Fequently Asked Questions
Our experience in providing self-walking tours has enabled us to compile answers to a series of Frequently Asked Questions that we hope you will find useful in planning your holiday
Planning your holiday
When can I go on a self-guided tour?
Our self-guided tours are available all year, but most clients usually walk between March and November. Please check the itinerary for the tour you are interested in, as we have provided more details in respect of the walking calendar.
How long are your self-guided tours?
Our self-guided tours are a minimum of three nights, although we also offer two night short breaks on the South West Coast Path. The maximum length of your tour is entirely up to you.
Can I vary your published Itinerary?
Yes. Our itineraries are suggestions only and if you would like to walk at a slower or faster pace, add rest days, or change overnight locations we will be pleased to produce an itinerary tailored to your requirements, Our published itineraries have been prepared to give you ideas and are not the only options available.
Can I choose different start and end points?
Yes, We will prepare an intinerary based on your requirements?
Can I include rest days in my tour?
Yes, you can include rest days in your itinerary and stay for two or more nights in one place if you wish to explore the area further.
Can I book a tour that is not listed on your website?
Yes. We have published our most popular tours, but we will be pleased to prepare an itinerary for a tour to meet your requirements if it is not listed on our website.
Do you offer excursions and/or adventure activities as part of the tour?
We work with a number of complementary providers and can arrange a number of activities and excursions as part of your tour. We will be pleased to design an itinerary that includes a range of activities as part of your tour.
Do I need to move on every day?
Normally our clients stay one or two nights in each location during their tour. However, if you would like to stay longer in one place we can arrange this. Similarly if you would like your tour to be based in one place with a different walk location each day we can arrange this.
Can I walk on the first and/or last day of my holiday?
Our standard tour pckage includes accommodation for the night before you start your walk and the night after you finish your tour. If you would like to maximise your walking time by walking on the first or last day, please contact us before booking and we can make arrangements for your luggage to allow to you do this.
Can you assist with transport arrangements to and from the walking tour?
Yes. We can arrange taxis and pre-book train and/or coach tickets as part of your holiday package. We can also arrange parking for your car at the start of your tour and arrange return transport at the end if required.
I will be walking alone, will this be a problem?
No. We regularly arrange tours for single walkers and welcome your booking. There is a supplement for single walkers as most accommodation providers charge extra for a single person. The single supplements for each tour are clearly shown on our website.
Do you cater for children?
Yes, our short breaks and many of our self-guided tours are suitable for children. We have not included a "child price" on our website as the cost is dependent on the booking of a family room (or not) and the availability of family rooms at all the accommodation on your chosen route. Please contact us on +44 (0) 845 0943848 and will we be pleased to prepare an itinerary and quote for your chosen tour.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Many of our selected accommodation providers are members of the "Pets Welcome" scheme and will welcome your dog. Please tell us at the time of booking and we will help you plan an itinerary that will enable you to walk with your dog.
What about my luggage?
We will arrange to transport your luggage each day to your next location so that it will be waiting for you when you arrive. Your luggage will be transported by the accommodation provider, a local taxi firm or a commercial luggage transfer company so your luggage will be in safe hands,
What do I need to carry?
You will only need to carry a daypack including refreshments, waterproofs and any other equipment required for your walk that day.
Can I carry my own luggage?
Yes, if you are travelling light and would like to carry your luggage with you, please tell us at the time of booking and we will reduce your holiday cost accordingly.
Do I need to be good at map reading and navigation?
The South West Coast Path and Cotswold Way are National Trails and are well marked. In addition we will provide you with 1:25,000 scale maps and detailed guides for each of your walking days that should make navigation straightforward. You may find it helpful to carry a compass or GPS system to assist you in navigation, if the weather is poor and visbility is limited.
Do I need to provide maps and guides?
No. We will provide our unique 1:25,000 scale personalised waterproof maps for each of your walking days. The maps will clearly mark your start and end points for each day and the route you are following. We will also provide a detailed itinerary with directions to each nights accommodation and a guide for each of your walking days detailing your route and highlighting the attractions you will see during the day.
How many copies of the maps and guides do you provide?
We normally provide one full set of maps and guides for a party of up to four walkers and an additional set for each extra two walkers in the party. If you do require a second set for a party of four walkers please let us know at the time of booking and we will provide them at no additional cost.
How difficult are your self-guided tours?
Most of our tours will require you to be able to walk for a minimum of 4 to 5 hours per day (although we can vary this to meet your requirements), so it is important that you have a reasonable level of fitness. We have categorised each stage of the South West Coast Path by difficulty (Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, Severe) to assist you in assessing each stage.
Please note that it is not necessarily the distance that influences the difficulty of the stage, as there are some stages where there are several climbs in the day. If you are in any doubt, or need advice please call us on +44 (0) 845 0943848 and we will be pleased to assist.
Why should I book with Westcountry Walking Holidays when I can arrange my own tour?
We will make all the arrangement for you and provide a tailor made holiday including accommodation, breakfast, luggage transfers, lunches (if required), additional transport arrangements and a detailed itinerary, maps and guides. We request feedback from all our clients to ensure that the accommodation we use meets your expectations and have excellent working relationships with all our providers. This enables us to take the risk out of the process and ensure that you have an enjoyable and hassle free holiday.
Accommodation & Meals
What type of accommodation do you use?
We use good quality bed and breakfast accommodation including small country inns and hotels, guest houses and farm houses as close to your chosen route as possible. When possible we use providers who are members of the "Walkers Welcome" scheme as they usually provide additional facilities designed for walkers. All our accommodation offers en-suite or private bathrooms where possible. This may not be possible in some more remote areas due to the lack of accommodation available.
Can I choose specific accommodation as part of my itinerary?
Yes, if you have stayed somewhere before and would like to include it in your itinerary, or have identified accommodation where you would like to stay, please let us know and we will design an itinerary to include your choices if at all possible.
Can I approve the accommodation before it is confirmed?
Yes, we will be pleased to share the proposed accommodation choices with you as part of the itinerary planning process to ensure that there are no nasty surprises and that all accommodation meets your expectations.
What meals are provided in the standard package?
Breakfast is included as part of your package. This will normally be a choice of full English breakfast or a continental alternative.
Do you cater for special diets?
Yes, we cater for vegetarian, vegan and other special dietary requirements. We ask that you advise us of any special requirements at the time of booking to ensure that we include your requirements when selecting accommodation.
What about lunch or evening meals?
We don't arrange lunch as part of the standard package as there are often plenty of choices for lunch available during your walking day. However, we include advice on our website in respect of stages of the South West Coast Path where a packed lunch is advisable due to the lack of available refreshments on route. We can include packed lunches as part of your holiday package if required.
We will book your accommodation in or close to a village that has an inn or restaurant where you can get an evening meal. In the event that your accommodation is in a more remote area, we will arrange for your accommodation to provide dinner (payable by you to your host) or will arrange transport to the nearest village (included in your holiday price).
Booking and Payment
How do I book a holiday with Westcountry Walking Holidays?
You can book using our on-line form, by telephone on +44 (0) 845 0943848 or by completing our downloadable booking form and returning it by post to the address on the booking form
What deposit do I need to pay?
We require a deposit of 30% of the total cost of your tour at the time of booking.
Why do I need to pay a deposit?
We are often required to pay our accomodation providers in part or in full at the time of booking to secure your accommodation and in the event of you later cancelling your booking, your depost will contribute to the costs we are unable to recover.
What payment options do you offer?
You can pay the deposit and final balance by cheque to "Westcountry Walking Holidays", bank transfer or debit/credit card payment via Paypal.
Is there an additional charge for debit/credit card payments
No we do not charge extra for payment by debit/credit card
Will there be any extra costs?
There will be no extra costs from Westcountry Walking Holidays. You will be responsible for any meals not included in your standard package and for the cost of any ferry crossing (unless it is specified in the itinerary that it is included in your package) or other public transport used to complete your walking route. We include in our tour itineraries links to ferry operator websites or telephone numbers (where available) and will provide schedules of ferry crossings in your Holiday Pack where available.
When is the final balance due for payment?
The balance due for your holiday should be paid no later than six weeks before your holiday is due to start. If your holiday starts within two months of the date of booking, we require full payment when you book.
Is my payment protected?
Yes, Westcountry Walking Holidays complies with The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and all client monies (both deposit and final payments) are paid into a separate "Client deposit account" and not utilised until after your holiday has been taken.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is not a requirement that you have travel insurance, however we do recommend that you take out insurance to cover cancellation, personal accident, illness and loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money.
Can I change my date or holidays arrangements after booking?
We will try to be as flexible as possible and assist in amendments to your booking. It is usually possible to change some arrangements before the payment due date for your holiday. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee of £40 per person for the additional work involved in changing your arrangements. Any changes received by us after the payment due date, which we are unable to accommodate, will be treated as a cancellation and the charges in paragraph 8 of the Booking Conditions will apply.
What happens if I cancel my holiday?
If you have you cancel your holiday, please notify us by mail or e-mail as soon as you can. Your cancellation will take effect from the date that we receive your written notice. Cancellation charges will apply as detailed in paragraphs 8 and 9 of our Booking conditions.
Your Holiday Pack
When will I receive my Holiday Pack
We will send your holiday pack to you at least two weeks before your holiday is due to start.
What is in the holiday pack?
Your holiday pack contains the following:
- a detailed itinerary for your tour including the address, contact details and directions to all of your accommodation;
- waterproof / tearproof 1:25,000 scale maps for each stage of your route. The maps will be personalised and show the location of each nights accommodation;
- a detailed route description/guide for each of your walking days;
- details of ferry schedules and costs where ferry crossings are required as part of your walking route (South West Coast Path);
- two luggage labels for each member of your party;