Last updated: 14 October 2026
This policy explains what personal information The Castle Inn collects when you book a table or use our website, why we need it, and what we do with it.
Who we are
The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, Kent, TN8 7AH, is run by Castle Inn Hospitality, a partnership. We are the “data controller” for the information described here. If you have any questions about your information, email us at castleinnchidd@gmail.com or call 01892 870371.
What we collect when you book
- Your name, phone number and email address
- The date, time and number of guests for your booking
- Any allergies, dietary needs, accessibility needs or high-chair requests you tell us about
- Any notes or special requests you add
- For groups of 9 or more, a record of whether a deposit has been paid and how much (we never store card details)
We also keep a record of emails we send you about your booking, and any change or cancellation you make.
Why we use it
- To take, confirm, change or cancel your booking, and to contact you about it
- To send you a reminder the day before your visit
- To prepare your table and make sure our kitchen knows about allergies or dietary needs
- To protect our booking form from spam and misuse
We use your details only for your booking. We do not send marketing emails, and we never sell or share your details for marketing.
Our legal basis
We use your booking details because we need them to provide the booking you asked for. Allergy and dietary information can count as health information, so we only use it with your consent, which you give by telling us about it, and only to keep you safe while you eat with us. You can ask us to remove it at any time, but we then may not be able to cater safely for you.
Who sees your information
Our staff see your booking so they can prepare for your visit. We also rely on a small number of trusted service providers who handle data for us:
- our website host, which stores the booking system
- the email service that delivers our booking emails
- the notification service that sends a short alert to our own staff devices when a booking request arrives
- Square, if you pay a deposit by card (Square handles the card details; we never see or store them)
These providers may only use your information to provide their service to us. We will share information with the authorities only if the law requires it.
How long we keep it
We keep booking records for up to 2 years after your visit, so we can deal with any questions or problems, and then delete them. Records needed for tax or accounting (such as deposits) are kept for the period the law requires.
Cookies
Our booking form does not use advertising or tracking cookies. The website uses a few essential cookies so it works properly (for example, to keep the booking form secure). If you leave a comment on the site, your browser may save your name and email so you don’t have to type them again.
Your rights
You can ask us to:
- give you a copy of the information we hold about you
- correct anything that is wrong
- delete your information
- stop using your information, or object to how we use it
To do any of these, email castleinnchidd@gmail.com or call 01892 870371. We will reply within one month.
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, please tell us first so we can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we will update it on this page and change the date at the top.