Terms and conditions

1. Period of hire

Arrival: unless otherwise arranged, the let starts at 4pm on the day of arrival.

Check-out: unless otherwise arranged, check-out is 10.30am.

We need the full time between check-out and check-in to prepare for our next guests.

2. Booking and payment

2.1 A booking is accepted once a completed booking form has been returned and availability confirmed, or when you book online using the booking form.

2.2 Deposit: a deposit of 20% of the total rent is payable to reserve your dates. Payments are taken through our booking system, SuperControl, by card via HolidayRent Payments or by PayPal. Bank transfer is also possible.

2.3 Balance: the balance (80%) of the total rent is payable 8 weeks before the start of the let, through SuperControl by card via HolidayRent Payments or by PayPal, or by bank transfer. If you book within 8 weeks of the start of the let, the deposit and balance must be paid together. Failure to pay the balance on or by the due date will be treated as a cancellation by the guest.

3. Cancellation

Except for non-refundable bookings, if you cancel:

XCover booking and cancellation insurance is available when you book, and we encourage you to take it up.

4. Covid-19, other pandemics or similar events

If we are forced to close by the Government or Local Authority during your booked dates, we will refund you or rearrange your dates for up to 12 months from the original dates. No fee will be charged for changing dates in these circumstances. Other options may be available at our discretion.

5. Holiday insurance: if you can’t travel

We encourage you to have travel insurance. XCover booking and cancellation insurance is available when you book.

This covers the inability of any, some or all of your party to travel, or the disinclination to travel to and stay at Cornerstone Cottage for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, illness (including Covid-19), a requirement or recommendation to self-isolate or quarantine, shielding, jury duty, military service, incarceration, a change in personal or work circumstances, family emergencies, travel delays, vehicle breakdown and delays with public transport. These remain at your risk and do not give a right to cancel or to a refund unless we re-let the property. When you book, you are strongly recommended to take out UK travel insurance to cover these eventualities. If you choose not to, you accept responsibility for any loss you may incur through cancellation.

6. Change of dates

The owners may consider a request to change the dates of a booking after confirmation has been issued. We will agree if all of the following conditions are met:

• the request is received more than 12 weeks before the start of the booking
• the guest pays an administration fee of £25
• the property is available on the dates requested.

7. Use of the property

The number of people staying must not exceed 8, plus 2 children in cots. Everyone using the property and the facilities on Lower Mill Estate must be named on the booking form. The property is for personal, domestic use only and cannot be sub-let to third parties.

If guests commit a serious breach of these terms and conditions or the Lower Mill Estate Code of Conduct, the owners have the right to end the booking and, if guests are already at the property, may require them to leave.

New fire regulations for paid-for accommodation such as Cornerstone Cottage came into force on 1 October 2023. Please read carefully the fire safety information in our Welcome Guide.

8. Complaints

If there is any cause for complaint during your stay, please tell the owners straight away and before you leave, so we have the chance to put things right. Not doing so is likely to affect any claim for compensation. We cannot be held liable for faulty equipment or appliances, but will try to fix any faults as soon as we can.

9. Care of the property

Guests must take reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, pictures, fittings and contents, and leave them in the same condition, clean and tidy, at the end of the let as at the beginning. Please return furniture to its original position, empty bins to the refuse area and take recycling to the right area. The owners reserve the right to charge for any additional costs incurred. Please report any breakages.

10. Dogs

We don’t have pets staying at the property.

11. Smoking and vaping

Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the property or on the sundeck.

12. Parties and contractors

Lower Mill Estate does not permit owners to accept bookings for hen or stag parties, and the owners reserve the right to cancel any such booking. Fireworks and loud music are not permitted. We cannot accept bookings from workers or contractors using Lower Mill Estate as a base; the estate can only host holidaymakers.

13. Broadband

Unlimited wireless broadband is included free of charge. While every effort is made to keep it running, the owners cannot be held responsible for loss of connection due to matters beyond their reasonable control, and no refunds will be given for lack of broadband during your stay.

14. Use of the facilities at Lower Mill Estate

Lower Mill Estate is a nature reserve, so excessive noise and lack of respect for the area are not tolerated. Guests must follow the rules of Lower Mill Estate and its facilities, including car parking. The owners accept no liability for the availability of any facilities provided by Lower Mill Estate, including but not limited to the swimming pools, spa, sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and playgrounds, and no refund will be given for any time these facilities are unavailable.

15. Liability

The owners have no liability to guests for death or personal injury to you or any member of your party. Guests must take all necessary steps to safeguard their personal property, and no liability is accepted for damage to or loss of personal property.

16. Warranties

The owners have made every effort to make sure the information in our advertisements and website is accurate and fair. Occasionally some facilities or services may become unavailable. The owners cannot be held responsible for changes or closures to local amenities or attractions mentioned on the website or advertised elsewhere.

17. Right of entry

The owners may enter the property at all reasonable times to inspect it or carry out any necessary repairs or maintenance.

18. Force majeure

The owners cannot accept liability or responsibility for any change, delay, cancellation or other loss or damage caused by war, civil strife, terrorist action, industrial disputes, fire, sickness, bad weather, flooding, livestock, epidemics, acts of any government, public authority or utility services, changes to airline or ferry schedules, or any other event outside their control.

19. Electric vehicles and charging

Electric bicycles and scooters must not be stored in the property. Electric bicycles, scooters and cars must not be charged from the property. There are public EV charging points on Lower Mill Estate, and more at the Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre.

Code of conduct for guests at Lower Mill Estate

Lower Mill Estate is a nature reserve and family environment, with a mix of owners and their families and a small number of rental properties. There are often organised activities we hope you’ll join in. A few rules keep the estate safe, secure and peaceful. The full rules are in the welcome pack at the cottage; please read them when you arrive. The key points are below.

Quiet enjoyment and consideration for others

• Noise travels across water and to neighbours close by, so please keep voices low on decks and balconies.
• The areas around other houses are private. Please don’t walk around other houses or use equipment belonging to other properties.
• Be aware of light pollution and turn lights low in the evening.
• No external amplified music.
• No music or excessive noise at all after 11pm. Please be especially considerate, as children may be next door.
• No fireworks. There are organised local events around Bonfire Night.

Wildlife and estate facilities

• Please don’t feed any wild animals or wildfowl.
• If you plan to fish, please read the fishing rules first.
• Water activities are on selected lakes only.
• Somerford Lagoon is closed from 1 October to 31 March to protect wildlife, and no boats are allowed on it. Some paths are also closed during this period; please look out for signs.
• No fireworks: the wildlife is easily scared.
• Dogs must be on a lead in the villages and under control around the estate. Please clear up after them.

Safety and facilities

• The speed limit is 10mph. Children play and people walk throughout the estate, so walking pace is ideal.
• Please display a valid parking permit and use your allocated space. Any other cars must use the overflow car parks.
• Use of the spa is included in your booking. Please collect your passes, sign in at reception on each visit, and don’t let other people into the spa.
• Please follow the safety rules in the pools, saunas and play areas. Children must be with an adult at all times.
• Please be considerate to others in the spa changing rooms, which can get busy.

What might go wrong?

• You may lose your deposit for damage, noise, nuisance or breaking estate rules if you don’t follow the reasonable instructions of estate staff.
• A serious or repeated breach of the rules may lead to eviction.
• Please treat all estate staff with respect. The Warden has the power to evict for breach of rules.
• If you are disturbed by other guests, contact Security on 01285 869184.
• You must not exceed the maximum overnight occupancy in your booking.