Terms & Conditions

Bookings and Payments

All bookings must be made by people aged 18 years or over.
It is strongly recommended that the person making the booking, considers taking out insurance cover for any payments made, especially when they are booking on behalf of a large group and/or future event or occasion. 
Please note that some insurance policies will not cover events that may be classed as "force majeure".


Initially, bookings or reservations will be provisional - by phone, e-mail, message or text. There is no contractual agreement between the owners of Dove Farm and prospective guests, on the basis of a provisional booking. There is no set length of time for a booking to be held or reserved as provisional. It is at the discretion of the owners, and may vary, according to time of year and whether other enquiries are pending. A booking is considered as confirmed, when an agreed deposit has been received and funds cleared. 

When payment has been received, funds have cleared and the booking acknowledged by email, phone or in writing, – then a contract shall be considered to be entered into by both parties. The person, who agrees to be the named person making the booking, shall be the hirer.

Payment can be made by direct bank transfer, paypal or cheque, payable to  Dove farm cottages OR  H W Stretton. Bank details supplied at time of booking. A secure online link can be sent to enable payment by credit or debit card for those guests who prefer to pay via this method. Additional processing costs of 3.6% will be added to card payments.

The remaining balance is usually payable one month prior to date of stay. however, in the case of late deal bookings and where premium dates are involved, payment may be requested in full, at time of booking, or mutually agreeable terms may be set, depending on proximity of reservation to date of stay.

Prices listed on website include VAT, unless otherwise stated.

Business bookings made by corporate clients will have their own individual payment terms, according to the nature of the event. Preferred invoicing arrangements will be discussed at time of booking. A VAT receipt can be provided.

2 Cancellations

'Dove farm cottages' operates according to standard accommodation industry policy. Therefore, initial part-payments or deposits made to secure the booking, are non-refundable. This policy also applies to events that are beyond the control of either party and which may be termed as "force majeure." This currently includes covid and related illness.

In the event of cancellation by guests, the owners will always do their best, to re-book the properties. If they are successful in doing so, they will take an administration fee and then refund the remainder of the first (deposit) payment. However, this is solely at the discretion of the owners. If the re-booking is at a discounted rate compared to the original, cancelled booking, (sometimes necessary, to secure a late booking) then a proportion of the deposit will be refunded. Initial part-payment/deposit will be retained if the owners are unable to re-book the properties.

Where payment has been made in full, and guests cancel within six weeks of date of arrival, then the owners have the right to retain the full payment, unless the cottages can be re-booked. Please appreciate that the possibility of a new booking at this stage, will always require promotion at a reduced rate and as late availability. Where a successful re-booking is achieved, then a proportion of the original payment made, will be refunded. 

The person making the booking must understand that when the cottages are hired as a group booking - and then cancelled close to time of booking, it is unlikely that the cottages will be re-let as a group booking in the time frame available. It will be at the discretion of the owners, to split the group hire into individual cottage hire, at a reduced rate, in order to recover some funds on a late availability basis. 
The person making the booking may rest assured, that the owners shall not seek to profit in any way from cancellations, and will do their very best to work with the customer. An alternative booking date and option to transfer dates, will be offered where possible and where appropriate. 

Once a booking has been made, in the unlikely event of a cottage(s) becoming unavailable due to circumstances where dove farm accepts responsibility -  every effort will be made to provide suitable, alternative accommodation, using nearby accommodation providers. If no alternative arrangements can be made, or if the  arrangements are unacceptable to guests, then a complete refund will be made for that property or properties. No further liability is accepted by the owners of dove farm cottages.

In the event of guests being unable to travel to Dove Farm due to severe weather conditions, or unable to take up their booking, due to other events that may be termed as force majeure, refunds will be at the discretion of the owners.  (please see above re: deposits being non-refundable.) The owners may suggest alternative dates, or in certain circumstances, may refund a percentage of monies paid.

 With this knowledge, guests may wish to consider taking out an independent cancellation insurance policy.

Guests may not transfer their booking to anyone else without prior consent of the owners.

3 Arrival and Departure 

Hire of the cottage(s) begins at 4pm on the first day, unless otherwise agreed and guests are requested to arrive no earlier than 4pm on the day of arrival. In the case of same day changeovers, it may be that not all three properties  are ready for 4pm. There will always be access to the cottages to put food items in fridges etc. however, guests may be asked to gather in one or two cottages until the remaining rooms have been prepared.

Monday departure is 10.15 am unless otherwise arranged and agreed in advance with the owners.

Sunday departure is by 2pm  unless otherwise arranged and agreed in advance with the owners. 

Any guests remaining on site after 4pm on a Sunday, unless otherwise arranged, will be asked to extend their stay to a 3 night weekend and will be charged accordingly.

It is strongly recommended that guests check arrival and departure times with the owners, if at all unsure about the terms outlined above.

4 housekeeping

Arriving guests are requested to pay a housekeeping deposit. This will be from £100 to £200 per group, and £50 for individual cottage hire. Housekeeping deposits should be paid on arrival, and in cash. This amount is fully refundable, and will be refunded to guests, prior to their departure, subject to cottages, Dove studio, and other accessible areas of the property, being left clean and tidy and in the condition in which it was found. The basic rule of thumb, is to leave things as you find them. If excessive and  unreasonable rearranging of cottages or extra cleaning is required, over and above a standard hygienic house clean, then housekeeping deposits will be retained. This is to cover the extra time needed to bring the properties back to required standard. “Excessive” and “unreasonable” are terms that will be applied at the discretion of the owners, based on their years of experience.


5 Incidents occurring after booking or during stay

In the unlikely event that a cottage becomes unfit or unsafe for guests to stay – eg due to water leak or electric fault or similar, then the owners will endeavour to find alternative accommodation elsewhere of a similar standard. Guests will be compensated, in proportion to rental costs of the individual property concerned. No further liability is accepted by the owners.

The owners do not accept responsibility for faults in, or cessation of supplies, including water, electricity, gas, broadband wifi and SKY- nor any claims against inconvenience caused by such incidences.

The owners reserve the right to refuse access to cottages, to arriving guests, and retain the right to repossess cottages, if it is reasonably believed that any damage or social disturbance is likely to be caused, or if conditions have been clearly breached - eg numbers of guests exceed capacity, or number of dogs are in excess of what is clearly stated. Owners also reserve the right to repossess the cottage(s) if damage or social disturbance has already been caused. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.

Any complaints about aspects of their stay should be made known by guests to the owners during the period of hire. It is impossible for the owners to reasonably rectify any problems or causes of complaint, unless they are aware of the issues at the time.

6 Safety

Dove Farm has a no smoking policy in all self catering cottages and Dove studio. Smoking is permitted in the patio garden to the rear of the cottages, however, it is prohibited around the farmyard, barns and sheds, due to fire hazard.

Please ensure that children do not wander around the farm unsupervised. 

The area behind the cottages and patio garden is designated as working farm, and members of the public/guests at dove farm should not wander around this area, unless accompanied by owners, for example - to view livestock.  Dove Farm is a working farm and dangers should be noted and respected. The working environment of a farm carries the same level of personal safety risk as building sites or quarries.

Individuals may be asked to leave immediately if their conduct is considered to infringe the Owners’ Terms and Conditions or is likely to impair the enjoyment, comfort or safety of other guests and/or staff/family members of Dove Farm. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.

7 Pets 

Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.

Please bring doggie beds, blankets etc to make your dog feel comfortable and at home. 

The owners prefer a maximum number of 3 dogs staying at the cottages at any one time. Exceptions may be made, only after discussion with owners.

There is generally a charge of £20 per dog per short break (2 or 3 nights). 

Where guests invite day visitors to the farm, the owners should be informed if the visitors would like to bring dogs with them. This permission will be given at the discretion of the owners.

Dogs are allowed access to all cottages and studio room. However, in the interests of minimising pet hair and odour -  it is preferred that dogs lie on their own bedding and not on soft furnishings, sofas or on beds.  Guests staying in Barn Owl cottage, are kindly asked to keep their pets downstairs.

Dog owners must ensure that all cottages are thoroughly cleaned of pet hair before leaving. The next guests following on, do not want to see signs of other peoples' pets!  Vacuum cleaners are provided in each cottage. Any damage caused by pets, or additional cleaning required as a result of the pet’s stay, will be charged to the person making the booking (the hirer) - even if they are not the dog's owner.

The recommendation is therefore, that named persons making a group booking, should ensure that dog owners in their party are clear about, and agree to, the terms and conditions set out by the owners of dove farm. 

Dove Farm is a working farm, and there is always livestock about the place, including sheep and goats, and sometimes free range ducks and chickens. Dogs must be kept under control at all times, and on a lead around the immediate public access areas of the farmyard, car park and frontages of the cottages.

Guests are also asked to note that there are two farm dogs living at Dove farm.

There are public walks from the farm gate, where guests’ dogs can run free, off the lead, as long as the  owner is confident that their dog is well trained and remains under control, while off the lead. Dog owners should observe the Country Code and ensure that their dog is on a lead, in fields or open areas where there is livestock. There is also a private walk through the farm that is made available to guests. Please check with owners where livestock may be, before letting your dog run loose.

Dogs must not be left unattended in the cottages. It is unfair and unreasonable to expect a dog to settle in a new environment, when s/he is left alone. When guests request to bring their dogs with them, it is on the understanding that the dog is accompanying them on their holiday or short break. Dove Farm does not provide a kennel service.

Guests intending to visit Alton Towers or other attractions should consider these terms and conditions carefully, and perhaps make alternative arrangements for their dog. Dove Farm would obviously not encourage the practice of leaving dogs in cars, whilst owners visit attractions, and would urge prospective guests to make plans for their pet's wellbeing, in advance of their short break.

It is the dog owner’s responsibility to clear up all dog poo before departure. Please check garden area carefully. Please also clean up your doggie's poo from any walks around the farm premises and including farmland. Poo bags are provided in the cottages, just in case! 

8 General

The number of persons occupying the cottages must not exceed that stated at the time of booking, unless agreed previously with the owners.

Sub-letting of Dove Farm holiday cottages is strictly prohibited.

The owners reserve the right to have access to the cottages at all reasonable times, with prior notice whenever possible.

Any damage must be reported to the owners as soon as possible. Accidental damage or breakage of a minor nature will not normally be charged for, this is all considered to be part of everyday life – however, the owners reserve the right to charge for any non-trivial damage, losses or for additional cleaning required. This includes damage discovered following departure.

In the case where a housekeeping deposit has been returned to guests, and significant damage, or need for additional cleaning, is subsequently discovered after their departure, the named person who made the booking, will be liable for any additional costs, and will be invoiced accordingly.

Mobile phone reception at this location is patchy. 

The owners understand the difficulties that poor phone reception can bring and are happy for guests to use the landline at the farmhouse, whenever there is an important call to make. Likewise, guests are more than welcome, to give the landline phone number of the farmhouse, to friends and relatives, as a contact number for when they are staying at Dove Farm.

Wi-Fi, accessed via a password, is available, and free to use, in the cottages.
Mobile phones may be set to "wifi calling" to enable phonecalls and texts. Signal strength may vary and wifi may not extend to all bedrooms. Rural broadband at Dove farm is good, however it may not be to the speed or consistency of urban networks, and is not suitable for streaming.

9 Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that information provided on this site is correct. While misunderstandings can occur, information has been compiled in good faith.
Prices and services may be changed at the discretion of the owners and on occasions, may differ from what is shown on the site. Where owners are aware of such differences, they will be pointed out and explained to guests, so guests are able to make an informed choice. The owners do not accept liability for any information provided by other sites, via inbound and outbound links to this website.

10 Limitation of Liability

The owners are not liable for any losses or damages resulting from information provided on the dove farm website, or from any of its associated sites, owned by Dove Farm.
The owners are not liable for any losses or damages incurred by guests during their stay at Dove Farm. This includes not being liable for damage to guests' property, for personal injury, or damage to bicycles and cars, or for items stolen from parked cars whilst staying at or visiting the farm.