Frequently Asked Questions
Our web page gives full details of our tour itineraries, schedules and prices. However, we have prepared a list of commonly asked questions and answers for your ease of reference. If your particular question is not included then please feel free to send us an email.

Booking:

How do I book ?
Simply select a tour and press the "Add to Suitcase' button and follow instructions to book tour OR Just send us an email stating the tour, date and number of persons you wish to book. If you know where you are staying please let us know so we can advise on your pick up. We will advise on availability and send you a provisional confirmation with payment instructions and further details.

Alternatively, telephone or fax us. Click here

I have clicked 'Book Now' and nothing happened. What do I do?
You have 'pop ups' blocked on your browser, temporarily allow window 'pop ups' so you can proceed

When should I book ?
We take a maximum of 16 clients on our tours. In the main summer season (May to September) tours do sell out quickly so if you can plan ahead its a good idea to book at least a month or two in advance. Weekends can be busy all year. If your time is limited, book in advance.

If you don't book in advance and find you have a day spare to take a tour, do give us a call when you are in London - we often have late availability.

Don't forget to take our telephone number with you although you will find our brochures prominently displayed in the Tourist Information Centre, Victoria, the British Visitors Centre, Regents Street and many London hotels and booking agents, including Last Minute (upstairs in the British Visitors centre, Regents Street).

Your concierge or agent may persuade you to take a tour with another tour company - bear in mind that they will probably earn commission if they book you on another company's tour. Your best interests are not always their main concern!

I sent you an email an hour ago - when can I expect a reply ?
We aim to respond to your email within 24 hours. Quite often, we respond within just a few hours. Bear in mind international time differences. Also we deal with many enquiries. Help us to respond quickly by enclosing previous email correspondence.

At weekends or on national holidays, we have fewer staff in the office - we may not be able to reply to until after the weekend/holiday.

We respond to ALL emails. If you have not heard from us, do check whether you supplied your email address for reply. From time to time, emails are returned to us as undelivered for a number of reasons and we cannot get our reply to you. If in doubt, give us a call.

For late bookings (ie less than 48 hours prior to departure of tour) its advisable to telephone us to ensure availability.

Do your tours operate in the winter ?
Our tours operate all year round.

Hotel pick up/drop off:

Which hotels do you pick up from ?
We don't have a list of hotels which we can pick up from. We try to pick up our clients much as possible, regardless of the grade of hotel. We pick up in most Central London hotel areas.

However, we have to balance our pick up service with London traffic (which can be bad at the best of times), one way road systems, road works and also the need to keep the pick up routine relatively short (about 30 mins).

If we spend hours driving around London, picking clients up, you won't have much time to spend in the countryside!

If we can't collect you from your particular hotel, there will be a pick up point within walking distance or a short underground ride away.

Is there an additional charge for pick us up from our hotel ?
No - our pick up service is complimentary.

Will we be dropped back at our hotel ?
We do the best we can taking into account rush hour traffic in London. However, our drop off routine cannot be as extensive as our morning pick up routine when more vehicles are in use. Also, driver's have to work under strict legal and time restrictions for your safety.

Your driver will plan a route taking into account where clients are staying and traffic congestion.

You may be dropped back at convenient stops or a central underground station to continue your journey back to your hotel or to make your way into the West End for dinner and theatre etc. Underground maps and advice are available on board the bus. If you are elderly or infirm, we will do our best to take you back to your hotel - all tour companies have similar policies.

We are staying outside of Central London - can you pick us up ?
Our tours depart from and return to London. You will have to make your way into London to join one of our tours. We will endeavour to pick you up from a convenient point, depending upon the route you will take into Central London. For example we may be able to collect you from outside specified underground stations. Let us know where you will be staying and we will be happy to advise.

Is it possible to join your tours from any where else ?
Our tours depart from and return from Central London. However, clients have sometimes joined us at other points along our route - for example, at Salisbury (for the Stones and Bones tour). However, if you are staying in Bath, it wouldn't be possible to join the Cotswolds Connection or Bards and Battles tour because they are in different regions.

Discounts

Do you give discounts ?
We offer quality small group tours at affordable prices. Our prices are comparable with tours offered by large coach companies but you have the benefit of travelling in a much smaller group which has lots of advantages. Our small group size means we can include more "off the beaten track" locations away from the crowds and our mini coaches are not restricted to major roads - all of our tours include travel on carefully planned, scenic routes, so you see rural Britain at its best. Plus we have much more time for sightseeing..

Discounts are also available for children, students (Students who hold an International Student Card and under the age of 26 years)

I want to save money - can I get to these places cheaper by public transport ?
NO ! We guarantee you can't do it cheaper by train, coach or bus !

Many of the places we visit are difficult, even impossible, to reach by public transport.

You will waste valuable time waiting for train or bus connections (rural buses can be few and far between) and finding your way around unfamiliar places. You will waste more time queuing to get inside attractions, especially in the busy summer season, and you will have to pay entrance fees on top of your public transport costs (total entrance fees on our tours range from 10 - 20 pounds).

Plus no guide book can compare with the historical and local knowledge of our friendly drivers and guides.

We have children - what discount do you offer ?
For children between the ages of 3-16 years you they have a 5GBP discount* on ourDay Tours. Children under 3 years go for free, but they will not be allocated a seat and must be seated on an adults lap.

I'm a student with an International Students card, what discount can you give? 5 % discount * off our Day Tours (this is not applicable to our Special Access tours) Proof of status is required.

If we take several tours will we get discount ?
Additional discounts may be available for taking several tours - please contact us and we will be pleased to discuss.

We are a group of 10 people - will we get discount ?
Please contact us and we will be happy to discuss group discount (it varies according to the tour(s) you are interested in, the time of year , the number in your party etc).

* Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

General questions about our tours:

How much are your tours ?
Current prices are published under the individual tour descriptions on the web page.

Do you just drive past Stonehenge etc or will we have time to get out to take photographs?
Our tours are specifically designed to give you plenty of time to explore, experience and enjoy the places you visit. We want you to have a memorable day - we promise you won't see England through a coach window!

What time do your tours depart and return ?
All of out Day Tours all depart London at 8am. If we leave at 8 am we miss the worst of rush hour traffic and you get more time to enjoy your day in the countryside. The tours return between 6pm - 6.45pm, depending upon which tour you take (see individual tour descriptions on the web). Return times cannot be guaranteed because so much depends upon factors beyond our control but as a general rule, tours return at approximately the times stated.

What vehicles do you use ?
We use new, luxury Mercedes mini coaches, specifically designed for touring. Panoramic windows for the best views, coach seats fitted with 3 point seat belts for your safety and comfort, individual reading lights and most have air conditioning or forced air ventaliation, first class sound system, luggage racks and boot spaces for storage.

Some vehicles also have air conditioning and TV and video.

Are entrance fees included ?
Entrance fees are included as stated. You won't have to pay for any entrance fees unless you visit a local museum during your free time, for example.

Do I tip the Guide?
It is custom in Europe to show your appreciation with a tip to the driver and guide - but only if you are satisfied with your tour and the guide.

Is lunch included ?
Lunch in a country pub is included on the Stones and Bones tour. On other tours, you will be given time for lunch in a particular town or village. We have found that at some destinations, clients prefer to have lunch "on the go" and spend more time shopping or sightseeing, whereas some clients like to enjoy a leisurely lunch as part of their day out. This gives you the choice to spend your time as you wish.

There will be a variety of places to eat to suit all budgets. Your guide will be happy to recommend places to suit (they do not receive commission from the restaurants, pubs or shops concerned).

I'm a vegetarian - is this a problem ?
There are vegetarian choices on the pub menu for the Stones and Bones tour. On other tours you will find that vegetarians are well catered for in most eating places.

I have other special dietary requirements ? Will I be able to get a meal to cater for my needs ?
If you are on the Stones and Bones tour (which includes lunch) then please advise us in advance if you have special requirements. We will liaise with the pub and they will do their best to accommodate. However, do bear in mind that a rural pub may not have the resources to cater for special requirements (as a general rule pubs only cater for vegetarians).

On other tours (where lunch is not included), speak to your guide who will be happy to assist or make suggestions.

Will we have time for shopping ?
There are shops at almost all our stops - some are local shops, some cater for visitors and sell postcards, books and souvenirs. If you want to shop you will find you have ample opportunity. However, shopping is not compulsory ! If shopping doesn't interest you, then you will be able to enjoy more time for sightseeing.

Please note that we do not have any commission arrangements with any shops and we do not make any commission induced stops at specific shops.

If you are looking for anything in particular, our guides are always happy to point you in the right direction. Again, there are not motivated by commission !

Our friends have been on your tours when you go inside Stonehenge when the site is closed to the public. Is this possible ?
We do have a special arrangement to take our small groups inside Stonehenge stone circle, beyond the fences and after the site is closed to the public, for an exclusive and memorable visit to this ancient site. The dates when we have this special arrangement are advertised on the web. Access is in the evening from 6.00 - 8.30pm, depending upon the time of year. It is still light during your visit (often our visit is timed for around sunset). There is no additional entrance fee payable on this tour. The entrance fees are inculded in the tour price.

If your visit does not coincide with one of our dates for special access, then our regular tours still visit Stonehenge (see our Stones and Bones tour which runs daily or our Magical tour). Our regular tours to Stonehenge and entrance is included but you will not be able to touch the stones. However, both tours also visit Avebury stone circle -there is unrestricted access to the stones at Avebury - and our guides offer a walking tour of the site.

It may be possible to arrange a date for special access to coincide with your visit. Please enquire for our rates for private tours with your own driver guide and personalised itineraries. Click here for private tour information.

Are the Sinister London, Pub and Rock and Roll tours (evening/afternoon) suitable for children ?
Yes. The tour content will be suitably modified if children are on board.

Are there any hidden extras ?
No.

Do we tip the driver or guide ?
Gratuities or tips are not included but they are not compulsory ! If you feel the driver or guide has performed particularly well, then a tip is a thoughtful gesture and will be appreciated.

If you have enjoyed your day then we appreciate any recommendations you may be able to pass on to friends or family.

Special requirements:

We are elderly and can't walk very far. Are your tours suitable for us ?
The Magical tour involves a fairly strenuous walk up and down Glastonbury Tor (hill). This may not be suitable for the elderly or infirm. As an alternative you can spend more time at Chalice Well Gardens. Or consider the Stones and Bones day tour which may be more suitable.

Do your guides speak foreign languages ?
Many of our guides speak foreign languages but our tours are conducted in English to cater for the majority of our clients. Some of our guides may be able to provide some translation. At many of the main attractions (Stonehenge, Warwick Castle, Roman Baths etc) you will find that personal audio commentaries are available in foreign languages. If your knowledge of English is limited, our guides will be pleased to provide individual attention (the small group nature of our tours makes this possible).

Cancellations for Day Tours/missed tours:

What if I want to cancel my Day Tour ?
If you do have to cancel your day tour, please advise us as soon as possible - we may be able to re - allocate your seats to someone who does wish to take the tour.

Refunds will be made for notice of cancellation received by us more than 48 hours before departure of your tour. We regret we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 48 hours before commencement of the tour UNLESS we are able to resell the seats reserved for you. All tour companies have similar policies. If you wish to reschedule your tour for an alternative date, we will try to accommodate you, subject to availability.

What if I want to cancel my Special Access tour?
If for any reason your travel plans change and you have to cancel your Special Access reservation, please be kind enough to let us know - someone else may want your seats.

In the event of cancellation more than 30 days prior to due departure, a 15 percent handling charge (for administration) shall apply unless you reschedule your tour for another day. We regret that refunds for cancellations made less than 30 days before commencement of tour cannot be made due to the special nature of this tour. Missed departures are treated as cancellations though we will try to accommodate you on another day (subject to availability and surcharge).

My alarm didn't go off - I was late at the pick up point and missed the bus ? Can I get my money back ?
In common with other tour companies we regret we are unable to offer refunds for missed departures. If you know you are going to be late, do contact us - we may be able to help you (its a good idea to take our telephone number with you).

If you do miss your tour, we will try to reschedule you for another day. An additional fee may be payable in these circumstances.

Do you cancel tours ?
Very occassionally we do need to cancel or alter tours. Roadworks, local events and closures, weather conditions and other such extenuating circumstances all play their part. Sometimes we receive cancellations which bring us below our operational minimum number. On the rare occasison we do need to cancel or alter your tour, we will try to advise you in advance by email or telephone or fax. We will always offer you an alternative day or an alternative tour. If the alternative is not acceptable then we will be happy to book you with one of our travel partners who may offer a similar tour (albeit on a large coach). Otherwise you will be given a full refund.