Frequently Asked Questions
If you need to ask anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We do find however that many questions can be answered with the information below. So please take a moment to see if you can find the information you are looking for.
Before your walking holiday begins:
I want a walk not included on your web site. Will you organise it for me?
Should I book accommodation at the start destination the night before I start walking and/or at the end after I've finished the walk?
What's included?
How do I get to the start of the walk and back at the end?
What do I need to bring?
What about large groups?
During the walking holiday
What kind of accommodation do you use?
Which meals are provided?
What if I get lost or I can't finish my walk?
What if the weather is too bad to continue along a route?
Booking
How do I book a walking holiday?
How do I pay for the tour?
Do I need travel insurance?
What is the 'single supplement'?
Can I change the dates of my tour after I have booked?
What happens if I have to cancel?
I want a walk not included on your web site. Will you organise it for me?
Yes. We have included many of the popular routes and itineraries on the website, but it is impossible to include all of the options. If you have an idea that isn’t listed, please contact us and we will do our best to include it in your itinerary. You can call us on 01736 362763, use the contact form or email us on info@westcornwallwalks.co.uk.
Should I book accommodation at the start destination the night before I start walking and/or at the end after I've finished the walk?
We recommend that you let us book accommodation for the night before you begin and the night that you finish your walk. This depends however on your travel plans and is entirely optional.
- Bed and breakfast in comfortable friendly establishments, that we have hand picked. These are chosen for their access from our walking routes, their quality and their friendly atmosphere. They are typically family run, have en-suite rooms and a relaxed atmosphere.
In the case that your accommodation lies more than a mile from the chosen route (as stated on the itinerary) we will provide transport between the accommodation and the trail.
- Baggage transfer between overnight stops.
- Information pack including: maps showing your route and details of the region, a guide to the walk including points of interest, route description and general information, a daily itinerary with distances, directions, accommodation details and directions, restaurant/pub/cafe suggestions and a list of contacts for emergencies. One pack per couple
- Initial pick up and drops from local transport terminals.
- Emergency assistance.
How do I get to the start of the walk and back at the end?
We provide information on how to get to and from your walking holiday by public transport in your information pack. If you are coming by car it is often possible to leave it at the guesthouse at the start or at the end of the trail for the duration of your holiday. There may be charge a small fee for this service, depending on the establishment. Upon arrival we will provide you with a lift to your accommodation at the walk start destination if necessary. Likewise, we will collect you upon completing the walk and take you to a nearby train station or town centre as required.
What do I need to bring?
The most essential item for any walking holiday is a good pair of walking boots. These should be well broken in (to avoid any unpleasant surprises) with a good sole (deep tread) and be in good condition. Remember that the coast path can get muddy and boots should be appropriately water proofed.
Many walkers also use two pairs of socks for comfort. Covering long distances every day often leads to blisters and an extra pair of socks is an added precaution against this.
Unfortunately we have no control over the weather and this being Cornwall, it does occasionally rain. To keep dry we recommend a light water proof jacket and water proof over trousers to keep in your day pack. Its better to be safe and dry than wet and sorry.
You need to carry a light weight day pack (rucksack) to carry your water proofs, a spare jumper (as it can get cold), a packed lunch, a water bottle, information pack and a small first aid kit. Walking sticks are also very handy and can save a lot of fatigue whilst offering additional support on uneven terrain.
Other considerations are a thermos flask and lunch box.
What about large groups?
Large groups are welcome. We take the hassle out of organizing your walking holiday whether it is for a couple or a group of 10. The more people, the more hassle for you. So if you want a little help, please just get in contact.
What kind of accommodation do you use?
We are walkers ourselves and we know that at the end of a long day you want a warm welcome and a comfortable bed. That is why we use B&Bs, hotels and guesthouses that we have carefully selected and importantly, visited ourselves. These are chosen for their access from our walking routes, their quality and their friendly atmosphere. They are typically family run, have en-suite rooms and a relaxed atmosphere.
In the case that your accommodation lies more than a kilometre from the chosen route (as stated on the itinerary) we will provide transport between the accommodation and the trail.
Which meals are provided?
The preferred option for many walkers is bed and breakfast. This is typically full English or continental and is provided in the accommodation. We can organize packed lunches through your guesthouse/hotel but many customers prefer to stop en route and enjoy our suggested pubs and cafes (or even to take their own packed lunches). Evening meals are served either in your accommodation or in nearby restaurants, and we will recommend restaurants for each night’s location.
What if I get lost or I can't finish my walk?
It is very unlikely that you will get lost. We provide you with maps and directions and most of our self led walks follow the coast path, making it easy to locate yourself or a nearby town/village. But if should find yourself in the middle of nowhere and unable to go on, you can call us on the contact number provided in your information pack and we will either collect you ourselves (surcharge applies) or help you to arrange a taxi pick up.
What if the weather is too bad to continue along a route?
If once you have started your walk, the weather makes it not possible to continue (high winds or heavy rain) we are still bound by the accommodation bookings and due to the high demand in peak season many establishments will not be able to accommodate you for an extra night. In this case, we can transfer you to the next evening’s accommodation ourselves or help you to organize a transfer by taxi.
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How do I book a walking holiday?
The first step is to contact us and help to us to put together the right itinerary for you. You can do this by email, using the form on the contact page or by calling us on 01736 362763.
Once we have all of the details sorted, we can go ahead and book your holiday. We will issue you with a booking reference which will be confirmed upon receiving a deposit (see next question on how to pay).
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How do I pay for the tour?
You can pay for your walking holiday by cheque, debit card (Delta, Solo or Switch) or credit card (Mastercard or Visa). Cheques should be sent along with a printed and signed booking form (which we email to you) and card payments can be taken over the phone or online.
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Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not essential when booking with us but we do highly recommend it.
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What is the 'single supplement'?
Most guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and hotels charge for double and single occupancy. In order for one person to occupy a whole room, where normally two people stay (and pay) the establishment needs to charge extra. This is the single supplement.
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Can I change the dates of my holiday after I have booked?
If you wish to change any part of your confirmed booking, we will do our best to make the alteration, but it may not be possible. There is an administration charge of £15 per person to for alterations (as there is considerable work involved in cancelling and then rebooking accommodation) and you will have to cover any extra costs involved.
Please read out terms and conditions for full details.
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What happens if I have to cancel?
If you decide to cancel your holiday you must notify us as soon as possible. Any notification by telephone must also be confirmed in writing or by e-mail within 24 hours and is effective from the day we are notified provided that written confirmation is received by us within 24 hours of the original notification.
We do our best to recuperate any monies already paid out, which we then return to you. General cancellation charges however are as follows:
More than 60 days before departure: loss of deposit.
30 – 60 days before departure: 50% of total cost.
15 – 29 days before departure: 75% of total cost.
Less than 15 days before departure: 100% of total cost.
Please read out terms and conditions for full details.
