Sunfflowers

Hurray! You are are going to Cornwall!

What you need to know…

So you have booked your walking holiday and no doubt have a few extra questions about what to expect. Hopefully you can find the answers (and a little more besides) below. If not, please just reply to your booking confirmation email and we will get straight back to you.

What’s next?

We try to keep the booking process straightforward and not overload you with emails. These are the main steps after your booking has been confirmed:

 1. After we receive and process your deposit payment, you will receive an acknowledgement email (this applies to remaining balance payments also).

 2. 30 days before the holiday start date, we will send a remaining balance invoice.

 3. One week before the holiday start date we will send an email containing final details. We will also ask you to confirm your arrival details and mobile phone number.

 4. Your holiday begins! You will be met at your scheduled arrival point (usually a local train station or car park), we will hand over your info pack and provide your transfer to your first B&B.

 

That’s it – nice and easy. But of course, if you have any questions, at any point, please feel free to contact us.

Before you get here…
Can I pay by card?

Yes. Let us know if you wish to pay by card and we will send out a payment link. Unfortunately we cannot take card payments over the phone.

What about paying the remaining balance?

We will send out an email 30 days before your holiday start date. This will contain an attachment so please check your junk folder. If you wish to receive this sooner, please let us know.

What if I need 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 by e-mail within 24 hours.

Cancellation charges are as follows:

More than 30 days before departure: loss of deposit.
21 – 30 days before departure: 50% of total cost.
10 – 20 days before departure: 75% of total cost.
Less than 10 days before departure: 100% of total cost.

How do I arrange my arrival and departure transfers?

Send us an email with your arrival time and point and we will book you in. If we don’t hear from you, we will be in touch several days before your arrival date to request these details.

Likewise, please let us know the time of your post-holiday departure and we will book in your transfer, allowing plenty of time to reach the station/car park.

What if I’m running late?

Just let us know as soon as possible and we will reschedule your transfer. You can email us on [email protected] or call us on 01736 362763.

How do I get my info pack?

This will be given to you upon arrival. If we are unable to provide your transfer ourselves and send a taxi instead, we will make sure that the info pack is delivered to your first B&B.

What’s included in the info pack?
  • 1:25000 scale maps
  • Our own detailed route notes including descriptions, directions and details of each daily walk
  • Your personalised itinerary and accommodation list
  • Individual B&B maps
  • Luggage tags
  • Restaurant and packed lunch guide
  • All relevant contact and emergency numbers
How should I prepare?

We have a great page dedicated to this – Preparing For Your Walking Holiday.

What should I bring?

Take a look our at our post, Essential Kit for Your Walking Holiday.

Where will I stay?

Let us know if you would like to receive a copy of your accommodation list.

During your holiday...
What happens on the first day?

By this point you will have spent the first night of your holiday (and hopefully read through your info pack) and are ready to hit the coast path. Make sure your luggage is packed and ready for collection by 9am, check out after breakfast and may be pick up some snacks or lunch on items on your way to the coast path. Then enjoy the walk, arrive at your next B&B around 4pm and your luggage will be waiting for you.

What about meals?

You will be able to purchase food and drinks either in the villages at the start of the walk or from one of the cafes/pubs stationed along the route. We give advice on where you get these in the info packs and so all you have to do is take a look at the summary for the next day and you will be fine. There are also pubs/restaurants in the villages nearby to your accommodation and so there is no problem for an evening meal (details also included in the info packs).

Should I make dinner reservations?

If there is a particular restaurant that you wish to visit, then we advise making a reservation. We also recommend making reservations in the following stop over locations:

  • St Ives
  • Zennor
  • Mousehole
  • Padstow

Elsewhere hungry diners can usually find a place to eat but it certainly helps to call ahead.

How is the phone coverage?

Getting better all of the time. There are a few sections of the coast path where there is no signal (typically the deeper valleys) but the nearest hill top will usually provide a decent signal.

How do I find my accommodation?

Your info pack will contain individual maps for each of the B&Bs, together with phone number and distance from the coast path.

How can I contact Western Discoveries?

Your info pack will contain full contact details including office number, mobile numbers and Whatsapp.

What if I can’t walk (or don’t want to walk)?

This does happen. Walking can take its toll and there may be some days when you just can’t, or don’t feel like another day on the coast path. You will then have to consider how to get to your next stop and what to do. Remember that most B&Bs will not be able to accept check-ins until around 4pm and so that gives you a full day to enjoy!

What to do…

There are plenty of local cafes, pubs and great tourist sites here in Cornwall. Just ask us for a few suggestions. Whilst the coast path may feel remote, it is actually quite easy to get around by road and a major town (well, major by Cornish standards) is never too far away.

How to get there…

Public transport is the best option. We will provide details on local buses and taxi companies and we can call a taxi for you if needed.

What if the weather is terrible?

Remember that the weather changes quickly here in Cornwall. Rain in the morning may mean sunshine by lunch and mist by dinner. Or it may mean rain all day. If the forecast is poor and you would rather not tackle the coast path, then your best option is to take a rest day and make your way to the next stop by public transport. Remember that most B&Bs will not be able to accept check-ins until around 4pm and so that gives you a full day to enjoy!

What if I get injured on the trail?

Depending on the level of injury, these are our recommended actions in order of decreasing urgency:

  1. Call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
  2. Call us on the number given in your info pack. We can then guide you to the nearest accessible road and arrange for an emergency vehicle or taxi to meet you.
  3. Make your way to the nearest point with road access and call for a taxi.
  4. Complete the walk and seek medical help. We will be able to offer advice on local services and make arrangements to get you there.
What if I become lost on the coast path?

This is not an easy thing to do. With the sea on one side and land on the other, it is very difficult to get lost on the coast path. You may take a wrong turn or walk beyond where you expect to be but this usually involves no more than a little back tracking to correct. With your map, a smart phone and the ever-helpful walking community passing by, you should be just fine.

How does the luggage transfer work?

You will be provided with luggage tags and we ask that all luggage is ready for collection by 9am. Just leave your bags ready for us (the B&B owners or staff will tell you where is best) and we will make sure that they are delivered by 4pm.

See you soon!

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