Terms & Conditions

Contract

The Contract for a short-term holiday rental shall be made between the Client and Badwell Ash Lakeside Ltd (BALL). The contract shall be governed by UK Law. It will be entered into when the deposit is processed and BALL issues the confirmation of booking email. By making a reservation you are deemed to have accepted our terms and conditions. The Contract will be subject to the following booking conditions.

Booking

Any booking made via the online booking system is provisional until it is confirmed by written confirmation email to the client. The client making the booking agrees that they are authorised to make this booking on behalf of all persons who shall be renting the property and agrees to take full responsibility for the property and the payment of any rental fees or damages. All persons must be over 18 years old unless the Client is booking the whole site; children are then accepted only by prior agreement with us on a case by case basis. Failure to disclose all relevant information or comply with these terms may lead to termination of the contract and loss of the booking. Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under 18 years of age. BALL reserves the right to refuse any booking without giving any reason. 

Deposit

A non-refundable booking deposit of 25% of the rental fee is payable if the booking is made more than 8 weeks before the commencement of the rental period. The balance must be paid in full 8 weeks before the commencement of the rental period, and please note that no reminder is sent. Non-payment of the balance of the rental fee by the due date shall be construed as a cancellation of the contract by the Client and any deposit payments made shall not be refunded. For bookings made less than 8 weeks before the commencement of the rental period, the total rental fee is payable at the time of booking.

Security Deposit 

A £100 security deposit is required to be held at check in. This is designed to protect BALL against breakage, damage , extra cleaning, guests returning home with access keys, or costs arising from noise or disturbance to other guests. The security deposit is to be paid by credit/debit card authorisation at the time of check in. If you pay using a credit or debit card, you are thereby giving us authority to pre-authorise your card to the value of the security deposit. Please note that unless there is an issue on departure the security deposit will not be taken from pre-authorised cards. However, all or part of the security deposit will be taken within 28 days of departure if the lodge and its contents are not left in the clean, tidy and serviceable condition. 

Payment 

Our prices are quoted in GB Pounds Sterling and are inclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate. Payments can be made by bank transfer or credit/debit card. 

Cancellations 

Any cancellation made by the Client for whatever reason must be confirmed by email or in writing as soon as possible. Once the booking has been confirmed the deposit becomes non-refundable. For cancellations made 6-8 weeks prior to the arrival date, 50% of the total rental fee will be payable, for cancellations made 4-6 weeks prior to the arrival date, 70% of the total rental fee will be payable, for cancellations made less than 4 weeks prior to the arrival date 100% of the total rental fee will be payable. BALL strongly recommends that the Client takes out insurance against cancellation. In the rare event that BALL needs to cancel your booking, please be aware that we cannot be held liable for circumstances beyond our control and that our liability to you is limited to the refund of any payment already made. 

Period of Hire 

The prices quoted are per lodge on a self-catering basis, for a short week (Monday - Friday), weekend (Friday - Monday) or week (Monday - Monday, or Friday - Friday). We welcome longer stays with check in/out on Mondays and Fridays up to a maximum of 30 days. Check in is from 4.00pm, and check out is by 10.00am. Please do not arrive early or depart late as sufficient time is required to thoroughly clean and prepare the property for the next arrival of guests. 

Advertised Facilities and Amenities 

Not all amenities and facilities advertised (including hot tubs and fishing) may be available at all times due to breakdown, malfunction, maintenance, or other reasons. The management of BALL will try to rectify any malfunctions as soon as possible but no refund will be made. During drought, legislation may prohibit the filling of hot tubs. There may be times, such as prolonged hot weather, when we are obliged to limit or prohibit fishing. 

Occupation of the Lodges 

Occupancy of the log cabins must not exceed 4 people, and occupation of the shepherds hut must not exceed 2 people. Children below 18 are not permitted on site. BALL reserve the right to refuse entry to the entire party if these conditions are not observed. The accommodation must not be sub-let. BALL reserve the right to terminate the booking without notice and without refund in case of a breach of this condition. 

Services 

Rental fees include bed linen, towels and bathrobes for use during your stay. Beds will be made up prior to your arrival and for bookings of more than one week linen and towels will be changed at the end of each week. Electricity, gas and water are included within the rental fee. WiFi is provided free for guests.

Care of the Property 

The Client shall take all reasonable care of the property and its contents, its surroundings, and the grounds, and leave them in the same state of repair and in the same clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period as was found at the beginning. No candles or naked flames are to be used in the lodges. 

All fixtures and equipment must be used solely for their intended purpose. BALL request that you do not take into the lodges any portable heaters, lighting equipment or any items that may cause danger to the lodges, or its occupants. Any bulky items such as bicycles, fishing or golf equipment are not to be taken into the lodges; outside storage is provided for such use. 

Please treat the accommodation and facilities with due care so that other guests may continue to enjoy them. In the event that you notice damage in your accommodation please let the Management know immediately so that we can take the appropriate action. If there have been any breakages during your stay, we would be grateful if you could replace them or advise us before you leave. You are required to reimburse BALL for breakages, damage, missing items or excessive cleaning. 

Complaints 

BALL prides itself that everything it to your satisfaction during your stay. Should there be any cause for complaint please notify us promptly and in the case of a serious problem, it must be confirmed in writing. 

WiFi Appropriate Usage Policy 

Free WiFi internet connection is available to all our Clients subject to availability, although no guarantee can be given as to speed or reliability of connection. Where WiFi internet access is provided, guests agree to use this appropriately. We may monitor network performance and user usage. Use of our network for illegal activity is not permitted and will be reported to the relevant authorities. 

Use of the Hot Tub and Sauna

As a condition of the use of hot tubs, and for their own safety and wellbeing, guests are required to abide by the hot tub usage rules at all times. These are:

  • Shower before use 
  • Enter and exit slowly and carefully, no running, jumping or diving 
  • Please note the wooden decks are uneven and get very slippy when wet or icy
  • No glass in or near the hot tub (we provide plastic glasses)
  • Don’t use soap, bubblebath, oil or other cosmetics/products in the hot tub
  • Avoid using the hot tub when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Allow time after a heavy meal before using the hot tub
  • Don’t use the tub alone, and don’t exceed 4 people at a time 
  • Limit hot tub sessions to 15 minutes, and exit the hot tub if you feel unwell
  • Turn off jets after use, and please close the cover to retain heat and keep leaves out
  • Consult your doctor before using the hot tub if you: are pregnant, have heart disease, epilepsy, diabetes, high/low blood pressure or long term illness, are taking medication or receiving treatment, or suffer from dizziness or fainting
  • All users of the hot tub do so at their own risk

Smoking 

BALL operates a no smoking policy inside the lodges. Ash trays are provided on the tables outside each lodge. Please use them and do not allow cigarette ends to fall on the ground or the lakes as these can cause harm to our resident wildlife/wildfowl. 

Children and Pets

BALL is designated as a no kids resort, by which we mean children below 18 years old. BALL operates a no pets policy, save for registered assistance dogs with the express permission of BALL. We are not able to accept children and pets for various reasons not least of which is the presence of very deep and cold water which is unfenced. We do just want to point out that we live with our family at Mill Cottage, adjacent to the holiday lodge resort. As a general rule our children are not in the resort or near the lodges, although from time to time you may see them helping out as we are a family business. Our kids and our well behaved dog are as unobtrusive as possible, however we hope you won’t mind if on occasion you see or hear smaller folk in the distance.

Water hazard  

Badwell Ash Holiday Lodges is a beautiful site because the lodges and grounds are built around old, flooded gravel pits. However, it is also a potentially dangerous site because these bodies of water are unfenced, very deep, cold, and dark. We ask guests to be careful around the lakes, as a slip could result in a fall into deep water from which it may be difficult to climb out unaided, and it may be a long time before help arrives. Please note that the owners of BALL are not always on site. We have provided life rings and throw ropes at each lodge; please take time to familiarise yourself with where these are located. In an emergency please dial 999, and then sound one of the fire klaxons which are on site. The owners of BALL cannot be held responsible for accidents around the water. 

Visitors 

Visitors are welcome, however please inform BALL management if you are expecting guests. You are responsible for the behaviour of your visitors while they are on the site. In the interests of our other resident guests, we kindly request that all visitors vacate the site by 10.00pm. 

Late Arrivals 

We ask that you inform us of your planned arrival time. If you are likely to arrive after 7pm please let us know so we can make arrangements for you to access your lodge. 

Parking 

Parking of vehicles must be in the designated visitor car park behind the electric gate at the front of the site. Our Planning Permission only allows vehicular access to the lodges for loading and unloading on arrival and departure. Your vehicles and contents are left entirely at your risk. BALL will not be responsible for any loss or damage from or to any vehicle. If any of your group has mobility issues please discuss this with the management prior to booking. 

Electric Vehicle charging 

At present we are unable to offer charging facilities for electric vehicles. Please do not charge your vehicles using the electricity points in the Lodges; this is unsafe, creates a fire risk, potentially invalidates our insurance, and is expensive for us. We will gladly offer advice about the nearest EV charging facilities, if asked. 

Liability 

BALL cannot accept liability for any damage, expense, injury, death or loss of any nature whatsoever suffered by any person(s) from any cause other than the proven negligence of us or our employees. Hot tubs, BBQs and fishing lakes are provided, but are unsupervised and in the case of the lakes unfenced, and are used entirely at your own risk. We do not allow swimming, boating, paddle boarding, wading or any other use of the lakes for water-borne activities other than fishing from the bank. You must take all necessary steps to safeguard your personal property and no liability to you is accepted in respect of damage to or loss of such property, or water-related accidents. 

Force Majeure 

BALL cannot accept responsibility or pay compensation where the performance of our contract with you is affected by force majeure. These circumstances include any event which we could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid, including damage of your accommodation or possessions through fire, flood, explosion, weather damage, electricity failure, criminal damage, riots or civil strife, natural disaster, war or threat of war, terrorist activity and all similar situations beyond our control. 

Right of Entry 

We will not normally enter your lodge without your agreement, however employees of BALL shall be allowed the right of entry to the property at all reasonable times for purposes of inspection or to carry out any necessary repairs or maintenance. 

Lost Property 

We will make every endeavour to return property to its owner if it is accidentally left behind. We will contact you via email is we find anything, however items of lost property can only be held for a maximum of 1 month after which time they are donated to charity. We cannot be held responsible for items reported lost which cannot be found. Property is at all times the responsibility of the owner. 

Privacy & Data Protection 

You and BALL acknowledge that for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you are the Data Controller and BALL is the Data Processor in respect of any Personal Data. Both of these terms have the definition set out in the GDPR. Under the General Data Protection Regulations, as the data controller, you must have evidence of a written contract with your processor. As the processor of your data, we agree to follow all of the requirements of current data protection laws. Nothing within this contract relieves the processor of its own responsibilities and liabilities under the GDPR. 

Terms and Conditions

BALL reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.


Updated October 2023