This page explains how Blakesleys uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our site, what information they store and how you can control them.
Cookies in plain terms
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device by a website. It helps the site recognise your browser when you return and remember settings or preferences you chose during earlier visits. Some cookies last only while your browser is open; others remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them manually.
We use cookies to understand how visitors move through our content on garden verandas and pergolas. They tell us which articles are read most often, how long people stay on a page and which links are followed. No cookie on this site identifies you by name, and none carries information you have typed into a form.
What is stored and for how long
Blakesleys sets session cookies that expire when you close your browser. These let the site remember which pages you have already seen during one visit, so repeated requests load faster.
We also set persistent cookies that remain for up to two years. These track whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning reader, helping us judge which topics bring people back. The information stored is limited to an anonymous identifier, timestamps and page paths—nothing that singles you out as an individual.
Embedded third parties
Some pages on this site load scripts or content from organisations we do not control. An embedded video player, a map or a social-sharing button may set its own cookies under that provider's policy, not ours. We have no access to what those cookies store and no say in how long they last.
Third-party analytics services process anonymised visit data on our behalf. Their cookies record device type, screen resolution and referrer, then aggregate the figures so we can see overall patterns without tracking anyone's identity. You can read each provider's own cookie notice through the links in their scripts, usually found in your browser's developer tools.
Declining without breaking the site
You do not need to accept cookies to read any guide or article on Blakesleys. Every page loads in full whether cookies are enabled or blocked. Declining them means we lose the ability to count visits accurately, but it does not hide content or stop navigation from working.
Most browsers let you refuse all cookies, delete existing ones or ask for permission each time a site tries to set one. The steps vary by browser:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Blocking third-party cookies stops the embedded scripts mentioned above while still allowing our own session and analytics cookies. That setting is usually labelled "Block third-party cookies" or "Cross-site tracking prevention."
Updates
This policy was last revised in January 2026. When we add a new third-party service or change how we use cookies, we update this page and note the revision date at the top. We do not send individual notifications of changes; checking back here from time to time is the way to stay informed. Material changes—such as collecting a new category of data—will be flagged clearly in the opening paragraph for three months after the update.
This is an information site. We do not sell any goods or services.