Your walking holiday is subject to these booking conditions and you are advised to read them carefully prior to booking.
By booking via us you agree that:-
- you have read the terms and conditions set out in this document and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- you are over 18 years of age.
These conditions of use do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. However, you are advised to read them before you place an order, as they apply to the sale of services supplied by Discovery Walking.
Your booking with us is subject to these booking conditions and you are advised to read them carefully prior to booking. These terms and conditions may limit and/or exclude our liability to you. We accept no liability in relation to any omissions made by you connected with any arrangements.
Discovery Walking agree to provide the service on the terms set out below. Our terms and conditions are otherwise subject to change at any time. Whether the services are arranged directly with Discovery Walking or one of its appointed agents your contract is with Discovery Walking.
Full payment must be received before your booking can be confirmed. Payments are not accepted in foreign currency. We do not store financial information such as bank account or credit card details.
Prices
All prices quoted are inclusive and apply to bookings for holidays in 2023. Prices are dependent on availability at the time of booking and we reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. In the case of large groups special rates can be quoted.
Deposit and Balance Payments
A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total cost of the booking is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 6 weeks before the booking start date. For bookings made within 6 weeks of the start date, the total price must be paid at the point of booking. If payment is not received in accordance with these conditions, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit paid.
Payment can be made by bank transfer or by debit/credit card over the phone. Please note that a surcharge of 2% is payable on any payment by a credit or debit card which is not registered in the UK due to currency transaction fees.
For holiday bookings, you will receive one ‘holiday pack’ per booking which will be sent to you on receipt of full payment. Please note that delivery outside the UK can take up to two weeks.
Cancellations and Amendments
Cancellation of a booking can only be accepted via email to [email protected].
Cancellation conditions for your holiday are as follows:
• More than 6 weeks prior to the start you will be charged deposit paid
• Within 6 weeks of the start you will be charged 100% of the full holiday cost
Please note that amendments to booked dates are treated as a cancellation and the cancellation conditions outlined above will apply.
Amendments to a booking can only be accepted in writing via email to [email protected].
In the unlikely event that Discovery Walking is unable to fulfil the holiday service or any part of it, we reserve the right to cancel or amend the booking. In this instance, notice will be made in writing to the customer, either via email or letter at the earliest opportunity and all payments made in relation to the cancellation will be refunded if we cannot provide you with a suitable alternative.
If you receive a refund of all monies paid to Discovery Walking due to cancellation or amendment by us, you will not be entitled to any further sum by way of compensation, damages or otherwise arising from the cancellation or amendment.
Accommodation
We will endeavour to arrange your accommodation in accordance with our advertising. Occasionally, details may need to be altered from those advertised due the amount and type of accommodation being limited in some locations and we reserve the right to do this where necessary.
Unless you inform us otherwise at the time of booking we will assume that twin beds are an acceptable alternative to a double.
Discovery Walking cannot accommodate dogs or other pets on our holidays due to wildlife and farming constraints across some areas.
Many accommodation providers have their own household pets and our holidays are therefore unsuitable for anyone with a related allergy.
Whilst our accommodation providers offer some vegetarian options at breakfast, if you have any specific dietary requirements or known food allergies, please tell us at the time of booking and we will advise accommodation providers.
Baggage Transfers
We do not operate our own baggage transfer service, this is operated by South Downs Bag Transfers – Bag Transfer Service for the South Downs Way
Each each bag must weigh no more than 20 kgs. If it is found that an individual item weighs more than 20 kgs on any of the transfers South Downs Bag Transfers are entitled to either:
• Request that the weight is decreased to 20kg by using an additional bag, which will be charged at £5/day
• If this option is not accepted, they reserve the right to refuse to transport the item
In the event that a bag is not transferred due to the 20 kgs weight limit being exceeded, the customer will not be entitled to a refund of the transfer costs. Furthermore, it will then become the responsibility of the customer to arrange and pay for the transfer of the bag to the next collection point.
Insurance of your baggage and their contents is your responsibility. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover your belongings. We advise that you do not include items of value or items that are easily damaged.
Baggage must be ready for collection by 9am, clearly labelled and securely packed without loose items attached. Please ensure that your luggage is locked.They undertake to deliver your bags by 4.00pm (5.00pm for east to west bookings)
Due to the distances we cover each day and the number of stops that have to be made, if bags are not ready for collection by 9am the driver may leave without them.
If we have agreed a time to collect your bags the driver will wait a maximum of 15 minutes after the agreed meeting time, unless you have contacted us to advise of a time change. If after 15 minutes the bags are not ready for collection the driver will leave and a new appointment will need to be made. In this event the customer will not be entitled to a refund. In addition, the customer will be charged the costs for each new collection attempt. Please telephone to notify us of any delay and it may be possible to schedule a new collection time without further charge.
We will always make every effort to ensure baggage is collected and delivered between the agreed times. However should an unforeseen circumstance occur such as vehicle break down or accident, then this may not be possible. In this event we will make every effort to make alternate and acceptable arrangements. South Downs Bag Transfers does not accept any consequential liability resulting from such late deliveries.
The customer must agree that our drivers are able to use their discretion in the delivery of baggage should an accommodation be unstaffed on arrival. Exercising such discretion may require baggage to be dropped off in a porch/outhouse or other such suitable alternative that has been agreed with the accommodation provider, either in writing or verbally, without any liability against loss or damage on the part of South Downs Discovery.
The transport is provided for the purpose of transferring baggage to and from the locations agreed by the parties. This service does not include the transportation of person(s) as they are not licensed or insured to carry passengers.
Your responsibilities
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are physically fit, suitably equipped, adequately experienced and aware of the risks involved in a walking holiday. Although Discovery Walking will do everything to ensure the holiday is as safe as possible your personal safety is your responsibility.
Force Majeure
Discovery Walking will not accept liability or pay any compensation for any disruption to your holiday and / or baggage transfer service, or for any loss, damage or expense incurred by you as a result of any event outside of our control i.e. ‘Force Majeure.’ This includes, but is not limited to threatened or actual: war or terrorist activities, riots, civil unrest, pandemics, industrial action, adverse weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, natural or nuclear disasters.
Privacy Policy
We will only share your personal information with our suppliers where it is necessary to organise your holiday and / or baggage transfer service. We will pass on your contact number to your accommodation providers in case they need to get in touch with you. If for any reason you do not want us to do that please let us know. We never sell information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Personal Property
Discovery Walking will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to your baggage or personal property unless directly attributable to our negligence.
Liability
Discovery Walking will not accept responsibility for any illness, injury, death or associated loss experienced unless directly attributable to our negligence. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party have the appropriate levels of fitness and equipment to participate in the holiday. The safety of the party rests solely with the party itself. Any claim against Discovery Walking, its partners or employees will be limited to a maximum of the total amount paid by the claimant for his/her holiday.
Insurance
We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance to cover late cancellation, personal accident, illness and loss of or damage to possessions.
Complaints and problems
In the unlikely event that you have reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday or baggage transfer service whilst away, please contact our office immediately and we will do our best to resolve the problem straight away. Where this is not possible, please write to us within 28 days of the end of your holiday so that we can investigate your complaint.
Copyright and Trade Marks
Discovery Walking & South Downs Discovery and their associated domain names and addresses are owned by Paul Allshire.
Law & Jurisdiction
These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. Any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only.