Yurts
Check in
- We will be operating a “self-check in” system. This means that you will receive all information via email and text before your arrival; please note that although this means there will be no one to greet you on arrival, it is deemed necessary to ensure both guests and staff are protected by reducing face to face contact.
- Yurts are numbered 1 to 6, with number 6 being the 1st Yurt you come to when entering the Yurt Village & Yurt 1 being at the bottom of the hill nearest the wood. Each Yurt has an individual door entry code rather than a key – the code for your Yurt will be sent via text prior to your arrival.
- In order to allow for intensive cleaning our check in time is now 4 p.m. at the earliest. Whilst we have always operated on a strict cleanliness policy, due to Covid-19, we are now also undertaking a deep clean prior to guests arrival as well as focussing on high contact areas, such as door locks, fire doors, bins, cool boxes etc. etc. As this extra cleaning takes a while longer, please do not arrive to site prior to 4pm as you will not be able to access your accommodation or to park your car on site prior to this time.
- Our latest check in is, as always 9pm; this is to protect the quiet evening for other guests relaxing at their Yurts.
- On arrival you are able to drive your car into the Yurt Village in order to unload your bags. Following this, for the safety of all our guests, all vehicles must use the car park provided, which is situated back up the lane outside the gate, for the duration of the stay. The maximum time for vehicles unloading on site is 1 hour. Please be aware that there may be children playing.
- We are operating a staggered check in, this means that we now accept guests every day of the week, which will cut down on the numbers of people arriving to the Village at the same time each evening, ensuring space for social distancing and less guests trying to access site at the same time.
- In order to accommodate the staggered check in, and improve social distancing, we reserve the right to change your pre chosen Yurt into another unit if needed. We will inform you of this ASAP.
- Any prebooked early check ins will sadly be cancelled and refunded or the cost removed from your outstanding bill.
Staff Contact
- Should a member of the Yurts team be on site at any time, we respectfully ask that you do not approach them. If you have any queries please contact Donna via text or call 07454734369
Orders
- If you require extra log packs, beef or egg orders etc., please message to 07454734369 to order. You will be informed of the next delivery time slot and request that payment be sent prior to delivery via bacs transfer.
- It is highly recommended that you pre-order your log packs before your arrival as we cannot guarantee supplies currently. A fire pack is £7, this can be added to your booking and be inside your Yurt for your arrival. Packs usually last 1 night on regular consumption and can be burnt on a cold night inside the indoor log burner to keep the Yurt warm; or are also lovely on a summer evening in the outdoor fire pit to keep flies at bay – or toast marshmallows! We are sorry but we are unable to refund any unused items.
- Please note our farm grown beef will be delivered frozen to your decking area so orders the day prior are recommended in order that you have time to defrost.
- Ice will still be delivered daily and left on your deck. Please leave any spent ice packs in your cooler box. We will remove them after you have checked out.
Check Out
- As always, please ensure that you have vacated your Yurt by 10am at the latest. This is to ensure our Housekeeper has enough time to thoroughly disinfect prior to our next arrivals.
- We apologise but any pre booked late check outs will be cancelled. Any monies paid will be refunded or the cost removed from your outstanding bill.
- You are able to drive your car into the Yurt Village to load your bags, please ensure vehicles have left site by 10am in order that the cleaning vehicle can enter the Village.
- Before you leave, please return your futons to the seated position, put all rubbish in the outdoor bins & clean all surfaces with the cleaning kits provided.
Change to services
- Gibside – you will still be able to access the National Trust estate as normal, without having to prebook or pay extra. The estate is currently open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but Yurt guests are able to access at any time. Please note that they may be operating on reduced services themselves, you can find out more by visiting their website at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
+ The café is currently open for take away only
+ The toilets are now open
+ Play areas, Strawberry Castle & Gibside Pub are currently closed
- Guests are respectfully reminded that, as we are a working farm, they are not able to walk around the farm steading or any of its buildings – this is for the health and safety of both guests and farm staff and is a major part of our Risk Assessment. There is only 1 walking route into the National Trust estate, which is through the woods at the bottom of the Village, past Yurt 1.
What you need to bring with you
- There will be several items removed from the Yurts in order to avoid Covid transmission and to allow our Housekeeper to have enough time to deep clean.
- As always you will need to bring your own bedding, either a sleeping bag or duvet, along with pillows. Soft furnishings must be removed so you may wish to bring extra throws to lie on or use outside on a chilly evening.
- Tea towels and oven gloves can not be provided at this time.
- All plates, cups, glasses, knifes & forks etc. need to be removed and guests will need to bring their own.
- This is the same for all pots, pans and food preparation equipment. Don’t forget your frying pan for bacon breakfasts! Guests may find it beneficial to bring pre-prepared meals or ingredients with them.
- The kettle will remain to use on the gas stove but tea pots and cafeterias will not be included.
- Safety equipment such as smoke/CO2 alarms remain, along with the fire extinguisher and fire companion tools.
- Water carriers and cool boxes will remain.
- As always, remember to bring matches or a lighter, a torch and we also recommend PPE as you see fit.
Toilets & Showers
- The whole of the central building is very well ventilated and should provide you with reassurance. Our washroom areas are communal facilities; we have 2 showers and 2 toilets.
- We will be cleaning these areas twice a day, both morning and evening, every day. Please make room for our housekeeper when you see her at that area and delay your use until she has finished.
- Please do not leave any personal items in these areas as they will be disposed of.
- Cleaning items will be available for you to use in each loo/shower.
- There will be hand wash at each sink and an antibacterial gel station located on the outside of the communal building. Please use this every time you enter & leave the building.
Communal pot wash room
- Please observe the floor markings showing social distancing guides.
- No more than 1 member from each Yurt in the building at any time and only 2 people allowed inside together.
Guest numbers
- Current government guidelines allow for outdoor group gatherings of 30 people maximum at any one time. We can accommodate 30 guests exactly. Therefore we ask that day visitors are not invited to the Village at this time and only people that are booked to stay should be onsite.
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to members of any two households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most six people from any number of households. Therefore, as our maximum occupancy is 6, we are accepting group bookings but please do not enter any yurt that you are not staying in.
- If you are booked in a group of more than 2 Yurts, please do not gather together around 1 decking or central area as this will create a “hot spot” and increase risk to yourselves, other guests and staff.
- We respectfully remind you that our car park is limited, maximum cars are 2 per large Yurt or 1 per small Yurt.
Covid-19 symptoms
- By attending our site, you confirm that your entire party are well and are not displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. If you are unsure then you should not travel to or visit our site.
- Whilst at West Wood Yurts, if you become unwell or suspect that you may have Covid-19 symptoms, current government guidance is that you should inform us on 07454734369, immediately self-isolate in your accommodation to minimise any risk of transmission, and request a test. If you are confirmed to have Covid-19, you should return home if you reasonably can. If a guest cannot reasonably return home (for example because they are not well enough to travel or do not have the means to arrange transport), your circumstances should be discussed with an appropriate health care professional and, if necessary, the local authority.
- Anyone that is unable to travel or has been requested by the Local Authority to self-isolate here on site, will be fully liable for any site costs incurred, including, but not limited to pitch fees, extra cleaning etc.
Refund policy
- By booking to stay with us, you agree to all of the above safety methods.
- If at any time we are forced to close West Wood Yurts and are unable to offer your stay, we will refund in full any monies paid.
- If you need to cancel your stay with us for any reason:
+ The deposit is always non-refundable
+ If you cancel more than 21 days before your arrival, your final balance is returned or not due
+ Less than 21 days before arrival, all payments are due.
We want to assure you that your safety & enjoyment is very important to us here at West Wood Yurts and we are sure that you will enjoy your time with us, despite the new Covid-19 measures that are currently in place.
Shepherd’s Hut
Check in
- We will be operating a “self-check in” system. This means that you will receive all information via email and text before your arrival; please note that although this means there will be no one to greet you on arrival, it is deemed necessary to ensure both guests and staff are protected by reducing face to face contact.
- When driving down the lane, you will pass over a speed bump and the Shepherd’s Hut is tucked into a private walled garden in front of you, as the road widens at the opening to the farm.
- Your door will be unlocked, please just let yourself in and make yourself at home.
- In order to allow for intensive cleaning our check in time is now 4 p.m. at the earliest. Whilst we have always operated on a strict cleanliness policy, due to Covid-19, we are now also undertaking a deep clean prior to guests arrival as well as focussing on high contact areas, such as door handles, fire doors, bins, light switches etc. etc. As this extra cleaning takes a while longer, please do not arrive to site prior to 4pm as you will not be able to access your accommodation or to park your car on site prior to this time.
- Our latest check in is, as always 9pm; this is to protect the quiet evening for other guests relaxing at their accommodations.
- Any prebooked early check ins will sadly be cancelled and refunded or the cost removed from your outstanding bill.
Staff Contact
- Should a member of our team be on site at any time, we respectfully ask that you do not approach them. If you have any queries please contact Donna via text or call 07454734369
Orders
- If you require extra log packs, beef or egg orders etc., please message to 07454734369 to order. You will be informed of the next delivery time slot and request that payment be sent prior to delivery via bacs transfer.
- It is highly recommended that you pre-order your log packs before your arrival as we cannot guarantee supplies currently. A fire pack is £7, this can be added to your booking and be inside your Hut for your arrival. Packs usually last 1 night on regular consumption and can be burnt on a cold night inside the indoor log burner to keep the Hut warm; or are also lovely on a summer evening in the outdoor fire pit to keep flies at bay – or toast marshmallows! We are sorry but we are unable to refund any unused items.
- Please note our farm grown beef will be delivered frozen to your decking area so orders the day prior are recommended in order that you have time to defrost.
Check Out
- As always, please ensure that you have vacated your Hut by 10am at the latest. This is to ensure our Housekeeper has enough time to thoroughly disinfect prior to our next arrivals.
- We apologise but any pre booked late check outs will be cancelled. Any monies paid will be refunded or the cost removed from your outstanding bill.
- Before you leave, please put all rubbish in the outdoor bins, empty your hot ashes into the metal bin & clean all surfaces with the cleaning kit provided. Please fasten your door open to air the Hut when you have left and leave the key in the lock.
Change to services
- Gibside – you will still be able to access the National Trust estate as normal, without having to prebook or pay extra. The estate is currently open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but guests are able to access at any time. Please note that they may be operating on reduced services themselves, you can find out more by visiting their website at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
+ The café is currently open for take away only
+ The toilets are now open
+ Play areas, Strawberry Castle & Gibside Pub are currently closed
- Guests are respectfully reminded that, as we are a working farm, they are not able to walk around the farm steading or any of its buildings – this is for the health and safety of both guests and farm staff and is a major part of our Risk Assessment. There is only 1 walking route into the National Trust estate, which is signed from the lane adjacent to the Hut through the fields.
What you need to bring with you
- There will be several items removed from the Shepherd’s Hut in order to avoid Covid transmission and to allow our Housekeeper to have enough time to deep clean.
- We apologise that we are unable to provide soft furnishings at this time. This means that you will need to bring your own bedding, either a sleeping bag or duvet, along with pillows. You will also need to bring a bottom sheet for the double bed. You may also wish to bring extra throws to use outside on a chilly evening.
- Tea towels and oven gloves can not be provided at this time.
- All plates, cups, glasses, knifes & forks etc. need to be removed and guests will need to bring their own.
- This is the same for all pots, pans and food preparation equipment. Don’t forget your frying pan for bacon breakfasts! Guests may find it beneficial to bring pre-prepared meals or ingredients with them.
- The kettle will remain to use on the gas stove but tea pots and cafeterias will not be included.
- Safety equipment such as smoke/CO2 alarms remain, along with the fire extinguisher and fire companion tools.
- As always, remember to bring matches or a lighter, a torch and we also recommend PPE as you see fit.
Site Facilities
- The Shepherd’s Hut is located at the top of the Farm steading, alongside the Caravan Club pitches.
- The toilet and shower rooms are usually shared with the Caravan guests, however we are only allowing the washrooms to be used by yourselves and requesting that Caravan guests use their onboard facilities only. There is 1 male & 1 female door, although only 1 will be unlocked for the Shepherd’s Hut couple to use.
- Cleaning items will be available for you to use in each loo/shower and we request that you spray surfaces down after use.
- There will be hand wash at each sink and an antibacterial gel station located on the outside of the building. Please use this every time you enter & leave the building.
- Water tap (drinking), bins and wash up sink are based by the central building and will be available to all. There will be a viricidal spray located by the bins and we ask that you please use it to disinfect any surfaces you’ve touched.
Guest numbers
- Current government guidelines allow for outdoor group gatherings of 30 people maximum at any one time. We can accommodate 30 guests exactly. Therefore we ask that day visitors are not invited to site at this time and only people that are booked to stay should be onsite.
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to members of any two households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most six people from any number of households. Therefore, as our maximum occupancy is 6, we are accepting group bookings but please do not enter any accommodation unit that you are not staying in.
- If you are booked in a group with members staying in a Yurt, please do not gather together around 1 decking or central area as this will create a “hot spot” and increase risk to yourselves, other guests and staff. Please do not invite other members of your party to gather at your Hut or lawn area.
Covid-19 symptoms
- By attending our site, you confirm that your entire party are well and are not displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. If you are unsure then you should not travel to or visit our site.
- Whilst at West Wood Yurts, if you become unwell or suspect that you may have Covid-19 symptoms, current government guidance is that you should inform us on 07454734369, immediately self-isolate in your accommodation to minimise any risk of transmission, and request a test. If you are confirmed to have Covid-19, you should return home if you reasonably can. If a guest cannot reasonably return home (for example because they are not well enough to travel or do not have the means to arrange transport), your circumstances should be discussed with an appropriate health care professional and, if necessary, the local authority.
- Anyone that is unable to travel or has been requested by the Local Authority to self-isolate here on site, will be fully liable for any site costs incurred, including, but not limited to pitch fees, extra cleaning etc.
Refund policy
- By booking to stay with us, you agree to all of the above safety methods.
- If at any time we are forced to close West Wood Yurts and are unable to offer your stay, we will refund in full any monies paid.
- If you need to cancel your stay with us for any reason:
+ The deposit is always non-refundable
+ If you cancel more than 21 days before your arrival, your final balance is returned or not due
+ Less than 21 days before arrival, all payments are due.
We want to assure you that your safety & enjoyment is very important to us here at West Wood Yurts and we are sure that you will enjoy your time with us, despite the new Covid-19 measures that are currently in place.
