Welcome to Starlings
We are delighted you have chosen Starlings for your stay in Saltdean. We hope you have a wonderful break and hope that this pack and our website gives you all the information you need. If you require any further information or help, please contact us:
Jane and Alan Paterson 07860 661090 or 07711 456558
This pack is also available on Starlings’s website here.
The wifi network is Starlings and the password is in the printed version of this document
The nearest good pub is The Smugglers Inn (walk across the Tye or it is a minute or two in the car.)
To walk: Turn right out of the house and turn right again to walk down Bevendean Avenue until you reach Ashurst Avenue. When you get onto the Tye, follow the path down towards the road. The Smugglers Inn is on the other side, facing the sea over the cliffs. If you go by car (back onto the Coast Road going away from Brighton, you will find it just a few hundred yards on the right), parking is free but you need to enter your car registration at the tablets at the bar on arrival.
Covid-19
In accordance with government guidelines, we have carried out a risk-assessment with regard to Covid-19 and have adopted measures to reduce the risk of transmission at Starlings. A copy of that risk-assessment can be found here. This is under regular review and we plan to maintain these precautions following the lifting of restrictions in July.
You’ll find hand sanitizer just inside the front, back and side doors.
Our cleaners provide a thorough cleaning and disinfecting service based on that assessment and in particular:
All cutlery, mugs, kitchen utensils and day-to-day glassware is washed in the dishwasher between each booking.
The table setting has been washed in the dishwasher on the morning of your arrival.
Other crockery and glassware is rotated with another clean set which has been isolated for at least 72 hours and usually seven days.
Kitchen equipment and containers have been cleaned and disinfected.
We replace the duvets, pillows and throws (and dog blankets) with a second set which has been in isolation for at least 72 hours and usually seven days at the end of each booking.
Cushions have been misted with an eco-friendly, odourless virucidal spray.
All high-touch areas and floors have been cleaned and disinfected.
In line with the guidance, we ask for your help in reducing the risk of transmission by doing the following:
Keep the property ventilated, weather permitting, during your stay. There are door wedges in the cupboard between the washing machine and drier, if you need them.
Please strip your beds on the morning of your departure and place into the bags provided on the shelves of the left-hand wardrobe in the master bedroom. (Please leave the mattress protectors on the beds and pillow protectors on the pillows as these are removed and laundered separately.)
Please put all the towels, bath-mats etc. you have used during your stay into a separate bag(s).
Please ensure all landfill rubbish is bagged, tied and placed in the landfill bin next to the garage. Please ensure all recycling is cleaned and placed in the recycling bin next to the garage.
Please check-out by 10:00 am to give us time to prepare Starlings for our next guests.
If you arrive early or while it is still being prepared please do not enter the property unless it is empty and you have been advised by us that it is fully prepared for you.
There is an NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace QR poster in the front porch which you and members of your party may use. If you do not have the app, an alternative method of recording this information is to text us when you arrive at the property, and again when you leave.
Should you develop symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus while you are at Starlings, please follow the advice given in the NHS poster opposite. The Government guidance on this can be found here.
We are keeping our risk-assessment and our response under constant review and welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have.
Essential Information
Address: Starlings 12 Cissbury Crescent Saltdean BRIGHTON BN2 8PN Owner Contact Details: Jane and Alan Paterson: 07860 661090 or 07711456558 [email protected] Holiday Cottages Contact Details: 01237 459888 Mains Water Tap In the Kitchen at the back of the cupboard next to the fridge Mains Electricity In the Kitchen at the back of the cupboard next to the wine rack Emergency Services 999 or 112 Fire, Police, Ambulance Non-Emergency Help Police 101 NHS non-life-threatening number 111 Coastguard 999 or 112 Dentist Saltdean Dental Practice: 01273 309988 80 Longridge Avenue, Saltdean , Brighton, BN2 8RB http://www.saltdeandental.co.uk Doctor Saltdean and Rottingdean Medical Practice: 01273 305723 Grand Ocean, Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 8BU http://www.saltdeanrottingdeansurgery.nhs.uk Hospital Royal Sussex County Hospital: 01273 696955 Eastern Road Brighton BN2 5BE https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/hospitals/royal-sussex-county- hospital/ Vet New Priory Veterinary Clinic: 01273 583252 11 Edith Avenue Peacehaven, East Sussex,BN10 8JB https://meridianvets.co.uk/ Pharmacy Lloyds Pharmacy: 01273 302800 9 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8LG website Taxi South Coast Taxis: 01273 301111 38 Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, Brighton, BN2 8LJ https://www.southcoasttaxis.co.uk ATM In the Co-Op on Longridge Avenue. Rubbish Collection Waste every week on Tuesday, Recycling every fortnight on * see calendar later in this pack Monday*. Wheelie bins should be left at the top of the drive or on our website for collection. Liners are provided for the waste.
Local Information
Please note: Some attractions and locations may not be open or may be operating restricted opening times and conditions. Saltdean is situated by the sea in a 'Dean' (Old English for 'dry valley'), with the surrounding hills of the South Downs National Park forming a large central dip and valley where the oval shaped Saltdean Park and Lido are located, looking out over the adjacent sea. Tree lined roads and avenues radiate out in wide oval curves from the park in order to follow the contours of the local topography. Saltdean is ideally placed for the sea, Brighton (5 miles), Brighton Marina (3.5 miles) the South Downs (on the doorstep), Cuckmere Haven (10 miles), Lewes (10 miles) and Eastbourne (17 miles). The local Lido has been open since April, but there are restrictions on the changing room and children’s pool. Saltdean Lido We have an excellent bus service which runs from Brighton Railway Station (No's 12, 14 & 27). The number 47 bus also stops nearby. Brighton & Hove Buses or BusTimes for full bus timetables.
https://www.tideschart.com/United-Kingdom/England/Brighton-and- Tide Tables Hove/Saltdean-Beach/
Please respect the local area and residents
Starlings is located in a quiet area and we ask that you are considerate to the people living in the nearby houses. Please keep noise levels down in the evening and keep your dogs out of neighbouring gardens and inside the house if they are likely to make a noise outside.
Shops and Supermarkets CO-OP Local 51-57 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton, BN2 8LG 01273 302839 Asda Brighton Marina Superstore 24 hours Brighton Marina, Brighton, BN2 5UT Tel: 01273 606611 Dapper Dogs Petshop 43 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8LG 01273 307122 https://www.dapperdogsbrighton.co.uk
Marine Drive, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8SQ Local Cafes White Cliffs Café: 07956 711859. Also a popup café at the Lido 14A-16 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8LH Crocodile Café: 01273 300515 32 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8LJ Coffee Corner: 07935 264533 59 Longridge Ave, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8LG Avenue Tea Rooms: 01273 304007 Undercliff Walk, Brighton BN2 7AZ Molly’s at the Beach:
There are several restaurants at the Marina: Prezzos, Local Pubs and Brighton Marina Nandos, Frankie & Benny’s to name a few: Restaurants Visit https://www.sugarvine.com/brighton/brighton- marina-village/ for a full list South Coast Rd, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven BN10 7BE Smugglers Rest 01273 586593
See our website for links to other Cafes and Restaurants further afield
Cinema Cineworld Cinema Brighton BN2 5UF https://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/brighton/
Arrival Starlings will be ready for you from 16:00 on your arrival day. The front door key is in the KeySafe in the front porch – you will have been sent the code. Please replace the key here and lock the KeySafe before you leave. Please leave your boots and shoes in the porch, or in the utility room when you come in through the side or back door. There is also a welly boot rack in the shelter of the porch roof to the left of the front door (as you face the house). There are coat hooks in the porch and in the downstairs cloakroom. Park in the drive or there is plenty of kerbside parking immediately outside the property. Keys to the other doors are in the slanting cabinet in the utility room. Please replace them here before you leave. We have provided hand-sanitizer in the front porch and in the Utility Room (next to the external door).
Departure So that we can make sure Starlings is at its best for its next guests, please leave by 10:00 am on your departure day. This is particularly important during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
As per the guidance we have received, we are asking guests to strip their beds prior to departure. Please put the bed linen into the bags provided in the master bedroom (left-hand wardrobe door, on the shelves) and knot the bags. Please put all the towels, bathmats etc. you have used into a separate bag and knot it. Please don’t remove the mattress and pillow protectors as these are removed and cleaned separately.
Please leave the front door key in the keysafe box – and any other keys in the slanting cabinet in the utility room.
If you have brought your own linen, please check you are taking your own home with you. Starlings’s bed linen has a small black “Starlings” tag attached to the care label.
If you have logged into your own Netflix or Prime Video account, please log out before you leave.
Please take a moment to make an entry in the Guest Book (on the console table in the hall). Holiday Cottages will also ask you for a review when you return home. Please do fill this in. If you have any suggestions, email us at [email protected]
Room by Room Front Porch
The KeySafe is in the Front Porch. Push the central switch down and enter the code. Turn the knob clockwise 180° to open. When you replace the key, close the safe and turn the knob anti-clockwise 180° to lock it.
There are hooks for your coats and space for your boots and shoes in the front porch. There is an umbrella here too, if you need to borrow it during your stay. Park your boots in the welly rack to the left of the porch as you face the house, under the extended roof.
Entrance Hall
The Entrance Hall leads off to the Lounge, Dining Room, Cloakroom and Kitchen. The thermostat for the heating is on the wall to the right of the console table. Out of the summer months, it is set to come on at 6:00 am and go off at 10:00 am. It will come on again in the afternoon at 16:00 until 23:00. To change the on/off times for the heating, remove the cover and adjust the pins on the dial. Full details are here. Our Visitors Book is on the console table, which we’d love you to make an entry in about your stay at Starlings. (Please also leave a review with Holiday Cottages when they contact you after your stay.)
Cloakroom
There are further hooks here for coats and outdoor clothes and the vacuum cleaner is stored here.
Dining Room
The dinner service is in the cupboard, along with table-mats and coasters.
Lounge
TV: The on/off switch is the top switch ranged down the right-hand side of the set. There is a remote for the TV and for the FreeSat box. A Chrome-Cast device is also linked to the TV. There are some detailed instructions on how to use the remote at the end of this document and full instructions for the TV are here and here for the FreeSat box.
Wood Burner: Please only use the wood supplied. This has been kiln-dried and kept dry. Wood from other sources may damage the burner. One basket has been filled for you in the lounge. When you need more, you will find it in the studio behind the garage (key in the key box in the slanting cupboard in the utility room). Full instructions for the woodburner are here.
In some weather conditions, the glass of the wood burner smokes up. If you want to see the flames, use the glass cleaner in the cupboard under the sink in the kitchen with kitchen towel (supplied).
It burns best if the ash from previous fires is left in the burner. Just lay a firelighter or paper (or both) on the ashes and put some kindling and a log on top. Light the firelighter and leave the door slightly ajar until it gets going. Close the door and get cosy.
If you need to clean up the hearth, just use a dustpan and brush. If it needs a wipe, a damp cloth with no detergent.
Games: There are playing cards and Bananagrams in the coffee table drawer. (Other games are in the cupboard under the TV and puzzles are in the snug.)
For hot weather, there is a floor fan in the lounge. If it is not out and you need it, please contact us.
Kitchen
Cleaning products and disinfectant are under the kitchen sink. There are disposable gloves in the kitchen drawer below the boiler, should you need them.
Cooker: There is a main switch for the cooker next to the Consumer Unit in the cupboard next to the winerack. This should already be on when you arrive. The controls pop out when you press them. To operate the bottom oven, select the mode using the pop-out button on the far left. Use the symbol for most operations and set the temperature as required with the button next to it. To operate the top oven, select the symbol on the third button from the left, and set the temperature with the fourth. To operate the grill, select the symbol (for either oven). Full instructions can be found here.
Hob: The main switch is on the wall above the hob to the right. (The other switch is for the extract.) Both should already be on when you arrive. To operate a burner, press it in and turn it anti- clockwise to its maximum. Sparks will be produced and the gas will be lit. Release the knob and turn it to the required setting. If it doesn’t light, turn it off and try again, holding it at the maximum setting for up to 10 seconds. Full instructions can be found here.
Coffee Machine: Make sure there is water in the reservoir at the back of the machine. Pull the handle forward to release any old capsule. Insert a new capsule and push the handle back. Press the Lungo button on the right or the Espresso button on the left. Press the button again (either while it is flashing or when it is solid.) The coffee will be poured once the light is solid. If the handle will not go back when inserting a new capsule, pull out the used capsule container and empty it. If you need more capsules, order them from Amazon or buy compatible at the supermarket. Find full instructions for the machine here.
Taps and Water Filter: The mixer tap gives you hot and cold water, and the small lever delivers filtered water. The hot water can get very hot, especially when on a fast flow.
Fridge Freezer: We have put ice in the top tray for you.
Boiler: Hot water is heated on demand by the boiler and it should not need any attention from you.
Dishwasher: Tablets go into the larger compartment. (Press the latch at the back of the compartment to open it.) Use the 3in1 programme when using 3in1 tablets. We have left some tablets for you in the cupboard under the sink. Press the programme button until the desired program lights up. Close the door and the dishwasher will start. Full instructions are here.
Fusebox: Is in the bottom cupboard next to the wine rack.
There is a Fire Extinguisher and a Fire Blanket on the wall in the kitchen.
The Waste Bins are in the cupboard under the boiler. Liners are on the shelf above.
The Outside Bins are stored in the walkway beside the garage. These are emptied weekly (for waste) on Tuesdays and fortnightly (recycling) on Mondays (calendar included later in this document). We will leave the bins to the top of the drive, ready for collection, before you arrive. Feel free to return them to beside the garage if you wish once they have been emptied. Wheelie Bin Liners for the waste are also in the drawer above the bins. Plastic bags are not accepted in the recycling, so no liner in the recycling bin, please.
There is an Iron in the tall cupboard by the door into the hall, along with a mop, broom, dustpan and brush etc. There is a Floor Spray Mop for the wooden floor, should you need it. The Ironing Board is between the wall and the fridge.
The Kitchen Light Switches are on the walls just outside the kitchen (in the utility room and hall.)
We hope you find all the equipment you need in the kitchen. If there is something that would be useful that we do not have, please leave us a note at [email protected].
Utility Room
Washing Machine: There is a main switch for the Washing Machine and Dryer on the wall above the washing machine. This should already be switched on. Turn the washing machine on by moving the dial to the required programme. Put gel tabs directly into the drum or powder into the middle section in the drawer. Please also use a Calgon tablet with each wash (supplied). Press the on- switch to start. The machine has a child-proof device. If this gets turned on, this icon will appear in the display and none of the buttons will function. To turn the device off, press and hold the Spin and Prewash buttons together for six seconds until the icon disappears from the display. Full instructions can be found here.
Dryer: Turn the dial to the required cycle and press the start switch. This is a condenser dryer and the water collector may need emptying after a few uses. Likewise, fluff accumulates in the filters in the door and should be cleared. Full instructions can be found here.
There is a Laundry Basket and pegs in the cupboard between the two machines. There is a retractable washing line outside which runs between the shed at the end of the garden and the wooden arch.
Microwave: Press the door button to open and turn the top dial to the required setting and the bottom button for the required time. (If you need a time less than two minutes, turn the dial past two minutes and then back to the correct time.) The microwave will start automatically once the timer has been set. Full instructions are here.
There are Dog bowls in the cupboard above the dryer, along with poop bags and towels. There are fleece blankets for your dog in the basket in the lounge.
Keys to the Side Door, Patio Doors and the Studio behind the garage are in the slanting cupboard on the opposite wall to the Dryer. There is also a Torch, basic First Aid Kit and spare Light Bulbs in this cupboard.
Snug
There are Information Leaflets, Maps, Books and Puzzles in the shelves in the snug.
If you need to borrow towels for the beach, please don’t use the white house towels. There are Beach Towels in the basket by the shelves which you may borrow.
There are several Blankets in the other basket by the patio doors for use outside.
There is a Bluetooth Speaker in the snug – the pairing code is 0000.
There is a pair of binoculars on the hook behind the Snug door, which you are welcome to borrow during your stay. Please return them to the hook before you leave.
Upstairs
Bedroom 1: This has a king-sized bed. There is a hair-dryer in the top drawer of the chest of drawers (in the middle wardrobe section.) There is a small fan in the wardrobe for hot weather.
Bedroom 2: This has two small single beds which zip-and-link together to form a king-sized bed. There is a small fan in the wardrobe for hot weather.
Bedroom 3: Has a single bed.
Bathroom: The fan comes on automatically when you turn on the light and stops a short while after the light is turned off. If the noise of the fan over-run is an irritation at night, it can be disabled by means of the lower of the two high level switches outside the bathroom door. The other switch turns off all the power to the bathroom. The switch for the Shower is on the wall between Bedrooms 1 and 3.
There is a Fire Extinguisher on the wall between the bathroom and Bedroom 2.
Outside
There is a Weber BBQ in the back garden. (If there is bad weather before you arrive you may find it in the studio behind the garage). Instructions for use can be found here. There is some BBQ Fuel in the Studio – more is available from the local shops in Saltdean.
Studio
The key to the studio is in the slanting cupboard in the utility room. If you need more wood for the Wood burner in the lounge, you will find some in the studio behind the garage, along with kindling. Please don’t use this wood on the BBQ.
Cushions for the outside chairs are stored here. Please leave them here when you leave (or if there is rain).
There are fishing nets and buckets and spades here too for your children to use.
Rubbish Collection
Refuse is collected weekly on a Tuesday. Black bin liners are provided in the drawer above the bins in the kitchen.
Recycling is collected fortnightly on a Monday – no plastic bags or liners, please.
We will leave both bins at the top of the drive before you arrive, but please feel free to store them beside the garage after they have been emptied, if you wish.
A calendar of dates follows for the 2021 Recycling Collection, which can also be viewed online, here or here on our own website.
Using the remote to control the TV and Set Top Box (STB)
Use the Freesat HUMAX remote controller to control both the TV and the Set Top Box (STB).
The TV and STB are turned on and off together when you first press the STB button (on the top left of the remote), followed by the green power button on the top right.
These are toggle switches, so do the same thing again to turn the TV and STB off together.
If the TV doesn’t turn off with the STB when you do this, you can turn it off independently using the green power button on the top right of the Sony TV remote.
Channel selection is done through the Set Top Box, so before using the other buttons to navigate the channels, press the STB button on the top left of the remote to select the STB.
Note: When you press any buttons on the remote, the button for the currently selected device, TV or STB, will flash red once.
To bring up the Channel guide, press the triangular button “TV Guide” to the right of the big circular button with the OK button in the centre.
Navigate the guide with the up and down, left and right buttons at North, South, West and East of the big silver button with the OK button in the centre.
To filter the programmes in the guide, press the “List” button (bottom left of the top set of buttons) to bring up the filter. Press OK on your selection to return to the Guide with that filter applied.
To search for a particular programme, use the “Search” button (top left triangular button) and the numeric/alpha keys at the bottom of the remote – or the arrow keys arranged around the OK button – to type in your search text.
To step back, press the “back” button (bottom left triangular button).
To exit the guide, press the Exit button (bottom right triangular button).
To record a program in the list, select it using the arrow keys and then press the button with the red “R” in it (bottom left of the top set of buttons).
You can also record the program you are currently watching (i.e. the guide is closed and you are watching the programme) by pressing this button.
I hope this is enough information to get you familiar with the guide. If you need more information, you can find it here or a printed copy in the drawers of the cabinet under the TV.
NB:
You can also use the TV remote to turn the TV on and off and to control the volume if you prefer, but channel selection is only possible using the Freesat Humax STB remote.
Places to Visit
Apart from the beach, Saltdean Lido and the South Downs, which are on your doorstep, there a many attractions and activities nearby. We have left some leaflets in the snug, but here are a few ideas that might be of interest:
Alfriston: A beautiful smuggling village (11 miles), with many interesting shops, pubs and tearooms. We particularly love The Badgers.
Brighton: Fantastic shopping, theatres and restaurants, and the Pier and iconic Pavilion. Visit the Sea Life Aquarium.
Cuckmere Haven: Visit this beautiful valley where the meandering river meets the sea. Visit the Salt Marsh Tearooms for Afternoon Tea or light meals, the Cuckmere Inn or the Long Man Brewery for a tasting tour (book first).
Downland walks – take a look at Longman’s Walking Guide for Sussex for some ideas.
Eastbourne: Visit Treasure Island or Fort Fun in Eastbourne for a great day out for the kids. There are many restaurants and theatres – and there is something going on at the bandstand every evening throughout the summer.
Firle Place: an outstanding privately-owned country house in Sussex that dates from the time of Henry VIII. Location of Hartfield in the feature film of Emma, directed by Autumn de Wilde, Universal Pictures, 2020. House and Tea Room Open from June to September (please check as this may change during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Or check out Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventures in Brighton.
Golf at East Brighton Golf Course.
Hang-gliding: Learn to Hang Glide at South Downs Hang Gliding in Firle.
Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion Skating Rink in Brighton. Open November to January. Or the British Airways i360 in Brighton.
JungleRumble Adventure Golf in Brighton.
Kitesurfing at Pevensey Bay (25 miles). Or for the kids, Knockhatch in Eastbourne.
Lewes Castle: Climb to the top of this 1000-year-old Norman Castle.
Middle Farm in West Firle. An Open Farm, bakery, farm shop and Cider Barn.
National Trust Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters. Take your nets at low tide for some great rock pools and visit the Beachy Head pub for lunch.
Opera House at Glyndebourne.
Priory: Visit Michelham Priory – the site of a former Augustine Priory in Upper Dicker. Events are held through the year, or visit the Priory, Gardens and Tea Room from February to December. Or, just for the kids, Paradise Park in Newhaven.
Quasars and Quakes at Herstmonceux Observatory (27 miles.)
Rathfinny Wine Estate in Alfriston – home of Sussex Sparkling.
Sea-fishing Tours from Brighton. Brighton Wind Farm, Diving and Fishing Tours. Or for the kids, SkyHigh Trampoline Park in Peacehaven.
Trekking from the Chestnuts Riding Stable in Pycombe, near Brighton.
Undercliffe Walk – walk along the seafront from Saltdean to Brighton Marina.
Virginia Woolf’s home at 16th- century Monk’s House in Rodmell. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, April to September. And there’s Charleston Farmhouse in West Firle, home and country meeting place of the Bloomsbury Group. Please check their opening times.
Water Activities at Active Buzz in Eastbourne and Cuckmere Valley. Take a Taster course in Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking etc.
eXtreme Ventures Brighton Indoor Climbing Wall & Outdoor Rock Climbing.
Yellowave Beach Sports on Brighton’s only sandy beach.
Zoo at Drusillas Park - a small 10-acre zoo near to Alfriston. A wonderful day out for the kids.
You can find a copy of this Welcome Pack here.
We hope you enjoy your stay
Jane and Alan