Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Introduction
Welcome to The Old Forge. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal information is handled safely and responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website or stay with us.
The Old Forge is operated by Sophie and Alex Fairchild. We are located at The Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQ.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide to Us
When you make a booking or enquiry, we collect:
Name and contact details (email address, phone number, postal address)
Payment and billing information
Booking details (arrival/departure dates, number of guests, accommodation type)
Dietary requirements and special requests
Information about your pet(s) if staying in our dog-friendly accommodation
Any other information you choose to share with us
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
IP address and browser type
Pages visited and time spent on our site
Referring website addresses
Device information
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
Process and manage your booking
Communicate with you about your stay
Provide the services you've requested
Send booking confirmations and pre-arrival information
Process payments
Respond to your enquiries
Improve our services and website
Send marketing communications (only with your consent)
Comply with legal obligations
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on:
Contract performance: to fulfill our booking agreement with you
Legitimate interests: to improve our services and run our business
Consent: for marketing communications
Legal obligations: to comply with tax and accounting requirements
Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with:
Payment processors to handle transactions securely
Booking platforms (if you booked through a third party)
Service providers who help us run our business (e.g., email services, accounting software)
Legal authorities when required by law
All third parties are required to keep your information secure and use it only for the purposes we specify.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for:
Booking records: 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
Marketing data: until you unsubscribe or request deletion
Enquiries: up to 2 years unless you become a guest
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
Access your personal data
Correct inaccurate information
Delete your data (in certain circumstances)
Restrict processing
Object to processing
Data portability
Withdraw consent for marketing at any time
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can control cookie settings through your browser, though some features may not work properly if cookies are disabled.
We use:
Essential cookies: necessary for the website to function
Analytics cookies: to understand how visitors use our site
Marketing cookies: to show relevant content (only with your consent)
Marketing Communications
With your permission, we may send you:
Special offers and promotions
Updates about The Old Forge
Seasonal newsletters
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.
Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Significant changes will be communicated to you directly where appropriate.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
Email: oldforgedorset@gmail.com
Phone: 01747 811881
Address: The Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQ
This privacy policy was last reviewed on January 27, 2026.