Old Rectory House Retreats

Terms & Conditions​

 

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Introduction​

 

These terms and conditions cover the booking and hosting a retreat at Old Rectory House Somerset. By booking a retreat you agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

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Payment Terms

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Payment can be made either by debit/credit cards or bank transfer. Payment is taken in 2 instalments. We require a 20% non-refundable deposit when booking to secure your dates. The final balance of 80% plus any extras such as catering is payable 1 month before your retreat. Failure to make any of the payments on time may result in the cancellation of your retreat.

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Guest Numbers

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Our price includes up to 14 guests, including the host. This is the amount of beds we have and our facilities are designed for this number. In certain circumstances we can accommodate up to 1 or 2 extra people but this is an extra charge. Please get in touch to discuss if you want to add any extra guests.​

 

Arrival/Departure Time

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You can arrive/depart anytime between 10am-3pm. Whatever time you choose to arrive, check-out time will be the same. So if you’d like an earlier 10am arrival, check-out time will be 10am. Most hosts opt for a mid afternoon time. All guests must depart by 3pm latest on check-out day. Hosts are welcome to arrive up to 2 hours early to prepare.​

 

Retreat Information Form

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We will send you a retreat information form which the host will need to fill out. We need it completed and returned no later that 4 weeks before your retreat. This will ask for details such as bed layouts, dietary requirements, meal choices, itinerary etc.

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What We Provide​

 

All your guests will have a bath towel, pool towel, poncho robe and flannel provided.​

 

Retreat Catering

 

We can offer a full catering service for your retreat or you are welcome to self-cater or being your own chef. Please click these links for full details.

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What To Expect From Us On Your Retreat​

 

We will be here to greet you and show you around and explain how everything works. We will have all the facilities including the pool, woodland spa, fire pit ready for your pre-arranged times. If we are catering for your retreat, the food will be prepared and ready to serve at your chosen mealtimes. If there are any emergencies or something is not working, there will always be someone on hand to help. If we do need to go out at some point we will let you know and our phones will always be on. We don't clean, empty bins, wash up etc during a retreat. This is the hosts responsibility. Often hosts bring a friend/helper which is worth considering if you are hosting on your own and concerned about the workload.

 

Woodland Sanctuary

 

For all of our retreats we offer a session in our woodland spa (at a time of your choosing) consisting of wood-fired sauna, large wood-fired hot tub and ice baths. We will prepare all the fires for this and preheat the sauna and hot tub up to the correct temperatures. Once the session starts it will be your responsibility to keep the fires going. We will put an adequate supply of logs next to each burner and it’s a simple case of occasionally adding a few extra logs. We will give you instructions on this when you are here. Heat and cold therapy provides many health benefits but it is not without risks. If your guests have any pre-existing conditions, especially any cardiovascular issues, circulation problems, high blood pressure or if they’re pregnant, do not use these facilities. If you are in any doubt please check with a medical professional first. Do not use any of these facilities alone, if you are unwell or while under the influence of alcohol. It is your responsibility as retreat host to relay this information to your guests.

 

We also include a session around our fire pit as part of your retreat. Let us know when you want this and we will prepare the fire pit for lighting and stack the wood you’ll need next to the fire.

 

After your session has finished in the woodland sanctuary it is your responsibility to turn off the lights/heaters and clear away/wash up any cups or plates used.

 

If you’d like additional sessions in the woodland spa or an additional fire pit, this can be arranged for an extra charge.

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Pool Area​

 

The pool and adjacent hot tub are heated all year and available throughout your retreat. Pool can be available between 10am-5pm. Please communicate to us what times you would like the pool and we will make sure the cover is off and ready to use. If you would like an early morning swim or an evening swim, let us know and we will do our best to facilitate this. Often in summer we will leave the pool open the whole time 10am-5pm but in winter we can’t leave the cover off for that long, so let us know when you’d like it open. Swimming solo is strictly prohibited and there must be 2 or more people at the pool at any one time as stipulated by our insurance. No glasswear or crockery is to be used at the pool. Please use the plastic/metal cups and plates provided in the pool house.

 

The pool hot tub can take a maximum of 6 people at any one time. Please don’t exceed this. There are instructions for using the bubbles and lights on the wall next to the hot tub. If your guests have any pre-existing conditions, especially any cardiovascular issues, circulation problems, high blood pressure or if they’re pregnant, do not use these facilities. If you are in any doubt please check with a medical professional first.

 

There is a pool house for you and your group to use during your stay. The pool house has a small kitchen with tea/coffee making facilities and a bathroom with shower. Please be aware we do not clean during the retreat so it is your responsibility to keep these areas tidy. There is a dishwasher with dishwasher tablets provided under the sink.​

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Retreat Extras​

 

We can offer a whole range of extras for your retreat including spa treatments/treatment room hire, wellbeing activities (yoga, Pilates, meditation, crafting workshops, sound baths, and contrast therapy workshops), additional sauna sessions and more. See the retreat extras page for full details.

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Wood Burners

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All wood burners (wellbeing studio, retreat cottage and shepherd huts) will be set up and ready to light with a supply of logs, kindling and firelighters next to it. If you want to use them again it is your responsibility to rebuild the fire. If you need extra logs, please let us know and we will restock the pile.

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Pantry Shop

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Our pantry shop stocks a variety of snacks and drinks which your guests can purchase. They can set up a tab on the IOU sheets provided and settle up at the end.

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Shepherd Huts

 

Our shepherd require a bit of explanation such as pulling down the bed, lighting the hot tub, wood burner etc. This can all be seen in our shepherd huts check-in video which you can see here. It is the hosts responsibility to ensure any guests staying in one of our huts receive this video and view it.

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Parking/Travel

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We can offer free, off street parking for all your guests. If your guests are travelling by train, our nearest station in Taunton where they can get a taxi.

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Wi-Fi

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We have Wi-Fi networks in all the accommodations and communal areas. They all have the password : oldrectory

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Accessibility

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We have done our best to make our whole site as accessible as possible including installing pathways to all the accommodations and facilities. However, due to the undulating nature of the ground there are some steps and slopes to negotiate. If any of your guests have mobility issues we would recommend they stay in the cottage and not the shepherd huts.

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Bins/Recycling

 

​If your bins are getting full and you need to empty them or put out any recycling, our bin store and recycling boxes are located in the small shed at the side of the wellbeing studio. There is also another bin/recycling shed at the shepherd huts that your guests staying in the huts can us.​

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As retreats are typically booked well in advance, often over a year ahead, these Terms and Conditions are subject to change. Should any significant amendments occur, we will contact you directly to discuss them. Our commitment is to ensuring your group enjoys an exceptional experience; therefore, any alterations will only ever be made when necessary, and we will always provide a suitable alternative. We are continually enhancing and upgrading our facilities, and we know that you and your guests will love your time here.