Instruction manual links and tips for operating installations
Keys - front and back door
A few guests have reported issues locking and unlocking the doors from the outside. Please note that the key must be vertical in the lock to remove it on both front and back doors. Please do not attempt to pull the key out unless it is upright or you may damage the lock. The doors were newly installed in May 2025 and the locks are high-grade security locks. No lubricants should be used on the locks under any circumstances. If you have difficulties, please contact our housekeepers.
Heating and hot water
There is gas powered central heating. It is controlled by a smart Intergas boiler which is located in the utility room. Hot water is on demand. Please be aware that the hot taps can become very hot so take care. We run the hot water at this temperature to keep the system as healthy as possible. Please do not change the settings on the boiler.
To change the central heating temperature, please use the thermostat in the sitting room. The current temperature will be shown in the display. Holding the outside of the thermostat, rotate clockwise to increase the temperature and the opposite way to decrease. Your new target temperature will be displayed and if you have increased the target, the boiler will flare after a short delay.
The heating is designed to run at a low level constantly (15 degrees celsius). This is to comply with our insurance. It will return to the default overnight unless you turn it up after 10pm.
If you have any problems with the heating or hot water supply, please contact Sandpiper in the first instance.
Rubbish and recycling
There is a household waste bin in the utility room and it will have a bag in it when you arrive. There will be a few spares under the sink but if you need lots you will have to buy more. Please bag everything into black bags (or the strong, white Simple Human bags designed for the bin) including the recycling. Our waste collection company sorts the recycling out at their unit.
Please put bagged waste into the wheelie bin outside the utility room in the lower courtyard. Waste collection happens on changeover and, whenever possible, our housekeepers will put the waste out when they arrive to do the changeover so the bin should be ready for your use. Occasionally we do have to arrange a waste collection during your stay but we will keep disturbance to a minimum and you do not need to wait in.
Under no circumstances should bagged rubbish be put out for the council's domestic waste collection and rubbish bags must not be taken through the house.
The Log-burning stove
The stove is serviced annually by a Sweep Safe certified professional chimney sweep. We do not supply logs or kindling. You can usually buy these in Johns during the colder months. Please use only kiln-dried logs and kindling. Under no circumstances should wet wood be burned. Please avoid burning excessive amounts of paper in the log-burner.
The stove is a Woodford Lowry 5x model. You can find the instruction manual here - it includes trouble-shooting guides.
Smart TVs
The TVs in the sitting-room and the master bedroom have built-in operation guides. Please select menu on the remote control. Following a software update, the TV in the sitting-room may ask for a PIN to operate some services. It is set to 0000. Please do not change the PIN or add any other lock to the TVs.
Please note we do not provide paid, subscription services but you are welcome to log-in using your own accounts. If someone else has remained signed in, please log out and then reconnect using your own log-in.
Kitchen and utility appliances
Hob: the kitchen is fitted with a Neff N50 induction hob. All of the pans supplied in the kitchen are suitable for use on induction hobs.
This is a guide to basic use extracted from the user manual:
6.1 Switching the hob on and off
Switch the hob on and off using the main switch (a circle with an i in the centre). If all of the cooking zones are switched off for longer than 20 seconds, the hob is automatically switched off.
ReStart: if you switch the appliance on within four seconds of switching it off, the hob operates with the settings that were previously set.
6.2 Setting the cooking zones
To choose the required selectable power level, touch the plus or minus sign. 9 is the hottest setting, 1 the lowest. Each power level has an intermediate level. This is marked with a dot.
Selecting the cooking zone and power setting
1. Touch the required dotted circle to select the cooking zone.
2. Within the next 10 seconds, select the required power level.
Note: If no cookware is placed on the cooking zone or the pot is not suitable, the selected power level flashes. After a certain period of time, the cooking zone switches itself off.
QuickStart
If you place cookware on the hob before you switch it on, the cookware is detected when you switch on and the corresponding cooking zone is selected automatically. Select the power level in the next 20 seconds, or the hob switches itself off.
Switching off the cooking zone quickly
Touch and hold the symbol for the cooking zone for three seconds. The cooking zone switches itself off.
For more detailed instructions please see the Neff website manuals section by clicking here.
Oven the kitchen is fitted with a built-in Smeg single oven. To operate, select the desired cooking setting (fan, conventional oven, grill) on the setting knob and the desired temperature.
Using the timer. First set the clock to the correct time. Using the small black buttons on the control panel, press the cooking symbol and the crossed-out cooking symbol together and release. The small dot in the time under the heating symbol will flash. Use the plus and minus buttons to show the correct time. Once you reach the time, do not press anything else. The time will be set once the small dot stops flashing.
To set the timer for cooking, press the cooking symbol once. The display will flash 00:00. Set the required cooking time in hours and minutes (so if you need to cook something for 90 minutes the display will be 01:30). Then select the oven temperature and setting (e.g. 180 on fan - see above). The oven will come on and will switch off after 90 minutes. Remember to add pre-heating time to the cooking time for the dish.
If you want to delay start, immediately after setting the cooking duration (before you set the temperature and cooking setting), press the crossed-out cooking symbol once. That will show the time at which the cooking will end. Use the plus and minus buttons to set when you want cooking to finish (e.g. you set the timer at 4pm for 90 minutes cooking but you want it to end at 7pm, set the finish for 19:00). Then set the temperature and setting as above.
At the end of timer-operated cooking, the oven will beep.
To cancel the timer/stop the beep alarm at the end of cooking, press both the cooking symbol and crossed-out cooking symbol together. If the oven is still on, it will continue cooking so remember to turn the function and temperature knobs to off.
Self-cleaning function - the oven has a setting which will lock the oven and heat it to 500 degrees celsius. It is setting P on the function knob. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THIS BE USED PLEASE. We run this programme on the oven periodically to keep the oven clean for guests. Before running the self-clean, the racks and tray supports have to be removed and washed by hand. Nothing must be left in the oven when this function is running for safety reasons.
Dishwasher - located in the utility room, this is a Miele G5740SC_WH Slimline. You can download the user manual here.
Washer-dryer - located in the utility room. The programme selectors are clearly labelled on the machine. If you have any problems with the machine, please contact Sandpiper in the first instance.
Fridge/Freezer - this is deep-cleaned regularly and defrosted as necessary. If you notice it needs attention during your stay, please contact Sandpiper.
Nespresso coffee maker - model Vertuo Next Premium - this is cleaned and descaled regularly by the owner. Please make sure you use only Nespresso Vertuo pods in the machine or you may damage it. A few pods will be left so you have some when you first arrive.