Access Policy
Introduction
We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable on our tours. This statement sets out the accessibility features, facilities, and considerations you can expect when travelling with us.
Our aim is to provide clear information so you can make an informed decision about whether our tours are right for you, and to help us support your needs as best as possible throughout your journey.
Contact & Special Requirements
To ensure your comfort and safety, please contact us before booking if you:
- Have mobility or accessibility needs
- Wish to bring a mobility aid on tour
- Are travelling with a carer or companion
- Require a booster seat for a child
- Wish to bring a service or assistance dog on tour
- Have any other special requirements or questions about tour suitability
Transportation
Our tours are normally operated in a 7- or 9-seat Mercedes V-Class or Vito Tourer. On some occasions, a high-quality SUV may be used.
Boarding & Alighting
The front seat is accessed via the front passenger door. Rows 2 and 3 are accessed via the sliding side doors. The rear seats are reached by tipping the end seat of the middle row forward. A portable step is available to assist with boarding if needed. The height from the ground to the first step is approximately 10 in / 26 cm.
Our driver guides can offer limited physical assistance when boarding or alighting, but passengers should be comfortable doing so independently or with the help of a travelling companion.
Our vehicles are not wheelchair accessible. By prior arrangement, we may be able to accommodate a foldable, lightweight mobility aid.
Seating
Depending on the vehicle, seating is arranged in either three rows of three, or two rows of two with a rear row of three. Access to the rear rows is via fold-down end seats in the middle row.
All seats are fitted with three-point seatbelts, which must be worn whenever the vehicle is in motion. Seat belt extenders are available on request.
There is no pre-assigned seating; however, if you have accessibility needs that require a particular seat, this can be arranged in agreement with your group. We never mix groups, so you will always be travelling exclusively with your own companions.
For groups of two, we often find the best arrangement for sightseeing is one person in the front passenger seat and one in the middle seat of row 2, giving clear views to both sides and the front.
Booster seats are available on request for children under 4 ft 5 in (1.35 m). All children must be at least five years old at the time of travel.
On-Board Facilities
All vehicles are air-conditioned. Please let us know during the tour if you’d like the temperature adjusted.
USB charging ports are available in all vehicles.
A luggage compartment is provided for suitcases and larger items — a generous one in the 9-seater, a smaller one in the 7-seater.
Commentary & Language
Tours are conducted in spoken English only. Some attractions may offer audio guides or written materials in other languages.
Live commentary is delivered by your driver guide. A microphone is available for the driver guide when needed — typically for passengers seated in the rear row.
Hearing loops are not available.
As commentary is live and unscripted, we are unable to provide written transcripts. However, your confirmed itinerary includes tour summaries which you are welcome to print for reference.
Music is played on occasion, as it forms an integral part of the experience at certain locations in Devon and Cornwall.
Safety instructions, timings, and other important information are delivered verbally. Your guide is happy to answer questions and to repeat or write down key information as needed.
Tour Stops & Attractions
Accessibility and facilities vary at each destination. If you have mobility or access needs, we recommend checking the individual accessibility statements for relevant attractions in advance.
Our itineraries are designed to maximise time outside the vehicle, with frequent stops throughout the day. Routes and distances vary, but you can expect to spend at least 30% of the day exploring attractions, stretching your legs, and enjoying local sites. Approximate timings are available on request.
Most tours include a mix of photo opportunities, refreshment breaks, historical sites, visitor attractions, towns or villages, and nature walks.
Your driver guide will normally accompany the group at stops and destinations to ensure you get the most from each visit. Exceptions include paid attractions where independent access is required, such as the Eden Project or the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
In some busy locations where parking is limited — such as Padstow or Port Isaac — you may occasionally need to explore independently for a short time. We do everything we can to minimise this. If you would like free time for shopping or personal exploration at any stop, just let us know.
Mobility & Fitness
All passengers must be able to board and alight from the vehicle independently, with the support of a travelling companion, or with limited assistance from the driver guide.
We are happy to help with luggage at the vehicle, but passengers should be able to carry their own bags for short distances — for example, between the vehicle and accommodation.
Much of the accommodation in the South West of England is in historic buildings without lifts (elevators). If you require accessible accommodation, please let us know and we will be happy to advise. We recommend requesting ground-floor or accessible rooms when booking.
Our tours do not include strenuous activities unless specifically mentioned or requested. However, some walking will be required to access key sites. We recommend being comfortable walking up to 1 mile (approximately 20 minutes) at a time on varied terrain, which may include hills, steps, cobblestones, narrow passageways, and uneven surfaces. If you have any concerns about suitability, please get in touch.
With prior notice, we may be able to store a small, lightweight manual mobility aid, depending on group size and luggage. We are unable to accommodate fully electric mobility aids. Devices with a removable battery may be accepted, provided the battery is removed and stored safely in hand luggage within the vehicle each time the device is stowed.
Please note that many sites are accessible on foot only and may present challenges for passengers using wheelchairs, walking frames, or other mobility aids.
Support & Assistance
We will always do our best to help passengers experience the South West as fully as possible. This may include your driver guide dropping you off at a convenient point before parking, or collecting you to avoid long uphill walks — particularly in Cornish fishing villages such as Polperro or Port Isaac. We will work to minimise walking wherever we can, though we cannot eliminate it entirely.
Accommodation on Multi-Day Tours
We do not arrange accommodation, but are happy to suggest suitable options — both in terms of location and accessibility — once your itinerary has been confirmed.
Accessibility varies by provider. Please inform us of any mobility or special requirements (including dietary or allergy needs) when booking, or contact us for guidance.
Most accommodation in the South West is accessed via stairs. Bed & breakfasts and pub accommodations are often in residential areas on the outskirts of towns and villages, or in the countryside. Hotels tend to be more centrally located, though this cannot always be guaranteed. Some accommodation may be up to 1 mile (approximately a 20-minute walk) from restaurants and local amenities. Taxis are available in many — though not all — locations and can be arranged and paid for locally.
Service Animals
By prior arrangement, we warmly welcome highly trained service, assistance, and registered guide dogs. Other dogs may be considered in exceptional circumstances, but our tours are not suitable for pets. Please confirm suitability with us before booking.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee access for animals at third-party attractions, cafés, accommodation, or other sites. Many venues only accept registered guide dogs, and some may prohibit animals entirely for health and safety reasons. We recommend checking with individual venues in advance.
Further Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like advice on tour suitability, please do not hesitate to contact us. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.
