Covid-19 information

Updated 19th July 2021

As of today many remaining Covid restrictions relating to social distancing have been lifted by the UK government. However we would like to reassure our guests that we will continue to implement strict cleaning regimes including the use of virucide on changeovers. In addition the swimming pool will continue to operate on a rota system for at least the summer holidays, if not longer.  

We ask that guests please read the information contained in their pre-arrival email that arrives a week ahead of your stay. While on our premises please remain respectful of other guests' personal space when using the communal areas such as the games room, laundry room and conservatory. We will continue to provide hand sanitiser at the entrances to communal areas and virucide in the games room and laundry room for cleaning down of pool cues/table tennis bats and the washing/drying machines etc.

Although social distancing requirements have been relaxed, the need to self isolate if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive or if you or someone in your party has symptoms has not yet been dropped so please continue to be vigilant and adhere to the relevant government guidance in force at the time of your stay. Further information can be found here.

cleaning

​We have implemented stringent cleaning protocols on cottage changeovers as advised by our industry body the Professional Association of Self Caterers who have produced guidelines on behalf of the government. We have been certified "Good to Go" by Visit England. We follow a clean and disinfect regime whereby our cleaners thoroughly clean the cottage as normal and after cleaning, touch points such as door handles, light switches, TV remote controls, kitchen surfaces, soft furnishings such as curtains and sofas, will be disinfected with Envirosafe disinfectant which is proven to kill coronavirus.

We request that guests please strip their own bedding and place linen and towels in blue bags provided at the end of their stay to minimise the risk to our cleaning staff. Additionally we will change all pillow protectors between guests and all mattress protectors will either be changed (where they are the cotton washable type) or misted with virucide where they are the encapsulating waterproof type. To read our full risk assessment please click here.

COmmunal areas

​The swimming pool, games room, conservatory, laundry room and playground are shared facilities at Halsbeer Farm. Please remain respectful of the need to maintain distance from guests not in your party in these areas. The swimming pool is available on a rota basis with each cottage having two one hour slots per full day of their stay.

The games room, conservatory and laundry room will be thoroughly cleaned by our staff on our Friday changeovers. Virucidal disinfectant will be provided in the games room for you to wipe down equipment such as the pool cues, table tennis bats and balls before and after your play and in the laundry room for use on the washing and drying machine controls. Please note that the books and games on the shelves in the conservatory and games room will not have been disinfected. Sanitiser will be provided at the doors and gate to the playground.

Future bookings

If you already have a booking with us you will receive a pre-arrival information one week before your stay with lots of information about check in, your stay and directions to find us. Please ensure you read this and download the Touchstay guest information book for your reference before and during your stay as we no longer provide written information in the cottages.

If you wish to make a booking please do so online via the website or get in touch with Katie by phone or email. If you have any questions about our management of the Covid-19 risk at our premises or any concern about whether or not your booking can go ahead please do contact us.

cancellations & refunds

Our full Ts & Cs are available here, however a question I am frequently asked is what happens if another lockdown prevents your stay. The answer is we will endeavour to be as flexible as possible. If there is another national lockdown then we will refund or postpone your stay if it falls within the closed period. The same will apply if we have a local lockdown here which prevents us from being able to fulfil your stay or if you are subject to a local lockdown where you live.

If you are unable to travel to us due to Covid in your party or needing to self-isolate, but we are open, our normal Ts and Cs would apply and you would need to claim on your travel insurance. The same would apply if you were unable to travel for any other reason. You are advised to have travel insurance for this eventuality. We are pleased to be able to offer Booking Protect at the time of booking which protects your stay even within the non-refundable period of our Terms and Conditions. For more information about Booking Protect see here. 

ILLNESs during your stay

​If you or anyone in your party shows symptoms of Covid-19 before you are due to travel or you are contacted by Test & Trace and told you need to self-isolate them please do not travel to us. Instead inform us that you are unwell and you will need to claim for the cancellation on your holiday insurance (see above). If you or anyone in your party feels unwell during your stay here you must inform us at the earliest opportunity and obtain a test. If your test is positive or you are informed by NHS Test & Trace that you need to self-isolate while you are on holiday please inform us and return home to self-isolate immediately. Similarly, please also inform us if you begin to feel unwell within 7 days of returning home.

​Thank you for your understanding.