Cookies Policy
1. Introduction
1.1 This Website uses cookies and similar technologies. This helps me provide you with a good experience when you browse the Website and allows me to improve it over time.
1.2 Cookies are small text files that are downloaded to your device, such as your computer or smartphone. They contain references that can distinguish your browser from other browsers and allow information gathered on one page to be used on another.
1.3 Cookies are not harmful to your device, but some people prefer not to share information through cookies, especially where cookies are used for analytics or advertising.
2. Different types of cookies
2.1 Session vs. persistent cookies: cookies have a limited lifespan. Session cookies last only for a short time or end when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for longer and can remember details when you return.
2.2 First-party vs. third-party cookies: first-party cookies are placed by the Website. Third-party cookies are placed by other service providers whose technology helps the Website run, take payments, or understand performance.
2.3 Categories of cookies: cookies can be grouped by what they help the Website do:
- Necessary cookies help the Website run properly and keep basic functions available.
- Performance and functionality cookies help me understand how visitors use the Website and remember useful preferences.
- Analytical cookies help me understand visits, page views, and similar aggregated metrics.
3. What do I use cookies for?
3.1 I use cookies, or may use them where a related service is enabled:
- to remember your cookie choices;
- to keep forms and booking journeys working correctly;
- to understand how visitors use the Website so I can improve it; and
- to support secure payment processing where online payments are enabled.
4. What cookies do I use?
4.1 The cookies I use, or may use where the relevant feature is enabled, include:
| Cookie | Purpose | What it does | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Cookie preferences | Stores your cookie choice so I do not need to ask again on every visit. | 6 months |
| _ga | Analytics | Helps distinguish visitors for aggregated website analytics, where analytics is enabled. | 2 years |
| _ga_[measurement-id] | Analytics | Helps maintain session state for Google Analytics, where analytics is enabled. | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics | Helps distinguish visitors for analytics over a shorter period, where analytics is enabled. | 24 hours |
| __stripe_mid | Payment security | Helps identify a device for fraud prevention and payment security, where online payments are enabled. | 1 year |
| __stripe_sid | Payment processing | Stores temporary session data for secure payment processing, where online payments are enabled. | 30 minutes |
| _gat | Analytics | Throttles request rates for analytics data, where analytics is enabled. | 1 minute |
| _gac_[property-id] | Analytics | Stores campaign-related analytics information, where advertising or analytics integrations are enabled. | 90 days |
| _utmz | Analytics | Stores the traffic source or campaign that explains how a visitor reached the Website, where analytics is enabled. | 6 months |
| _utma | Analytics | Helps distinguish users and sessions for analytics, where analytics is enabled. | 2 years from set/update |
| _utmb | Analytics | Helps determine new sessions or visits, where analytics is enabled. | 30 minutes from set/update |
| _utmc | Analytics | Works with _utmb to determine whether the visitor is in a new session, where analytics is enabled. | End of browser session |
| _utmt | Analytics | Used to throttle analytics request rates, where analytics is enabled. | 10 minutes |
| _utmv | Analytics | Stores visitor-level custom analytics data, where analytics is enabled. | 2 years from set/update |
4.2 I can only use non-essential cookies with your permission. Where a cookie banner or cookie controls are provided, you can choose whether to accept or decline optional cookies.
4.3 You can update your cookie settings and permissions on the Website where cookie controls are available.
4.4 You can choose to decline cookies, but if you turn off necessary cookies, some pages and functions on the Website may not work properly. You can also manage cookies through your browser or device settings. You may wish to visit https://allaboutcookies.org/how-to-manage-cookies to find out how to disable cookies on different browsers.
4.5 You can also delete cookies and opt out of being tracked by certain cookies directly with the relevant third parties, such as Google Analytics where analytics is enabled.
4.6 If you have any questions about cookies, or how I otherwise use your personal data, please read my Privacy Policy or email [CONTACT EMAIL].