The Vintage Vardos
Devon, United Kingdom
Fisherton Farm
- Our low price promise from £260 p/n
-
Gypsy caravan
Sleeps 8 /
Extra space for 6 adults
- Sleeps 8-14 in 2 wagons for up to 3 people and 2 wagons for up to 4 people
Overview
In a sleepy Devon meadow, on the edge of a wood, and next to a bubbling stream, three lovingly restored Gypsy caravans and a converted farm trailer make up the Vintage Vardos. Gavin and Jemma, the owners of Fisherton Farm, have transformed the wagons into a gathering place just right for a family or two on a jolly. The wagons are all stars in their own right: the beautiful interiors of Big Ted, Red Rum and Little Gem are stylish, with a dash of glitz, and they can all sleep two adults and can accommodate one or two additional beds (depending on size). Tippin' is a multi-functional space sleeping up to 4. The secluded glade feels perfectly private; climb down from the cosy beds to breakfast sizzling over the campfire, and a full day of exploration and adventure ahead. Eat together around the enormous hand-crafted dining table, try the hot outdoor shower or plunge bath, and enjoy the peace of the truly inspired outdoor living room.
If it's raining you can cosy up and watch a film in the home cinema, or play table tennis, table football or darts in the communal Gallery barn up at the farm (just a 4 minute walk from the camp) which also contains games, fridge, kettle, wood burner and toilet facilities. Or dig out the board games in 'Tinny' the converted cattle trailer hidden inside the wood near your camp.
Fisherton Farm itself dates back to the 16th century, and is a working north Devon farm in picturesque countryside near the river Taw. You're within easy reach of wonderful day walks, good pubs, the Tarka Trail cycle path, Exmoor National Park and some of the best beaches in Britain. Children – and anyone with an imagination – will love it here. Try the rope swing over the stream!
As featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: 3:30 PM
- Check out: 10:30 AM
- Waterproofs, wellies, beach gear, body boards, deck chairs, buckets and spades are there for you to borrow
- A large basket of firewood and a large basket of kindling is provided, additional firewood can be purchased on site
- The barn and car park are a 4 minute walk away
- Luggage is delivered by quad bike and trailer
The Wagons
Big Ted - one double & two pop up single beds
Red Rum - one double & one pop up single bed
Little Gem - one double & one pop up single bed
Tippin' - one double & two pop up single beds, used as a bedroom unless you have a smaller group in which case it will convert into a sitting room
Sleeping arrangements
- Sleeps 8-14 in 2 wagons for up to 3 people and 2 wagons for up to 4 people
Extra space available
Space for 1 baby no charge.
Space for 6 adults from £10 per adult per night or £10 per child per night
Kids & Pets
Children welcome. We’re sorry, pets cannot be accommodated as this is a working farm
Cooking
- Camping stove
- Traditional cooking over an open fire made easy using trivets, cast iron pots and pans and BBQ racks
- Giant antique wicker basket that houses waterproof boxes containing everything you will will need for cooking
- Refrigeration is a cool box, you can refresh the ice packs from the barn freezer and also a fridge in the barn
- Honesty shop at the farm
Washing
- Washing up facilities, washing up liquid provided
- LPG gas outdoor shower
- Wash basin, jugs and small towels
- 2 Compost loos 40m from the wagons up a mown path with a gentle slope
- Flushing loo in the barn
- Plunge bath
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Bedding and towels provided
- Night lights, solar lights and wagon interior battery light
Entertainment
- Gavin can give you a tour of the farm to meet the animals
- Communal Gallery barn at the farm with table tennis, table football and a dart board
- Home cinema and DVDs
- Board games on-site in a converted farm tip up trailer aptly named Tippin
- Books
- Drawing materials
- Maps and local information provided
- There is a tennis court, football pitch, swing park, zip line and scooter track 7 mins walk up a lane into the village
Getting there
Higher Fisherton Farm, Atherington, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9JA
What3Words: ///survivor.mugs.carbonate - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to the entrance of the estate so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too!
By public transport
The nearest train station is Umberleigh - this is an hourly service directly linked to Exeter (within walking distance of 1.5 miles, although a free pick up can be arranged). Tiverton Parkway is also a 40 minute drive away.
The nearest bus stations are Barnstaple and South Molton, provided by National Express. A taxi can be arranged from these stations.
By car
Leave the M5 at junction 27. Follow the A361 towards Barnstaple/Tiverton. After approx. 25 miles, exit left on the roundabout to South Molton. Go through the town and fork right (by Boots). After 100 yards, turn left to Torrington on the B3227, and you will arrive into Umberleigh after 10 miles. Cross the River Taw (facing the local pub, the Rising Sun), turn right and then left round the corner, taking the B3227 to Atherington. After just under 1 mile, turn left, signposted Fisherton. Continue up a narrow lane with grass growing up the middle until you reach a white farmhouse with black railings, which is where you can park. If you reach the church you've gone too far!
Food & Drink
At Fisherton Farm
Your hosts will provide you with a welcome basket with fresh home made bread, free range eggs, milk, tea, coffee and sugar
There is a small honesty shop on-site selling delicious farm produce and lots of homegrown fruit and veg for guests to use
Local shops
Less than 2 miles away is Fishleigh Rock Services, which is open late and sells almost everything
L.J's homemade award winning pasties is 2 miles away
South Molton pannier market on every Thurs and Sat morning selling local produce
Several major supermarkets are a 15-minute drive
Pubs & restaurants
The Rising Sun in Umberleigh (1.5m) on the doorstep and has good views of the River Taw. It is possible to walk, but you will encounter quite a busy road on the way. 01769 560 447
Smoke on the Waters (1.3m) Pit BBQ and smokehouse
Chichester Arms in Bishops Tawton (5m) huge portions of good pub grub - 01271 343945 EX32 ODQ
The Rams Head in Dolton (10m) posh pub grub set in pretty village and next to Halsdon nature reserve, excellent walks by the River Torridge, 01805 804255 EX19 8QS
The Royal George in Appledore. New establishment with excellent food and sea view, booking is essential
The Boathouse in Instow is great spot to watch the sunset on the poop deck overlooking the beach. 01271 861292
The Glorious Oyster in Instow. A beach shack serving up delicious local fish. 07843 278521
Storm in a teacup in Watermouth Harbour near Ilfracombe. Café in a boat, great cream teas in a sheltered Harbour
Squires in Braunton 01271 815533
The Pelican Fish and Chips in Barnstaple 01271 345605
Graylings Fish and Chips in Fremington 01271 346661
Activities
At Fisherton Farm
Farm Tour: Gavin and Jemma are happy to show you around the farm and introduce you to their beautiful pedigree animals
In the honesty shop you’ll find a vast collection of spare wellies and waterproofs, water shoes for swimming in the river, boogie boards, deckchairs, buckets and spades to borrow
The Farm Gallery houses table tennis, table football and darts and is a great communal space. Upstairs is a living room with sofas, home cinema and heaps of board games and DVD's
Places to visit
Barnstaple, principle town of North Devon, with a Pannier Market most days.
Woolacombe bay and Westward Ho , both beach towns with great surf.
Instow (30 minute drive), seaside style village on the Torridge estuary with sandy beach and dunes.
Tunnels beach Ilfracoombe for the best rockpooling in Britain and Watermouth Bay for perfect paddleboarding.
Surf school and hire at Putsborough and Woolacombe 01271 871337 10% discount for our guests.
Appledore, growing artists colony with ship building roots and winding streets (over the estuary from Instow).
Or by train, Exeter is 1 hour on the Tarka line from Umberleigh, following the river all the way.
Clovelly is an ancient and fascinating village . A labyrinth of steep cobbled streets, with almost tropical sheltered gardens leading to a beautiful harbour and stoney beach. £7.50 adults £4.40 child.
The High Bullen Hotel & Country club for £6 per head you can use the indoor swimming pool, with hot tub, sauna and steam room. They also do very posh high tea's in their new Laura Ashley tea room. There is also a gym, cafe, restaurant and Golf course. Check out their 'dip and dine' deals for Sunday lunch.
Quince Honey Farm and museum for all bee lovers , with live hives for you to see (behind glass!)and all aspects of honey making/bee keeping. They now have a new location and you can also be a bee keeper, take part in honey tasting and make candles. There is also a large soft play area for your little bee's.
Outdoors & Active
Voted the BEST BEACHES in Europe (30/40mins drive). Putsborough sands ticks all the boxes for a perfect beach, Croyde Bay= surfers beach, Saunton Sands huge beach=kite surfing Braunton Burrows good for dune walking and sand surfing, Barricain Bay intimate with a good cafe selling curries, Instow beach on the estuary good for easy access and sandcastles but not swimming (please ask Gavin and Jemma where's best to go depending on the weather and wind direction).
Coasteering 07412 603116 £35pp
Paddle boarding & kayak 01271320745 £25pp
Surfing 01271 320218 £40pp
Wakepark and Aquapark 07956009047
The Tarka Cycle Trail (over 30 miles) Really good active fun. We suggest you hire bikes from Puffing Billy in Torrington 01805622633 and follow the almost dead flat cycle path , following the River Torridge all the way to Instow beach (9 miles 1.5 hrs approx) for a picnic or pub lunch, stopping for an ice cream/cream tea mid way from a converted train carriage at Bideford. £12 per day per bike. Tip: ask for bike with a soft seat and 10% off for our guests.
Natural Swimming in the River Taw & fishing for minnows. Simple fun! Just at the bottom of our hill, over Umberleigh bridge, pass the station and park by the school on RT, cross the road by the Chapel and follow the footpath to the railway bridge. Walkers turn Rt onto main road then next Rt this turns into a foot path to the pub, cross bridge & cut through via Murch Emporium strip off under the bridge and swim upstream or catch minnows in the shallows (help yourselves to nets and jam jars from Gavin and Jemma's shop).
RHS Rosemoor is a mecca for garden lovers with 40 acres of formal, wild, wooded and vegetable gardens, activities for all ages and a very good place to eat. Fabulous Sunday Lunches or take a picnic.
Tennis court, football pitch and swing park are a short stroll up our quiet lane to the village of Atherington , there is even a new cycle track around the football pitch , great for kids.
Watermouth Castle an eccentric collection of all sorts, like no other theme park on earth! words can't really describe it but we love it! set in a beautiful sheltered bay.
Exmoor National park is 267 square miles of jaw dropping landscape to explore. The medieval Lanacre Bridge is a favourite spot to picnic and paddle in whist watching the wild ponies and red deer.
South West Coastal Path 50 miles of which are in North Devon. Challenging, moderate and easy walking through stunning varied coastline.
Meet your hosts
Meet Gavin and Jemma
Both well travelled, Gavin & Jemma finally settled down at Fisherton Farm in 2006. Gavin has farmed all his life and they are passionate about farming and family with an award winning herd of Simmental cattle and rare breed Zwarbles sheep, producing delicious beef and lamb in an ethical and sustainable way. Jemma is an accomplished artist who has exhibited all over the world, and is now a keen vegetable grower and cook.
Their two small children prompted Gavin and Jemma to buy their first wagon. The discovery of the beautiful wood at Fisherton then inspired them to continue restoring two more wagons to create this low-impact holiday experience and provide the perfect place to share with other lovers of rural beauty.
Wildlife & Environment
Fisherton’s 100 acres of undulating grassland and woodland make it a real haven for wildlife. If you’re quiet you may well see deer, foxes, badgers, owls, buzzards and all kinds of other little creatures, as well as the farm animals. The peaceful woodland with its stream is home to native primroses, indigenous daffodils, bluebells, iris and honeysuckle. The aim is for the field where the vardos nestle to revert back to a traditional hay meadow with a wide variety of local grasses and wild flowers.
You will be completely off the grid, and that's the point!
Reviews
We had such fun at Vintage Vardos the children didn't notice the lack of screens and internet! We spent two days around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, playing games and building sandcastles on the beach. The facilities were perfect with all you need for an outside kitchen as well as a cosey TV room and games room in the barn at the farm. There is also a barn full of everything you need for a day at the beach - wetsuits, body boards and beach equipment - and an honesty shop with meats, fruit and preserves fresh from the farm. Jemma and Gavin were amazing hosts who made our stay very special with a guided tour and introductions to the lambs and calves. We hardly noticed the rain. A great holiday.
25/03/2024kitty
We stayed at Vintage Vardos as a large group of friends with young children. It rained almost the entire time we were there, but the site, accomodation and the facilities meant that we barely noticed! It is such a luxury to have a site all to yourself. Jemma and Gavin were tremendous hosts and really made us feel like part of the family. They had already thought of any possible problem and solved it. Wet weather? Borrow a coat/umbrella/wellies. Going to the beach? Borrow a body board. Need food? Farm honest shop. Luxury off grid living at it's finest. Even the composting toilets were nice. The luxury but humble feeling of sleeping in a gypsy caravan is unrivalled, but the experience as a whole was incredible. Definitely take Jemma and Gavin up on the offer of a farm tour.
17/08/2023Gary
Our stay was so much more than we’d anticipated. Jemma was an amazing host, there was everything we could possibly need. The peaceful, private location gave such an opportunity to connect with friends and nature. Even the rain didn’t matter. Had the best time!!!!
14/07/2023Elizabeth
We had a brilliant stay in the owners' private meadow and woodland full of wildflowers. The three wagons and shepherd's hut were beautifully presented and full of character. We appreciated the home-made bread, the well equipped outdoor kitchen (including insulated cafetiere!) and the great beaches nearby. The kids loved the rope swing and playing in the woods - we barely saw them :) The owners gave us a very warm welcome and we would love to come back one day.
30/05/2023Angelita
Fantastic stay Welcoming hosts Accommodated all our 1 year olds Lovely gypsy caravans Trailer to carry all bags to caravans.
19/05/2023Victoria
Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
We had such fun at Vintage Vardos the children didn't notice the lack of screens and internet! We spent two days around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, playing games and building sandcastles on the beach. The facilities were perfect with all you need for an outside kitchen as well as a cosey TV room and games room in the barn at the farm. There is also a barn full of everything you need for a day at the beach - wetsuits, body boards and beach equipment - and an honesty shop with meats, fruit and preserves fresh from the farm. Jemma and Gavin were amazing hosts who made our stay very special with a guided tour and introductions to the lambs and calves. We hardly noticed the rain. A great holiday.
25/03/2024