Bookings made via other online travel agencies (OTA's) are governed by their own terms and conditions.  Any booking amendments, enquiries, cancellations or requests should be made via these platforms.  We are not able to change the terms and conditions assigned to each OTA.

The guest booking the stay must be 18 years old or over. To secure your booking, a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total cost of your stay is required. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your check in date is less than four weeks away. The remaining balance must be paid in full four weeks (28 days) before your check in date.  If the balance is not paid by the due date, Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat reserves the right to re-let the accommodation and retain the deposit. 

Bookings are made via or website or by phone.  We accept most major debit/credit cards.  Prices are inclusive of VAT. We reserve the right to change our prices at any time.

We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance when you make your booking.  We cannot accept responsibility for loss of deposits or balances that do not fall within our cancellation policy.

We strongly recommend that you take out UK travel insurance when you make your booking.

In the event of no-shows, we do not offer a full or partial refund and you cannot rearrange your holiday to an alternative date.  If Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat is unable to provide your booked holiday and cancel before your check in date, you are entitled to a refund of the money you have paid. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel pre-existing bookings, subject to refunding any sums you have paid, without further liability on our behalf.

Should you cancel your stay more than four weeks before the day of check-in, we will retain the booking deposit of 30%. If we can re-book your accommodation, then your deposit will be refunded, minus a £50 administration fee.  Should you cancel your stay within four weeks of your check in date, we will retain the full balance of your stay. If we can re-book your accommodation, then your balance will be refunded, minus a £50 administration fee.

If we are unable to offer accommodation due to circumstances beyond our control, we are not liable for refunds or expenses incurred. We strongly recommend that you have adequate holiday insurance in place to cover this.

This means if we are prevented, hindered, or delayed from performing our obligations due to an event outside our control, including any action or order from the government, we will be relieved of our obligations. In the event of this happening, we will offer guests one opportunity to move their booking to an alternative date. No refunds will be offered.

Typical ‘Force Majeure’ events include, but are not limited to, pandemic, terrorism, serious crime, natural disaster, ‘Act of God’, government or public authority action or intervention, law and travel restrictions.

It is your responsibility to check local and national Covid 19 guidance and inform us if the makeup of your party does not meet guidelines. We assume that by coming to stay at Laythams you are doing so in line with Government guidance.

If you’re unable to come because of Government restrictions then we will offer a full refund or change the dates of your stay up to the day of check in. This would include our business being required to close, or local lockdown restrictions in the area you are traveling from or to.

If you are unable to come, due to a positive Covid test then our normal cancellation policy applies. If you are unable to come due to any other reason our normal cancellation policy applies. You will need to get travel insurance to cover these circumstances.

If your stay is more than four weeks away, we will allow you to move your booking to an alternative date without any charge, subject to availability and including any additional cost relating to a change of dates.

We will not move booking dates within four weeks of your check in date. You will need to cancel your existing booking (see above cancellation policy) and rebook your preferred dates as a new booking.

A damage deposit of £150 (Farmhouse, Cottage and Hayloft) and £350 (Lakehouse) is required. This will be returned the Monday after your departure subject to the property being in good order with no damage, breakages or extra cleaning required.

Guests agree to inform Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat of any damage or loss, however caused, excluding reasonable wear and tear incurred during occupation. Guests should not remove any item from properties. Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat may ask for extra reasonable costs in addition to your damage deposit. Charges for damaged or missing items or extra cleaning will be discussed with the guest prior to returning their damage deposit.

Check in for The Farmhouse, Cottage and Hayloft is between 5pm and 10pm.  Directions and full check in information is included in your booking confirmation.  Keysafe codes and a check in video are sent via WhatsApp.  

Check in for The Lakehouse is between 5pm and 7pm. Keys can be collected from The Shippon at Laythams Longhouse.  We'll need 15 minutes on check in to show you around The Lakehouse.  Directions and check in information is included in your booking confirmation.  Keysafe codes and a check in video are sent via WhatsApp.

We set up WhatsApp groups ahead of check in, for any questions you may have before and during your stay.

Check out is no later than 10am.  Late check outs may incur an extra charge if not by prior arrangement.  Please leave keys in key safes on check out or return them to The Shippon if you’ve stayed at The Lakehouse.

Please ensure that:

• All rubbish is removed from the properties and put into outside bins.
• All crockery and kitchen utensils have been washed and put away 
• Barbeques are emptied into the ash bins
• Fires are emptied into the ash bins
• Anything else that has been moved is returned to its original place.  

We will make deductions from your damage deposit for any extra cleaning time completing these tasks.  Our standard rate for each task is £20 but we withhold the right to charge more if appropriate. 

We will strip the beds and clean but you are responsible for leaving the holiday lets tidy and as you found them. 

We ask that our guests treat Laythams as they would their own homes.  As the Longhouse is shared accommodation, and a quiet retreat we ask that no music be played outside the property, kept to a low volume inside the properties and turned off my 10pm.

Overnight guests are not permitted to exceed the maximum sleeping capacity for each property. Day visitors are allowed by prior arrangement with Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat management.

Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat operates on a septic tank. We provide you with septic tank friendly washing up liquid and sprays. Please do not use bleach or cleaning chemicals.

The Farmhouse, Cottage and Lakehouse have a washing machine. We provide enough Bio-D washing liquid for two loads. No biological or non-biological powders or liquids should be used.

The Lakehouse is powered entirely by wind and solar power. In the event that not enough power is being produced a generator will automatically run until an adequate power level has been reached. This generates a small amount of noise and is automatic so could happen at any time of the day or night.

Please be mindful of your use of power whilst staying at Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat in line with our ethos of sustainability.

There is no smoking (including e-cigarettes) permitted inside any of Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat properties. Ashtrays are provided outside the main door to each property. An extra cleaning charge of £10 will be deducted from your damage deposit for disposal of cigarettes left on the floor.

The Farmhouse and Cottage are pet friendly properties.  The Lakehouse accepts pets by prior arrangement.  We accept up to 2 pets per property and charge £35 per pet per stay.  Please let us know ahead of arrival if you’re bringing your pet and we’ll arrange payment.

Without exception Your dog or dogs must -

• Be on a lead and under control before they leave the front door of the rental property.
• Always be accompanied on a lead by the owner, while outside the rental property (within our yard and gardens)
• Be kept off all beds, bedding, chairs, sofas and cushions within the rental property.  (If not, this may result in deductions from your damage deposit)
• Not be left unaccompanied in the holiday let for any period of time.
• Adhere to the countryside code when out and about

These are the reason we ask you to adhere to the above rules:  

• We regularly have guests who are not keen or are even frightened of dogs.
• We’ve had several incidents where unleashed dogs have killed or injured our our hens.
• If a hen is killed or injured we can rule out your dog, and are better able to pinpoint and take action against the predator responsible (for example, stoats can be a problem if left unchecked!)
• You’re unable to clear up after your dog effectively if it’s left unsupervised.
• Unattended dogs inside properties could cause noise disturbance for our other guests.
• Unattended dogs inside properties may cause damage and go on beds and furniture.

If we have to step in and ask you to adhere to these rules, it will be once. After which, we’ll ask you to kennel your dog locally or leave it with someone back home.

We cannot take responsibility for any allergic or other reactions during your stay. For example nut allergies, pet hair allergies or reactions to cleaning products, fabrics or finishes.

Guests staying at The Lakehouse must read the following hot tub information

By booking a stay at The Lakehouse, guests are agreeing to read the information and to abide by our hot tub rules. We reserve the right to prohibit use of the hot tub at any time during your stay, without offering a refund, if we find that our hot tub rules have not been followed.

We charge £50 if the water becomes contaminated due to not following the rules below. This will be deducted from your damage deposit.

Any charge for repairs for damage to the hot tub and hot tub cover will be discussed prior to deducting it from your damage deposit.

IMPORTANT HOT TUB RULES:

• Do not exceed five guests in the hot tub
• The hot tub cover must be in place when not in use
• Children must always be supervised around the hot tub
• Bathers under 18 must be supervised by an adult
• No child under six should use the tub due to the risk of overheating
• Children over six must be able to stand on the bottom with their head fully out of the water
• Children should spend no longer than 15 to 20 minutes in a hot tub
• Glass must not be taken into or on the hot tub (wine glasses, water glasses, glass bottles etc). Plastic glasses and cups are provided
• No candles, smoking or eating in or on the hot tub
• All hot tub users must shower before using the tub
• Please ensure feet are clean before entering the hot tub.  Spa slippers are provided.
• Do not wear body oil, creams, lotions or fake tan in the water
• Do not pour oil, soap or any other product into the water
• Don’t use the tub if the water temperatures exceed 40 degrees C
• NHS guidelines suggest that you do not use a hot tub while pregnant due to the risk of overheating, dehydrating, or fainting
• Seek medical advice if you have a medical issue, for example heart or respiratory problems
• Do not use the hot tub if you have a rash or broken skin, have experienced diarrhea or vomiting in the last 48 hours or have a fever or flu-like symptoms
• If you feel too warm, get out of the hot tub and take a break
• Take regular breaks when bathing in the hot tub to avoid overheating and dehydration
• Do not use the tub if you are under the influence of alcohol or sedatives
• Do not jump into or out of the hot tub
• Take care when getting into or out of the hot tub due to the risk of slipping on wet surfaces
• Any problems or damage to the hot tub must be reported to Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat immediately

Laythams Lakehouse is only suitable for children on the express basis that due care and supervision is undertaken with regards to the fittings, fabrics and furnishings.

All facilities throughout Laythams and its land including water and waterside areas, fires, barbecues and log burners are enjoyed at guests’ own risk. Guests are responsible for their own safety, and that of their party. Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat shall not be held liable for their safety or for risks undertaken.

We accept no responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur to your car or associated property whilst on Laythams site.