Terms and Conditions

Last updated: January 27, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to The Old Forge. These Terms and Conditions govern your booking and stay with us. By making a reservation, you agree to these terms.

The Old Forge is operated by Sophie and Alex Fairchild, located at The Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQ.

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us before making your booking.

Bookings and Reservations

Making a Booking

  • All bookings are subject to availability

  • A booking is confirmed once you receive written confirmation from us

  • By making a booking, you confirm that you are 18 years or older and have the authority to accept these terms

  • You are responsible for ensuring all information provided is accurate

Booking Deposits and Payment

  • A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking

  • Full payment is due on the day of arrival date

  • Payment can be made online by card - Visa Debit / Delta, Maestro / Switch, Mastercard - no charge, or bacs

  • If full payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking

Pricing

  • All prices are in pounds sterling (£ GBP) and include VAT where applicable

  • Prices are subject to change, but once your booking is confirmed, the price will not increase

  • Any additional services or requests may incur extra charges

Cancellations and Changes

Cancellation by You

  • Cancellations must be made in writing (email accepted)

  • If the booking is cancelled less than 7 days before arrival then a charge equal to the full booking amount will be made

  • In the event of a no show or booking reduction (after arrival date) the full cost of the booking is charged

Cancellation by Us

We reserve the right to cancel your booking in exceptional circumstances (e.g., property damage, unforeseen events). In such cases, we will:

  • Notify you as soon as possible

  • Provide a full refund of all payments made

  • We are not liable for any additional costs you may have incurred

Changes to Your Booking

  • Changes to dates or accommodation type are subject to availability

  • Change requests must be made in writing at least 7 days before arrival

  • Changes made within 7 days of arrival may not be possible

Arrival and Departure

Check-In and Check-Out Times

  • Check-in: from 4:00 PM

  • Check-out: by 10:00 AM

  • Late check-out until 12:00 PM – £30

  • Stay the day until 4:30 PM – £50 (subject to availability)

Access and Keys

  • You will be provided with access details prior to your arrival

  • You are responsible for the security of the property during your stay

  • Lost keys may incur a replacement charge

Guest Responsibilities

Property Care

  • You must treat the property and all furnishings with reasonable care

  • Any damage caused during your stay must be reported immediately

  • You are liable for the cost of repair or replacement of damaged items

  • Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all buildings

  • We reserve the right to charge a deep cleaning fee if the property is left in an unreasonable condition

Occupancy

  • Maximum occupancy must not be exceeded

  • Only guests named in the booking may stay overnight

  • Visitors during the day must be agreed in advance

  • Parties or events are not permitted without prior written consent

Noise and Behavior

  • Please be considerate of our family and other guests

  • We reserve the right to ask guests to leave immediately without refund if behavior is unreasonable or causes disturbance

Dogs and Pets

  • Dogs are welcome in designated dog-friendly accommodation only

  • A maximum of 2 well-behaved dogs per booking

  • Dogs must not be left unattended on the property

  • Dog waste must be cleared up immediately and disposed of appropriately

  • Dogs must be kept under control around our farm animals (Lily the horse, Shorty the Shetland pony, Theo, and our chickens)

  • Any damage caused by pets will be charged to the guest

  • We reserve the right to charge a deep cleaning fee if required

  • Please inform us of your dog's details at the time of booking

Facilities and Services

Breakfast (B&B Guests Only)

  • Full home-cooked breakfast is included for B&B guests

  • Breakfast is served between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM (or as arranged)

  • Special dietary requirements should be notified at the time of booking

  • Breakfast is not available for self-catering accommodation unless pre-arranged

Hot Tub (Shepherd's Hut)

  • The hot tub is for the exclusive use of shepherd's hut guests

  • Children must be supervised at all times

  • We reserve the right to close the hot tub for maintenance or weather conditions

  • Guests use the hot tub at their own risk

Parking

  • Free on-site parking is available

  • Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only

  • We are not responsible for any damage to vehicles or contents

Farm Animals

  • Our farm animals are friendly but guests interact with them at their own risk

  • Children must be supervised around animals at all times

  • Please do not feed the animals without permission

  • Always close gates securely

Health and Safety

  • A first aid kit is available on request

  • Please report any health and safety concerns immediately

Allergies

  • We cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment

  • Guests with severe allergies should inform us in advance

  • Our farm animals may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals

Liability and Insurance

Our Liability

  • We take reasonable care to ensure your safety and comfort

  • We are not liable for any loss, damage, or injury to persons or property unless caused by our negligence

  • We are not responsible for loss or damage to vehicles or personal belongings

  • We are not liable for any disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control (severe weather, power cuts, etc.)

Your Insurance

  • We strongly recommend that all guests have appropriate travel and cancellation insurance

  • Your insurance should cover cancellation, personal belongings, and public liability

Privacy and Data Protection

  • We collect and process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR

  • Please see our Privacy Policy for full details on how we handle your information

  • We may use photos of the property (not including identifiable guests) for marketing purposes

Complaints

We aim to provide excellent service at all times. If you have any concerns during your stay:

  • Please speak to us immediately so we can try to resolve the issue

  • If you wish to make a formal complaint, please do so in writing within 28 days of your stay

  • We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and provide a full response within 28 days

Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Severe weather conditions

  • Natural disasters

  • Government restrictions

  • Pandemics or health emergencies

  • Utility failures

General Terms

Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, along with your booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Old Forge.

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will not affect existing bookings.

Severability

If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Contact Information

Email: oldforgedorset@gmail.com
Phone: 01747 811881
Address: The Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQ

These terms and conditions were last reviewed on January 27, 2026.

By making a booking with The Old Forge, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.