Terms & Conditions

To help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including Covid-19, you must not attend if any of the following apply:

• You are unwell with a respiratory illness that could be passed on to others (for example sore throat, cough, fever, etc).
• You have tested positive for Covid-19 within the previous 10 days and are still testing positive after Day 5.
• You are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, including but not limited to: feeling generally unwell, fatigue, sore throat, cough, fever, headache, or loss of or change to your sense of taste or smell.

It is your responsibility to check current Government guidance and comply with any applicable restrictions. Please note that there remains a low risk of transmission of infectious diseases, such as Covid-19, when participating in our outdoor activities. This risk cannot be completely eliminated. By taking part, you acknowledge and accept this risk.

The countryside is home to many insects, including bees, wasps and ticks. Ticks are becoming increasingly common across the British Isles. When taking part in our outdoor activities, there is a risk of insect stings or tick bites, which carry a low risk of Lyme's Disease. This risk cannot be eliminated, and by participating you acknowledge and accept it.

It is important to be tick aware and take steps to reduce the risk of tick bites and tick-borne illnesses. Only around 5% of ticks carry Lyme's Disease, and prompt, correct removal using a tick remover tool significantly reduces the risk of infection.

Preventative measures include:

• Wearing long trousers and long-sleeved tops.
• Applying insect repellent to ankles, wrists and around the waist/trouser line.
• Choosing where you sit carefully - sit on rocks or a sit-mat.
• Brushing the bottom of your rucksack/bag after placing it on the ground and before putting it back on.
• Avoiding long grass and dense undergrowth, as ticks cannot jump or fly and must be brushed onto you.
• Checking your skin regularly and brushing ticks off before they attach.
• Check your skin after the activity, and promptly remove any ticks.

Although the risk of Lyme's Disease is low, monitor the bite area for up to six weeks and watch for symptoms such as a bull's-eye rash, a spreading rash, or flu-like symptoms. If any of these occur, seek medical advice from your GP as soon as possible. NHS guidance on tick bites can be found here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

Weil's Disease, a bacterial infection, can be spread through animals, soil or water. Although it is rare to contract this infection, it is important to take preventative measures to ensure this.

Preventative measures include:

• Do not drink water from streams/ponds/lakes/rivers etc. Only drink water from clean tap sources.
• Wash hands with hot soapy water after interacting with water and/or soil, before eating or drinking. If hot water/soap is not available, clean with wet wipes/hand sanitiser, or with clean drinking water.
• Cover open wounds and abrasions before interacting with water.

For more information and guidance, see the NHS website:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leptospirosis/

Walking in, and engaging in, the outdoors carry an inherent risk of personal discomfort, accident, injury or, in rare cases, death. A key part of the appeal of these activities is the challenge of varied terrain, landscapes and weather conditions, where risk is often an integral element.

Every reasonable effort is made to reduce hazards; however, due to the nature of the environment, certain risks are unavoidable. Common outdoor injuries include slips, trips and falls, as well as blisters, muscle strains, scratches, stings, sunburn, cold exposure and general discomfort due to weather or ground conditions. This list is not exhaustive.

More serious incidents may also occur due to steep, uneven, rocky, wet or slippery ground, personal health conditions, or extreme weather. By taking part in these activities, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

All walks involve a variety of terrain, which may include uneven and rough ground, mud, rocks, wet surfaces, fields, riversides, woodland, remote open countryside, high ground, hills, moorland and mountainous areas. Walks and/or activities may also include steep ascents and descents, stiles, stream crossings, roads and lanes, farms and livestock. Adverse weather conditions, darkness and/or poor visibility may also be encountered. Please check your booking description to ensure the terrain is an expected level of adventure.

Walking and outdoor activities can be physically demanding. The level of exertion should not be underestimated, particularly when combined with natural terrain, hills or mountains, and changing weather conditions. Please refer to the booking descriptions, which indicate the level of fitness and activity involved.

Ffion Beavis and their freelance Group Leaders accept no responsibility for personal accidents, injuries, or loss or damage to personal belongings unless caused by their negligence. We strongly recommend that you hold appropriate personal accident and injury insurance, as well as travel insurance to cover potential cancellations.

All participants must follow any safety instructions, guidance or hazard warnings provided by the Group Leader, whether during the pre-walk briefing or while on the walk.

The Walk Leader reserves the right to refuse participation or to terminate a participant's involvement in a walk if one or more of the following apply:

• Failure or refusal to complete a Consent Form.
• The Group Leader believes the participant is unable to complete the planned activity.
• A pre-existing medical condition or fitness level makes participation unsafe.
• Inappropriate clothing or footwear is worn.
• Safety instructions are ignored.
• Behaviour or language is inappropriate, offensive, or puts others at risk.

If participation is terminated after the walk has begun, the Group Leader will ensure the participant reaches a safe location (such as a track, road, village, café, or their vehicle) before continuing with the remaining group.

If a participant chooses to leave the organised group, responsibility and liability for that participant cease immediately. Decisions regarding non participation are solely at the discretion of the Group Leader. No transfers or refunds are available for non participation.

Most walks or activities do not require prior walking experience, as full guidance is provided. Activity descriptions will detail a reasonable level of fitness required due to the nature of the outdoor environment. Walks and activities are planned based on the group's average fitness, experience, terrain and weather, purpose of the activity and Group Leaders will adapt routes where reasonably possible.

All participants must complete an individual Consent Form before the event. Forms cannot be completed on behalf of another person, except for a child under 18. Participation will not be permitted without a completed Consent Form.

Participants must provide full and accurate information, including medical conditions, allergies, special requirements and recent illnesses. Any changes to this information must be reported to the Group Leader before the walk.

Participants must wear suitable outdoor footwear appropriate for the terrain and conditions. If walking boots are required for the activity, this will be detailed in the activity description. Clothing should be appropriate for the activity and the weather conditions, detailed in the activity description or recommended by the Group Leader.

As walking is an adventurous activity and the Group Leader's working environment, alcohol consumption and smoking/vaping are not permitted during the activity.

Well-behaved, sociable dogs may be permitted on selected walks and courses, subject to prior written permission. Not all events are suitable for dogs due to terrain, wildlife, livestock, access restrictions, weather or the nature of the activity.

Dogs must be insured, wormed and kept on a lead at all times. Owners are fully responsible for their dog and accept all associated liability. Bramble Adventures accepts no responsibility for the health, safety or behaviour of dogs.

Bramble Adventures reserves the right to refuse dogs on any walk, including at short notice. Participants always take priority over dogs. If allergies or phobias are identified within the group, dog-free walks may be required.

If a dog behaves aggressively on the first day of a multi-day walk or course, it will not be permitted on subsequent days. No refunds or transfers are available if a dog cannot attend. A separate Dog Policy will be provided before the event. Registered assistance dogs are always welcome.

All accommodation, food and travel arrangements must be booked and paid for directly by you. Any contracts for these services are between you and the service provider. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Full payment is required in advance to secure your booking.

If you are unable to attend, you may request a transfer to another date, subject to written confirmation and payment at least one day before the original walk. Only one transfer is permitted per booking. If a transferred booking is later cancelled, no refunds or further transfers are available.

Transfers to higher-priced walks require payment of the price difference. No refunds are given for transfers to lower-priced walks. Transfer rules apply as follows:

On the day or non attendance

no transfer

• No transfers for non participation

Bookings may be transferred to another person by written request, providing full contact details. One third-party transfer is permitted per booking and is free of charge. No refunds or further transfers are available once completed.

All cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds are issued within 14 days and apply as follows:

Within 14 days of booking

full refund

15 days after booking up to 31 days before the walk

75% refund

30 to 15 days before the walk

50% refund

14 to 8 days before the walk

25% refund

7 days before or non attendance

no refund

• No refunds for bookings already transferred
• No refunds for non participation

Bramble Adventures's liability is limited to the cost of the walk only. Travel insurance is recommended.

The Group Leader may cancel an event at any time due to illness, Government advice or law, adverse weather, or force majeure. In such cases, liability is limited to the cost of the walk. Participants will be offered a free transfer, a credit note valid for 12 months, or a full refund.

Planned routes may change due to weather, group pace, fitness levels, accidents or other factors. In extreme circumstances, a walk may be terminated. Any changes after the walk has started are considered part of the activity. All decisions rest with the Group Leader.

Participants must be aged 18 or over. Those aged 14-17 may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and with prior agreement, as some activities are unsuitable for under 18s.

Youth groups must comply with the ratios agreed by the company and the youth organisation guidelines prior to booking. The Walk Leader does not count in any of the ratios. Youth groups must have the correct number of adults on the day for the session to run. The Walk Leader has the prerogative to postpone the session if there are not the required ratios.