Terms & Conditions

THE CONTRACT

The contract is only effective once the transaction has been approved by the owner or a completed booking form and required payment has been received and written conformation has been sent to the ‘hirer’.

LIABILITIES

Please look after yourselves, your party/guests and your belongings as we cannot be held responsible if you lose or damage anything, whatever the cause. As there are obvious risks gaining access to the viewing platform on the mound, we strongly advise that only the very able attempt this. You are responsible for assessing the risks of any activity you undertake and any accidents will be deemed your own responsibility. The nearest Accident and Emergency department is at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. They are busy enough without needing to treat you so please take care! It would also spoil your holiday!

PAYMENT

A deposit of 25% is payable within 3 days of receiving confirmation of your booking.

BALANCE OUTSTANDING

The total rental cost is payable not less than six weeks before the rental period start date. Please ensure you make full payment at the appropriate time or we may have to cancel your booking and you would forfeit your deposit.

CANCELLATION

The 'hirer' should notify the owners of any cancellation immediately. The 25% Deposit is non-refundable at any time.  Within 6 weeks of your booking the 75% remaining is also non-refundable but we will endeavour to re-schedule your booking.  Additional costs may apply depending on the time of year.  This applies to bookings made directly through our website www.steamandstars.co.uk.  Bookings made through other websites / agencies have their own cancellation policies.

OCCUPANCY

Occupancy shall be from 4:00pm on the day of arrival to 10:00am on the day of departure unless otherwise agreed by your hosts.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE ACCOMMODATION

Please respect that under no circumstances can we allow guests to overcrowd accommodation. This is a health and safety policy (because if there was a fire you would only look for the amount of people that it sleeps!) and because the accommodation has been designed to comfortably house certain numbers of people. If you have any changes to how many will be in your party then please let us know, as we cannot physically allow overcrowding in our accommodation. It may seem extreme-but even your tots and little ones count in this, however teeny, they are still people and therefore still count as passengers!

CARE OF THE PROPERTY

The ‘hirer’ is responsible for leaving the accommodation as they found it - in good order and in clean condition and for ensuring that all members of his/her party behave respectfully and responsibly during the occupancy period. Although the setting might feel remote, we do have neighbours to consider. It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure that the property must never be left unlocked if unattended during your stay.

DEPOSITS AND PETS

No deposit is required unless you wish to bring a pet. Pets are only allowed in the shepherd's hut and only if first approved by the owner. You must tell the owner the dog breed and describe its personality before you are allowed to bring your pet. If your pet is approved there is an additional fee of £10 per pet per night paid to the owner upon arrival. Should you wish to bring your dog then a £100.00 deposit is required. We only allow one pet per booking and we request that your pet is always kept on a lead when on site or near farm animals. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the mound outside or the shepherd's hut bed or other furniture. Please make sure that you clear up after your animal in the usual way. Your deposit will be returned upon departure, though a deduction will be made for any damage caused by your pet. Whilst we don’t require any other type of deposit, please note that you will be liable for the cost of any damage to the property. In the case of any breach of these conditions, which is considered serious by the owners, the right to repossess the property during the occupancy period is reserved. The hirer must notify the owners if a problem arises and the owners will do their best to rectify it as soon as possible, so that the rest of the occupancy period may be enjoyed with the minimum of inconvenience.

SMOKING

To comply with insurance requirements and health and safety, smoking is strictly forbidden anywhere on the site.

HIRE OR USE OF ANY EQUIPMENT

The owners can accept neither liability nor loss of any nature whatsoever for the hirer’s use or hire of any form of equipment during the occupancy. It is the ‘hirers’ responsibility and he/she is strongly advised to arrange appropriate and adequate insurance to give protection for loss or damage for this purpose.

GUESTS

Guests are allowed to have friends visit but not to stay over and friends will need to leave Steam & Stars quietly by 10.00pm.