There will be washing up liquid, a sponge, two tea towels and one toilet roll per toilet will also be provided. Your welcome pack from Habitat Escapes will contain a small amount of tea, coffee, sugar and some milk. Bed linen and towels for the property are provided – these are not to be used at the swimming pools.

Please note, items such as salt and pepper and oil are not provided but may be left in the property by prior guests/homeowners.

7 days before your arrival, we will email you with the security code for the main entrance gate as well as instructions for the key, which is held at the property in a key safe.

Lower Mill Estate, Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BG

Silverlake, Warmwell Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8GH

To maintain a safe and natural environment, there is one (unless told otherwise) allocated parking space per property. If there are several cars in your party, please park in visitor spaces (marked V) or overflow car parks throughout the site. Please ensure all cars display parking permits whilst on site. We do also offer communal electric charging points which are located around the estate.

All Habitat Escapes rental properties have WIFI included. The log-on details will be emailed to you 7 days before your stay

There is also free WIFI for guests at our Spa and our restaurants, Ballihoo and Hurricane Terrace.

Yes, you will be provided with the WIFI network and password for your property prior to your arrival so that you can connect any devices you have to this network during your stay.

All properties have TV’s that have Freeview services. As our properties are privately owned, they are all kitted out slightly differently. Please contact our friendly team with any queries you may have by emailing stay@habitatescapes.com.

As our properties are privately owned, they offer different amenities, but all properties include at least one hairdryer. If you have any specific needs, we recommend bringing your own with you for your stay. Please contact Habitat Escapes if you cannot locate one in your property.

A selection of our properties will have a hot tub included, some of which are available for an additional fee. Click here to see all the properties we have available.

Our maintenance team will be monitoring the hot tubs daily so do not need to do anything. Simply sit back, relax and enjoy the views.

All properties come with everything you'll need for a perfect break, from tableware to cookware and everything in between. There is a fully equipped kitchen including a hob, cooker, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle, fridge and freezer. Most of our properties include a Nespresso coffee machine but please check with our offices for the pods required.

Travel cots and highchairs are available upon request for an additional £10. Please note you will need to bring your own linen and mattress for the travel cot.

Yes, highchairs and travel cots are available for hire for a cost of £10, let us know when booking or email us at stay@habitatescapes.com and we’ll ensure they’re ready and waiting when you arrive at your accommodation.  

During the festive period, there will be a fully decorated Christmas tree at the property. Some of our owners like to add their own touches and lighting so this varies at each property. Several houses on the estates add external lighting and our facilities are decorated too.

Your safety is of paramount importance to us. Here are just a few of the extra measures we will be taking to keep you and your family safe.

• Extra cleaning of touchpoints
• Contactless ordering
• Hand sanitiser available throughout the site
• Optional fogging service - bookable by contacting clean@habitathousekeeping.com 

Accidents happen and we take a security deposit to cover the costs of any accidental damage. This security deposit is taken during the week before your arrival. Please provide your security deposit before your arrival; otherwise, your check-in may be delayed. If you have any questions, please contact our customer services team.

We understand things can change. Sometimes a booking may be made in haste, or an unforeseen circumstance may arise. Our terms and conditions provide comfort that we will cancel your booking and refund any monies paid less any unrecoverable commitments made to external suppliers and card surcharges (if applicable).

You can log in to our secure online payment page and enter your booking name and reference number.

We would recommend to all our guests to take out separate cancellation insurance.

All cancellations are required to be in writing to Habitat Escapes. On receipt of the cancellation, Habitat Escapes will seek to re-let the Property for the period of the booking. If we succeed in re-letting the property for the whole of the period booked, we shall refund an amount equal to the money paid, less the administration fee per week or part thereof booked. Where Habitat Escapes is unable to re-let the property at all, monies paid by the guest shall be forfeited to Habitat Escapes.

The earliest you can arrive is 1600 on the day of arrival and check-out is by 1000 on the day of departure. During the quieter seasons, we offer early check-in and later check out for a small fee, subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.

Occasionally our homeowners will reserve the right to cancel reservations. In this instance, Habitat Escapes will endeavour to offer the guest alternative accommodation, if this is not suitable, a full refund will be issued.

Travel cots and highchairs are available upon request for an additional £10. Please note you will need to bring your own linen and mattress for the travel cot.

Providing that this does not take you over the permitted number of guests that the property can accommodate, you can add guests to your booking. We also allow day guests to visit whilst you stay.

Please contact us at stay@habitatescapes.com with any guest details. We will require the names and car registrations for any guests visiting your rental property. Guests will have to adhere to the estate codes of conduct and must park in the overflow car park using a display permit.

A refundable security deposit of £500 (some properties require £750 or £250) is due before arrival. Please click here to complete payment of your security deposit no more than 5 days before arrival.

These can be added at the point of booking, alternatively please email stay@habitatescapes.com and we will be happy to add these to your booking for you.

If you don’t want to spend your precious time off cleaning up after everyone, why not book a mid-week clean to ensure your property feels as lovely as it did when you stepped through the door. Prices from £40, book at clean@habitathousekeeping.com.

Booking confirmation and documentation are sent via email. If you have not received your booking confirmation, please contact our friendly team on 0333 241 6616 who will be able to resend your email.

All activities should be paid for in full by the time your balance is due. If payment for extras and activities hasn’t been made by this time, these may be removed from your booking. Our team can help you check what’s included in your booking before you make payment.

If something’s missing or you have a question get support from our Activity Hub team via phone or email. They can ensure all extras and activities have been added and paid for before you arrive.

We offer a range of extras and activities to suit everyone whether you're travelling with friends on group holidays, with your loved one or on annual family holidays. We also have a great range of kits and hampers available for pre-order from Ballihoo (Lower Mill only). 

Lower Mill Estate, is a private estate within The Cotswolds Water Park, just outside Cirencester. There are 600 acres of nature reserve with lakeside trails, rivers and green space. It boasts an award-winning spa, numerous swimming pools, an outstanding restaurant and an activity centre where you can hire water-based equipment and bicycles.

Silverlake sits amidst unspoilt plains within easy reach of the county’s most alluring attractions including sweeping golden beaches, grand historic houses, cobblestone market towns and cosy country pubs just waiting to welcome you in. Silverlake is a true jewel located in West Dorset. Opportunity for adventure abounds at every turn with a heated infinity pool, a stunning private spa, roof bar, water sports, a private beach, tennis, table tennis and forest playgrounds.

Lower Mill offers an award-winning on-site resident’s spa featuring Europe’s first outdoor eco-pool as well as two 20m heated pools – one indoor and one outdoor, steam room, sauna, gym, a restful reading lounge and treatment room.

Ballihoo restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also the Ballihoo Marketplace, providing a selection of essential groceries and sustainable, local items.

If you’re looking for adventure, our Activity Hub has a range of activities on offer. 

We also have on-site electric car charging points throughout the Estate. For more details on all our facilities, click here.

Our Swimming pools no longer need to be pre-booked, but it is advisable to check with our spa staff to see how busy the pools are on arrival.

From Monday 6th June you will no longer be required to book the pool at the spa.

To book treatments please click here or contact the spa on  +44 (0) 1285 862 640.

All Habitat Escapes properties have access to the spa facilities. Please note you will need to book spa treatments directly with the spa team on  +44 (0) 1285 862 640.

During ‘low season’ our Spa is open for family swim and adult-only swimming during the below times. Please note there is no entry to the Spa before 1000 and the last entry to the pool is 30 minutes prior to closing.

During ‘high season’ our Spa is open for family swim and adult-only swimming during the below times. Please note there is no entry to the Spa before 1000 and the last entry to the pool is 30 minutes prior to closing.

Due to safety restrictions about water temperature, water sports equipment is not available for use between November and April. 

When going on the water in your own craft, it is a safety requirement that all water users wear a certified and correctly fitted buoyancy aid. You will also need to have proof of appropriate third-party liability insurance, to a limit of £1 million.
For more information, please click here.

Whilst the lakes are open you are welcome to swim in them. As we do not have any lifeguards on duty, these will be at your own risk and you will be required to wear a buoyancy aid whilst you swim. 

For more details on free swimming in the lakes, please visit the team at the Activity Hub or give them a call on +44 (0)1285 719960. 

If your property is within the Somerford Nines gated community, you will have exclusive use of the private, heated outdoor swimming pool, gym and sauna. These facilities are open from 1^st April to 31^st October. For more information click here.

Our locations are ideal for you and your furry friend! Both our estates have a great range of dog-friendly accommodation.  For more ideas on dog-friendly activities and things to do nearby, visit here. 

Lower Mill Estate is ideally situated in the heart of the Cotswolds with plenty for you to see and do. For information on the local area surrounding Lower Mill Estate click here.

Our onsite restaurant Ballihoo is all on one level and offers indoor and alfresco dining as a well-disabled toilet. The Spa have mobility aids so all guests can enjoy the facilities; please get in touch with the Spa Team for further information. 

Given the nature of the estate, the footpaths can often be uneven and undulating, however, most paths around the estate have a smoother surface. If you have any specific requirements, please contact us as we will be happy to help.

There is a Co-Op less than a 10-minute drive from Lower Mill Estate. There is a Waitrose and a Tesco extra 12 minutes miles from our site. Lots of local supermarkets also deliver to the estate.

Please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere on-site.

We've listed below the train stations nearest to our luxury lakeside accommodation. Please note, our locations require a journey by car, taxi, bus etc.

The nearest station to Lower Mill Estate is Kemble, it is a 10-minute drive from the estate.

Bus routes and train information is subject to change so we recommend taking a look at the service provider’s website to confirm your final travel arrangements.

At Silverlake, the on-site resident’s spa – Hurricane Spa features an outdoor 20m heated pool, roof terrace, sauna and gym, along with relaxation lounge and treatment rooms, where you can pamper and indulge yourself to your heart’s content.

Our Hurricane Terrace has far-reaching views across the estate and serves a selection of drinks, light bites, and cocktails. There is also an outdoor pizza shack, serving hand-made pizzas on Saturday evenings.

If you’re looking for adventure, our Activity Hub has a range of activities on offer.

We also have on-site electric car charging points throughout the Estate. For more details on all our facilities click here.

The pool at The Hurricane Spa is currently open from 1000 – 1800. Our Swimming pools no longer need to be pre-booked, but it is advisable to check with our spa staff to see how busy the pools are on arrival.

To book treatments for the spa, please email them directly at hurricane@silverlakedorset.com or call +44 (0)1305 819 909. 

During ‘low season’ our Spa is open for family swim and adult-only swimming during the below times. Please note there is no entry to the Spa before 1000 and the last entry to the pool is 30 minutes prior to closing.

During ‘high season’ our Spa is open for family swim and adult-only swimming during the below times. Please note there is no entry to the Spa before 1000 and the last entry to the pool is 30 minutes prior to closing.

Silverlake, Dorset is ideally situated near the Jurassic coastline offering plenty for you to see and do. For information on the local area surrounding Silverlake click here.

Due to safety restrictions about water temperature, water sports equipment is not available for use between November and April. 

When going on the water in your own craft, it is a safety requirement that all water users wear a certified and correctly fitted buoyancy aid. You will also need to have proof of appropriate third-party liability insurance, to a limit of £1 million.

For more information, please click here.

Whilst the lakes are open you are welcome to swim in them. As we do not have any lifeguards on duty, these will be at your own risk and you will be required to wear a buoyancy aid whilst you swim. 

For more details on free swimming in the lakes, please visit the team at the Activity Hub or give them a call on +44 (0)1285 719960. 

Our onsite restaurant Hurricane Terrace is on the first floor, but there is a lift from the Spa for access. Offering both indoor and alfresco dining, it benefits from stunning views across the estate. The Hurricane Spa has mobility aids so all guests can enjoy the facilities; please contact the Spa Team for further information. 

Given the nature of the estate, the footpaths can often be uneven and undulating, however, most paths around the estate have a smoother surface. If you have any specific requirements, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

Please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere on-site.

Our locations are ideal for you and your furry friend! Both our estates have a great range of dog-friendly accommodation.  For more ideas on dog-friendly activities and things to do nearby, visit here. 

All Habitat Escapes properties have access to the spa facilities. Please note you will need to book spa treatments directly with the spa team.

To book treatments for the spa, please email them directly at hurricane@silverlakedorset.com or call +44 (0)1305 819 909. 

There is a Co-Op and Premier shop a few minutes’ walk from Silverlake. There is a Tesco superstore 6 miles from our site. Lots of local supermarkets also deliver to the estate.

We've listed below the train stations nearest to our luxury lakeside accommodation. Please note, our locations require a journey by car, taxi, bus etc.

The nearest station to Silverlake is Moreton, it is a 5-minute drive from Silverlake.
Dorchester South and West is just a 15-minute drive from Silverlake.

Bus routes and train information is subject to change so we recommend taking a look at the service provider’s website to confirm your final travel arrangements.

Our properties all have a guest directory that includes a list of useful numbers for your stay. This will include an emergency out of hours number, should you require it.

If you encounter any problems during your stay, please let us know immediately so that we can address the problem and ensure you have everything you need for a relaxing stay.

A member of the team will always be on duty at night should you require them. Our estates are open 24 hours a day an emergency number will be provided in your holiday welcome pack. You can find out who will be on duty and how to reach them at reception or the hub.

There will always be first aiders on duty at each of our Estates. Please ask at the Silverlake reception or Lower Mill Estate hub to find out which first aider will be available during your stay.

Habitat Escapes aims to take all the hassle from letting a property yourselves, or indeed with another agent. Our full management service with housekeeping includes a national marketing and PR campaign as well as a comprehensive website. We deal with all enquiries from quotes through to booking and processing payments. Once on site, we provide a meet and greet service, welcome gift for your guests, complimentary toiletries, a service of being on call 24/7 and dealing with any issues that may arise over the duration of their stay – we are the only agent who will be based on-site and contactable seven days a week.

Click here to contact a member of the team.

If you're interested in starting a career at Habitat Escapes, you'll find everything you need to know and a list of our current vacancies on our dedicated careers page.

Our terms and conditions can be found here. 

For more information on our sustainability policy please visit Habitat Zero.

For any queries regarding our properties or bookings please contact Habitat Escapes on 0333 241 6616 or stay@habitatescapes.com.

If you have an emergency whilst on-site there is an out-of-hours emergency contact telephone number listed in the property welcome pack and emergency signage on the back of the property front door.

We don't have a brochure as our website is the best place to find the most up-to-date information. Check prices and availability, learn more about our range of our properties, or find out more about our locations.

Feel free to relax in your property and order a takeaway from a local eatery. Not all restaurants will deliver to the estates, but some local restaurants will offer this service and the delivery drivers are allowed onto the estate.

Don't forget we have our delicious stonebaked pizzas at Ballihoo and Hurricane Terrace that you can order! 

We want all our guests to enjoy celebrations with us; however, due to the nature of our Estate locations, fireworks and Chinese lanterns are strictly prohibited from both Silverlake and Lower Mill Estate.

Please note that while fireworks are prohibited at our Estates, we cannot be held responsible for firework activities in and around the surrounding area. Please bear this in mind when booking your stay during anticipated periods of firework usage such as Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve, especially when bringing pets.

We want all our guests to enjoy celebrations with us; however due to the nature of our estate, BBQs are not permitted in the nature reserve. We do, however have how some idyllic spots for a picnic with friends and family.

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We do offer a discount of 5% on stays for our NHS Heroes. Simply book your stay online and email stay@habitatescapes.com from your NHS email and we can apply the discount for you. NHS discount cannot be combined with any other promotional discounts/offers.

Our bookings team are on hand to help create the perfect special event or occasion, just send an email to stay@habitatescapes.com with the details or call us on 0333 241 6616.

Whilst many of our properties accommodate larger parties, we do not accept stag or hen party bookings on either of our estates.

Large vehicles, such as campervans, motorhomes, and limousines, are not permitted on to the estate without prior consent. We also are unable to allow sign written vehicles on site. Please contact us at stay@habitatescapes.com if you require further information.

We offer a range of flexible options and will assess each booking on a case-by-case basis. Any guests that are unable to redeem their reservation because of Government-imposed travel restrictions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, will be able to rearrange their break for up to twelve months from the original booking date. Please contact us at stay@habitatescapes.com if you require further information.

As the owner you can use your property as frequently as you like. The only thing to consider is the more you use the property for your own use, the less opportunity for bookings there is, therefore reducing your potential ROI.

When we are setting up your property to be listed on our website, we ask our homeowners to notify us via email of any dates they wish to use themselves. If during the year you wish to release any dates for guest bookings or if you wish to book any further available dates for your own use you can do so by emailing our owner’s services team via owner@habitatescapes.com or by telephoning us on 0333 241 6616.

Accidents happen, so we take a £500 security deposit against each guest booking. Our housekeeping team completes an in-depth departure check after each booking and notifies us of any damages that are new to the property. We can then charge the guests for any relevant damages. We have a recharge threshold where we only charge guests for damages over £25.00 + VAT. Any breakages below this are considered general wear and tear of the property.

Not as standard, as the owners of the property it is completely your decision. Pet-friendly properties are some of our most popular properties however there can be greater wear and tear.

As outlined in our guest booking terms and conditions in the event of any cancellation made by the guest, Habitat Escapes will seek to re-let the property for the period of the booking. If we successfully re-let the property for the whole of the period booked, the original guest shall be refunded less an administration fee of £40.00 plus VAT per week or part thereof booked. If we are unable to re-let the property, the guest shall forfeit all monies paid to date.

If a guest booking is made before an owner booking request is made, the original guest booking takes priority.

Our Finance team transfer owner income monthly, based on the departure date of the booking. For example, all bookings that depart in the calendar month of March would be paid in the April statement. We aim to complete all payments within 10 working days of month end.

We highly recommend, having one for your guests, especially during the summer months. Properties offering a BBQ are some of our most popular properties as guests can enjoy the home and the views surrounding it.

Habitat Escapes manages the customer service for all your guest bookings making sure to keep them hassle-free for you. As the owner, your contact will solely be with Habitat Escapes. Any feedback we receive, positive or negative, we will discuss directly with you.  

When a booking is made you are sent an automated booking confirmation email with the booking reference, arrival and departure date. Each month we also send you a forward booking report alongside your monthly owner statement.

The amount varies based on a few factors, most notably the style and size of the property, the quality of the furnishings, the time of year etc. If you would like to find out more about how much your property may achieve on the rental market, please contact us at owner@habitatescapes.com where one of our owner specialists will be happy to discuss this with you.

Your facilitation fee also depends on the style and size of your property. Please contact our owner’s team and we can visit your property to discuss this with you.

No, we provide the linen for all guest and owner bookings. If you wish to use your own linen for your stays in the property then separate arrangements can be made with our housekeeping team.

Gas Safety Certificate, Fire Risk Assessment

PAT Testing of electrical items over 12 months only

EICR (Electrical Installation Certificate Report)

Electrical Safety Certificate

Annual Boiler Service

Air Source Heat Pump (if applicable)

Chimney Sweep (if applicable)

EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)

Landlord Holiday Rental Insurance

All payments and balance chasing are the responsibility of Habitat Escapes. Our system is set up to alert us to any outstanding balances and we carry out regular checks and reporting on this to ensure this does not occur.

We can provide you with a full inventory of recommended items required. This can be requested this by contacting owner@habitatescapes.com or call us on 0333 241 6616.

This will depend on how often your property is available to the holiday rental market. When we are discussing your property with you, we can provide statistics to you to help with your decision. 

When letting through Habitat Escapes, we require exclusive ownership of your property. We collaborate with many affiliates to ensure your property gets full coverage, so your property will also be listed on Air BnB along with a careful selection of online agents.

Habitat Escapes provide guests with property access details a week before arrival once all balances have been paid.

Not a problem, situations change all the time.  We require a 3 months’ notice period, but please discuss with the Owner Services team on the designated owner inbox or telephone and we can work out a solution with you.

The exact criteria and eligibility of your situation would need to be discussed with a certified accountant, or you can find more information on the Property Income Manual on Gov.uk.