Question 1

What if I or a member of my party have allergies to pets or feathers?

Accepted Answer

If you need (for allergy reasons, for instance) a property which pets NEVER enter, please tell us. Please don't assume owners who don't accept dogs will never allow a dog (guide dogs, for example) in the property. Similarly, if anyone in your party suffers from allergies to feathers or other materials, please let us know when you are booking so that we can guide you towards an appropriate alternative group self catering property.

Question 2

What about Internet access in the holiday house?

Accepted Answer

At large holiday properties where broadband is shown as available, we are unable to guarantee absolutely that it will be available during your stay. If this facility is important to you, please discuss details of the service provider with us in advance and ask them to do their best to ensure availability. Please note there may be an additional charge for internet access. Please do not expect owners to provide IT support during your stay.

Question 3

Will there be a phone in the self catering holiday cottage?

Accepted Answer

Not all large self catering properties have phones. We indicate in the holiday home property description whether they are available and if they are for outgoing or incoming calls only. Calls you make will be payable. If this is important to you, please ask for further details. Mobile coverage is very variable. Click here to check for mobile coverage at your holiday destination

Question 4

When are swimming pools open?

Accepted Answer

Every effort is made to have outdoor heated pools available for your use between the second week in May and the second week in October (subject to cleaning and emergency maintenance) unless we say otherwise in the large holiday property description. In particularly bad weather conditions we cannot guarantee the temperature of the pool.

Question 5

Are swimming pools safety supervised?

Accepted Answer

No. You and your fellow holidaymakers use them entirely at your own risk. Children, poor swimmers and non-swimmers must always be supervised in pool areas. The pools are regularly maintained by our staff, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you see something that could cause danger.

Question 6

How do I know if a holiday house accepts dogs?

Accepted Answer

If pets are permitted at a property, it will be stated on the property information and if you are bringing a dog, we will send you further guidance on the dos and don'ts when you book.

Question 7

What do I do with rubbish at the large holiday cottage?

Accepted Answer

The property welcome folder will include information on the use of refuse bins and refuse collection days. Please note that glass and bottles are not collected and must be taken to the nearest Bottle Bank – the location of which will be found in the welcome folder or taken home with you. The clearance of unsorted or excessive rubbish will be charged at cost from your bond.

Question 8

What do I do if I find something wrong at the property?

Accepted Answer

If you find anything wrong, tell the owner or the caretaker AT ONCE (you will find their contact details on your paperwork/email information). They will be anxious to put any problem right as quickly as is humanly possible. If you cannot get hold of them, then contact Big House Holiday Lets immediately (01600 732050). Outside normal office hours please phone the mobile contact you'll be given on arrival. A member of staff is 'on call' 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to deal with emergencies. If you have difficulties, please do not suffer in silence. Mention problems that are spoiling your holiday to owners, caretakers or us so that action can be taken to put things right. We care that you enjoy your holiday in our homes and will do all we can to rectify any problems.

Question 9

Where will I collect the keys and directions to the cottage?

Accepted Answer

Following receipt of your final payment, full instructions will be sent to you. They will contain details of directions, full postal address as well as information on picking up the keys to the large holiday home you have booked in the Wye Valley or Forest of Dean.

Question 10

What time am I able to occupy the holiday home?

Accepted Answer

From 4 p.m. onwards. Please do not arrive earlier as this will interfere with the cleaning and maintenance tasks that need to be performed prior to your stay. If you do have a need to arrive earlier, please discuss it with us well beforehand so that we can find out from the owner if we can accommodate any flexibility.

Question 11

What provisions are provided?

Accepted Answer

Even though this is a self-catering holiday home, some basic consumable items are likely to be present when you arrive. If you wish to avoid duplication or ensure that particular allergies will not be triggered, check with the owner/caretaker what will and will not be there (contact details provided with your final booking confirmation) and they will be able to confirm whether they can accommodate the needs of your group. Likely to be present are: Tea, Coffee, Sugar for a welcome drink, A few dishwasher tablets, Some washing up liquid, Basic cleaning materials, Loo roll. There may also be other non-perishable items like a few herbs and spices. You will need to bring everything else that you need or expect to use over the course of your stay or perhaps purchase them from local shops near your holiday cottage.

Question 12

Can I find out about the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley before I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Yes, (see www.wyedeantourism.co.uk or our own Blog or Things To Do pages on each Property listing for local information). These include articles, background information on the area and contact details regarding places to eat, local producers and things to do whilst you are on holiday.

Question 13

How do I leave feedback?

Accepted Answer

Let us know how your stay went in the Visitors Book and if you have any suggestions for improvements do leave a note for the owner or contact Big House Holiday Lets and we'll pass it on to them.

The house behind The Lady Vanishes

Four chapters of one house

William White builds Fairlea in Mock Tudor style, with carved fireplaces, stone archways and stained glass windows.

His daughter Ethel Lina White grows up here, and goes on to write crime fiction as a contemporary of Agatha Christie.

The layout of the staircase features in her novel The Wheel Spins, and again in the later film adaptations.

Hitchcock adapts the novel as The Lady Vanishes. Casting the lead, Margaret Lockwood says she was inspired by the heroines of White's novels.

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What the listing protects

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