Frequently Asked Questions

Latest changes post Covid?

Please see our latest information posted here

Booking Policy and Covid Cancellations.

Covid 19  Further to our standard policy below, if you are unable to travel due government restrictions (eg lockdown, non essential travel), then we will refund in full the cost of your holiday.

Bookings made from my website greater than 42 days until arrival.

A deposit of 30% of the booking total is required.
The deposit will be refunded according to the cancellation conditions.
Full booking balance must be paid 42 days before arrival.

If the booking is cancelled less than 42 days before arrival then a charge equal to the full booking amount will be made.
If the booking is cancelled 42 or more days before arrival then a charge equal to 30% of the stay will be made.

In the event of a no show or booking reduction (after arrival date) the full cost of the booking is charged.

Bookings made within 42 days of arrival.

A deposit equal to the total cost of the booking is required.
The deposit will be refunded according to the cancellation conditions.

If the booking is cancelled less than 42 days before arrival then a charge equal to the full booking amount will be made.
In the event of a no show or booking reduction (after arrival date) the full cost of the booking is charged.

How much is the deposit and when is the final payment due?

When you make your booking a 30% charge will be requested to be paid by credit or debit card. The exact amount will be stated in our correspondence with you so no mental maths required! If this is less than six weeks before the start of your holiday, then the full amount will be payable. We will send an email reminder with a link to complete the payment by credit/debit card when the balance is due, so you don’t have to rely on your memory. We have worked hard to provide credit card facilities with no surcharge as we feel most of our guests would prefer this form of payment. If you would prefer to pay the remaining balance by BACS (internet transfer) or cheque, please let us know by email and payment details will be sent instead.

What payment methods can we use?

We accept all major credit and debit cards at no extra cost to yourself. The cottage is secured by a deposit payment via credit or debit card. The remaining balance will again be requested by email via credit or debit card. All payments and card transactions are tokenised in the SagePay gateway for complete PCI security using the format xxxx xxxx xxxx 1234 for your complete online safety.
if you prefer you may request the final payment to be made by BACS internet transfer or cheque.

How do we book?

Our bookings are now handled by the Freetobook booking system. When you click on a cottage to book a form will appear asking for your details – name, email and address etc. When you go onto the next page it will ask for you to submit a deposit payment via credit or debit card. Once this is submitted and the payment accepted, the cottage is booked and is yours and will show booked on our availability calendar.

What if I don’t want to book online and use online payments?

Simply email us your details are telephone and we will book for you. We will then send an invoice with a request for the deposit payment by card, cheque or BACs.

Do you take a damage deposit?

We do not take a damage deposit although we reserve the right to charge this in certain circumstances. We therefore ask that you respect the trust we place in you to look after the properties and the facilities whilst there. By making a booking you agree to accept responsibility for any damage that may be caused by you or any member of your party and you agree to indemnify us in full for any losses that we may incur as a result. We don’t mind the odd broken glass, but in the event that you do notice damage or items missing in the accommodation please let us know immediately so that we can rectify matters for the next set of guests. The accommodation will be inspected at the end of your holiday and you may be charged for any loss or damage found.

Do I need holiday insurance?

It’s not obligatory in order to book with us, but we do recommend it. A low cost UK single trip policy is available from many online providers.

What’s included in your prices?

Our rental rates cover the whole of the property and include bed linen, towels, electricity and heating. Wifi is now free and available in all the cottages. The only extras are the dog charge which is £30 per dog ( for up to two dogs.)

What are the arrival and departure times

You can arrive anytime after 4pm, including late evening, and departure is before 9am, to allow ample time for the property to be serviced between lets. The cottages will all be left open with the keys in the inside of the front door so even if you are running very late, there should be no problem getting into the cottage. Sometime during your stay either Jane will make every effort to visit you and check everything is OK.

Are your properties suitable for children?

Absolutely! Children always have a wonderful time staying in our cottages and generally love the outside lifestyle and observing the farm in action. We can always arrange a visit to watch the cows being milked – normally quite an education! Also children can assist with feeding the calves. All the cottages have wifi so older children can still remain “connected” to social media. Cots and high chairs are available on request. Our small cottages Willows and Brambles are only one bedroom so not quite so ideal.

Are your properties suitable for dogs?

Of course – A maximum of 2 at an extra cost of £30 per dog. Your dog is as much a member of the family as any human, so we’ve done our best to make the properties suitable for both human and doggie guests. We do ask that you bring your dogs bed or cage and keep them off the furniture and they must not be left in the cottage unattended. The dogs are spoilt for walks as each cottage has easy access to the farm. (Obviously common sense dictates that dogs must be on a lead if walking through any fields with our cattle in them).

What about internet access and phones?

All our properties have free internet access within the cottage.  The cottages have smart TVs if you wish to catch up on iplayer, Netflix etc.  Recently a mobile phone mast has been installed at one end of the farm so mobile reception is excellent in all cottages and the 3G/4G data is extremely fast and reliable.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking inside any of the properties is not permitted but you may do so outside. Please ensure the door and windows are shut or the smell travels inside and spoils the enjoyment of the property for the next guests. If you do smoke please be careful to extinguish cigarettes carefully.

Where do we park our car?

There is plenty of parking space available beside each property.

Where are the nearest shops?

There is an excellent little farm shop called Ducks in Portesham – dehli styled, does papers, milk , bread etc plus has a great little café doing a very good breakfast.  There is a small general off license/PO in the village of Chickerell approximately 2 miles away on the B3157 into Weymouth and a little further on a new Aldi has opened.   Morrisons and Sainsbury are about 10 mins away on the Weymouth to Dorchester road and Tesco a little further away (15mins) on the outskirts of Dorchester.

A small Co-op has just opened about 7 min drive away –  take the B3157 in towards Weymouth for about 2 miles, continue straight at the first set of traffic lights and a short distance on the left is the small Co-op with a very convenient drive in and park area.  The shop has a pretty good selection of essential foods, fresh bread and alcohol.  Also a Papa Johns Pizza place has opened next door to the Co-op and next to this is the excellent Daniels Fish & Chips.

Can we arrange a supermarket delivery?

Tesco and Sainsbury  deliver to our area. The postcode for the Langton Herring cottages is DT3 4JB.  Unfortunately we can not be around to receive your delivery as most of the time we are out and about on the farm. However many of our guests do arrange a delivery for after they arrive.

Nearest Pubs and where can we eat if we don’t want to cook?

We are spoilt for choice considering what a small village and rural area we are in! You have the Elm Tree in Langton Herring (within walking distance) and The Kings Arms in Portesham. Also on a weds eve at about 1900 a highly recommended fish and chip van parks outside the Kings Arms in Portesham and cooks your fish and chips to order. (Normally time to get a quick pint in the Pub while you wait!). In Abbotsbury you have the Ilchester pub and Abbey house tea room (excellent afternoon teas!). In Dorchester recently opened you will find Pizza Express, Nandos, Wagamama’s, Cote and Carluccio’s.  On the coastal road towards Bridport there is the Club House at West Bexington and The Hive Café in West Bay, both excellent for seafood.  In Weymouth two places of note are the Crab Shack at Ferry Bridge and a little further on Billy Winters.

Can we get Newspapers Delivered?

Call Martin Jolliffe on 01305 873820 to arrange paper deliveries – or help “save the “planet” and download “i-papers” to your tablet or laptop!!