Cookie Policy

About this policy

This Cookie Policy explains how The Cotswolds App ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on thecotswoldsapp.com ("the Site"). It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device when you visit it. They are widely used to make websites work, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to site operators.

We also refer to similar technologies in this policy, such as browser local storage and session storage, which serve comparable purposes.

What we use, and what we don't

We use only strictly necessary cookies and similar storage required for the Site to function. In particular:

• Authentication and session — when you sign in, our authentication provider (Supabase) stores a session token so we can keep you signed in as you move between pages. Without this, signing in would not work.
• Local preferences — we use your browser's local storage to remember small pieces of state, for example your sign-in redirect path after an OTP code is requested, an in-progress review draft while you complete sign-in, or the version identifier of an app update you chose to dismiss (so we do not re-prompt you about the same version). This data stays on your device.
• Service worker registration — the app registers a small service worker at /sw.js so the site can be installed as a progressive web app and so previously-visited pages and place images load instantly on revisit. The worker stores no personal data and uses six on-device caches: place-images-v1 (images from our self-hosted place images and moderated community photo buckets, kept for 90 days or until your browser reclaims the space), static-images-v1 (category illustrations and hero artwork served from our site, also kept for 90 days), external-images-v1 (up to 500 third-party images discovered via our admin image search and Ticketmaster event thumbnails, cached opaquely so place-detail pages and event panels survive offline, kept for 90 days), html-shell-v1 (recently-visited pages, kept for 7 days), directory-version-v1 (a single tiny staleness fingerprint so the app can tell when the server directory changed), and map-tiles-v1 (individual map tile requests you have made while online, capped at 50 entries, kept for 180 days — so recently visited map areas load instantly).
• IndexedDB: cotswolds-directory — populated only if you download content from the Offline storage page. Stores place and category data so the app works without a connection, plus a tiny record of your geolocation cleanup-prompt state (when you first went outside the Cotswolds, and whether you've clicked "Don't ask again"). If you opt in to the offline basemap, the same database also holds a pmtiles object store containing the downloaded Cotswolds map file (approximately 200 MB). All of this is only ever used locally; none of it is ever sent back to us. Clear it any time from Offline storage or your browser's site-data controls.
• IndexedDB: offline-sync stores — when you perform an action (tagging a place, writing a review, editing an itinerary, or uploading a photo) while the device has no internet connection, we queue that action locally so it can be sent to the server once you reconnect. Four object stores are used for this:
  • sync_outbox — queued user actions (tags, reviews, itinerary edits, photo uploads) waiting to reach the server; each entry is removed as soon as the corresponding request completes.
  • sync_outbox_blobs — compressed WebP bytes for any photos queued in the outbox; cleared when the upload completes.
  • itineraries (IDB mirror) — your itinerary rows mirrored locally so the itineraries list is readable while offline.
  • user_place_tags (IDB mirror) — your tag choices (e.g. "to visit" / "visited") mirrored locally so saved-place labels appear correctly while offline.
  None of this data is shared with third parties. You can clear all sync-related local data from Offline storage or your browser's site-data controls.
• Geolocation (on demand and periodic) — used by the two "Near me" download buttons on the Offline storage page (once, when you tap the button) and by the Cotswolds cleanup prompt (roughly hourly while you have offline data cached, to detect when you have likely left the area). Never stored on our servers. You can decline the browser's geolocation permission, or click "Don't ask again" on the cleanup prompt, to stop these checks.

The Contact business form on claimed listings does not use any captcha or third-party anti-spam service. Submissions are filtered server-side via a hidden honeypot field and a minimum-fill-time check, plus IP and per-place rate limits — none of which set or read cookies.

The Near me radius filter on the directory does not add any new on-device storage. Your location is held in page memory only while the filter is active, then discarded when you navigate away.

We do not use:

• Advertising or marketing cookies.
• Third-party analytics scripts (e.g. Google Analytics).
• Cross-site tracking pixels, fingerprinting, or behavioural profiling.

Under UK law (the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, or "PECR"), strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent. Because this is all we use, we do not show a cookie banner.

If this changes

If we introduce analytics or any other non-essential cookies in the future, we will update this policy and, where required, seek your consent before setting them — for example, via a cookie banner with clear accept/decline options.

Managing cookies in your browser

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you block all cookies, block third-party cookies only, or clear cookies already stored. You can also clear local and session storage from the same settings area.

Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies will prevent parts of the Site from working — in particular, you will not be able to sign in.

For detailed guidance, see your browser's help pages, or visit ICO: Cookies for an independent overview.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Contact

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please email hello@thecotswoldsapp.com.