Terms of Service
Last updated: 16th July 2026
1. About these terms
These Terms of Service apply when you visit the Dartlings website, make a booking, purchase a product or service, attend a play session, visit our café or otherwise use our facilities.
Throughout these terms, “Dartlings”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to:
[Dartlings’ full registered business name]
The Refectory, Higher Close
Dartington Hall
Totnes
TQ9 6EL
Email: [insert email address]
By using our website, making a booking or entering Dartlings, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully before completing a booking.
Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.
2. Bookings
Play sessions, parties and selected events may be booked through our website or another booking system used by Dartlings.
A booking is confirmed once payment has been received and a booking confirmation has been issued. Please check the details in your confirmation carefully and contact us promptly if anything is incorrect.
The person making the booking must be aged 18 or over and is responsible for ensuring that everyone included in the booking understands and follows these terms.
Bookings may not be resold or transferred for commercial purposes.
3. Prices and payment
Prices are shown in pounds sterling and include VAT where applicable.
Payment is due at the time of booking unless we agree otherwise in writing.
We take reasonable care to ensure that prices and descriptions are accurate. Where an obvious pricing or administrative error occurs, we may correct it and contact you to discuss the available options. We will not charge an additional amount without your agreement.
We may change our prices at any time, but a price change will not affect a booking that has already been confirmed.
4. Play-session admission
Admission is valid only for the date, time and session stated in the booking confirmation.
Please arrive close to the beginning of your booked session. Late arrival does not normally entitle you to remain beyond the scheduled finishing time, as we need to prepare the play area for the next group.
Children and accompanying adults may be asked to leave the play area promptly at the end of the session.
Admission is subject to our capacity limits, safety rules and any age restrictions displayed when booking.
We may refuse entry where:
the booking cannot be verified;
the number of visitors exceeds the number booked;
a visitor appears unwell or presents an infection risk;
a visitor behaves aggressively, abusively or unsafely;
our rules are repeatedly ignored; or
allowing entry would create a health, safety or safeguarding concern.
Where entry is refused because of a customer’s conduct or failure to comply with these terms, a refund will not normally be provided.
5. Adult supervision
Dartlings is an adult-supervised play space. It is not a childcare service, crèche or supervised drop-off facility.
Children remain the responsibility of their accompanying parent, guardian or responsible adult at all times.
A responsible adult must:
remain on the premises throughout the visit;
actively supervise the children in their care;
ensure that play equipment is used appropriately;
follow instructions given by Dartlings staff;
intervene where a child’s behaviour may cause injury or distress; and
ensure that children do not enter staff-only or restricted areas.
Our staff oversee the general operation and safety of the premises, but they do not assume parental responsibility for individual children.
6. Safe use of the play area
Children must use equipment in a manner appropriate to their age, size, confidence and ability.
Visitors must follow all safety notices and instructions provided by staff. Certain areas or equipment may have specific age, height, capacity or usage restrictions.
The following are not permitted within the play area:
food, hot drinks, chewing gum or glass;
sharp objects or loose items that may cause injury;
climbing on barriers, furniture or areas not intended for play;
pushing, fighting, threatening behaviour or deliberately unsafe play;
damage or misuse of equipment; and
entry into closed or restricted areas.
Adults must not use children’s equipment unless it has been specifically designed or designated for adult use.
We may close an item of equipment or part of the premises without notice where inspection, cleaning, maintenance or safety concerns make this necessary.
7. Clothing and personal belongings
Children should wear suitable clothing for active play. Clothing with loose cords, jewellery or accessories that may become caught on equipment should be removed where appropriate.
Our footwear and sock requirements will be displayed at the venue and must be followed. [Insert your final rule here, for example: Socks must be worn in the play area at all times.]
Personal belongings remain the visitor’s responsibility. Dartlings is not responsible for belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged unless this results from our negligence or another legal responsibility that cannot be excluded.
Any lost property will be kept for a reasonable period before being donated, recycled or disposed of.
8. Health and illness
Please do not visit Dartlings if you or a child in your care is unwell, has symptoms of an infectious illness or has recently experienced vomiting or diarrhoea.
As a general hygiene precaution, visitors should not attend until at least 48 hours after the final episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
You must inform us before attending if a child has a medical condition, additional need or allergy that may materially affect their safe use of the facilities. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate visitors, but we cannot guarantee that every activity will be suitable for every individual.
Parents and guardians remain responsible for deciding whether a child is fit and able to participate.
9. Accidents and emergencies
All accidents, injuries, damage or safety concerns must be reported to a member of staff immediately.
Our staff may provide basic first aid and contact the emergency services where reasonably necessary. Parents and guardians remain responsible for administering personal medication unless alternative arrangements have been expressly agreed.
In an emergency, visitors must follow instructions from Dartlings staff and leave the premises promptly if asked to do so.
10. Additional needs and accessibility
We want Dartlings to be welcoming and inclusive.
Please contact us before booking if a visitor has an additional need or access requirement that may affect their visit. This gives us the best opportunity to discuss the space, facilities and any reasonable adjustments that may be available.
We cannot guarantee that every item of play equipment will be suitable or accessible for every visitor.
11. Behaviour
Visitors must treat our staff, other customers, neighbours, premises and equipment with respect.
We do not tolerate:
abusive, threatening or discriminatory language;
harassment or intimidation;
dangerous or persistently disruptive behaviour;
deliberate damage;
theft;
smoking or vaping inside the premises; or
possession or use of illegal drugs.
We may require any visitor to leave immediately where their conduct creates a safety risk, causes significant disruption or amounts to abuse of staff or other visitors.
No refund will normally be issued where removal results from the visitor’s conduct.
The person who made the booking may be responsible for reasonable repair or replacement costs arising from deliberate or reckless damage caused by someone in their party.
12. Café
The Dartlings café is open to visitors whether or not they have booked a play session, subject to opening hours and available capacity.
Food and drink purchased in the café must be consumed only in permitted areas. Hot drinks must not be taken into the children’s play area.
Only food and drink purchased from Dartlings may normally be consumed on the premises, except:
food for babies;
drinking water;
food required for a medical or dietary reason; or
items we have expressly agreed in advance.
Visitors must not bring their own birthday cake, decorations, catering or party food into an ordinary play session without our prior written permission.
13. Allergies and dietary requirements
Please tell a member of staff about any allergy or dietary requirement before ordering food or drink.
Although we take reasonable precautions, our kitchen and service areas handle a range of ingredients and allergens. We cannot guarantee that any item is completely free from traces of a particular allergen.
Customers with serious allergies should speak directly with a member of staff before ordering and must make their own informed decision about whether an item is suitable.
Ingredient availability and menu items may change.
14. Birthday parties and group bookings
Birthday parties and private group bookings are subject to the package description, capacity limit, timings and any additional conditions supplied when booking.
A birthday-party deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel the booking.
The remaining balance must be paid by the deadline stated in the booking confirmation. Failure to pay may result in cancellation of the booking and loss of the deposit.
Party hosts are responsible for:
providing accurate guest numbers;
ensuring that capacity limits are followed;
supervising all children attending the party;
ensuring guests follow these terms;
arriving and leaving at the agreed times; and
paying for any agreed extras.
Birthday celebrations, organised gatherings, presents, decorations and cakes are not permitted during standard play sessions. A Dartlings party package must be booked where the visit is intended to operate as a birthday party or organised celebration.
Decorations may only be used with our permission. Confetti, glitter, party poppers, open flames and items fixed to walls, windows or furniture are not permitted unless expressly approved.
15. Customer cancellations and refunds
Our cancellation policy applies to play sessions, events and other timed bookings.
Where a cancellation is made:
more than 48 hours before the session, please refer to the cancellation options displayed at the time of booking or contact us;
between 24 and 48 hours before the session, we will allow the booking to be moved to another available session; and
less than 24 hours before the session, a 100% cancellation charge applies and no refund or transfer will normally be available.
Failure to attend is treated as a cancellation made with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Birthday-party deposits are non-refundable.
Any transfer is subject to availability and must be arranged directly with us. We may restrict the number of times a booking can be moved.
Bookings for leisure activities taking place on a specified date or within a specified period are generally excluded from the usual statutory 14-day cooling-off right for distance contracts.
Nothing in this section limits any refund or remedy to which you are legally entitled.
16. Cancellations by Dartlings
We may cancel or alter a session because of:
an emergency;
staff illness;
equipment failure;
building or utility problems;
severe weather;
safety or safeguarding concerns;
circumstances affecting the Dartington Estate;
events outside our reasonable control; or
insufficient attendance where a minimum attendance requirement was clearly stated when booking.
Where we cancel a booking and cannot offer a suitable replacement, we will provide a refund for the affected Dartlings booking.
We are not responsible for separate costs such as travel, accommodation, parking or other expenses unless the law requires otherwise.
17. Changes to sessions and facilities
We may make reasonable changes to opening hours, session times, layouts, activities, menus and equipment.
Images shown on our website and social media are illustrative. Decorations, activities, equipment and menu items may differ from those shown.
A minor change, temporary equipment closure or unavailable menu item does not automatically entitle a customer to a refund where the principal booked service remains available.
18. Photography and filming
Customers may take photographs of their own children for personal use, provided they respect the privacy of other families.
You must not deliberately photograph or film another child without permission from their parent or guardian.
Commercial photography, professional filming, promotional shoots and organised content creation require our prior written permission.
Where Dartlings plans to take photographs or video for marketing purposes, we will seek appropriate permission. Please tell a member of staff if you do not wish to be included.
19. Website use
You may use our website only for lawful personal or business enquiries relating to Dartlings.
You must not:
interfere with the operation or security of the website;
introduce viruses, malicious code or harmful material;
attempt to gain unauthorised access;
scrape or harvest personal information;
use the website for fraudulent bookings;
submit false or misleading information; or
reproduce substantial parts of the website without permission.
We may suspend access where we reasonably believe the website is being misused.
20. Intellectual property
The Dartlings name, logo, website design, photographs, written content, graphics and other original materials belong to Dartlings or are used under licence.
You may view and print reasonable extracts for personal, non-commercial use. You may not copy, reproduce, publish, sell, alter or commercially exploit our materials without prior written permission.
21. Third-party services and links
Our website may use or link to third-party services, including booking, payment, mapping and social-media platforms.
Those services may have their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content or operation of a third-party website that we do not control.
A link does not necessarily mean that Dartlings endorses the third party concerned.
22. Personal information
We process personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
This may include information required to administer bookings, process payments, respond to enquiries, operate the premises safely and meet our legal obligations.
Our Privacy Policy should be read alongside these terms. The Information Commissioner’s Office recommends that businesses explain clearly who collects personal information, how it is used and whether it is shared.
23. Liability
We are responsible for foreseeable loss or damage caused by our breach of these terms or our failure to use reasonable care and skill.
We are not responsible for loss or damage that is:
not reasonably foreseeable;
caused by a visitor’s failure to follow safety instructions;
caused by inappropriate or reckless use of equipment;
caused by inaccurate information provided by a customer; or
a business loss suffered by a consumer using our services for private purposes.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
We do not attempt to exclude the rights and remedies provided by consumer law. UK guidance makes clear that businesses cannot contract out of responsibility for death or personal injury caused by their negligence, and unfair consumer terms are not enforceable.
24. Events outside our reasonable control
We are not responsible for delay or failure caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, provided that we take reasonable steps to minimise the effect on customers.
Such circumstances may include severe weather, flooding, fire, power failure, building closure, public-health restrictions, industrial action, transport disruption or emergency work affecting the premises.
Where the booked service cannot be provided, the cancellation provisions above will apply.
25. Complaints
Please raise any concern with a member of staff as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to address it during your visit.
Formal complaints may be sent to:
[Insert email address]
Please include your name, booking details and a clear explanation of the issue.
We aim to acknowledge complaints promptly and respond within a reasonable period.
26. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms to reflect changes in our services, premises, booking arrangements or legal obligations.
The version that applies to a booking is normally the version available when the booking is made, unless a change is required by law or is clearly beneficial to the customer.
The latest version will be published on our website with its revision date.
27. Severability
If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining terms will continue to apply.
28. Governing law
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.
Customers who live elsewhere in the United Kingdom retain any rights they have to bring proceedings in the courts of the part of the United Kingdom in which they live.
29. Contact details
Questions about these terms may be sent to:
Dartlings
The Refectory, Higher Close
Dartington Hall
Totnes
TQ9 6EL
Email: [insert email address]
Telephone: [insert telephone number, if applicable]