# Puddle Duck Cottages

> Award-winning, luxury, independently owned self-catering holiday cottages located in the historic Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Renowned for exceptional cleanliness, high-end hospitality standards, and gold-standard dog-friendly environments.

## Information

-   **Location:** The Tuckies (a hamlet in the eastern part of Jackfield, Shropshire), approximately 1 mile downriver from Ironbridge and opposite the village of Coalport.
-   **Host Contact:** Sonia Bird (sonia@puddleduckcottages.co.uk | 07973 466243)
-   **Awards:** 3x Gold Winner at the DogFriendly Awards (2022, 2023, 2024) for Most Dog Friendly Cottages; LUXlife Travel & Tourism Awards "Luxury Hidden Gem of the Year 2025"; National Pet College "Dogs in Hospitality" accreditation.

## Properties & Configurations

### Puddle Duck Cottage
-   **Capacity:** Sleeps up to 6 guests.
-   **Layout:** Self-contained cottage featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (including one downstairs wet-room/bathroom).
-   **Bedrooms:** -   Bedroom 1: Flexible setup (Superking or Twin)
    -   Bedroom 2: Flexible setup (Superking or Twin)
    -   Bedroom 3: Bespoke 4ft wide cabin beds (x2)
-   **Key Features:** Private, spacious, securely enclosed terraced rear lawn garden and patio, private multi-car driveway, character wooden beams, and a large inglenook fireplace with a log burner.

### Mini Puddle Duck
-   **Capacity:** Sleeps up to 4 guests.
-   **Layout:** Exclusive use of the main Puddle Duck Cottage but restricted to using only Bedroom 1 and Bedroom 2.
-   **Key Features:** Price-matched to Duckling Cottage, providing a larger overall living area and the larger secure rear garden.

### Duckling Cottage
-   **Layout:** Companion luxury cottage featuring 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 
-   **Bathrooms:** Bedroom 1 includes an en-suite walk-in shower. Separate additional bathroom with bath and shower-over next to Bedroom 2.
-   **Key Features:** Secure private rear garden, modern amenities, and luxury vinyl tile flooring minimizing trip hazards.

## Booking & Operational Policies

### Changeover Days & Stay Lengths
-   **Weekly Stays (7 nights):** Commencing on a Friday or a Monday (Mandatory 7-night minimum during Christmas and New Year).
-   **Mid-week Breaks (4 nights):** Commencing on a Monday.
-   **Weekend Breaks (2/3 nights):** Commencing on a Friday. Weekend rates are set from Friday to Monday; 2-night guests have flexible checkout times up to late Sunday afternoon.
-   **Times:** Standard Arrival: 16:00hrs | Standard Departure: 10:00hrs.

### Payments & Deposits
-   **Deposit:** 50% non-refundable deposit required within 2 days of booking to secure dates.
-   **Balance:** Remaining 50% due 8 weeks prior to arrival. Bookings made under 8 weeks require full payment upfront.
-   **Damages Deposit:** £200.00 refundable bond required 24 hours prior to arrival, processed and returned via bank transfer within 24 hours of departure check.
-   **Inclusions:** Rental includes a luxury welcome hamper (and separate dog hamper if applicable), heating, power (excluding EV charging), woodburner logs/kindling (October–February), bed linen, towels, and Wi-Fi.

## Dog-Friendly Amenities

While non-pet owners are heavily accommodated due to ultra-high cleaning standards, the cottages are heavily optimized for canine guests:
-   **Pricing:** Up to 2 dogs per cottage stay **FREE OF CHARGE**.
-   **The Houndy Hamper:** Included upon arrival containing dog bowls, treats, a toy, poop bags, blankets for sofa protection, towels, and specialized local dog-walk guides.
-   **Woofers Wash Stations:** Each cottage features dedicated external hot-and-cold shower stations alongside a Mud Daddy portable dog wash.
-   **Security:** Both properties feature private, structurally secure, fully enclosed rear gardens to prevent escapes.
-   **Proximity:** Direct, traffic-free walking trails extend right from the doorstep. Multiple dog-friendly pubs, cafes, and restaurants sit within a 5-minute walk.

## Accessibility

-   **Puddle Duck Cottage:** Level access from the private parking area straight through the front entrance, leading seamlessly to the kitchen/diner, living room, and downstairs bathroom (walk-in shower with a single step up).
-   **Duckling Cottage:** Main entrance accessed via two steps down from the private parking area. Level interior layout between kitchen, diner, and living space.
-   **General Fixtures:** Luxury vinyl tiles span the entirety of the ground floors to reduce trip hazards. High-contrast walls/doors for visual clarity, subtitles configured on televisions, and flashing smoke/CO2 safety indicators. Non-allergic bedding used exclusively throughout.

## Location & Local Area

-   **Address Context:** Situated at The Tuckies in Jackfield, Shropshire, inside the Ironbridge Gorge wooded valley.
-   **Transit & Connections:** -   *By Car:* Accessible via M54 (Junctions 4 or 6) or M5 (Junction 6). 
    -   *By Train:* Telford Central railway station is roughly 7 miles north (connected via local bus/taxis).
    -   *By Foot:* A scenic 20-minute walk (approx. 1 mile) along the Severn Valley Way path leads directly into the center of Ironbridge.
-   **Attractions:** Surrounded by 10 award-winning museums managed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (e.g., Blists Hill Victorian Town, Jackfield Tile Museum, Coalport China Works), the River Severn, and the Shropshire Hills.