General Rules (please see and expand the image in the section above)

Summary of The Small Print

• Booking Terms

• Check In online

• Identification

• Refundable Security Deposit

• Fees

• Use of Facilities

Here you will find out what is included, what is not, what you can/should take, and what you can’t take, sorry!

Please ensure that you have completed your check in online before travel (in a separate section further below).

It is only complete when you have received your key safe code. 

2 dogs are permitted for £30 each (pre-arranged and payable prior to arrival), any additional dogs are permitted only at the owner’s discretion and for an additional fee of £30 each. Dogs found in residence not pre-arranged will be subject to an additional fee of £50. No dog is to be left unattended whatsoever. Dogs are not permitted in bedrooms or on furniture including sofas and should sleep in a crate. Guests are liable for all damage and or extra cleaning caused by their dogs. Guests must remove all traces (inside and out) from the property of pet occupation before departure. The property owner reserves the right to levy any additional charge for any extra cleaning required after guest occupancy. Outside of the property, dogs must always be kept on a lead and not allowed to roam, not all areas are fenced off. Dogs causing too much noise, especially after dark, may be asked to leave. 

Bed linen and towels (for indoor use only) are provided and made up ready (generally white and are owned by an external laundry company so please take good care of them as they reject and charge us if they are stained, damaged or lost, so we have to pass the charges on to you).

Irons and ironing boards are supplied.

The log burner (if installed) takes clean, dried wood logs only, not coal. Coal will cause damage. Please do not use anything other than matches, paper and kindling to light the fire. Using flammable fire lighters will cause damage.

For coffee, we supply cafetières so any ground coffee will do (no need for specific pods or filter paper).

Each property has at least one fridge and freezer and extra where guest capacity is higher. Please do not over-fill them, especially the door shelves as they are not designed to take lots of heavy bulky items, and cooling times will obviously increase with overfilling, especially during warmer months and if you have travelled with non chilled items and then load them in.

All of our accommodation is provided on a self catering basis with enough cooking/eating equipment per property for the maximum capacity of guests. We don’t provide any kitchen or bathroom consumables or include them in our pricing structure as everyone has their own tastes and choices, so why would we force our choices on them and charge for them? Guests must take their own food, drink, condiments, oils, seasoning, spices, toiletries and cleaning products.

It is usually possible to arrange supermarket deliveries to all of our properties, but this must be arranged for after your arrival. At Ramshorn Estate, online supermarket may use plot numbers instead of properties names, if that is the case please refer to the site map in the “Location…” section above.

More details on local amenities, shops etc should be available in the Amos Holiday Homes Unofficial Guide to the Local Area

We recommend that you take the following…

• Extra towels, gowns and sensible non-slip footwear etc for the hot tub, if installed
• Seasoning, spices, sauces, oils and hot drink ingredients
• Toiletries and toilet roll
• Bin bags
• Cleaning products (please only use eco friendly products, please do not bring any bleach or harmful chemicals as it will upset our bio water treatment facility)
  
• Device chargers and hair dryers (PAT tested)
• Instant light BBQ coal (if BBQ installed)
• Own travel cot and child safety related equipment

The following are not supplied sorry!:

• Hair dryers
• Clothing steamers
• Torches/lanterns/candles
• USB sockets, device chargers
• Travel cots (you may take your own) or stair gates (must not ruin walls etc)
• Christmas decorations (we try to be all inclusive, also lights and decorations may cause damage/risk of fire) 

Please do not take any of the following, they are not allowed sorry!:

• Tents, gazebo’s/portable shelters/means of sleeping outside
• BBQ’s, fire-pits, candles, open flame lanterns
• LPG or flammable liquids.

Please prepare for the unforeseen and for events beyond anyone’s control such as adverse weather etc by bringing appropriate provisions and equipment for your stay (including some good old fashioned games and entertainment!).

As our properties are generally located in rural and conservation sensitive locations, please be aware that paths, driveways and some roads may not be tarmac’d, treated or cleared of debris during adverse weather conditions, the grass may be long and wet, the ground uneven and not all areas and water features are fenced. There may be little or no street lighting, therefore we recommend you bring a torch for use during the hours of darkness. If you are travelling to us in the winter please consider arriving in suitable vehicles (recreational off-road vehicles are not allowed sorry).

Please arrive in a minimal number of vehicles where you can. There is enough parking outside each property (or as otherwise directed) for one car per bedroom, but any cars that cannot fit onto the property drive should park in another area and so that they cause no obstruction, otherwise they must be parked off site.

Please, in any circumstance, DO NOT leave a vehicle blocking a road so that emergency vehicles cannot gain access.

Please also note that we currently don’t have any Electric Vehicle charging facilities, we have not tested or been insured for it and they may cause damage to the power supply, so please don’t plug any vehicles into our mains at all. We will update this in the future when specific EV charging point have been installed.

Please see the Location section further up this page for the address, which is a weblink to the location on Google Maps, and the Google Maps window which should allow you to zoom and obtain directions.

Normal arrival time is any time after 4pm.

Requests for early arrivals is probably our most frequently asked question…

These are subject to other bookings and cleaning schedules (the cleaners never know until the day how much work is required so we can never honestly predict an actual ready time, but we try to ensure it is ready by 4pm). We really do appreciate that you want to get on with your holiday ASAP, but if we spend all day replying to requests it will slow progress. If you arrive early and the cleaners are still there, to keep your booking secure, they are instructed to not let anyone in (this will also slow their progress), to lock up, and to set your personal code on the key safe. 

Inside the property you will find bedding (already made up) and towels, these must only be used inside, we recommend you take extra towels etc for the outdoors. There will also be enough equipment, for cooking, refrigeration, freezing and laundry for the capacity of guests.

Regarding the condition of the property and your refundable security deposit, we have a system of a cleaner and a checker, usually the same teams cleaning the same properties. The properties are also maintained by our own staff, therefore, we are usually aware of any wear/tear and damaged/missing items and strive to rectify things when we can, which is not always possible during back to back bookings. Please be assured that there should be no need to inform us of this, however, if you feel it affects your stay, please be in touch with staff in person or via the Help contact form and please also inform us ASAP of any damage etc caused by your group so that we can rectify it ASAP for yourselves and subsequent guests.

Between all bookings, hot tubs (if installed) will be completely drained & sanitised for your own group’s wellbeing. Details of the general condition, settings, temperatures and chemical balances are recorded at least daily. Please kindly bear in mind that if we have had a booking vacating on the day of your arrival, sufficient time must be allowed for the large volume of fresh cold water to heat up. Please do not disrupt the reheating process, do not attempt to alter hot tub temperature or settings, do keep the lid on to retain heat as much as possible and you must not use the hot tub until you have read all of the HOT TUB T’s & C’s & INSTRUCTIONS, these are detailed in The Small Print and must be adhered to at all times (if necessary, contact us before use so that we can guide you), failure to do so may incur charges for damages or your hot tub may be closed and decommissioned due to misuse.

Hot Tubs, if your property has them…

Important to read BEFORE USE for your benefit …

This is just a polite reminder to help keep your tub fresh for the duration of your stay but you MUST read the guidelines in the welcome book BEFORE you use it for health and safety reasons.

They are sanitised and carefully balanced with chemicals before you arrive and we try our best to get them as close to 38c as possible for around 4pm (a challenge with busy changeovers!).

We check and maintain the hot tubs for guests daily.

If you follow our guidelines our hot tubs will remain clean and at the right temperature.

Keep the lid on as much as possible…

-Too much direct sunlight can reduce chemical effectiveness.

-No debris enters the water.

-Do not turn it off!

-Maintain the correct temperature (do not tamper with controls or it may become unusable)…

38c is the max temperature – any hotter and there is a risk to low blood pressure, children’s thinner/more sensitive skin, and chemicals deplete quicker.

All hot tubs are only supposed to be used for short periods for reasons of health and safety and none are capable of maintaining 38c with the lid off in our climate.

Please don’t take this the wrong way(!) but only good hygiene can keep a hot tub nice and clear and warm… 

Chemicals can only do so much and cannot always rescue a cloudy or contaminated tub.

You get one fill of fresh water included in the price.

Please ensure you:

-Shower before use and wash away any sun lotion, makeup, fake tan, hair dye, deodorants etc.

Use your own towels, our white towels are not to be used for this or outside, if so charges will apply by our supplier.

-Keep all food, drink, dirt and debris away.

Keep your nice cocktails (or mocktails) away from the tub or you’ll end up with a nastytubtale!

Failure to keep a tub clean can result in it being drained and closed for your health and safety.

If you want it to be re-filled to continue using it, charges will apply.

If broken glass is found in/around the tub it will be closed until it can be deep cleaned and thoroughly checked.

We only have your health, safety and enjoyment in mind so…

PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ THE FULL HOT TUB GUIDE IN THE SMALL PRINT BEFORE USE.

Access codes are provided to the lead guest only once check in online has been completed and the refundable security deposit has been paid.

The key is located inside an electronic key safe by the door to the property.

The code is specific to your booking and is only valid between your scheduled arrival date and time and departure date and time.

Please enter the code provided by email by pressing firmly (a “beep”/tone confirms each successful press) followed by the “tick” button.

If you make a mistake, press the “X” button then start again.

We strongly recommend that for security reasons and to avoid loss and subsequent lock replacement charges (our keys cannot be replicated), that you keep the keys in the key safe as much as possible. It also helps staff if they need to go into the property to carry out any urgent maintenance or checks in your absence.

The charge for lost keys is a minimum of £100.

Please see the Extras button/link below this property guide. Please bear in mind that requesting items may cause a call out for a member of staff so all costs must be covered. To summarise…

Dogs, Logs, High chairs, Extra car parking are available, also…

Hot tub/s – if you booked direct at a cheaper price and opted for no hot tub, you may order/purchase use of them if you change your mind.

Sauna – if you are not staying at Beresford, Beresford is unoccupied, and you ‘d like to use the sauna, this may also be possible via a booking form on our website, first come first served, and this can only requested and confirmed on the same day in case Beresford has a last minute booking. Currently under construction.

Normal departure time is by 10am.

In consideration of guests arriving after you, and our cleaning team, you are requested to vacate on your departure day on time please.

On the day of departure, staff may need to start early on the hot tub, and you may see cleaners nearby outside ready to start. Please don’t see this as added pressure, they just need to ensure they have enough time to prepare everything for our next guests.

Later departures, like early arrivals would normally not be possible to arrange in advance due to other potential/last minute bookings, and even if there is no new arrival after you, the cleaners and maintenance staff may already have had to schedule in cleaning your property at 10am to fit in with other demands company-wide for that day/week.

If possible, prices will be on application.

Before you leave, please…

• Leave your property in a clean state
• Remove all personal items, unused food and waste
• Stack the dishwasher and start it
• Ensure that there is no dirty cooking equipment.
• Bedding may be left in place (it helps our cleaners to check and count), unless soiled (in which case please bag it with a bin liner).
• Double check that all windows and doors are closed and locked.
• Place the keys back into the key safe and ensure it is closed and locked.

If you decide to leave early, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can secure the property.

As per The Small Print and terms of the Refundable Security Deposit, charges will be made for loss, damage or if excessive cleaning is required.

In general: 

Kindly do not move any furniture including beds as this can cause damage. 

As an exception at School House, you may put the two dining tables together if needed.

Do not take any furniture or supplied towels outside.

The croft at the back of the property is available for your use, please note however it is not a garden and is not mown regularly, please do not litter or leave behind any dog faeces.

School House is a listed building with some parts that date back to the 1500’s. It therefore has wooden floors, single glazed units, creaky doors and latches, this is all part of the buildings charm. Please treat it with respect but have a wonderful time!

Electricity & Fuse Boards – two switch boards; one located above the back door, one located in the cupboard in the corner of the ground floor bedroom. Standard UK 240 volts is supplied with plenty of 3 pin sockets throughout, but we have no USB sockets. Guests may use their own electrical equipment at their own risk. Please ensure that any electrical items of your own are sufficiently safe to use and are PAT tested – faulty equipment is dangerous and may result in your property’s supply being fused. Please do not overload electrical sockets and make sure you switch off equipment and remove from the socket when not in use, in particular, please ensure that any devices producing heat such as hair dryers, straighteners etc are never left plugged in. Please do not use extension cables or take anything electrical outside. Charging of Electric Vehicles (EV’s and PHEV’s) of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Appliances – please refer to any manuals within in the property. There is no air conditioning and we don’t provide cooling fans but feel free to bring your own fans if the weather is forecast to be hot. All electrical appliances in your holiday home, supplied by us, have been safety checked. All properties have a TV. When using microwaves, please do not place metal objects or aluminium foil inside, please ensure that the correct grill pan is used in the microwave and clean any debris immediately. Stove top kettles, if supplied, please ensure that you set the flame correctly (low-medium), turning the flame up too high will only serve to unnecessarily damage the kettle by burning its sides. Because of unfamiliarity, please take care to not burn your food and please wipe ovens/grills thoroughly after each use to avoid food sticking to the stove top and inside the oven.

Fridges/Freezers – please do not overload fridges or freezers or set the cooling thermostat too high (setting it to 3 should be sufficient). When the fridge has just been recently stocked it does take time to cool down. Please allow time for a full fridge to chill before assuming that it isn’t working. Please be very wary of placing heavy items on the shelves.

Laundry/Washer/Dryer/Ironing – please do not overload the washing machine and be aware that only small loads can be tumble dried. There is a clothes horse, iron and ironing board within the property.

Vacuum – please empty after use, do not over fill as this limits its ability.

Internal door locks – (bathroom doors etc) some may have been temporarily removed/disabled where worn pending replacement.

Fresh Water – The stop-taps are located in the cupboard to the right of the dishwasher under kitchen sink, and also on the gable end roadside of the house where the stone work meets the red brick. Our fresh tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as anywhere else in the U.K. Please kindly don’t tip any oils, or waste foods down the sink or flush anything other than toilet roll.

Toilet/Sinks – As we’re out in the country, for waste we use a septic tank system which is delicate, please only put toilet paper into the toilets and water only down the sink drains. Please dispose of anything else into the bins. Oils, fats, grease, chemicals & non-degradable materials such as wet wipes, sanitary towels etc will block the system.  

Dishwasher/Washing Up – please wipe waste food off plates etc into the bin (not rinsed down the sink in consideration of our water waste system) before loading into the dishwasher to avoid clogging. Please use only dishwasher tablets, never washing up liquid. 

Heating & Hot water – please take care that the shower door in the main bathroom is closed correctly when in use, failure to do so will result in water regressing through the floorboards into the dining area. Please be patient with our heating system. We recommend that you leave the controls as they have been set by our staff and boost the heat only as required by getting the fire and cosy atmosphere going using the logs provided. Individual room temperatures are controlled by the thermostatic radiator valves on the side of each radiator. The heating has been pre-set on a timer for your best comfort (located in the laundry, there is an old thermostat in the kitchen, however, this is part of an old system and is no longer in use). The control can be set to ON/OFF or WATER ONLY if you don’t require heating. Please be mindful to avoid unnecessary fuel wastage, ensuring that you don’t ever leave the heating to run constantly and please turn radiator valves down/off when going out/leaving the property empty, especially at the end of your stay. The hot water supply is set to constant. To ensure good pressure whilst showering we recommend that you stagger your groups bathing/showering times.

Furniture – kindly do not move any furniture including beds as this can cause damage and do not take any furniture or supplied towels outside. 

Waste – stored in one of the outbuildings. Our waste disposal service provider is “Peak Waste”. 

Glass is recycled separately, therefore please use the black plastic tub provided to collect glass bottles.

General waste – please place other waste in the wheelie bin, our waste service provider riddles through it with a machine to separate what can be recycled. 

WIFI

Please refer to the WiFi terms and conditions in The Small Print before use.

The WiFi password to add to your device and to the smart TV to access your own apps for the network (property name) is:

@amosholidayhomes

Please note that Apple devices often prefer and may only even detect 5G WiFi networks.

LOG BURNER (IF INSTALLED)

The log burner (if installed) takes clean, dried wood logs only, not coal. Coal will cause damage. Please do not use anything other than matches, paper and kindling to light the fire. Using flammable fire lighters will cause damage.

Keep lighters/matches away from children. Keep the door shut at all times. Please do not over fill it or shut the door on protruding logs this will break the special fire glass (replacement is costly and will be charged for). The exterior may become hot please show caution and ensure that children and dogs are kept away from it and use a glove provided in the property. Do not place anything on top of the log burner, or anything nearby which may be flammable. Do not leave a fire unattended or leave the property unless the log burner as been extinguished. All ashes must be deposited in the metal bucket provided and not tipped in the household bins. The burner will not require many logs to heat the property.

BARBECUE (IF INSTALLED)

Please use the barbecue area provided, do not leave it un-attended and ensure that it is fully out before going to bed. NO barbecues are to be used other than thos provided on the patio/allocated areas. Do not place hot items on the garden furniture. 

HOT TUBS (IF INSTALLED)

We have written about this in the Arrival section above as we feel it is most important that guests are informed about how best to use them on arrival and before use. Further details can be found in The Small Print.

IMPORTANT SAFETY/SECURITY NOTICE PLEASE RE-READ UPON ARRIVAL…

On arrival at your accommodation be sure to identify your fire extinguisher under the sink and fire blanket and ensure that all exits are kept clear of luggage, etc

FIRE ACTION

In the event of a fire:

1. Raise the alarm by shouting ‘FIRE’.

2. Vacate the property and alert your neighbours, if possible close windows and doors behind you.

3. Dial 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade.

4. Proceed to the assembly point at the main site entrance

5. Do not take risks, collect personal items or re-enter the building

No bonfires, fireworks or Chinese lanterns are allowed. Do not burn candles inside the property or leave out door candles unattended

SMOKING is NOT permitted inside. If smoking outside please dispose of cigarette materials correctly do not throw on the ground please.

IN THE EVENT OF ANY EMERGENCY, PLEASE ALWAYS CONTACT THE EMERGENCY SERVICES BY CALLING 999 or 112 FIRST.

THEN PLEASE INFORM US OF THE SITUATION VIA THE Help CONTACT FORM.

For anything urgent out of hours, please also use the Help contact form. This will reach numerous members of staff at once who will deal with your problem as soon as they reasonably can depending on availability, distance from your location and nature of the problem. Please be aware that out of hours staff have access to limited/no IT systems and therefore cannot deal with any admin.

For anything else the best course of action is to find and discuss questions with staff on site where available.

Please avoid calling our offices as the are not always staffed during office hours, and never staffed during evenings and weekends.

SMOKE DETECTOR

If this beeps with no smoke or fire present, then please inform the staff so we can then change the battery.

CARBON MONOXIDE

Detectors are fitted, if they should activate, vacate the property and contact us immediately for assistance.

FIRE BLANKET, EXTINGUISHER & SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Non-intrusive CCTV

Is provided on our sites for the security of guests and staff, and also to help with check in procedures etc, verification of ID, last minute bookings, persons who struggle with technology etc. For any questions contact Amos Holiday Homes.

MICROWAVES

Do not place metal objects or aluminium foil inside microwave. Ensure that the correct grill pan is used.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

All electrical appliances in your holiday home have been safety checked. Guests use their own electrical equipment at their own risk. Please do not overload electrical sockets and switch off equipment and remove from the socket when not in use. EV (electric vehicle) charging is strictly prohibited.

ROADS, DRIVES & PATHWAYS

The speed limit of 5 mph to be adhered to at all times. There is a mix of pedestrians, dogs, wildlife and vehicles on site. Drivers should be aware of this and, in particular, be aware of children playing and dogs. The principles of the highway code must be followed. All vehicles must be legally roadworthy (not off-road), driven by holders of a full, current and valid driving license, and with adequate thirdparty insurance. Please park your vehicle in the designated place provided, by your property. Please note that all vehicles are parked entirely at the owner’s risk. Don’t drink and drive! Remember that it is an offence to do so and this applies to all areas of the site.

WATER, WOODLANDS, WILDLIFE & PREMISES

No attempt to fish in water bodies, or wade into the water should ever be made. Please always supervise children and dogs near water. Do not allow children or dogs to enter any unauthorised areas. Incects are naturally present within the wood and rural area, please be aware of this.

BUILDING WORKS

Some of our properties may be new or recently refurbished. We will not rent out any property which is not finished and we will avoid where possible building works on any properties nearby that we may own during your stay. However, for obvious reasons we may need to carry out emergency repair work at any time at any property, and we cannot control any building work carried out by any neighbours (just like yours at home). Normal working hours are 8am – 5pm, all plant, materials and structure will be made safe at the end of each day and the working areas cordoned off. Due to your health and safety you must not enter an area being worked on whether it is fenced off or not (a gate may occasionally be opened during work times). Please be aware that although we may have built a neighbouring property, it may now be owned by somebody else so we cannot be held responsible for their actions.

SECURITY

Please report anything suspicious immediately via the Help contact form.

Any anti-social behaviour will be dealt with swiftly as will with all types of unreasonable behaviour and will result in the guest being removed from the site and their booking cancelled immediately as per our booking terms and conditions.

Please remember when you go out to shut all windows and doors. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the property is locked and secured, and the key returned to the key safe at the end of your stay

Strictly do not enter any of the surrounding properties or building areas CCTV records these areas at all times and police will be notified. 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

In the event of an emergency please call the appropriate service on 999 or 112.

Should you have a medical condition that you require advise on or require emergency dental treatment contact NHS Direct on 111 available 24 hours.

Your post code is ST10 7ND

24 hour A&E:

35 minutes / 14 miles – Royal Stoke University Hospital, Newcastle Rd, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG

01782 715444.

Open 24 hours. http://www.uhnm.nhs.uk

LINK FOR DIRECTIONS goo.gl/maps/kFkQ3RnJHaeAhtxr5

Minor injuries – Leek Moorlands Hospital, Ashbourne Road, Leek, ST13 5BQ (5 minutes / 2 miles) 0300 1231894. Open 8am – 8pm.

(currently reducing services so please check availability and opening times before travel)

LINK FOR DIRECTIONS goo.gl/maps/KJ5P85pmvFNpRUTG6

Closest Pharmacy 

There are several in Leek…

Boots, Superdrug and Well on Derby St

Lloyds (at Park Medical Centre), ST13 6QR

Lloyds, 15 Fountain St, ST13 6JS

Well, 16 Ball Haye St, ST13 6JW

You can find your nearest pharmacy with closing times via this very useful link with other medical resources such as GP’s, walk-in centres etc: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacies/out-of-hours-medicines/

ON BOOKING OUR ACCOMMODATION AND USING OUR SITE, PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES,

ALL GUESTS AND VISITORS  ARE ACCEPTING ALL OF THE ABOVE  INCLUDING LINKS TO OTHER TEXT ON OUR WEBSITE.

END

Thank you for reading! 🙂