, less a £25 administration fee.
(NB. for bookings of Sheldon Barn made through a booking agency your cancellation will be subject to their terms and conditions.)
We recommend that you consider appropriate travel insurance for your holiday and stay at Sheldon House or Sheldon Barn (see also clause 24).
21. Cancellations due to Covid-19: If we are unable to provide the accommodation as booked by you due to a national lockdown, or a local or regional lockdown which prevents you travelling from your area or into our area, or due to other Government regulations, we will refund all monies paid by you.
If you consider that you (any, some or all persons included in your booking) are unable or disinclined to travel and stay at Sheldon House or Sheldon Barn for any other reason the cancellation terms outlined in Clause 19 above will apply; Covid-19 is now a ‘known risk’ and refunds will only be made if you are prevented from travelling by Government regulations or if we are unable to provide your accommodation, as booked, because of Government regulations.
22. Cancellations and amendments by us: (See also Clause 21 above regarding cancellations due to Covid-19.)
We reserve the right to cancel your booking but normally will only do so due to exceptional circumstances beyond our control. In the event that we have to cancel your booking before your arrival we will try to offer you alternative accommodation but cannot guarantee this.
If we have to cancel your booking after your arrival, for Sheldon Barn we will refund the cost of your booking proportional to the length of time remaining on your booking; for B&B you will only be liable for payment for any nights you have already stayed with us.
No further claims against us will be considered. (See below re: your responsibility to consider cancellation insurance.) Other than the refunds described in this clause our liability will not extend beyond these conditions.
23. Force Majeure: Force Majeure covers us as the supplier of services. If we are unable to perform the contract between you and us due to events beyond our control our obligations are suspended and we are excused from any liability to perform the contract. Clauses 21 and 22 of these Ts&Cs will apply in respect of our responsibility to refund you any deposit or pre-payment made by you to us. If an event means we are unable to perform the contract due to an event beyond our control we will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible but this Force Majeure clause includes provision for us not being able to give advance notice of us not being able to perform the contract between us and you. This Force Majeure clause does not extend to you cancelling the contract between us and you even in circumstances beyond your control. In this event the terms of clause 20 of these Ts&Cs will apply, including your responsibility to consider purchasing travel insurance cover. This Force Majeure clause covers local, national and international events including Covid-19 and other pandemics.
24. COVID-19: If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 after arrival we will ask you leave immediately if at all possible. However, current Government guidance is that you inform us and immediately self-isolate in your room to minimise any risk of transmission, and arrange a test. If you are confirmed to have Covid-19 you must return home if you reasonably can, using private transport. Further details are available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-advice-for-accommodation-providers. Note: We will not enter your room while you remain in residence or for 72 hours after your departure; we will discuss with you how meals can best be provided for you. You will be liable to pay all costs for the room and meals provided by us for the duration of your stay including any additional nights over and above your original booking. When you depart you will be requested to strip the bed and put all laundry in the bag provided, also to bag up all rubbish in the tie handle bag provided and leave in the room. Windows must be left open on your departure to ventilate the room. You will be asked to use hand sanitiser, and wear a facemask before departing your room and to avoid touching any surfaces as much as possible.
25. Failure to arrive: If you fail to arrive on the arrival day as booked you will remain liable for the full cost of your booking If you have booked via our online booking system any outstanding payment will be taken without notice as you are deemed have accepted these Ts&Cs when confirming your booking by paying a deposit.
26. Insurance: We have full insurance for our property and its fixtures and fittings, including Public Liability insurance. We do not offer holiday insurance and it is your responsibility to arrange your own insurance, including for cancellation. We do not cover your personal possessions except in the event of peril beyond our control, for example fire. We will not be liable for any costs you may incur if you do not have suitable travel insurance.
27. Safety and Liability: You are responsible for taking care of your movements and behaviour in our property. Use of candles and/or naked flames by you is not permitted in any rooms. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage to your property, including vehicles and their contents, or any personal injury to you or members of you party unless it is proven to be consequential to negligence by us, or our employees or contractors whilst acting in the course of their employment.
28. Lost property: If after your departure you find you have left any of your possessions with us please let us know as soon as possible. We will endeavour to return items to you, subject to you covering the costs of postage and packing.
29. Smoking (including vaping): Smoking is not permitted inside any buildings at Sheldon House & Barn or in the grounds. If you must smoke outside the bounds of our property please stay well away from any open windows and dispose of any fully extinguished cigarettes thoughtfully. If you are found to have smoked inside our buildings a charge of £250 will be applied to your bill.
30. Conduct of guests: We may terminate your booking at any time, without liability, if the behaviour of you or any member of your party is deemed by us to be unacceptable or offensive or the terms of our contract with you are broken by you. In this event, no refunds will be given and you will remain liable for full payment of booked nights even if you do not stay for the remainder of your booking. We reserve the right to refuse access to anyone who is or appears to be under the influence of excess consumption of alcohol or drugs or who is behaving in a threatening, abusive or otherwise unacceptable manner.
31. Damage, breakages, cleanliness of rooms: You are liable for breakages and/or damage to our property. Any such incidents must be reported to us at the earliest opportunity after they occur. Any loss to us may be charged at our discretion for the full replacement or reinstatement cost. We expect your accommodation to be left in good order on your departure; while we expect to clean rooms after guests have left, any unreasonable amount of cleaning will incur a surcharge of between £50 and £150 depending on the amount of additional cleaning required.
32. Pets: Pets are not allowed in Sheldon House or Sheldon Barn. We may be able to accommodate a dog in an outbuilding, please contact us for more information.
33. Accuracy of information: We believe that the information published on our website is clear and accurate but cannot accept responsibility for errors or misunderstandings. In an effort to continually improve our offer of B&B and self-catering accommodation we reserve the right to alter or change the facilities offered and any variation between our website and what you find on arrival will be attributable to our efforts to improve our accommodation.
34. Data Protection: We will hold your personal data including name, address, telephone number(s), email address for the normal operation of our business and for periodic marketing e.g. of special offers. We do not share or sell your data to any other party or organisation. You have the right to request a copy of any data we hold about you. You have the right to opt out of any occasional marketing emails.
35. Amendments: We reserve the right to amend and publish revised T&Cs at any time. Where any changes are made, the T&Cs applicable to a booking will be those in force at the time of the booking was made by you and confirmed by us.
Sheldon House and Barn Terms & Conditions – revision date: 22/07/2022