1. Deposit & Booking Confirmation
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your private tour, dedicated vehicle allocation, and professional driver/guide. Bookings are only confirmed once this deposit is received.
2. Final Payment
The remaining 80% balance is due 14 days prior to your scheduled tour date. For bookings made within 14 days of departure, full payment (100%) is required immediately upon booking.
A 3% surcharge applies to payments made by credit card.
3. Direct Booking Advantage (Why Our Terms Differ from OTAs)
Unlike mass-market travel platforms (such as Viator or GetYourGuide) that sell group slots, we operate exclusively high-end, dedicated private tours. When you book directly with us, your vehicle and expert guide are immediately reserved solely for your group and removed from availability for other clients. Because we commit these exclusive resources directly to you, our non-refundable deposit protects the standard of personal service and dedicated planning provided.
4. Cancellations & Refund Policy
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email. The following cancellation fees apply:
- More than 14 days before tour: The 20% deposit is retained; any balance paid beyond the deposit will be refunded in full.
- 14 days or fewer before tour: 100% of the total tour cost is retained due to short-notice scheduling and committed driver allocations.
5. Weather Policy
Tours go ahead in all weather. The Cotswolds are just as beautiful under grey skies, and a wet day simply means longer lunches, warmer pubs and more time by the fire. We will only contact you to discuss rescheduling in the case of a severe weather warning that makes travel genuinely unsafe, such as snow, ice or flooding affecting the road network.
6. Changes to the Itinerary
Your day is planned around you, but the route we suggest is a guide rather than a fixed schedule. Your driver may adjust stops, timings or the order of the day for reasons of safety, traffic, road closures, or the opening hours of villages, gardens and attractions. Entry to houses, gardens and other third-party sites is subject to their own availability and is outside our control.
7. Cancellations or Changes by Us
On rare occasions we may need to cancel or amend a booking due to circumstances beyond our control, including vehicle breakdown, driver illness, or severe weather making travel unsafe. Where this happens, we will contact you as soon as possible to offer an alternative date or a full refund of any amount you have paid.
8. Guests & Vehicle
Our vehicle comfortably seats up to 4 guests. Please let us know in advance if you need a child or booster seat, or have any accessibility requirements, so we can arrange this ahead of your day. Smoking is not permitted in the vehicle. We ask all guests to treat the vehicle and driver with courtesy; we reserve the right to end a tour early, without refund, in cases of abusive behaviour or damage to the vehicle.
9. What’s Included
Your quote covers the vehicle, fuel, and your driver/guide for the agreed hours. Entrance fees to houses, gardens and attractions, meals and drinks, and gratuities are not included unless we have agreed otherwise with you in writing.
10. Liability & Insurance
Cotswolds Drive is a fully licensed and insured UK private hire operator, and our drivers are enhanced DBS background-checked. We are not liable for delays or changes to your day caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including traffic, weather, road closures, or the closure of third-party venues. We recommend guests take out their own travel insurance for their trip.
11. Complaints
If anything about your day falls short, please let us know as soon as possible, ideally on the day itself, so we can put it right. You can reach us by email at cotswoldsdrive@gmail.com or by phone on +44 7904 971282.
12. Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.