Frequently Asked Questions about Go Cotswolds

Do you have questions about Go Cotswolds or one of our tours? You may find the answer here. If not, please send us a message via our contact form, e-mail info@gocotswolds.co.uk or call us on 07786 920166 and we’ll be happy to help!

Are you operating tours of the Cotswolds during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We are now taking bookings for tours on and after May 17, 2021!

The national ‘Coronavirus lockdown’ restrictions currently in place in England mean that Go Cotswolds is temporarily closed and our tours are not able to take place. However, our team members are working from home and are available to process bookings and enquiries.

What are your COVID-19 procedures?

We are following all English laws and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until advised otherwise, we will continue to follow these rules and will update our policies and procedures as and when the situation changes.

First and foremost: if you, or a member of your household has, or has had in the 14 days leading up to your tour, symptoms of possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection (for example, a cough, high temperature/fever or flu-like symptoms), you MUST contact us before your tour date, and you MUST NOT participate in the tour.

At the start of your tour, we will:

• Ask you to confirm that you have not had, or been exposed to anyone who has had, symptoms of possible COVID-19 coronavirus infection within the last 14 days
• Remind you that we will, if asked, share your name and telephone number, as provided by you at booking, with NHS Test and Trace
• Record your temperature using a non-contact infra-red forehead thermometer – just to be on the safe side. If you have a temperature of 37.8°C or higher, you will not be permitted to participate in the tour
• Ask you to sanitise your hands before boarding the minibus (hand sanitiser will be provided)

During the tour, please: 

• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times while you are on board the Go Cotswolds minibus (unless you are medically exempt or under the age of 11)
• Keep an appropriate social distance from other people who are not in your household, including other passengers, your driver-guide, and members of the public. When wearing a face covering, the acceptable social distance is 1 metre (3 feet). When not wearing a face covering, it is 2 metres (6 feet)
• Stay in your allocated seat for the duration of the tour
• Do not eat or drink on board the Go Cotswolds minibus
• Sanitise your hands each time you re-enter the minibus after a stop

Go Cotswolds will:

• Reduce the maximum number of passengers to 10 (instead of 16) to enable appropriate social distancing on our minibus
• Provide hand sanitiser, which must be used by all passengers whenever you get on the minibus
• Provide disposable face masks if you forget to bring your own
• Deep clean the minibus before every tour, and clean all common touch points on the minibus throughout the day. This includes wiping down the seats, seat belts, arm rests, grab rails and door frames

What is/are the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds is the largest designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB) in England. Covering an area of around 800 square miles (~2000 square kilometres) and including approximately 150 small towns and villages, it encompasses roughly the area between Stratford-upon-Avon to the north, Cheltenham to the east, Oxford to the west and Bath to the south. Famed for the warm honey-coloured Cotswold stone from which many of the region’s buildings are made, the Cotswolds is also characterised by its rich history, traditions, and beautiful countryside landscape. Find out more by joining one of our tours!

What is your cancellation policy?

If we have to cancel

There may be times when we are forced to cancel one or more of our tours. Examples might be regional or national health restrictions that mean we cannot run our business, if a member of our team becomes ill, or if our vehicle breaks down.

If we have to cancel your tour or journey, we will contact you at the earliest opportunity and offer you:

• A transfer to a future available date, or
• A gift voucher to the value of your purchase (so you can rebook a future available date at your convenience), or
• A full refund

If you need to cancel

If, for any reason, you need to cancel your place on a small-group tour, please let us know, giving us at least 24 hours notice. In line with our usual Terms and Conditions, we will offer you:

• A transfer to a future available date, or
• A gift voucher to the value of your purchase (so you can rebook a future available date at your convenience), or
• A refund

No-shows or cancellations with less than 24 hours notice given will not be eligible for a refund.

To cancel or amend a private tour or private vehicle hire booking, a 14-day notice period is required, and a £50 cancellation fee (per day, for multi-day hires) applies.

Are your tours suitable for children?

• Cotswolds in a Day tour: As parents, you should consider whether your child(ren) will enjoy the day and/or affect the enjoyment of other passengers. Children aged 3–16 are welcome, but must have a child ticket and be seated in their own seat. Children aged 0-3 may ONLY travel with us if you are able to provide and fit your own age-appropriate child’s car seat. Please ask us before booking if you have any questions.
• Cotswolds Trails and Villages tour: Children aged 8 and over are welcome but must have a child ticket and be seated in their own seat. Owing to the walking element of this tour, it is not suitable for children under the age of 8. Please ask us before booking if you have any questions.
• Brewery, Pub Lunch and The Cotswolds tour: This tour is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. Children or teenagers under the age of 18 will not be permitted to join this tour. Photographic ID may be required.

Are your tours suitable for people with disabilities?

We can accommodate people with most disabilities, including visual impairment and mobility issues. However, we regret that our minibuses are not wheelchair accessible, so our tours are not suitable for wheelchair users who are unable to get in and out of a wheelchair. Please see our Access Statement for more information, and if you have any questions, please just ask us.

Can I bring my luggage on a Go Cotswolds tour?

Yes! Our minibuses have a large luggage compartment, so we can usually accommodate luggage, including large suitcases, foldable wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.

Small handbags, coats and other small personal items may be kept inside the minibus, either at your feet or on the overhead shelf. All luggage and personal items are your responsibility.