The Shala Hire Rules & Information

Damage Deposit and Extra Expenses

£500 returnable damage deposit is payable for a residential retreat. £100 returnable damage deposit is payable for a 1 day retreat.

The damage deposit will be retained pending lnspection of the property and contents, to check that The Owner has no consequential expenses due to breakages, damages, additional cleaning, due to the liability of The Guest. The extent of recoverable costs from The Guest by The Owner are limited to the cost of any work done and other costs incurred by The Owner and are not limited to the damage deposit. Providing no damage or expense has been caused to the property, interior/exterior contents and/or grounds due to your stay.

The Damage and Expense Deposit will be returned in full pending inspection of the property. This may take up to 14 days.

Cancellations

We are unable to refund for any cancellations of The Shala Day Hire. However we will do our best to rebook the space and offer you alternative dates for your booking.

Accidental Damage or Breakages. Please inform us immediately should any accidental breakages or damage occur so that we have time to sort it out before our next guests arrival.

For Your Arrival

Teachers may arrive one hour earlier by arrangement.

The house will be open for your arrival, please go in and make yourselves at home.

Arrival time is after 3pm.

Due to the cleaning and maintenance program early arrivals may not be possible.

The caretaker will greet you at the house on arrival.

You will be given full instructions on the workings of The Shala and Wellness Spa, together with answering any other questions you may have to ensure your stay is perfect.

Parking

Please keep driveway and driveway to barn clear for emergency and farm vehicles.

Fire

Strictly no smoking in any building.

No naked flames, candles, incense or sacred wood, sage, herb burning etc. are permitted any building at any time.

Electric or battery candles and electric essential oil diffusers are welcome.

Sky Lanterns or Fireworks

Strictly no paper sky lanterns or fireworks. There are many thatched cottages and farm animals in this area.

Please Respect Our Neighbours

This is a very peaceful location, please respect our village by keeping the noise down after 11.00pm.

The Septic Tank

Both properties have a septic tank, not mains drainage.

Please do not flush paper towels, facial or baby wipes, nappies or feminine products down the toilets, please use bins provided.

Please ensure that only natural waste products and toilet paper are disposed of in the toilets.

The septic tank and drains are checked regularly every Friday. Any blockages caused by The Guest will be charged for. The owner accepts no liability for inconvenience or disruption.

Maintenance

The owner/caretaker reserves the right to maintain and inspect the property, including the gardens, lawns, land and pool at their

discretion, during your stay. The swimming pool complex requires daily maintenance. However, please be assured that all such

maintenance will be carried out as unobtrusively as possible. In this respect every effort will be made so as not to disturb or

inconvenience you. Please note: Any queries or problems relating to your retreat must be dealt with during your stay by the signee only.

The Shala

Under Floor Infra Red Heating

The under floor heating is very sensitive and is just below the surface flooring.

We also have electrical sockets set in the floor.

At no time are large quantities of water allowed in The Shala.

Drinks are allowed eg. small bottles of water.

Please be extremely careful when dealing with any spillages.

No sharp and heavy objects/equipment should be brought into The Shala: no chairs, treatment beds,

shoes or even high healed shoes should not be worn in the building.

No naked flames, candles, incense or sacred wood, sage, herb burning etc. are permitted in the building at any time.

Electric or battery candles and electric essential oil diffusers are welcome.

Included in The Shala:

Wi-fi for Zoom recording, Music system with 6 in ceiling speakers (blue tooth), Soft dimmable lighting, Atmospheric star effect projectors

Re chargeable candles, Oil diffusers, Phone charger sockets, Multiple floor sockets.

Footware

No outdoor shoes are to be worn inside The Shala, it is a sacred space.

Extra Equipment

If you wish to take extra equipment into The Shala it is imperative you consult us and have our permission before doing so. eg. musical equipment, lighting equipment, electrical fans or any other devices.

Please consider the environment and remember to switch off all electrical equipment and lights after use.

Swimming Pool Rules

Houghton Lodge has private use of the pool from 8.30am - 12.30pm if hired separately to Downview Farm.

Please keep our swimming pool safe and clean.

Strictly no glass objects are allowed in the pool area.

Strictly no food or drinks allowed in the pool area.

Food and drink substances will start bacteria growth.

It is very important that all guests shower before and after using the pool for their own and others safety.

Hair products, deodorant, perfume, make-up and dirt etc. will result in clouding of the water and possible closure of the pool.

After using the pool you must replace the cover and switch off all lights.

If you leave the pool cover off for prolonged periods it will result in major heat loss, condensation will set off alarms, cleansing chemicals will evaporate, this also may result in closure of the swimming pool.

Towels and Cot Linen

We regret that cot linen, pool towels are not supplied.

Hot-Tub

Children under 16 are NOT permitted in the hot-tub.

Please make sure all guests shower before and after using the hot tub and pool.

VERY IMPORTANT- Inside the hot-tub there is a black filter water inlet, the water level must not go below the filter inlet

The water must be able to flow into the filter sufficiently. If it does not the pump will take in air and break.

Please use the hose pipe provided and re-fill the hot-tub after each use to the correct level, please do not over fill.

Please do not stand or sit on hot-tub cover as it is only polystyrene.

Strictly no food or drinks allowed in the hot-tub.

lnfra-Red Sauna

The infra-red sauna is run by electricity.

Before using, it is very important to dry yourself off if you have used the hot-tub or pool.

Please remember to switch off the Sauna after use.

Further instruction will be given on your welcome.

Indoor Fire/ Wood Burner

A spark guard is supplied - please use it when you are not in the room.

A fire will be laid in for your arrival. We provide 1 large basket of logs. Coal can be pre-ordered at £15 per large bag.

Extra logs can be provided by arrangement.

Barbecue

The outdoor barbecue is charcoal, this is not provided, guests are required to bring their own.

Outdoor Fire Pit

A fire will be laid in for your arrival (sticks and logs only).

Extra logs can be pre-ordered. Please contact us before your stay.

Further fires will be guest full responsibility.

DO NOT start the fire with petrol or other flammable liquid - it is HIGHLY DANGEROUS.

Never light the fire in windy weather.

The most important tip is to keep your fire small. There's no need for a blazing bonfire, a big fire is much harder to control and

so there is far greater potential for disaster.

Have a bucket or container of water close by or a garden hose on standby in case things do get out of control.

Do not leave a lit or glowing fire pit unattended.

All children MUST be accompanied by an adult at ALL TIMES around the fire pit.

To light a fire use crumpled pieces of newspaper or a shop-bought fire lighter, covered with a few small sticks, As it begins to burn, larger sticks can be added until able to add a log or two.

Never extinguish the roaring fire rapidly with water, allow the fire to die down naturally and then extinguish with water slowly.

The Compost Toilet

When nature calls a cup of sawdust goes in first and another after… that’s it! Please wash your hands.

Electricity and Fuel

We ask our guests to please respect our rising fuel costs and turn off lights when not in use.

Excessive usage of electricity and/or fuel may be charged for.

Please consider the environment, remember to switch all lights off after use, Thank You.