Terms and Conditions

1.0 General

1.1 Yorkshire Coast Nature reserves the right to revise these Terms and Conditions at any time by updating this page. It is your responsibility to review and understand the Terms and Conditions prior to booking a tour, event or workshop or placing an order because it is legally binding to you. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions please do not use our services.

1.2 Our Website Tours & Events and Shop pages are managed and operated by Yorkshire Coast Nature. The Terms and Conditions set out below constitute the agreement between you (the client) and us (Yorkshire Coast Nature or YCN).

1.3 Whilst we make every effort to provide you with up to date details for tours, events and workshops, it is ultimately your responsibility to check whether they have been cancelled or rescheduled. We try to ensure the information on this website is accurate at time of publishing; however, the content is not guaranteed. We disclaim all liability for injury, loss or damage arising from inaccuracies, omissions or interpretation of contents. If you believe any content to be inaccurate please contact us on 01723 865498, or email us at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk and we will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.

1.4 Part of the website contains information submitted to Yorkshire Coast Nature by third parties (e.g. on our Accommodation pages). Third parties are responsible for ensuring that the information they supply is accurate and complies with any relevant regulations. The contract for any relevant service is between you and the supplier. You can request the terms and conditions of individual suppliers by contacting them via the ‘Enquire Now’ button on their individual pages. In respect of any services supplied by external organisations, Yorkshire Coast Nature will have no liability.

2.0 Payments and Bookings

2.1 For all tours, events and workshops, or if you wish to buy any of our products, we require full payment on booking/ordering unless otherwise stated on the web page.

2.2 For longer tours we usually require full payment. If a deposit is arranged with us, the balance of your full payment should be made 30days before the first day of the tour, otherwise your place may be given to another client. 

2.3 Except for payments for short walks (see 2.1 above),payments made by Paypal are preferred by us and are safe, quick and easiest for you as you are not required to enter your card details, name and address on our website. If you do not have a Paypal account you can still pay by Paypal by entering your card details on our secure payment page. There is no charge for using the service. You are also covered by Paypal's protection scheme when you make a Paypal payment.

2.4 If you phone with an order or booking we will enter your card details on our secure website payment page and the payment will be made by Paypal as described in 2.3 above. For security reasons we strongly advise that you do not send your card details to us by e-mail. Yorkshire Coast Nature cannot be held responsible if a third party obtains your credit card details or any other personal information by hacking your e-mail account.

2.5 We also accept cheques, but you should be aware that not only will your cheque take a few days to reach us in the post, but your payment will not be recognised as completed until the cheque has cleared, which will take several more working days. Please take this into consideration when sending your cheque. For details on how to pay by cheque please email us at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk 

2.6 No cash payments should be sent to us in the post.

2.7 It is your undertaking to ensure that the details you provide when booking a tour, event or workshop or placing an order are correct, i.e. that your credit/debit card details are up to date and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the service. Payment will be taken up front for the services offered and if payment fails, bookings will not be made or products will not be dispatched until an alternative payment has been made. If there are any changes to your details that may affect your booking or order it is your responsibility to inform Yorkshire Coast Nature by contacting us on 01723 865498, or email us at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk 

2.8 It is very important that you print the confirmation of your booking, any further details sent to you by email and/or your product order for your own reference.

3.0 Tax Charges

3.1 Please beware that all prices are inclusive of the current rate of VAT where applicable.

4.0 Refunds and Cancellations: Tours, Events and Workshops

4.1 Cancellation by Yorkshire Coast Nature

4.1.1 In the event that a tour or a workshop is cancelled by Yorkshire Coast Nature, a full refund of monies paid by you will be made, however, no further liability will be accepted by Yorkshire Coast Nature. Yorkshire Coast Nature reserve the right to amend the meeting place and/or details of a tour to ensure the best quaility experince. 

4.2 Cancellation or Changes by You

4.2.1 You may cancel your booking at any stage; however, a refund will not be issued.

4.2.2 You may request a change/transfer to a new booking date by contacting us by email or phone. We charge £10/person for a transfer on all UK one day or half day events and workshops payable by a BACS invoice prior to the transfer. 

However, transfers will not be made within 28 days prior to the date of the event. Transfers are restricted to one transfer only per booking/group before the 28-day rule. Transfer confirmation must be made for a new date no longer than three months after the original booking date.

4.2.3 Please note that failure to attend a tour, event or workshop without first informing Yorkshire Coast Nature will not be regarded as a cancellation. Unless otherwise agreed, clients who fail to attend a tour, event or workshop without prior notice will not receive a refund for the tour.

4.3 Changes and Cancellation by Yorkshire Coast Nature

4.3.1 Yorkshire Coast Nature begins planning tours many months in advance. On rare occasions we have to make changes to details both before and after bookings have been confirmed, or cancel confirmed bookings. On outdoor tours in particular, local weather, transport or a host of other uncontrollable factors can mean a change in itinerary. Although we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so.

4.3.2 In the event of poor weather conditions which we consider will seriously affect the quality of a tour, event or workshop we reserve the right to postpone orcancel the tour. In this case you will be offered alternative dates for the same or similar tours from our programme of events.

4.3.3 If we have to cancel a tour, event or workshop completely due to unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather events we will offer an alternative date if we have no alternative dates to offer, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid.

4.3.4 If we have to make a minor alteration to your itinerary or travel arrangements before departure, we will, if practicable, advise you before departure but we are not obliged to do so or to pay you compensation.

4.3.5 If a major change is made (e.g. if all or part of your tour, event or workshop includes a boat trip which cannot be made because of weather conditions), we will inform you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

• accepting an alternative tour, part-tour, event or workshop arranged by Yorkshire Coast Nature and beginning the same day;
• transferring your deposit or payment to a future tour, event or workshop run by Yorkshire Coast Nature of a similar standard to that originally booked, if available. We will offer you at least one alternative tour, event or workshop of equivalent or higher standard. If this tour, event or workshop is cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. You must pay the applicable price of any such tour, event or workshop. This will mean you pay more if it is more expensive or receive a refund if it is cheaper.

4.3.6 Please note that the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one. The decision as to whether a change is minor or major lies with Yorkshire Coast Nature, who will endeavour to act fairly in all circumstances.

4.3.7 No liability beyond offering the above-mentioned options can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of our Terms and Conditions entitling us to cancel (e.g. not paying on time) or if the change made is a minor one.

4.4 Force Majeure

4.4.1 Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability,pay any compensation or refundswhere the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss from, force majeure. In these Terms and Conditions, ‘force majeure’ means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, global or national pandemic and all similar events outside our control.

4.5 Global or National Pandemic

4.5.1 In the case of a global or national pandemic there will be no refunds issued for postponement of any of our trips, workshops or events. We will issue a transfer voucher for the full amount of the event booked valid for two years from the date of booking.

5.0 What is Included on YCN Tours, Events and Workshops

5.1 See individual event descriptions for what you can expect to be provided by Yorkshire Coast Nature.

6.0 What is Not Included on YCN Tours, Events and Workshops

6.1 Yorkshire Coast Nature does not organise or pay for clients’ travel expenses to and from events, such as flights or other public transport, car hire, travel insurance, passports or visas. We do not pay for telephone calls, snacks or any items of a personal nature. Although our website suggests providers you may wish to use, we do not ourselves provide accommodation, and cannot be held responsible for any issues arising between clients on our longer tours and accommodation providers (see 1.4 above). Please consult individual event descriptions to see whether meals, drinks and transportation during the tour are provided, or contact us on 01723 865498 or at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk

7.0 Insurance

7.1 To take part in one of our tours you must be covered by adequate insurance for the duration of the tour and for the activities undertaken.

7.2 Individual clients booking on tours involving transportation and/or of more than one day in length are advised to take out appropriate personal insurance before setting out on holiday.

7.3 Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on your tour. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We do not check insurance policies.

8.0 Tour and Events Leaders and Tutors

8.1 Our tour and events leaders and tutors have considerable expertise in the field of natural history and/or photography, as relevant to your tour, event or workshop and will be able to show you, and help you to identify, many of the birds, mammals and plants that occur in the region that you are visiting. All live locally and their knowledge and interests often extend beyond the area’s natural history. Tour leader and tutor profiles can be read on this website. Please note however, that whilst we assign leaders to particular tours, events and workshops well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary.

9.0 Special Requests

9.1 If you have any special requests, you should inform us of such requests prior to departure. We will advise the relevant supplier of your requirements but we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Furthermore, we have no liability to you if such requests are not met.

9.2 Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met.

9.3 If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your tour, event or workshop, (e.g. heart condition, asthma, epilepsy etc.) please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we must reserve the right to decline their reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

10.0 Behaviour 

10.1 When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation or vehicle owner, manager or other supplier. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions.

10.2 We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. The majority of Yorkshire Coast Nature clients are non-smokers. In order that they can enjoy their workshop, event or tour in comfort, we insist that smokers refrain from smoking in the proximity of all other group members, and while watching wildlife, at all times. Smoking indoors in any public space – e.g. lecture room – is illegal, while smoking in any confined space – e.g. at any other group gathering or in a vehicle – cannot be permitted. Additionally, Yorkshire Coast Nature implements a policy of eco-tourism and requests that smokers dispose of used cigarette ends, which contain non-biodegradable material, responsibly. In booking a workshop, event or tour you agree to accept these guidelines, and it is the right of all our tour leaders to dismiss from a workshop, event or tour any participant failing to respect them.

10.3 If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property or fauna (including the collecting of any specimen from the natural world, for example any plants or insects), we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the tour, event or workshop of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

11.0 Refunds and Cancellations: Products

11.1 If on receipt of your items you consider that they are not as described on our Shop pages, or if they were damaged in transit, you are entitled to a refund. The full cost of your items, minus the postage and packing charge, will be refunded. Faulty goods must be returned within 28 days of the date of delivery to the address below:  

Yorkshire Coast Nature SR, 17 Alexander Avenue, East Ayton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO13 9EX.

11.2 Prior to returning your items, please contact Yorkshire Coast Nature on 01723 865498 or email us at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk and inform us of your order number, the item(s) you are returning and the reason for return.

11.3 You may only cancel an order before it has been dispatched. If you have wrongly ordered an item or wish to cancel your order please contact Yorkshire Coast Nature as quickly as possible on 01723 865498 or email us at info@yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk and inform us of your order number and the item(s) you wish to cancel.

12.0 Product Delivery Charges

12.1 Please beware that prices of items in our Shop do not include postage and packing. Charges are for the UK only. For orders outside the UK, please contact us for postal charges.

13.0 Product Delivery Conditions

13.1 Please check your delivery details are correct, as once your order has been confirmed, we are unable to amend the order delivery details. Products will normally be sent 1st Class, but 2nd Class may occasionally be used according to the weight of the order.

14.0 Product Delivery Schedule

14.1 We aim to dispatch orders within 3 working days. Once you have received confirmation of your order, add postal time (3-5 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.

14.2 Please allow 28 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries. It may be advisable to check with your neighbours to see if a parcel has been left with them, check any outhouses you might have where it may be left if it cannot fit through your letterbox and contact your local sorting office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.

14.3 If there are any unexpected delays, which may affect the arrival of your order, we will contact you either by email or telephone.

15.0 Terms and Conditions - Highfield Farm YCN Tours 

15.1 Prices and Payments

15.2 Where a tour is based at Highfield Farm the costs in respect of accommodation and all meals are payable directly to Highfield Farm. Fees are payable in full at the time of booking. A place can be cancelled with no penalty up to 14 days before the date of the tour.  Cancellations within 14 days of the start of the tour will incur the loss of the equivalent to the first night’s stay. Failure to attend a tour will incur the loss of the equivalent to the first night’s stay.

15.3 More info on Highfield Farm tours see below

For full terms and conditions at Highfield Farm please contact the farm: Highfield Farm, Southburn, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 9AF Email: info@highfieldfarm.co.uk or Tel: 01377 270607

16.0 Gift Vouchers

16.1 Please note gift vouchers are valid for a full 12 months from the date on the gift voucher. However please make sure you check the seasonality of the trip voucher you have purchased. Not all trips are available over a 12-month period.

16.2 Validity Extension – Global and National Pandemic

16.3 In the case of a global or national pandemic we will extend the validity of our gift vouchers from 12 months to 24 months from the date of purchase.