The Portland | Safari tent in Derbyshire | Canopy & Stars
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The Gathering is a place that defines family holidays; bathing in waterfalls, hikes in the idyllic moorlands of the High Peak and bonfires by the stream. Paraffin lamps and wool-jacketed hot water bottles give you the comfort and tradition of an old Victorian Shooting Lodge, but with the excitement of sleeping under canvas, with stars above and Swaledale sheep below.
The wood-fired heater warms enough water to have a steaming roll top bath in half an hour – perfect after a long walk around the peaks. Still need to cosy up? Each tent has a fire cauldron and bbq and a private deck with comfy chairs or you can build a big bonfire down by the stream.
Kids love clambering up rocks to pick bilberries in the valley above the bluebell woods. Stiffer walks take you on to the Kinder plateau, with views out to the west coast on a clear day, and over the rolling Pennines to the North. To the south is the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, with its caverns open to visitors below. Edale is the starting point for some of the best open-access walks in England and the official start of The Pennine Way. Corner Kirsty or Tommy for advice on suitability, but the meantime check out the ‘Activities’ tab to whet your hiker’s appetite.
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Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 4:30 PM
Check out: 10:00 AM
Please bring wellies or walking boots and a torch
Horses welcome at £50 per day, please call to book
Sleeping arrangements
1 king size room, 2 twin rooms
Extra space available
Space
for 2 pets
from £25 per pet per stay for dogs (£25 for up to 2 dogs so you just pay for 1. Please add note to booking if 1 or 2 dogs).
Space
for 1 baby
no charge.
Cot and high chair provided. Please bring your own bedding
Kids & Pets
Children are very welcome - it's a paradise for them! Dogs and horses also welcome, but sorry no cats
Cooking
Kitchen equipped with wood fired stove with hob and roasting oven, gas hob, cool box, sink with hot water
Crockery, cutlery and glassware is provided
Outdoor BBQ
Washing
Private bathroom
Roll top bath with shower head
Flushing loo
Heating, lighting & bedding
The main source of heat is the wood burner in living space
Cotton bed linen and towels provided
Lighting - paraffin lamps, candles and nightlights
Plug socket available for equipment charging
Entertainment
In the tent
OS Maps centred on The Gathering
Board games
On the Rhododendron terrace by the stream:
Large bonfire area with log seating for up to 15, fire pit available on request
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Travel & Parking
The car park has one space for The Portland, and one space for another nearby tent
There is space to manoeuvre a wheelchair around the car
The path from the car park to the space is a flat gravel track, which may become muddy in wet weather
Site & Space Access
There are no steps from the parking to the space
There is a 15cm step into the space
The main entrance to the tent is 102 cm wide, through the tent flap
All of the bedroom doors and the hallway door are 83cm wide
The bathroom door is 73cm wide
The mirror in the bathroom cannot be lowered
Mobility Aid
There are no accessibility fitting available at this space
Getting there
Grindslow House, Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, S33 7ZD
Edale Station is less than 1 mile away and has direct lines from Sheffield and Manchester.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is less than a mile away - you can walk to The Gathering in 15 mins
By car
The Ryedale parking is 20 yards away from the tent with wheelchair access and parking for the other tents is about 150 yards away
From the North East, leave M1 southbound at junction 36, heading for North Sheffield from the roundabout. You are now just under one hour from The Gathering. At next roundabout take third exit onto A616 towards Manchester. After 7 miles turn left to Midhopestones and ‘The Mustard Pot’ pub. Follow that rural road for 20 minutes across Strines Moor until T-junction. Turn right down the hill. At reservoir traffic lights turn left over bridge and continue to Bamford village. At bottom of hill turn right at traffic lights by petrol station. Continue 3 miles to Hope. As you follow road around the right hand side of the church in Hope, turn right just after the Old Hall Inn. You are now on the Edale road. Follow this out of Hope for 5 miles until you come to Edale car park and just after it the main Edale village road on your right. Turn right and continue to the Nags Head pub. Just behind the pub, the road turns from tarmac to gravel – take this gravel road to the end and you will arrive at The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the South East, leave M1 northbound at junction 29, heading for Chesterfield. You are 50 minutes from Edale at this point. As you enter Chesterfield take the third exit from the large roundabout, following the brown tourist signs for Chatsworth. Take first exit at next roundabout and then keep going straight through Chesterfield, still following Chatsworth signs. Follow A619 to Baslow. In Baslow village turn right at the roundabout by the church, to follow A623 towards Stockport. At traffic lights in Calver next to BP Petrol Station and SPAR shop, turn right. Follow road to Grindleford, and turn left just after the Mount Pleasant Garage, signposted Hathersage. At T-junction in Hathersage turn left and continue to Hope. As the road swings to the right of the church in Hope, turn right onto small Edale road just after the Old Hall Inn. Continue c. 6 miles until you come to Edale car park and just after it the main Edale village road on your right. Turn right and continue to the Nags Head pub. Just behind the pub, the road turns from tarmac to gravel – take this gravel road and you will arrive at The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the South West, leave M5 northbound at Junction 15 for Stoke. You are now just over one hour from The Gathering. Follow signs for A50, Uttoxeter and Derby. This will bring you onto the dual carriageway A50 Stoke through-road, past the football stadium. Follow the dual carriageway for about 4 miles, looking for sign to LEEK A520 to the left. This takes you off the A50 to a roundabout by the Douglas Macmillan Hospice shop. Turn left at the roundabout and follow A520 to Leek. Beware multiple speed cameras! In Leek after golf course and Co-op Bank roundabout go uphill and then turn right at the traffic lights just after you’ve crested the hill. Go through town centre past war memorial traffic lights, then right at the next traffic lights following A53 for BUXTON. As you come into Buxton continue straight through all junctions until you come to a T-junction in front of the Palace Hotel. Take the road to the right that curls around the hotel, turning left at the next roundabout and past the railway station and ALDI store following signs for Manchester and Stockport A6. These take you straight over next roundabout, then left at 2nd roundabout under railway arches, and left again at 3rd roundabout. This takes you out through the golf course on the A6 towards Stockport. Continue through DOVE HOLES village, and at the roundabout at bottom of hill when you leave Dove Holes, turn right, following sign for Chesterfield. Up the hill to the Wanted Inn (half a mile or so) where you take the left turn with brown tourist sign to Blue John Mine and Castleton. Follow this road for c. 3 miles then swing left, ignoring the right hand turn for Castleton. The road swings back on itself, then as you head uphill with a small wood on your right, you’ll see a small sign for EDALE to the right, through the wood. This takes you over the pass into Edale Valley. Follow the road down and along the bottom of the valley until you reach the sign to the left for Edale station (there is a red telephone box on your right – another clue). Take the road to the left and continue straight ahead for 1 mile, continue past the Nags Head Pub and take the gravel track where the tarmac ends. This is the private drive for The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the North West, leave M6 at junction 20A onto M56 towards Manchester. You are now just over one hour from The Gathering. From M56 exit at junction 6 Manchester Airport, following signs for WILMSLOW on A538. As you enter Wilmslow, the A538 crosses the railway tracks over a bridge. At next roundabout turn left onto A34. After a few hundred yards turn left at 2nd roundabout, then right at 3rd roundabout just after, onto Dean Row. After a few hundred yards cross the first roundabout, then left at 2nd roundabout by Shell petrol station. At next roundabout turn right. You are now on B5358. After two miles you pass some plant nurseries, then the road takes a sharp right. On that corner, you turn left, signposted Adlington Hall. Continue on that road straight over traffic light junction by the Legh Arms pub. Follow the country road up onto the moor until you get to Pott Shrigley, where you turn left by the church. Continue climbing until you get to T-junction on the summit. Turn left and continue into WHALEY BRIDGE. At traffic light junction turn left, go through main street and out the other side past Tesco. Turn right at roundabout onto A6. After 2 miles and another roundabout take exit left for Rushup, Edale and Castleton. Follow this road for 2miles until you see Edale turn to your left through a small wood. This takes you up over the pass into Edale Valley. Follow the road down and along the bottom of the valley until you reach the sign to the left for Edale station (there is a red telephone box on your right – another clue). Take the road to the left and continue straight ahead for 1 mile, continue past the Nags Head Pub and take the gravel track where the tarmac ends. This is the private drive for The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow, please call ahead as will need to amend these instructions!
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Food & Drink
At The Gathering
Barbecue boxes from award-winning local butcher can be arranged
Pubs & Restaurants
Newfold Farm (1 min walk) - Cafe and bistro close-by
Chinley Old Hall Inn - 20 mins by car, 10 mins by train, 4 hours on foot! - A fine gastro pub and restaurant which is a fitting reward for a beautiful 4 hour walk from The Gathering, yet only a 10 minute return train ride.
The Nags Head and The Rambler Inn - a few hundred yards away - These are the two village pubs. The Nags Head is the official start of the Pennine Way and is a Ramblers’ haven. The Rambler Inn is good for food and has a nice garden with amazing views.
Read more
Activities
Outdoor & Active - Tom & Kirsty can give you a detailed guide on all activities below, but here is a taster of what's on offer
Walks, hikes, rambler, climbs and picnic spots:
Edale is the starting point for some of the best open-access walks in England and the official start of The Pennine Way. There are lots of lovely circular walks and some lower, flatter walks suitable for younger children, alongside some tough climbs and full day out yomps on the top of Kinder Plateau
There are some maps in your tent – if you would like any advice on routes and suitability please corner either Kirsty or Tommy to plan your day out. In the meantime here are some simple routes to get you started…
A Stroll from Edale to Ollerbrook Booth. Circular route. 10 minutes there and 15 minutes back! And very FLAT! Perfect for little ones with little legs and those in the mood for an evening stroll
Up the Nab and down to Ollerbrook and back via Nags Head Pub. Circular route. Allow an hour for grown-up legs. Nice safe walk on a stone path that gets your heart pumping on the climb up and delivers magnificent views of the village and valley below. Ends at the pub for a well-deserved drink
Up Grindsbrook and back to the village along the Pennine Way. Circular Route. Allow 40 minutes – or more if you head further upstream (some great pools and waterfalls to splash in and picnic spots in abundance). Having a picnic in the beautiful open moorland of Grindsbrook with kids building dams in the steam is one of life’s best moments. If the weather isn’t great for a picnic, tog up for wet weather and kids will enjoy leaping over the stream as you climb higher up Grindsbrook – a simple form of canyoning!
Up to Upper Booth and back on lower route. Circular Route. Allow 2.5 hours – a gently rolling walk half way up the valley and back along the bottom of the valley. A lovely afternoon/morning walk which is not too strenuous on the knees (i.e. you are not heading up the tops of the hills but gliding along the middle!). Head to the Rambler for supper or lunch on return
...and some bigger walks:
Around Kinder Plateau- Circular Route - 5 hours - Around Kinder from Grindsbrook and back down Jacob’s Ladder, passing through the incredible Woolpack Stones that inspired artists such as Henry Moore. Refer to map
Over Mam Tor to Castleton or along Mam Tor to Hope- One way return via taxi or train (or walk if feeling hardy!) - 2 hours - Head up Mam Tor (the big across the valley!) – from there you can drop down into Castleton (lots of pubs and cafes for lunch) or keep going along the spine and drop down Losehill to Hope (spa hotel Losehill or The Cheshire Cheese Pub for lunch). Then if the legs are too tired to return, jump on the train back to Edale (one stop from Hope) or call 2Nice taxis in Hope 01433 623427. Trains from Hope (allow 8 minutes journey time) at 14.41; 16.39; 17.39; 18.39; 19.39; 21.09; 23.13 (Sundays 13.40; 15.40; 16.40; 17.40; 18.41; 19.41; 22.40)
Mountain Biking
Edale is teeming with great mountain bike routes right from the village. Please see the maps in the tents for routes. We have a couple of spare bikes here if you haven’t brought your own.
Places to visit
On your doorstep...
The Moorland Centre - if you are new to the area and want to understand the moors, wildlife and management, kick off your visit here. Also if it is chucking it down it is all indoors and – with little children – can fill in a wet morning… walk to the centre, let them run around, then hit a café to recover!
Castles, caves and caverns - there are four show caves open to the public in and around Castleton: Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Mine; and Peveril Castle is definitely worth a visit
30 minute radius -
The Plague Village, Eyam - Eyam is a fascinating place to visit and well-worth the 30 minutes’ drive – the small museum is filled with facts that will keep the kids intrigued
The Lido, Hathersage - a great pool for kids and grown-ups (lane swimming down one side) with a fabulous grassy area for lounging. Access to the café from the pool for hot drinks, icecreams and chips! Check the public swimming times with Tom and Kirsty before heading over. A fun day out with the kids is to take the train from Edale then 2 minutes’ walk to the pool, followed by a lazy brunch/lunch at the wonderful Hathersage Social Club (open Thurs – Sunday)
Ladybower Dam - The Three Reservoirs cycle trail - Set amid a landscape of moorland and vast reservoirs, this 18-mile (28.9km) cycle ride circumnavigates the Howden, Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs providing some spectacular views. Suitable as a family cycle-route or for the more energetic riders out there, this impressive location has something for everyone. This 18-mile (28.9km) loop has an undulating but almost continuously hard surface around its length and the paths have recently been improved. The northern edge is the most challenging. These trails are often busy at times with a mixture of cyclists, walkers and horse riders. Cycle hire Derwent- situated in the picturesque Derwent Valley; it is accessed from the A57. START: Fairholmes car park, grid ref: SK173893
Ladybower Fisheries - 13 miles of bank fishing available, with 15 fishing boats for hire
Chatsworth - a visit to Derbyshire without dropping into Chatsworth would be remiss. The children’s play area is incredible with an enormous sandpit and diggers and huge climbing areas. The farmyard allows you to interact with a wide variety of animals and if you are lucky you might catch lambing or the arrival of new piglets! You can pay just for the children’s area without having to buy tickets for the main house
Haddon Hall - a magical place to visit for grown-ups – although older children will be fascinated by the history of the place and incredible old kitchens!
Bakewell - If you like a Bakewell tart or pudding then drop by – but don’t make it a day out in itself… worth a nod if you are heading to Haddon Hall or Chatsworth
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Meet your hosts
Meet Tom & Kirsty
Tom’s family have lived in Edale since 1640, and he and Kirsty took over the farm and shooting estate in 2009. Their dream is to create a wow location for people to come together to relax, to bond, and to be creative. They specialise in family gatherings and cultural retreats. Tom worked for the Flying Doctors in Kenya for 7 years, and was inspired by safari experiences to establish the ambience and luxury of an African safari in this stunning place. Kirsty runs an International Writers’ Retreat, with tutors and students from the world over.
About The Gathering
The Gathering is a private hideaway in the stunning Peak District National Park. Easily accessible by car (3 hrs from London) or train via Edale station, you arrive and imagine yourself to be in the Scottish Highlands: tall gritstone crags lead up to the heather moorland of Kinder Scout from the pretty village of Edale, all quarried from the hills above. Edale is the official start of the Pennine Way and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but at The Gathering you are blissfully unaware of their presence.
The farm itself was established as a shooting estate in the 1880s and the Victorian shooting lodge has hosted guests ever since, not just for grouse shooting but also for holidays and cultural retreats. The lower pasture holds a flock of hardy swaledale sheep and the moorland above is open to all. The pretty stream of Grindsbrook is a favourite with children – clambering up rocks and waterfalls to pick bilberries in the valley above the bluebell woods. Stiffer walks take you on to the Kinder plateau, with views out to the west coast on a clear day, and over the rolling Pennines to the North. To the south is the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, with its caverns open to visitors below.
Wildlife & Environment
Edale Moor sits on the southern end of the Kinder Plateau, a great Pennine gritstone bathelith that rises from the limestone dales to the South. The Gathering looks onto the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, and is nestled in indigenous woodland along Grindsbrook, the peaty stream that brings beer-coloured water from the moorland above. A 100 m climb takes you onto the heather moorland, with awesome views, rare ground-nesting birds (curlew, plover, lapwing, red grouse), bilberries, and protected peat bogs – the largest natural peat store in Europe. Gritsone crags are home to a nesting pair of Peregrines as well as sparrowhawk and buzzard. Sheep roam without walls on these moorlands, and strange rock formations, weathered by the wind, jut out like Henry Moore sculptures. Edale is the official start of the 256 mile Pennine Way, which climbs the Pennine spine of Britain to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. The valley is a destination not only for walkers, but also for paragliders, mountain bikers, artists, photographers and writers. Wordsworth wrote of the beauty of Grindsbrook; Lord Byron is an ancestor of Tom’s and wrote of the splendour of the surrounding area of Derbyshire.
The Gathering is a place that defines family holidays; bathing in waterfalls, hikes in the idyllic moorlands of the High Peak and bonfires by the stream. Paraffin lamps and wool-jacketed hot water bottles give you the comfort and tradition of an old Victorian Shooting Lodge, but with the excitement of sleeping under canvas, with stars above and Swaledale sheep below.
The wood-fired heater warms enough water to have a steaming roll top bath in half an hour – perfect after a long walk around the peaks. Still need to cosy up? Each tent has a fire cauldron and bbq and a private deck with comfy chairs or you can build a big bonfire down by the stream.
Kids love clambering up rocks to pick bilberries in the valley above the bluebell woods. Stiffer walks take you on to the Kinder plateau, with views out to the west coast on a clear day, and over the rolling Pennines to the North. To the south is the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, with its caverns open to visitors below. Edale is the starting point for some of the best open-access walks in England and the official start of The Pennine Way. Corner Kirsty or Tommy for advice on suitability, but the meantime check out the ‘Activities’ tab to whet your hiker’s appetite.
Edale Station is less than 1 mile away and has direct lines from Sheffield and Manchester.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is less than a mile away - you can walk to The Gathering in 15 mins
By car
The Ryedale parking is 20 yards away from the tent with wheelchair access and parking for the other tents is about 150 yards away
From the North East, leave M1 southbound at junction 36, heading for North Sheffield from the roundabout. You are now just under one hour from The Gathering. At next roundabout take third exit onto A616 towards Manchester. After 7 miles turn left to Midhopestones and ‘The Mustard Pot’ pub. Follow that rural road for 20 minutes across Strines Moor until T-junction. Turn right down the hill. At reservoir traffic lights turn left over bridge and continue to Bamford village. At bottom of hill turn right at traffic lights by petrol station. Continue 3 miles to Hope. As you follow road around the right hand side of the church in Hope, turn right just after the Old Hall Inn. You are now on the Edale road. Follow this out of Hope for 5 miles until you come to Edale car park and just after it the main Edale village road on your right. Turn right and continue to the Nags Head pub. Just behind the pub, the road turns from tarmac to gravel – take this gravel road to the end and you will arrive at The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the South East, leave M1 northbound at junction 29, heading for Chesterfield. You are 50 minutes from Edale at this point. As you enter Chesterfield take the third exit from the large roundabout, following the brown tourist signs for Chatsworth. Take first exit at next roundabout and then keep going straight through Chesterfield, still following Chatsworth signs. Follow A619 to Baslow. In Baslow village turn right at the roundabout by the church, to follow A623 towards Stockport. At traffic lights in Calver next to BP Petrol Station and SPAR shop, turn right. Follow road to Grindleford, and turn left just after the Mount Pleasant Garage, signposted Hathersage. At T-junction in Hathersage turn left and continue to Hope. As the road swings to the right of the church in Hope, turn right onto small Edale road just after the Old Hall Inn. Continue c. 6 miles until you come to Edale car park and just after it the main Edale village road on your right. Turn right and continue to the Nags Head pub. Just behind the pub, the road turns from tarmac to gravel – take this gravel road and you will arrive at The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the South West, leave M5 northbound at Junction 15 for Stoke. You are now just over one hour from The Gathering. Follow signs for A50, Uttoxeter and Derby. This will bring you onto the dual carriageway A50 Stoke through-road, past the football stadium. Follow the dual carriageway for about 4 miles, looking for sign to LEEK A520 to the left. This takes you off the A50 to a roundabout by the Douglas Macmillan Hospice shop. Turn left at the roundabout and follow A520 to Leek. Beware multiple speed cameras! In Leek after golf course and Co-op Bank roundabout go uphill and then turn right at the traffic lights just after you’ve crested the hill. Go through town centre past war memorial traffic lights, then right at the next traffic lights following A53 for BUXTON. As you come into Buxton continue straight through all junctions until you come to a T-junction in front of the Palace Hotel. Take the road to the right that curls around the hotel, turning left at the next roundabout and past the railway station and ALDI store following signs for Manchester and Stockport A6. These take you straight over next roundabout, then left at 2nd roundabout under railway arches, and left again at 3rd roundabout. This takes you out through the golf course on the A6 towards Stockport. Continue through DOVE HOLES village, and at the roundabout at bottom of hill when you leave Dove Holes, turn right, following sign for Chesterfield. Up the hill to the Wanted Inn (half a mile or so) where you take the left turn with brown tourist sign to Blue John Mine and Castleton. Follow this road for c. 3 miles then swing left, ignoring the right hand turn for Castleton. The road swings back on itself, then as you head uphill with a small wood on your right, you’ll see a small sign for EDALE to the right, through the wood. This takes you over the pass into Edale Valley. Follow the road down and along the bottom of the valley until you reach the sign to the left for Edale station (there is a red telephone box on your right – another clue). Take the road to the left and continue straight ahead for 1 mile, continue past the Nags Head Pub and take the gravel track where the tarmac ends. This is the private drive for The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow please call ahead as we will need to amend these instructions.
From the North West, leave M6 at junction 20A onto M56 towards Manchester. You are now just over one hour from The Gathering. From M56 exit at junction 6 Manchester Airport, following signs for WILMSLOW on A538. As you enter Wilmslow, the A538 crosses the railway tracks over a bridge. At next roundabout turn left onto A34. After a few hundred yards turn left at 2nd roundabout, then right at 3rd roundabout just after, onto Dean Row. After a few hundred yards cross the first roundabout, then left at 2nd roundabout by Shell petrol station. At next roundabout turn right. You are now on B5358. After two miles you pass some plant nurseries, then the road takes a sharp right. On that corner, you turn left, signposted Adlington Hall. Continue on that road straight over traffic light junction by the Legh Arms pub. Follow the country road up onto the moor until you get to Pott Shrigley, where you turn left by the church. Continue climbing until you get to T-junction on the summit. Turn left and continue into WHALEY BRIDGE. At traffic light junction turn left, go through main street and out the other side past Tesco. Turn right at roundabout onto A6. After 2 miles and another roundabout take exit left for Rushup, Edale and Castleton. Follow this road for 2miles until you see Edale turn to your left through a small wood. This takes you up over the pass into Edale Valley. Follow the road down and along the bottom of the valley until you reach the sign to the left for Edale station (there is a red telephone box on your right – another clue). Take the road to the left and continue straight ahead for 1 mile, continue past the Nags Head Pub and take the gravel track where the tarmac ends. This is the private drive for The Gathering. Our telephone number is 01433 670 203. There is no mobile reception once you enter the Edale valley, so turn it off and relax. NB in case of snow, please call ahead as will need to amend these instructions!
Barbecue boxes from award-winning local butcher can be arranged
Pubs & Restaurants
Newfold Farm (1 min walk) - Cafe and bistro close-by
Chinley Old Hall Inn - 20 mins by car, 10 mins by train, 4 hours on foot! - A fine gastro pub and restaurant which is a fitting reward for a beautiful 4 hour walk from The Gathering, yet only a 10 minute return train ride.
The Nags Head and The Rambler Inn - a few hundred yards away - These are the two village pubs. The Nags Head is the official start of the Pennine Way and is a Ramblers’ haven. The Rambler Inn is good for food and has a nice garden with amazing views.
Outdoor & Active - Tom & Kirsty can give you a detailed guide on all activities below, but here is a taster of what's on offer
Walks, hikes, rambler, climbs and picnic spots:
Edale is the starting point for some of the best open-access walks in England and the official start of The Pennine Way. There are lots of lovely circular walks and some lower, flatter walks suitable for younger children, alongside some tough climbs and full day out yomps on the top of Kinder Plateau
There are some maps in your tent – if you would like any advice on routes and suitability please corner either Kirsty or Tommy to plan your day out. In the meantime here are some simple routes to get you started…
A Stroll from Edale to Ollerbrook Booth. Circular route. 10 minutes there and 15 minutes back! And very FLAT! Perfect for little ones with little legs and those in the mood for an evening stroll
Up the Nab and down to Ollerbrook and back via Nags Head Pub. Circular route. Allow an hour for grown-up legs. Nice safe walk on a stone path that gets your heart pumping on the climb up and delivers magnificent views of the village and valley below. Ends at the pub for a well-deserved drink
Up Grindsbrook and back to the village along the Pennine Way. Circular Route. Allow 40 minutes – or more if you head further upstream (some great pools and waterfalls to splash in and picnic spots in abundance). Having a picnic in the beautiful open moorland of Grindsbrook with kids building dams in the steam is one of life’s best moments. If the weather isn’t great for a picnic, tog up for wet weather and kids will enjoy leaping over the stream as you climb higher up Grindsbrook – a simple form of canyoning!
Up to Upper Booth and back on lower route. Circular Route. Allow 2.5 hours – a gently rolling walk half way up the valley and back along the bottom of the valley. A lovely afternoon/morning walk which is not too strenuous on the knees (i.e. you are not heading up the tops of the hills but gliding along the middle!). Head to the Rambler for supper or lunch on return
...and some bigger walks:
Around Kinder Plateau- Circular Route - 5 hours - Around Kinder from Grindsbrook and back down Jacob’s Ladder, passing through the incredible Woolpack Stones that inspired artists such as Henry Moore. Refer to map
Over Mam Tor to Castleton or along Mam Tor to Hope- One way return via taxi or train (or walk if feeling hardy!) - 2 hours - Head up Mam Tor (the big across the valley!) – from there you can drop down into Castleton (lots of pubs and cafes for lunch) or keep going along the spine and drop down Losehill to Hope (spa hotel Losehill or The Cheshire Cheese Pub for lunch). Then if the legs are too tired to return, jump on the train back to Edale (one stop from Hope) or call 2Nice taxis in Hope 01433 623427. Trains from Hope (allow 8 minutes journey time) at 14.41; 16.39; 17.39; 18.39; 19.39; 21.09; 23.13 (Sundays 13.40; 15.40; 16.40; 17.40; 18.41; 19.41; 22.40)
Mountain Biking
Edale is teeming with great mountain bike routes right from the village. Please see the maps in the tents for routes. We have a couple of spare bikes here if you haven’t brought your own.
Places to visit
On your doorstep...
The Moorland Centre - if you are new to the area and want to understand the moors, wildlife and management, kick off your visit here. Also if it is chucking it down it is all indoors and – with little children – can fill in a wet morning… walk to the centre, let them run around, then hit a café to recover!
Castles, caves and caverns - there are four show caves open to the public in and around Castleton: Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Mine; and Peveril Castle is definitely worth a visit
30 minute radius -
The Plague Village, Eyam - Eyam is a fascinating place to visit and well-worth the 30 minutes’ drive – the small museum is filled with facts that will keep the kids intrigued
The Lido, Hathersage - a great pool for kids and grown-ups (lane swimming down one side) with a fabulous grassy area for lounging. Access to the café from the pool for hot drinks, icecreams and chips! Check the public swimming times with Tom and Kirsty before heading over. A fun day out with the kids is to take the train from Edale then 2 minutes’ walk to the pool, followed by a lazy brunch/lunch at the wonderful Hathersage Social Club (open Thurs – Sunday)
Ladybower Dam - The Three Reservoirs cycle trail - Set amid a landscape of moorland and vast reservoirs, this 18-mile (28.9km) cycle ride circumnavigates the Howden, Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs providing some spectacular views. Suitable as a family cycle-route or for the more energetic riders out there, this impressive location has something for everyone. This 18-mile (28.9km) loop has an undulating but almost continuously hard surface around its length and the paths have recently been improved. The northern edge is the most challenging. These trails are often busy at times with a mixture of cyclists, walkers and horse riders. Cycle hire Derwent- situated in the picturesque Derwent Valley; it is accessed from the A57. START: Fairholmes car park, grid ref: SK173893
Ladybower Fisheries - 13 miles of bank fishing available, with 15 fishing boats for hire
Chatsworth - a visit to Derbyshire without dropping into Chatsworth would be remiss. The children’s play area is incredible with an enormous sandpit and diggers and huge climbing areas. The farmyard allows you to interact with a wide variety of animals and if you are lucky you might catch lambing or the arrival of new piglets! You can pay just for the children’s area without having to buy tickets for the main house
Haddon Hall - a magical place to visit for grown-ups – although older children will be fascinated by the history of the place and incredible old kitchens!
Bakewell - If you like a Bakewell tart or pudding then drop by – but don’t make it a day out in itself… worth a nod if you are heading to Haddon Hall or Chatsworth
Tom’s family have lived in Edale since 1640, and he and Kirsty took over the farm and shooting estate in 2009. Their dream is to create a wow location for people to come together to relax, to bond, and to be creative. They specialise in family gatherings and cultural retreats. Tom worked for the Flying Doctors in Kenya for 7 years, and was inspired by safari experiences to establish the ambience and luxury of an African safari in this stunning place. Kirsty runs an International Writers’ Retreat, with tutors and students from the world over.
About The Gathering
The Gathering is a private hideaway in the stunning Peak District National Park. Easily accessible by car (3 hrs from London) or train via Edale station, you arrive and imagine yourself to be in the Scottish Highlands: tall gritstone crags lead up to the heather moorland of Kinder Scout from the pretty village of Edale, all quarried from the hills above. Edale is the official start of the Pennine Way and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but at The Gathering you are blissfully unaware of their presence.
The farm itself was established as a shooting estate in the 1880s and the Victorian shooting lodge has hosted guests ever since, not just for grouse shooting but also for holidays and cultural retreats. The lower pasture holds a flock of hardy swaledale sheep and the moorland above is open to all. The pretty stream of Grindsbrook is a favourite with children – clambering up rocks and waterfalls to pick bilberries in the valley above the bluebell woods. Stiffer walks take you on to the Kinder plateau, with views out to the west coast on a clear day, and over the rolling Pennines to the North. To the south is the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, with its caverns open to visitors below.
Wildlife & Environment
Edale Moor sits on the southern end of the Kinder Plateau, a great Pennine gritstone bathelith that rises from the limestone dales to the South. The Gathering looks onto the Iron Age hill fort of Mam Tor, and is nestled in indigenous woodland along Grindsbrook, the peaty stream that brings beer-coloured water from the moorland above. A 100 m climb takes you onto the heather moorland, with awesome views, rare ground-nesting birds (curlew, plover, lapwing, red grouse), bilberries, and protected peat bogs – the largest natural peat store in Europe. Gritsone crags are home to a nesting pair of Peregrines as well as sparrowhawk and buzzard. Sheep roam without walls on these moorlands, and strange rock formations, weathered by the wind, jut out like Henry Moore sculptures. Edale is the official start of the 256 mile Pennine Way, which climbs the Pennine spine of Britain to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. The valley is a destination not only for walkers, but also for paragliders, mountain bikers, artists, photographers and writers. Wordsworth wrote of the beauty of Grindsbrook; Lord Byron is an ancestor of Tom’s and wrote of the splendour of the surrounding area of Derbyshire.
We felt really welcomed at the Portland. Tommy was great and went through everything. The vibe there is so peaceful and nothing is any trouble. We loved the tent - everything you need and a step up from glamping. Also great for our dogs.
06/09/2024
Anna
Absolutely wonderful! Hosts with very helpful. The tent was equipped and spaced out. Fresh veggies in the garden. Lots of freedom to explore.
12/08/2024
Rebecca
INCREDIBLE! What a place! Beautiful safari tents, lovely helpful hosts, idyllic location. Our kids adored the private creek to play in. The local pub served incredible food. The beds were so comfy. This holiday was nothing short of 5 stars!
10/05/2024
Kate
We had the most wonderful stay at the Portland. The location is superb with beautiful walks, cycling and wild swimming on the doorstep. We didn't use the car for a whole week. The safari tents are well equipped, very comfortable, and have lots of space inside and out. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We were lucky to have amazing weather. Highly recommend. Our best clamping experience to date.
10/08/2020
Graham
We had a wonderful break at The Gathering. The tent and facilities were superb. The stoves soon warmed the cold mornings and the beds were so comfy we didn’t want to leave them. The views from the tent were amazing across the fields to the hills. The staff were all very helpful coming along each morning to replenish the logs and give tips on the local area when asked. Lovely walks from the site along the stream behind the tents. Kids had a great time too, playing on the grass next to the tent. Would totally recommend this fantastic place and would love to go back
08/04/2019
Neville
Really fun stay and excellent facilities. Cosy and comfortable. Hosts were great and couldn’t do enough. Fabulous walks and although rather a lot of sheep, our dog Oaddy has a great time too.
27/08/2018
Ecky
Excellent way to share a family holiday - we had a great time. Our party consisted of brothers age 13 and 14, their parents and their grandparents. So perfect accommodation with 2 per room, and much more space than anticipated.
We stayed 4 nights and self catered -had fun using the wood stove to cook and heat water for the shower. A few arguments over who used up all the hot water and didn't put another log in the burner which just added to the hilarity of the holiday. As did toasting sour marshmallow over the open fire using a broken walking stick as the marshmallow holder. We did energetic walks from the Gatherings on 2 days and went to Treak Caves another day. The weather was mixed - a bit of rain and wind but sunny spells as well. After the long hot weeks it was comforting to sleep under a duvet to keep warm!
13/08/2018
Carolyn
The best stay yet! Tommy and Kirsty are the perfect hosts. Nothing was too much trouble . The gathering is the jewel in the peak district's crown .
18/06/2018
Anna
Most beautiful part of the Peak District we've seen and most luxorious tents ever with luxury bathrooms!
28/08/2017
Claire
The Gathering is outstanding. The hosts could not have been more helpful, the safari tent and facilities excellent, and the location superb. Our stay will be remembered with great nostalgia, and we certainly hope to return. The stoves - for heat, cooking and water, needed some expertise but we thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
22/08/2016
Anne
Magical
05/08/2016
Katherine
We had a great week at The Portland. The location is fantastic, wonderful scenery and lots to do. Tom and all the team were really welcoming and couldn't do more to make sure we had a great time. Tents were fabulous, stylishly kitted out, comfy beds amd everything that you would need. A really memorable holiday.
01/08/2016
Lesley
Had an amazing holiday, beautiful surroundings, gorgeous tents and lovely hosts. Just perfect, couldn't have asked for more.
25/07/2016
Elaine
It was fabulous. Accommodation very comfortable. Kitchen well stocked. Bathrooms almost as good as home - flushing loo, shower. We went with another family who stayed in the tent next door and the 2 tents were in a walled area together which was perfect as we were able put our extendable dog play pen across the ungated drive so the dogs could run around and play. Lots of space around the tent. Lovely walks and found a fabulous pub based on owners recommendation. Pizzas on sale at bottom of the drive 2 w/e nights which was very handy
15/07/2016
Catherine
We had a great family time. Members of the family enjoyed the camping experience with the home comforts that the safari tents provided and all that set in beautiful scenery. Tommy and Kirsty were great hosts and looked after us well.
03/06/2016
Rosemary
An absolute diamond in the rough - almost literally! This is a place where the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to remember what regular life is like. Without a doubt, this will be a place of laughter, love and memories, all while surrounded by a landscape only the Peak District delivers.
18/12/2015
Nada, Canopy & Stars
Reviews
We felt really welcomed at the Portland. Tommy was great and went through everything. The vibe there is so peaceful and nothing is any trouble. We loved the tent - everything you need and a step up from glamping. Also great for our dogs.
06/09/2024
Anna
Absolutely wonderful! Hosts with very helpful. The tent was equipped and spaced out. Fresh veggies in the garden. Lots of freedom to explore.
12/08/2024
Rebecca
INCREDIBLE! What a place! Beautiful safari tents, lovely helpful hosts, idyllic location. Our kids adored the private creek to play in. The local pub served incredible food. The beds were so comfy. This holiday was nothing short of 5 stars!
10/05/2024
Kate
We had the most wonderful stay at the Portland. The location is superb with beautiful walks, cycling and wild swimming on the doorstep. We didn't use the car for a whole week. The safari tents are well equipped, very comfortable, and have lots of space inside and out. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We were lucky to have amazing weather. Highly recommend. Our best clamping experience to date.
10/08/2020
Graham
We had a wonderful break at The Gathering. The tent and facilities were superb. The stoves soon warmed the cold mornings and the beds were so comfy we didn’t want to leave them. The views from the tent were amazing across the fields to the hills. The staff were all very helpful coming along each morning to replenish the logs and give tips on the local area when asked. Lovely walks from the site along the stream behind the tents. Kids had a great time too, playing on the grass next to the tent. Would totally recommend this fantastic place and would love to go back
08/04/2019
Neville
Really fun stay and excellent facilities. Cosy and comfortable. Hosts were great and couldn’t do enough. Fabulous walks and although rather a lot of sheep, our dog Oaddy has a great time too.
27/08/2018
Ecky
Excellent way to share a family holiday - we had a great time. Our party consisted of brothers age 13 and 14, their parents and their grandparents. So perfect accommodation with 2 per room, and much more space than anticipated.
We stayed 4 nights and self catered -had fun using the wood stove to cook and heat water for the shower. A few arguments over who used up all the hot water and didn't put another log in the burner which just added to the hilarity of the holiday. As did toasting sour marshmallow over the open fire using a broken walking stick as the marshmallow holder. We did energetic walks from the Gatherings on 2 days and went to Treak Caves another day. The weather was mixed - a bit of rain and wind but sunny spells as well. After the long hot weeks it was comforting to sleep under a duvet to keep warm!
13/08/2018
Carolyn
The best stay yet! Tommy and Kirsty are the perfect hosts. Nothing was too much trouble . The gathering is the jewel in the peak district's crown .
18/06/2018
Anna
Most beautiful part of the Peak District we've seen and most luxorious tents ever with luxury bathrooms!
28/08/2017
Claire
The Gathering is outstanding. The hosts could not have been more helpful, the safari tent and facilities excellent, and the location superb. Our stay will be remembered with great nostalgia, and we certainly hope to return. The stoves - for heat, cooking and water, needed some expertise but we thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
22/08/2016
Anne
Magical
05/08/2016
Katherine
We had a great week at The Portland. The location is fantastic, wonderful scenery and lots to do. Tom and all the team were really welcoming and couldn't do more to make sure we had a great time. Tents were fabulous, stylishly kitted out, comfy beds amd everything that you would need. A really memorable holiday.
01/08/2016
Lesley
Had an amazing holiday, beautiful surroundings, gorgeous tents and lovely hosts. Just perfect, couldn't have asked for more.
25/07/2016
Elaine
It was fabulous. Accommodation very comfortable. Kitchen well stocked. Bathrooms almost as good as home - flushing loo, shower. We went with another family who stayed in the tent next door and the 2 tents were in a walled area together which was perfect as we were able put our extendable dog play pen across the ungated drive so the dogs could run around and play. Lots of space around the tent. Lovely walks and found a fabulous pub based on owners recommendation. Pizzas on sale at bottom of the drive 2 w/e nights which was very handy
15/07/2016
Catherine
We had a great family time. Members of the family enjoyed the camping experience with the home comforts that the safari tents provided and all that set in beautiful scenery. Tommy and Kirsty were great hosts and looked after us well.
03/06/2016
Rosemary
An absolute diamond in the rough - almost literally! This is a place where the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to remember what regular life is like. Without a doubt, this will be a place of laughter, love and memories, all while surrounded by a landscape only the Peak District delivers.
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Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
We felt really welcomed at the Portland. Tommy was great and went through everything. The vibe there is so peaceful and nothing is any trouble. We loved the tent - everything you need and a step up from glamping. Also great for our dogs.
06/09/2024