Booking Terms

When making a reservation you are agreeing to comply with our Terms and Conditions as set out below. These terms are governed by English law and apply to all bookings made either online or in person by telephone.

1. Contract of hire
Lakes Cottages & Lodges Limited (LC&L) act as agents on behalf of owners of the holiday properties (hereafter called the Owners). The hiring contract shall be between the hirer and the Owners of the individual properties and shall be deemed to be made subject to these Booking Conditions.

The Contract of Hire is not effective until LC&L dispatches to the Hirer written confirmation of a booking where a deposit or balance in full has been paid. For online bookings this is separate to the automated acknowledgement sent as soon as a booking is placed and will follow within 7 days once the booking has been reviewed.

The hiring contract confers upon the Hirer the right to occupy the property for a holiday only and that no right to remain in the accommodation exists after the date of the holiday.

The first named Booking Guest certifies that they are over 18 years of age and is authorised to agree to the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons who will occupy the property during the period booked and that they are all, apart from infants, aware of the Booking Conditions.

On reviewing a booking LC&L or the Owners reserve the right to refuse or cancel a booking and will refund any monies received in full.

2. Booking
A non refundable deposit of 25% of the total cost of the accommodation plus a booking fee of £35 is payable at the time of booking. The final balance is due 6 weeks before the date of arrival. If the final balance is not paid on the due date LC&L will advise the guest by email (if applicable) the booking is cancelled and the deposit payment forfeited. For bookings made within 6 weeks of arrival full payment is required at the time of booking.

Once a booking has been accepted by LC&L the booking can only be changed to another date or property by treating the original booking as a cancellation. In some instances and at the discretion of the owner and LC&L a booking can be changed to another date providing 14 days notice is given.

Changing the booking to a different date could mean a change in price which could be either more or less than the previously quoted booking price.

3. Payment
Payments can only be made online or by phone to our office using a credit or debit card.

4. Cancellation
If a booking is cancelled prior to the balance having been paid then the deposit and booking fee are non refundable.

Where a booking is cancelled within 6 weeks of arrival then a refund will only be issued if the property is subsequently relet. Every effort will be made to relet the dates but this could be at a price which is less than the original rental. A £75 admin fee will be deducted from the refund total. The booking fee is non refundable in all cases.

We strongly recommend taking out appropriate cover to protect against cancellation. A potentially suitable refund protection policy is available through our partner Booking Protect and can be arranged at the time of booking or when the balance of the stay is payable. For full terms and conditions for this policy please click here.

This policy is offered on an informed choice basis and no advice as to the suitability of this policy is given.

We will only cancel your booking if your accommodation is unavailable for reasons beyond our control. We would, however, attempt to offer you alternative accommodation. If this was not possible or unacceptable to you, then we would refund all monies paid by you for the booking. Our liability does not extend beyond this refund.

4a. Covid cancellation policy
Should the Government impose travel restrictions which prevent you travelling to Cumbria then you will have following options:

Move your booking to a later date. This may mean that the cost of your booking will change. If may go up or down depending on the week and property booked. You may move your booking up to 12 months in advance.

Obtain a refund. We will keep the booking fee and give you a full refund of any other payments you have made. Cancellations due to guests contracting Covid or self isolating are covered by standard cancellations terms (Section 4).

5. Liability
LC&L shall not be liable to you or any member of your party for any harm, loss or damage to person or property arising from the letting.

6. Changeover days
Changeover days are detailed on the individual property details. During low season other arrival days may be available and will be advertised on our website.

7. Arrival & Departure times
In order that the property can be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the next arrival, departure time is strictly by 10:00am with arrival being from 4:00pm. If the holiday accommodation is not vacated by the designated departure time we reserve the right to charge for overstaying by up to £25 per hour (or part of) after the designated departure time.

Most properties have a key safe, and you will be given the code for the safe to release the door key by text message on the day of arrival. You can arrive at any time after 4:00pm on the start date of your holiday.

8. Number in the Party
You must inform us of the number of people (and their ages) who are staying in the property. This is to satisfy the owner’s property insurance. A property can only accommodate the same number of occupants as beds unless an infant (up to 24 months old) is staying and sleeping in a travel cot.

Single Sex Groups / Groups of Young Persons. Bookings for single sex groups may be considered where all persons in the group are over the age of 25.

No stag or hen parties are permitted without exception. When accepting these bookings a security deposit will be required along with some additional information about a stay.

9. Personal Belongings
Vehicles, baggage and personal belongings are at the Hirers risk at all times. No responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage to any belongings or its contents.

10. Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome in certain properties as detailed at a supplemental charge of £20 (per dog) unless stated. No other pets can be accepted. The breed of dog/s will be requested on the booking form.Guests should observe the following guidance from Owners of the properties which accept dogs:
• Dogs should not be allowed on the furniture and bedding.
• Dogs must not be left at the property unsupervised this can result in considerable damage and distress to the dog.
• Dogs should be clean and dry before entering any holiday home.
• All trace of any dog staying should be removed from the property or any outside areas at the end of the stay. Guests are responsible for any extra cleaning that may be required when a dog has stayed.
• Dogs should not cause any annoyance or nuisance to occupants of adjoining properties.
• Dogs must be kept under control and on a lead at all times. This is particularly important when in the countryside where wildlife or farm animals are around.
• LC&L and Owners regret we are unable to accept certain breeds of dog (generally those deemed dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act or large breeds which are unsuitable for the property). If in doubt guests should check if before booking.

11. Access
If required LC&L shall be allowed access to the property at an agreed and reasonable time for essential maintenance work.

12. Heating
All the properties are centrally heated unless stated.

13. Care of the Property
The hirer is responsible for looking after the property during the holiday and leaving it in a clean and tidy condition.

13a. Security Deposit
Where stated in the property listings a pre-authorised sum against a valid debit or credit card will be required to cover any potential damage or loss incurred during a stay.

13b. Damage Charge

Guests accept responsibility for any damage caused by any member of their party or pets and agree to pay in full for any costs incurred as a result. This may be deducted from any security deposit already held or by way of an invoice within a reasonable time after departure.

This charge will include the cost of any damage to furniture, bedding, fixtures and fittings, loss of keys or any extra cleaning above and beyond what is reasonably expected after a stay has been completed.

All damages or losses should be reported to LC&L or the Owners immediately.

13c. No Smoking

All holiday accommodation is non-smoking and vaping. Guests are requested not to smoke inside any of the holiday homes or through open windows or doors. If there is evidence of smoking and a holiday accommodation requires deodorising then a charge of £100 will be taken.

14. Property owner’s rights
LC&L acting on behalf of the Owners reserves the right to refuse any booking and also cancel any booking already made, if in its absolute discretion it considers this to be necessary.
Where a booking is cancelled, LC&L will make every effort to offer an alternative holiday at no increase in cost and if the Hirer does not accept the alternative holiday offered, the Owners will return to the Hirer the deposit paid and any other sum paid to the Owners by the Hirer.

15. Linen
All bed linen and towels are provided unless stated. Guests should bring their own beach towels if intending to use hot tubs or leisure facilities.

We recommend guests with young children bring waterproof mattress protectors. Where low occupancy rates are offered, linen provided and beds made up will be for the number of guests staying.

16. Highchairs
We have a limited number of high chairs that we can provide for your property. Guests should ensure they request these at the time of booking. Linen and bedding for travel cots is not provided.

17. Lost Property
Please make every effort to ensure you remove all your clothing and belongings at the end of your holiday.
We will return items to you on receipt of full payment for the postage required and an additional £7.50 handling and packing charge.
Items not claimed after 28 days will be disposed of.

18. Descriptions
While every effort has been made to ensure that the representations contained in the brochure, online and in all advertising materials are made in good faith, neither they nor any oral representations made by employees or representatives of the Owners will create liability on the part of the Owners.

19. Prices
LC&L reserve the right to amend prices on the website due to errors or omissions. LC&L will notify Customers of any changes as soon as possible and the Customer shall be able to end the contract if the amended price is significantly higher than the original price quoted.

20. Liability
The use of amenities provided by the Owners such as hot tubs, outside furniture etc are entirely at the user’s risk and no responsibility can be accepted for any injuries to persons, or loss, damage to any belongings of persons who use them.

20a. Hot tubs:
Usage of a hot tub is at a guest’s own risk and LC&L accepts no liability for anything which may happen to a guest as a direct result of using a hot tub.

All hot tubs are maintained to industry standards and HSE guidelines by qualified independent contractors on behalf of the property owners. This includes changing the water between guest stays and checking the water condition on a regular basis.

Information about using a hot tub safely is displayed close to the hot tub and this guidance should be followed at all times.

Whilst every effort is made to have a hot tub ready for immediate use by the arrival time stated, this may not always be possible. In such cases the hot tub will usually be ready to use later that day unless otherwise advised. In such cases no compensation or refund is payable unless the hot tub is faulty.

21. General
There shall be no liability for any claim arising from the act, omission or neglect or default of the Owners, its Agents unless proved to be done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that loss or danger would probably result.

22. Complaints
Any complaint must be made as soon as possible and during a stay so that it can be investigated and where possible remedied promptly. No refund, compensation or redress will be given once a stay has been completed if a complaint or issue has not been registered during the stay. Whilst everything will be done within LC&L or Owners’ powers to attend to repairs to the lodges, furniture or equipment during a stay, no guarantees can be given.

No refund, compensation or redress will be considered if any breakdown should occur unless the problem is not rectified within a reasonable time and will have impacted on a guests stay. Any refund given will be proportionate to the issue arising and may take the form of a discount off a future stay. The maximum level of compensation for a cleaning related issue is £50.

Neither LC&L or Owners are obliged to accept complaints or consider compensation in relation to services provided by a 3rd party (such as a holiday park) for which they are not directly responsible. See clause 23.

Neither LC&L or the Owners accepts responsibility for any matter beyond their control (e.g. weather, nearby building work or invasion by pests). This does not affect your statutory rights.

22b. Hot Tubs – where compensation is sought and agreed because the tub is unable to be used due to a fault, the value is deemed to be £25 per day maximum. No compensation is payable where guest actions have caused the hot tub to not work properly.

23. Stays at Parkdean Resorts Locations (White Cross Bay, Fallbarrow Park & Limefitt Park)

All stays at these locations are subject to separate park rules a copy of which is available for reference on request, within Guest Log in and the Accommodation. Guests should follow these rules during their stay.

Guests should note that park management may ask people to leave if there are reports of noise or unsociable behaviour. No refund will be given should this happen.

LC&L has no association with Parkdean Resorts or responsibility for the provision of any services of that holiday park. Parkdean Resorts are not responsible for managing accommodation rented privately through LC&L. Any issues arising should be reported to LC&L directly.

These locations are working holiday parks which may mean certain work or repairs can take place without the knowledge of LC&L or Owners.

24. Your information and privacy
We have a separate Privacy Policy. Please view the policy here.