Terms and Conditions – Shottisham Campsite
Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully, as by booking and paying for a holiday at Shottisham Campsite you are accepting them and agree to adhere to them. If anything is unclear, please contact us so we can explain in further detail to avoid any misunderstandings.

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions you also agree to read our Fire Safety document on the website – see here.

We reserve the right to change these Terms on the website at any time and any such changes will take effect immediately when posted on the Website, at the Campsite, or otherwise brought to your attention.

Booking
– Once we have received an email or phone call detailing your booking request we will consider it a provisional booking until payment is made.Payment in full is required to confirm your booking
– If payment is not made within one week we will assume you want to cancel the booking and will make the pitch(es) available to other campers.
– Payment can be made by bank transfer or via card payment
– You must be over 18 to make a booking.
– The contract for a campsite pitch shall be made between you and us. The Contract is only effective once the transaction has been approved via email, the required payment has been received and confirmation has been sent to you either by email. On arrival, you must be able to provide written confirmation of booking that we have sent to you as evidence of said booking, if requested. If there is no written confirmation of booking for the appropriate dates there is no legal contract.
 
Cancelling or changing your booking
Please note that pitch payments are non-refundable and not transferrable to another calendar year. If you cancel a confirmed booking for any reason, then we are sorry but we can’t refund the payment. This also includes where you cancel your booking for any reason outside of your reasonable control, including without limitation, inclement weather and illness. We strongly recommend you take out holiday insurance to compensate you in these circumstances if you are concerned.
If you want to change your booking, you must let us know by email. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate you, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet any request for changes. Any possible change must be requested with more than 2-weeks notice. We can only change bookings to another date within the same calendar year.

Force Majeure
If we need to change or cancel your booking because it becomes impossible to deliver the booking due to unforeseen events beyond our reasonable control (including but not limited to pandemic, severe weather events, government forced closures, fire, explosion, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic or other natural disaster, strikes or industrial action by third parties, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war or threat of war, civil commotion, riot, invasion, or failure of public or private telecommunications networks) we will not refund your payment. We will do our best to offer you a suitable alternative booking later in the calendar year and we will be as flexible in doing this as we can. If you choose not to accept the alternative we offer, the booking will be deemed cancelled and no refund will be made. For large groups we might not have a single date available, in this instance we will try and offer you separate dates for members of the group. If you do not accept these dates, we will assume you have cancelled your booking. We will not offer refunds in this instance.
 
We strongly recommend you take out holiday insurance to compensate you in these circumstances.
 
Group Bookings

  • We do still accept group bookings (2 or more pitches constitutes a ‘group’), but the following must be adhered to.
  • Someone from the group must be nominated as group leader.
  • The group leader should make the booking via email and provide details of the number of pitches required, duration of stay, people per pitch, requirements for electricity, any additional vehicles and awnings, gazebos etc.
  • The group leader needs to make full payment within one week of the provisional booking to confirm the booking. We will not accept payment from individual members of the group. If the full payment has not been made within a week we will assume that the booking is to be cancelled.
  • Small changes to the booking can be made (for example additional people staying on a pitch, a gazebo or extra car), but you must let us know and pay in advance.
  • A pitch consists of one tent, or one caravan or one campervan/motorhome. You cannot have multiple units (tents, caravans, etc) on a pitch. If you want to add an additional tent or caravan this is considered to be an additional pitch. If you want to book extra pitches then we will do our best to accommodate such a request, but we cannot guarantee that this will be possible or if it is that it is possible that they will be in the same camping area.
  • We only accept groups of teenagers or young adults if they are accompanied by a fully responsible parent or legal guardian who is staying on site.
     
    General
  • We reserve the right of admission. Please act in a courteous and considerate manner towards us, other guests and neighbours.
  • Please keep noise to a minimum between 10:00pm and 8:00am. In the countryside there is nothing to obstruct the sound and it carries long distances.
  • Music players/radios/acoustic instruments must be kept to a reasonable volume and not audible to those on other pitches.
    Any guests who make excessive noise after 10.00pm will be asked to leave the site.
  • Sporting or games equipment and any similar equipment must be used in a way as to cause no annoyance or disturbance to any other guest.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that children under your care are properly supervised so they do not create a nuisance or endanger themselves or other guests.
  • Children under 16 are not to be left unattended at any time.
  • The pitch must be left in a clean and tidy condition, please dispose of any rubbish in the appropriate rubbish or recycling bin at the entrance. These bins are only for general food waste and packaging. They are not to be used to dispose of large items of rubbish such as broken items, tents, airbeds, chairs, bedding, BBQs large packaging etc – please take these home with you. You may be liable to a minimum £40 charge if we end up having to dispose of bulky items. Please ensure that all waste is placed inside a bag and that the bag is tied before being placed in the bins.
  • Electric vehicles MUST NOT be charged on the campsite. We do not have the facilities or electrical supply to provide this service. There are places to charge electric vehicles at Honey and Harvey Café, Melton; in Woodbridge carparks; at Martlesham Park and Ride and at Tesco in Martlesham.
  • No fireworks, drones, Chinese lanterns, guns or weapons, dangerous materials or generators are allowed on the campsite
  • Anyone found defacing or causing damage to any building, equipment or property of the Campsite faces immediate eviction and/or prosecution. The person who booked the pitch will be responsible for and charged for any damage/breakages/loss caused by themselves or members of their group.
  • Trees and other vegetation may not be cut or otherwise damaged. This includes tying ropes to trees, driving nails into trees, pulling branches off trees.
  • Drunk, disorderly or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated towards us or other guests. We reserve the right to ask you to leave immediately, no refund, should this occur.
  • No paddling pools, swimming pools, slides, water balloons are allowed on any part of the site.
  • Guests are expected to use facilities with care and will be liable for any loss or damage to a building or contents regardless of whether this damage is the result of negligence or of acts committed by themselves or by other guests in their group.
     
    Arrival and Departure
  • Arrival time is anytime after midday. If you are going to arrive after 8pm, please let us know
  • Departure time is by mid-day.
  • Pitches are numbered on the campsite. You will have been sent an email with your pitch number indicated.
  • You MUST leave a gap of 6m between all units. This is a legal requirement. You may be asked to move your tent/unit if pitched too close to another. It is acceptable to leave 3m between units for agreed groups who have booked together. Our pitches are nearly all at least 12m wide so you will need to centre your unit in the middle of the pitch to make sure that there is a 3 metre gap on each side. If everyone does this, there will be the necessary 6m gap between units.
  • If you pitch incorrectly, you may be asked to move your tent/campervan.
  • Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight and must take their car off site.
  • Electric Hook-up, Water, Chemical Waste disposal
  • Electric hook-up points at Shottisham Campsite are 10AMP.
  • You must bring a suitable cable for outdoor hook-up points which has been tested for safety prior to your arrival. See the FAQs for a couple of ideas for suitable cables etc
  • Cables should be 25m in length to reach our hook up points. We have a few spare hook-up cables but can’t guarantee their availability.
  • Home-made electric hook up leads are not permitted
  • Electrical splitters are not permitted, only one hook-up lead can be used per pitch.
  • Our new hookup points require you to turn a switch on once you plug in your cable, then turn the switch off before you unplug your cable. Do not try and remove the hook-up cable without turning the switch.
  • Fan heaters cannot be used as we do not have sufficient electrical capacity, they will trip the fuses and they are potentially dangerous
  • Only use electrical equipment designed for camping. If you bring a domestic kettle with you, it will likely trip a fuse as it draws too much current.
  • Please test and make sure that all electrical equipment and cables that you bring are safe and in good condition.
  • Do not charge electric vehicles on the campsite pitch.
  • Anyone found to be tampering with the electricity supply and/or equipment will be removed from the site immediately, along with the rest of their party. The cost of repairing any damage caused will be the responsibility of the person/s named on the booking.
  • Units are not to be plugged into water mains taps.
  • Vehicles and caravans are not to be washed on site.
  • Our drinking water taps are clearly marked, please see map.
  • Drinking water taps are not to be left running, please only use them to fill water containers. Our water is metred and we work to save water.
  • Do not leave taps running while washing equipment. Please fill a bucket and wash any equipment.
  • Children are not to play under running taps. Please fill small containers with water and let them refuel water pistols from these
  • No water balloons are permitted on site, they kill our chickens and leave rubbish everywhere.
  • All chemical waste from caravan/motorhome toilets must be disposed of in the chemical waste disposal points provided – see site map.
    Health and Safety
  • Shottisham Campsite is surrounded by beautiful countryside filled with plants and animals. However, this brings with it the risks associated with wild animals and poisonous plants. We accept no responsibility for any injuries or illness that you suffer as a result of bites, stings, or from eating or playing with poisonous plants. Please encourage your children not to touch plants or animals that you or they cannot positively identify and know to be safe.
  • Children are free to explore the site, but they remain their guardians’ responsibility at all times when on their pitch and the campsite. Please ensure that your children are  adequately supervised.
  • Please make sure that children do not climb gates or fences on the campsite and farm.
  • Climbing trees and rope swings are not permitted on the campsite. There is a village playground nearby and lots of great trees to climb in the woods behind the campsite.
  • Be aware of tent pegs and guy ropes when moving around the campsite.
  • You must not enter into fields or buildings around the campsite (other than the designated toilet and shower facilities) and farm. If there is a gate do not open it and enter. This is for your own personal safety.
  • Any accidents on the campsite must be reported to staff so we can log them in our accident book.
  • You must keep to the 5mph speed limit on the campsite for your own and others safety.
  • Non driving licence holders are not permitted to drive anywhere on site. You are not permitted to undertake driving lessons on the site. Children are not permitted to be sat on an adult’s lap whilst driving; due to airbags being in the steering wheel.
  • Cyclists must not ride close to individual pitches; they must stick to the tracks where possible. Bicycles can only be ridden during daylight hours; we advise the use of helmets at all times. Bicycles must be parked safely on your pitch and are kept on site at the owner’s risk.
     
    BBQs, Firepits, Gas Stoves and General Fire Safety
     
    Please read our fire safety document HERE
     
  • Before using any BBQ, gas stove or firepit please familiarise yourself with the location of our fire extinguishers and read the information on our fire safety page – here.
  • When you arrive at the campsite check for your nearest fire extinguisher point and read the fire action notices.
  • If fire breaks out, call the fire and rescue service immediately on 999, ensure all people in tent, caravan or building are evacuated and safe. If practical tackle the fire. Do not endanger yourself or others in doing so.
  • If you need to use a fire extinguisher you must inform Claire or staff about the incident as soon as it is safe to do so. This is so the event can be recorded in the accident book, the ongoing fire risk can be assessed, and replacement fire extinguishers can be obtained.
  • Do not let children play with fire extinguishers, they are dangerous, expensive to replace and if could result in them not working when someone needs them to.
     
    BBQs
  • You are permitted to BBQs provided they are raised off the ground at least 50cm. If you have a deposable BBQ it must be placed on a stand and not directly on the ground or on picnic tables. We have a few concrete slabs that can be used for disposable BBQs so please request one before use.
  • BBQs should be sited at least 3 metres away from anything that could catch fire including overhanging branches
  • Only wood or charcoal can be used in solid fuel BBQs. Only use recognised fire lighters or starter fuel and only on cold coals – use the minimum necessary and never use petrol
  • BBQ must NOT be left unattended.
  • Ensure children are supervised around BBQs
  • BBQs must be properly extinguished before retiring.
  • Do not move hot BBQs.
  • Do not put hot ashes in the rubbish bins, on the ground, or in the hedgerows. We have ash bins by the café for the safe disposal of ash. Only adults should dispose of ash from a BBQ
     
    No open fires on the ground
  • Firepits can be used subject to the conditions listed below. You can bring your own or hire one from us
  • You must be 18 to hire or use a fire and the fire pits must also be collected by an adult as they are very heavy.
  • Site the fire-pit at least 6 metres away from anything that could catch fire including overhanging branches, tents etc.
  • Fires must always be kept at a controlled height.
  • Firepits must not be left unattended. An adult should supervise firepits, BBQs and gas stoves at all times
  • Children must not play near the fire.
  • Fire pits must not be moved while burning or still hot.
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby.
  • Never put anything except wood or charcoal into the fire. Only use recognised fire lighters or starter fuel and only on cold coals – use the minimum necessary and never use petrol
  • Firepits must be safely extinguished before you go to bed
  • Do not empty ashes into the rubbish bins, onto the ground or hedgerows
  • We have hot ash bins by the café that you can empty ashes into. Please do this carefully. Children must not empty ashes.
  • If you have hired a fire pit from us, please leave it by the ash bin once empty.
  • If you bring your own firepit is must be safe and robust. If we feel it is a fire risk we will ask you not to use it and to hire one from us.
  • If we feel that the fire safety rules are not being adhered to on the site we reserve the right to extinguish your fire and remove your fire pit and any payment will not be returned.
  • We reserve the right to suspend the use of BBQs (including disposable BBQs) and firepits without notice in cases of extreme hot/dry weather. Always plan an alternative to a BBQ in prolonged spells of hot weather
     
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your gas appliances are fit for purpose, safe and in good working order.
     
    Carbon Monoxide Kills NEVER put a BBQ in your Tent or Awning! Carbon monoxide fumes from BBQs are invisible, odourless, and lethal. Even if you think it’s safe, and the flames have died down, don’t do it. The smouldering coals may be warm, but they may kill you. Even with the tent doors open. Even just in the porch. Please don’t do it!
     
    Do not put a firepit under a gazebo, in a porch or awning. It is too dangerous and a fire risk. All firepits must be at least 6 metres away from anything that can catch fire.
  • Smoking/Vaping is not permitted inside or around any of the toilet buildings.  If you do smoke/vape on your pitch dispose of ash and cigarette ends (vaping things) responsibly in the bin. Do not throw cigarette ends onto the grass or into the hedge as it is a fire risk and inconsiderate of other people
  • Smoking is not permitted near the gas cages
  • Pets
  • Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a secure lead at all times.
  • Children are not to walk dogs on the campsite.
  • Please clean up all dog poo promptly and put it in the dog waste bin provided.
  • No pet is to be left outside unsupervised
  • Please remember that this is a working farm with livestock and it is your responsibility to ensure that your dogs do not harass, injure or kill the livestock or wildlife. 
  • If we, in our sole and reasonable discretion, consider your pet to be to be causing a nuisance, harm or threat to anyone or anything, or to be likely to do so, we may ask you to remove your pet from our location (without refund or compensation) or we may have it removed off site at your expense.
  • Dogs are not permitted to go in the facilities block at any time, with the exception of assistance dogs.
  • You must not use any of the wash facilities or drinking taps to clean your dog.
    You, as a dog owner, are responsible for your dog and its behaviour.
  • We take no responsibility for any injuries caused to any animals whilst on the site.
  • Please be considerate of other people on the campsite. If your dog is likely to frequently bark at people walking past your pitch, you should probably not bring it camping. Nobody wants to go on holiday next to a dog that barks all the time.
     
    Animal Feeding
  • Animal feeding happens in fields that maybe rough, bumpy or muddy.
  • All children MUST be accompanied by an adult. You must be able to keep all children under your care safe during animal feeding. We recommend one adult for each child, but there should be at least one adult for every two children. The adult must be present with the child for the whole of animal feeding to ensure their safety. Supervise your child for the entire duration of animal feeding.
  • Accidents can happen. We give a health and safety briefing prior to animal feeding to help everyone stay safe, and you should follow the instructions given both before and during animal feeding. We cannot accept responsibility for any accidents or injuries that occur on our farm.
  • Animal feeding begins at 5pm and starts with a health and safety talk outlining possible risks. If you are late, you will not be able to join, as you will not have been present at the mandatory health and safety talk.
  • During animal feeding Claire might take photographs, and we may use these photographs for advertising purposes on social media at a later date. By participating in animal feeding we will trust this is accepted by you.
    Liability
  • Nothing in this section limits or attempts to limit our liability for death or personal injury caused by Our negligence or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other matter for which it would be illegal or unlawful for us to exclude or attempt to exclude Our liability.
  • We will not be liable for the death or injury of any of our guests, or for the loss of or damage to any of their property, except where such death, injury, loss or damage is a result of our negligence. We shall not be responsible for any losses that you suffer that are indirect or not foreseeable, including, but not limited to, loss of income or revenue, loss of business and loss of anticipated savings.
  • We will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to your property, including personal belongings, cash, jewellery and motor vehicles, however caused, during your stay.
  • As our campsite is located in a rural environment, we do not accept responsibility for any damage, injury or inconvenience caused by livestock, plants, trees, wildlife or weather. We advise you to have the relevant insurance.
  • Should any of the vehicles owned by your party get stuck and require assistance or towing, we shall not be held responsible for towing your vehicle or any damage caused to the vehicle(s). You should check that your insurance cover will allow secondary towing. There may be a charge for this service.
  • We do not accept responsibility for anything that adversely affects your holiday that is outside of our control. We advise you to have suitable travel insurance.
    We are covered by up to date Public Liability Insurance and hold the proper licenses for our campsite.
  • All caravans, tents and vehicles parked, stored or moved around the campsite are done so entirely at the owners’ risk. The company accepts no liability for loss or damage to property, or injury to the owner and his/her party, howsoever caused.
  • We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate travel insurance in respect of your booking with us. You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses in the event of accident or illness. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
  • Our right to evict
  • We may terminate our contract with you and ask you to leave your accommodation and the campsite immediately (without any compensation being payable) if:
    we consider that you or your party have committed a serious breach of these terms and conditions we consider that you or your party’s behaviour endangers the safety of our visitors or staff; complaints are made of anti-social or unacceptable behaviour against you or your party; you or your party cause an unreasonable amount of damage to the campsite/smallholding
  • Data Protection
  • Any data collected during the course of making bookings or dealing with enquiries are dealt with in strict confidence and stored safely. Your data will never be sold. We do not send unsolicited email communications and we do not sell, exchange or trade email addresses to or with third parties. By accepting these terms and conditions you consent to receiving communications from us in relation to your booking. The personal data we normally process is your first name, surname, email address and sometimes your phone number. We ask for this additional information to help us respond accurately and quickly to any enquiries you have made to complete the booking process and provide you with information necessary to your stay.
  • Complaints Procedure
  • Every effort has been made to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay. If, however, we have not met your expectations, please contact us while you are on the property with your concerns so we can rectify the situation. If, thereafter, you feel that the issue has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please address your concerns in email or writing to Claire Norton, St Margaret’s House, Shottisham, Suffolk, IP12 3HD drcvn@me.com