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    Got A Question?

    We have FAQs for You

    Below are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. Please remember to request a trip dossier from us if you can’t find the information you are looking for on the website. If you have any other questions, do let us know as we are happy to help. We will continue to update this page with new information so it will be a useful resource for you.

    1. Planning Your Trip

    2. Solo Travellers

    3. Booking Your Trip

    4. Between Booking and Travelling

    5. Starting a Trip and on a Trip

    6. Payments and Tipping

    Planning Your Trip


    I want to chat to a person, what are your opening hours and how do I get in touch?
    Read More

    Great, we want to chat with you too! Our office hours are Monday to Friday 09:00–17:30 UK time. You can reach our Adventure Consultants on +44(0)1768 721 210 option 1.

    If you are calling from North American we have a toll free number: 833-574-0690 option 1. We are based in the UK so the same office hours apply but you can drop us an email anytime on [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.


    How can I find out if places are still available on a trip?
    Read More

    Please click on the trip you are interested in, then, on that trip page, scroll down to view prices and availability. Next, to the departure date and price, you can see how many places are still available, and a note to confirm if a trip is confirmed to run or not. We confirm group trips with just two clients, meaning you can book with confidence.

    For self-guided tours, please visit the trip page that you are interested in, scroll down to the Book Now section and select the number of people you’d like to book for, followed by your preferred travel date. This will then guide you through the booking process and we’ll confirm your booking when we receive it.


    How many people can join a group trip?
    Read More

    We try to keep our group sizes small. Our small group trips generally have a maximum of 8 people but our Coast to Coast walking trip can have up to 10 people join it.

    For self-guided tours it’s up to you how many people you bring with you in your group.


    How many people does it take to confirm a trip?
    Read More

    A trip is normally confirmed when two people book but like any good rule, there are occasional exceptions. Don’t be afraid to book on to an unconfirmed trip – it’s our experience that when one person books it encourages more people to join but if you’d like clarification on any points then don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.


    The trip I want to book is fully booked – is there a waiting list?
    Read More

    Of course, just drop us a line on the phone or by email with the departure you’d like to join and we’ll make a note to contact you if space becomes available.


    There is only one space left but we’re a couple can we squeeze in?
    Read More

    Unfortunately not. Our group sizes are planned in advance taking in to account our guiding ratio and spaces in our vehicles. We can either pop your names on the waiting list for this departure or we can help you have a look for another trip or departure that might work for you.


    How challenging are the trips?
    Read More

    This is hard to answer because it is all relative, what’s challenging for one person might be easy for another. However, we’ve designed and graded our trips so there should be something for everyone. Please do remember that all our trips are activity based so you will need a fair level of fitness. Our grading works on a scale – Green 1- 3 are easy trips, Blue 4 – 6 are moderate trips and challenging trips are Red 7 – 9. To understand this practical sense we suggest watching our grading videos. If you are still unsure give us a call and we’ll help find the right trip for you.


    Can I book a single room?
    Read More

    Single rooms are offered on most of our trips but these are limited so are allocated on a first come first served basis. It’s no problem to book a single room as long as there is one available. Most single rooms do incur a single supplement, which you can find in the trip dossier.


    I want to book a trip, how do I do this?
    Read More

    Fantastic! You can book our small group trips, private departures or self drive tours online or by telephone. If you are interested in a customised itinerary then drop us an email or give us a call and our Adventure Consultants will chat through the process with you. Once you have booked any trip please wait for confirmation from the team before making any travel arrangements.


    Are there any age restrictions on the trips?
    Read More

    You do have to be at least 16 to join our scheduled trips and be accompanied by an adult if you are under 18. We have no upper age limit so as long as your fit, happy and able to join in the activities on the trip then we’d love to have you travel with us!


    Can I bring my dog?
    Read More

    It really depends on the type of trip you’d like to do. If you are joining a group holiday then it’s not possible to bring your dog. We can sometimes accommodate dogs on a custom or private tour depending on the availability of accommodation. Give us a call if you want to bring your pooch.


    How much of a deposit do I need to pay and when is the balance due?
    Read More

    A 25% deposit will confirm your place on your trip and the balance is due 10 weeks before departure.


    Can I book a day trip with you?
    Read More

    Unfortunately, day trips are not something we arrange. We’d recommend contacting Visit England for advice.


    What type of clothing and equipment will I need?
    Read More

    This is a great question, it’s really important to have proper outdoor gear because our weather can be changeable. We’ll send you a comprehensive equipment list but if you have any question about any gear please just give us a call and we’ll be happy to chat through it.


    I have dietary requirements can you cater for me?
    Read More

    Absolutely. Please do let us know on booking: it helps if you are specific and provide as much detail as possible. If you have an allergy please let us know how severe it is, do you carry an Epi-Pen for example? If you are gluten-free please do clarify if you just avoid wheat or if you are coeliac and mustn’t eat anything that has come into contact with wheat. It’s really helpful for us to know this up front so we can alert the restaurants we visit. Vegetarian or vegan? No worries, but please be aware that you may have limited choices. We can usually cater for all dietary requirements except on our expedition trips because the limited kitchen space makes it impossible to cook different meals for each traveller. If you have any questions or want to chat through a requirement then get in touch.


    I only have a few days free so can I just join part of the trip?
    Read More

    Not usually as our itineraries are carefully planned. Occasionally clients may join the first few days of a trip but pay for the full trip. It is not possible to join a trip midway through.


    I’m flying to England, what are the best airports?
    Read More

    London Heathrow and London Gatwick are England’s biggest airports and from there you have excellent onward flights to regional airports and transport links to our trip starting points. Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds International airports also provide options to fly into for trips starting in the north of England. In some instances, depending on the starting point of your trip, it may be more convenient to fly into the Scottish airports of Edinburgh or Glasgow. Both cities have good train connections across the border into England. Check out our travel to England section or give us a call.


    What will the weather be like?
    Read More

    On a typical week, you may encounter some showers but some beautiful sunshine as well. We will keep all our fingers and toes crossed for sun throughout your trip but England can be just as beautiful in the rain, for instance it’s what makes the plants such a lush green that you just wouldn’t experience without rain. You just have to be prepared for any weather and we’ll provide you with a helpful equipment list when you book. After all, there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothes!


    What is the typical age of people on your trips?
    Read More

    On average our travellers are aged 45 to 70. However, it varies from departure to departure and lots of younger and older people travel with us too. For details of a specific departure give us a call.


    Do you supply bikes for cycling trips?
    Read More

    Yes – you can hire bikes from us. We will supply our own fleet of bikes for all our Group and Self Guided+ Tours. Where you choose a Self Guided trip we can arrange for quality bike hire locally. Check out the bike hire page for details of the bikes we offer and let us know if you have any questions.


    Do I really need walking boots or are trail shoes enough?
    Read More

    Although it does depend on the trip the answer is usually yes. Even our green graded trips will require you to walk on rough, sometimes boggy ground. Your shoes will need to provide you with good ankle support and be waterproof. Gaiters are also an essential bit of kit to keep you dry. We’ll send you a full equipment list when you book or let us know if you would like us to send it to you beforehand. It’s also a good idea to have a look at our grading videos so you can get an idea of the type of terrain you will be hiking.


    Ok so you can’t predict the weather but what’s the best time to travel to England?
    Read More

    We love England all year round! April and May are a great time for wildflowers and plants bursting into life in the spring, it’s also a good time to see lots of different bird life. June, July and August are great months to see a variety of different wildlife; these also tend to be the warmest months of the year. The weather in September and October is generally pretty settled, and the light is beautiful, particularly as the leaves start to turn a multitude of colours. There is something special about every month so you really just need to decide when works best for you.


    Can I book my travel?
    Read More

    Please wait until we have confirmed your trip before booking any travel. If in doubt please do give us a wee call.


    Do you send out e-newsletters?
    Read More

    Yes we do and you can sign up for them by scrolling to the bottom of the page and looking for the News and Offers section. Sign up and don’t miss out on new trip announcements, promotions and beautiful films and imagery from the wild places of England.


    I can’t see my question here, how can I get an answer?
    Read More

    Just drop us an email on [email protected] or give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you. You’ll find our telephone number in the footer of the website.

    Solo Travellers


    I’m a solo traveller, is there a single supplement?
    Read More

    No problem at all. There is no supplement for solo travellers as long as you are happy to share a room with someone of the same gender. If you’d prefer to have your own room there will be a charge.


    Can I book a single room?
    Read More

    Single rooms are offered on most of our trips but these are limited so are allocated on a first come first served basis. It’s no problem to book a single room as long as there is one available. Most single rooms do incur a single supplement, which you can find in the downloadable trip itinerary.


    Will, there be other solo travellers in the group?
    Read More

    It’s impossible to know in advance what the make-up of a particular trip will be but the majority of people that join our trips are solo travellers. This means that for the most part, you will have at least a few solo travellers on each trip. If you have questions about who you will be travelling with then give us a call and we can give you a quick overview.


    I’m a solo traveller can I book on a self-guided or self-drive trip?
    Read More

    We welcome solo travellers on our tours within our Self Drive Collection or Self Guided+ road cycling trips. However, unfortunately for safety reasons, we don’t offer self-guided trips for solo travellers. We have lots of solo-travellers on our small group trips though and you would be very welcome to join one of those.

    Booking Your Trip


    I want to book a trip, how do I do this?
    Read More

    Fantastic! You can book our small group trips, private departures or long distance trails online or by telephone. If you are interested in a customised itinerary then drop us an email or give us a call and our Adventure Consultants will chat through the process with you. Once you have booked any trip please wait for confirmation from the team before making any travel arrangements.


    The trip I want to book is fully booked – is there a waiting list?
    Read More

    Of course, just drop us a line on the phone or by email with the departure you’d like to join and we’ll make a note to contact you if space becomes available.


    What is the Conservation Contribution Scheme?
    Read More

    Each year we channel these donations towards charities and community initiatives that we truly care about and that genuinely make a difference in the wild places our trips visit.

    For instance, an allocation of this year’s contribution has been used to support the work of the John Muir Trust.

    We appreciate every donation and to learn more about the Conservation Contribution Scheme, these projects and how they contributed to us winning World’s Best Green Tour Operator twice.


    Can I book a single room?
    Read More

    Single rooms are offered on most of our trips but these are limited so are allocated on a first come first served basis. It’s no problem to book a single room as long as there is one available. Most single rooms do incur a single supplement, which you can find in the trip dossier.


    Can I book a day trip with you?
    Read More

    Unfortunately, day trips are not something we arrange. We’d recommend contacting Visit England for advice.


    Can I book my travel?
    Read More

    Please wait until we have confirmed your trip before booking any travel. If in doubt please don’t hesitate to call us.

    Between Booking and Travelling


    I have booked a Self-Guided, Discovery Journey or Tailor Made trip. What now?
    Read More

    Chances are if you are booking one of these trips you have already chatted with one of our team. However, once we have taken your deposit, we’ll get to work booking the accommodations and any guides and activities. Once that has been done we’ll let you know so you can make any travel arrangements.


    What if my trip is unconfirmed and the start date is nearing?
    Read More

    It’s unusual for our trips to still be unconfirmed as we near the trip start date but occasionally we may cancel an unconfirmed trip 4 weeks before the trip is due to start. In the rare instance we have to cancel a trip then we will offer you an alternative trip. Of course, if nothing else suits we offer you a full refund. If your trip is unconfirmed and due to depart within a couple of months then do give us a call and we’ll chat through the options.


    Do I really need travel insurance?
    Read More

    Yes! We don’t ask to see proof of this but we strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It should cover last minute trip cancellation, repatriation or unexpected charges if flights are delayed or cancelled. Once you have booked a trip we will provide details of our recommended insurance company but they are not the only suitable provider and we encourage you to do your own research. Please note that we are not insurance agents and cannot advise you on travel insurance or the level of cover you require. Please contact your preferred insurance company for any questions or advice.


    I need to spend the night somewhere before my trip, do you have any hotel recommendations?
    Read More

    Yes, just drop us an email and we’ll send them across.


    What kind of luggage can I bring and what happens to it while I’m on the trip?
    Read More

    If you can pack a soft duffle bag it makes life easier packing up our vans. Please avoid hard suitcases. Size-wise, if you can check it on a plane with no extra fees it will be fine! During your trip, your luggage will either be kept at your accommodation or if you are moving on that night stored in the van. You will need a small day sack for your lunch, water and extra layers.


    I can’t see my question here, how can I get an answer?
    Read More

    Just drop us an email on [email protected] or give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you. You’ll find our telephone number in the footer of the website.

    Starting a Trip and on a Trip


    How do I get to the start of my trip?
    Read More

    Most of our trips start and finish at train stations to make it easy for you. Check out our Travel to England section for more details or give us a call.


    Will, there be a phone signal and WIFI?
    Read More

    Generally yes, although both signal and WIFI can be spotty and a bit slow in places. Some accommodations will offer WIFI in public areas but not in individual rooms.


    Which meals are included in the trip?
    Read More

    The trip type will usually determine which meals are included. For example on our Group trips most meals are included whereas our Self Guided trips are provided in a B&B basis. In all cases you can see the full list of what’s included in your trip dossier. The meals that are included are recorded against each day as follows B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.


    I can see that dinner is included on some days but not others. Do we have to fend for ourselves?
    Read More

    On our group trips, we don’t always include dinner each night to give the group a bit more flexibility over the menu. When dinner isn’t included we’ll still book restaurants for dinner each evening for the group. Generally, the group eats together but if you want to go somewhere else speak to your guide about options. Please be aware that in more remote places there may be very few other options! On our self-guided trips we will provide you with recommendations for dinner and if on one of Self Guiding+ cycling tours your personal Soigneur will make the reservations for you.


    I’m on a self-guided trip, how do meals work on this?
    Read More

    Breakfast is included every day on our self-guided trips. You can either order a packed lunch from your accommodation, eat in a local café or pick up some lunch from a local shop. If you are ordering a packed lunch please do this the night before so the accommodations have time to make it up for you. Dinner can be taken either in your accommodation or in a local restaurant. We are happy to provide you with recommendations for dinner.


    How can my family get in touch with me while I am on the trip?
    Read More

    There should be enough phone signal or WIFI to stay in touch but we can provide accommodation details to pass on to them as well as our office number and email. We have a 24-hour emergency number. This is reserved for important and urgent calls but sometimes families do need to get in touch. Our guides carry special Garmin InReach satellite devices so there are always able to reach the support team no matter the circumstances.


    I can’t see my question here, how can I get an answer?
    Read More

    Just drop us an email on [email protected] or give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you. You’ll find our telephone number in the footer of the website.

    Payments and Tipping


    How much of a deposit do I need to pay and when is the balance due?
    Read More

    A 25% deposit will confirm your place on your trip and the balance is due 8 weeks before departure.


    I have booked a trip and can no longer travel. How do I cancel and what are the terms?
    Read More

    Oh no, we’re really sorry to hear that.

    Please see sections 2 and 4 in our booking conditions for more information.


    What about tipping in England?
    Read More

    Tipping in England is never expected but always appreciated! It is a lovely way to show you really enjoyed your experience. Unlike some destinations, our guides receive a fair wage so tips are seen as a bonus rather than making up part of their wage. If you want to thank you guides for outstanding service they will welcome any monetary gift at the end of a trip. Gratuity for hospitality services is normally 10-15% of the bill and it is usual to tip in restaurants, hotels. It is also usual to tip local guides. Taxi drivers, bartenders and baggage carriers do not expect tips.


    Can I pay by card or should I bring cash with me as well?
    Read More

    Most places in England do take Visa or Master Card although there may be a minimum spend of £5 to £10 to take a card payment so it’s worth having some cash on you as well. It is unusual for small cafes or restaurants to take American Express. If you are travelling from abroad please alert your card company that you are travelling to England.


    I can’t see my question here, how can I get an answer?
    Read More

    Just drop us an email on [email protected] or give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you. Our number is in the footer of the website.

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