FAQs

We understand a pet is an important member of the family so we’re trialling an updated pet policy - from November 2024 we're welcoming up to 2 dogs as standard (nominal fee per dog).

We do ask guests to collect & bin any dog-jobs in the garden and lane, keep their dog under control due to the surrounding fields being grazed by livestock and refrain from allowing dogs upstairs or on the furniture; and to not leave any dog unattended in the property – even for short periods.

Stair gates are fitted for assisting families with small children – please feel free to use the downstairs one should your 4-legged friend be an explorer. We’d be most grateful if particular attention could be paid when using the carpeted rooms – our next guests may wish to relax barefoot around the house.

Local dog day-care providers include Wetherham Boarding Kennels, Penquite Petcare and Blossoms Petcare: all of which can be found online. Booking in advance recommended.

The short answer is no – we can only accommodate the house’s maximum occupancy as per the bedroom layout.

This is not us being spoilers (or financially driven) – it is based on the facilities provided being set-up for the number of guests staying within the house. From the number of plates & mugs to the capacity of the septic tank: the property is proportionately equipped for its 4 bedrooms.

We have also specified our occupancy rate with our insurers – as we take our duty of guest care seriously, we will not accept any over-occupancy or activities that either invalidate our due-diligence or professional status.

There is a campsite ½ mile away should friends or family wish to be in the area at the same time as yourselves. A 10 minute walk or 2 minute cycle: this is as convenient as it gets! They also have a back-to-nature ethos with wild-camping pitches and a meadow for campervans. No concrete or electric hook-ups but lots of trees and wildlife.

Of course – if you’ve friends or family in the area have them over for a cuppa after a day on the beach! We are somewhat restricted in our parking area though and ask that all vehicles are kept within the Tom’s Cottage designated space. Parked neatly, this’ll hold about 4 regular domestic vehicles.

The house is not equipped for hosting gatherings beyond its maximum occupancy plus a generous number of spares. Please bare this in mind and do check at booking if we have the facilities for what you have in mind.

Part of the beauty of our rural setting is the low levels of light and noise pollution – we do ask guests to refrain from producing amplified music or strobe/laser lighting (never mind the neighbours - it confuses the bats!)  

We also have a zero policy on sky-lanterns and fireworks: primarily as Tom’s Cottage is located in the heart of the countryside. This minimises the chances of wildfires as well as reducing risk to wildlife and livestock.

Yes and no!

Tom’s Cottage is the original farmhouse associated with the surrounding farmland, but stands alone – separate from the farm buildings and agricultural yard (which now has a different access).

So the house and garden are full of period character without any agricultural activity at 6 am. You will occasionally find a flock of sheep being moved between fields or the odd passing tractor about seasonal work, but we like to think of this as part of our charm at Tom’s Cottage – we are part of a living countryside.

More details on how we fit into the local economic structure can be found in our Sustainability section.

Certainly - it is maintained to be accessible by domestic vehicles (although we suggest drivers of low-slung cars pay particular attention to our 'advised route through' below). Teslas, Audi TTs, Minis and Volvos - they all successfully sail through on a regular basis!

Our best method of driving through the water is to enter it in one corner and drive diagonally across to exit in the opposite corner. To be honest, the ‘ford’ is referred to by us as the watersplash as it’s no more than a stream crossing the lane.

Although there are a couple of spots in the lane where two cars can pass each other (at a squeeze) neither of these are wide enough to serve as a parking space. The lane does need to remain passable to other vehicles as it provides access to one other domestic dwelling.

Guests are unlikely to meet oncoming traffic in the lane due to such light usage – on the rare occasions this happens: the other vehicle is usually happy to reverse out of guests’ route.

With lots of room inside and out for children to play, it’s a great scampering-ground - but we do recommend supervision and/or setting some ground rules for those that need guidance…

To assist with toddler safety, stair gates are currently fitted at the top and bottom of the stairs and small bolts to the sash windows upstairs in the bedrooms.

The back garden is discreetly fenced along its boundary hedges, but we’d like to draw your attention to the existence of an old mill pond beyond the top hedge.

The front door and kitchen doors lead directly into the front and back gardens respectively, but please remember that occasional farm traffic passes between the parking area and the main entrance door into the utility room.

There is potentially an outhouse near the parking area that could be made available by arrangement – please enquire at booking.

As the ex-coal-shed (and being an outhouse) please be advised this area is not kept to the same hygiene standards as the utility room.

It has a low lintel over the doorway which adults will need to duck under; and we’d appreciate the door always being closed and bolted shut so the wind doesn’t take it off its hinges!

Tom’s Cottage has superfast fibre connection. At the point of entry (the kitchen) the broadband speed is 500MBs.

A Decco system is in place to boost connection – through the thick walls – to the far corners of the property. Located in the snug and sitting room, these provide speeds of 190MBs in those rooms.

We generally favour guests dealing with our letting agent Classic Cottages due to their award winning expertise (and professional yet friendly service!)

There are occasional exceptions to this rule of thumb - friends and family, local festival organisers and acquaintances we've done business with in the past.

Enquiries can be made to