Terms & Conditions

Company Name : ABK Invest UK LTD trading as How Stean Gorge
Vat Number 402951027

All Bookings are subject to Vat at 20%

Payment

If booking more than 12 weeks in advance, you pay 5% of the total booking to secure your place(s) however 30% deposit will be required 12 weeks in advance of your booking date ; the remainder is payable 4 weeks in advance of the date of arrival. If booking less than 4 weeks in advance, we ask for the total amount. We have graduated the deposit because it can be difficult when making arrangements for group bookings a long way ahead and we are aware it is difficult to get some people committed along way a head, hope this helps. If we do not receive the full amount by/on the due dates(s) How Stean Gorge’s management will assume you no longer wish to proceed with the booking, those reserved places(s) become available and we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled. If you have any queries about your booking, please contact the Booking Office on 01423 755666.The payment process is free of charge to debit or credit card users.

Arrival / Departure

Lodges and Chalets will be available from 3pm on the day of your arrival. If you are planning to arrive after 5pm the please inform us what time you plan to arrive, and we will arrange access to your accommodation accordingly. If you arrive before 5pm, then check in at the cafe. On the day of your departure, you are required to vacate your accommodation by 10am.

Camping – All new arrivals and visitors must report to reception which is in the main building by the entrance.
Campsite Pitches are available from 2pm on the day of arrival – availability cannot be guaranteed before this time – and must be vacated by 12 noon on the day of departure unless otherwise arranged.

Outdoor Activity Timings

We ask all customers taking part in our Outdoor Activities to aim to arrive 30 mins before the activity session is due to commence enabling a prompt start to your activity.

Be aware some phone map apps will send you down unsuitable unmade roads.

The Big 5:
Full Day 10am – 5pm

How Stean Experience 11am -4.30pm

Other activities:
Morning Sessions 9.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon Sessions 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Unfortunately we cannot extend our activity finishing times to cater for late arrivals during busy periods, as this will have knock on effect to our other customers and staff.

Outdoor Activity Transport

Please note you will need to provide your own transport to canoeing and caving activities from How Stean which are a very short drive away, we are unable to provide transport.

Consumption of alcohol/drugs

Outdoor Activities – Any participant believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to take part in any activity. How Stean Gorge reserves the right to exclude any participant for safety reasons at any time & they will not receive a refund.

Camping & Lodges – People come to camp at How Stean Gorge to relax. Whilst alcohol can contribute to a pleasant time, it can also cause concern to other users of the site. Drink responsibly on your pitch or in your lodge and do not walk around the site with your drinks. People who have been drinking are not safe to enter the Gorge.

Safety

All members of an activity group must comply with regulations and instructors instructions. Should the safety of you or others be jeopardised by any person, then that person will be asked to leave the activity & will not receive a refund.

Personal Belongings/Property

All customers are responsible for their personal property, including cars which are parked at the owner’s risk. Please identify any food belonging to you that is left in the fridge, and remove on your departure.

Cancellation

There may be an occasion when you decide to cancel your booking. If we have 4 weeks’ + notice we can reschedule, however shorter than that this and we may incur a loss due to lost capacity
or have allocated you an instructor.

Just as you buy a theatre ticket or holiday, How Stean Gorge is not in a position to refund you for your being unable to attend. e.g Feeling Unwell, Personal Injury, Pregnancy, Lost on route etc

Deposits and any additional payments are not refundable but may be transferred to another day if at more than 4 weeks’ notice, subject to an administration fee.

Cancellation Insurance

We aim to be as flexible and understanding as possible, however, we do recommend that you consider purchasing appropriate cancellation insurance.

Adverse Weather (excluding Dark Skies Activities & Special Events)

In the event of How Stean Gorge cancelling the event due to conditions causing concerns of safety, eg flooding or high winds, we will offer you a replacement activity, reschedule to another date or if inconvenient pay a full refund. Full refunds incur expense in administration and bank charges but as a reputable company this is what we do. How Stean Gorge will stand the loss of having staff with no activities to lead as our aim is provide the customer the experience that they dream. We will not compromise safety for profit.

PLEASE NOTE (FOR DARK SKIES ACTIVITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS): IF CANOEING IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER, AN ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY WILL BE PROVIDED. WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE REFUNDS FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL COSTS.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Highly unlikely in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, but it has to be said that we regret we cannot accept liability where How Stean Gorge is prevented or affected by reason of circumstances amounting to ‘Force Majeure’. Circumstances amounting to ‘Force Majeure’ include any event which we could not, even with all due care, foreseen…such as: war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, acts of God, adverse weather conditions and all similar events.

Prices

Once you have booked your place(s) and paid the deposit, the price of your booking as shown on your invoice cannot be increased. The prices, offers and information printed in our brochures are
valid at the time of publication, and may change. We reserve the right to increase or reduce these prices or amend offers or information at any time after publication and in future editions of the brochure. You will be advised of any change at the time of booking. Any quote received for your booking will only be valid for 4 weeks.

Medical/Consent Forms

All participants must complete a Medical/Consent Form. Under 18’s will need to be consented by a parent or guardian. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, we strongly advise you to
consult your doctor for advice and to inform the centre prior to booking. Please note – most medical conditions will not prohibit you from taking part in activity, however the instructor should be made aware of any medical conditions. All instructors carry first aid/rescue bags whilst out on activities. Any medication can be placed in their waterproof containers. Please remember
remove after session.

Facilities Building

Please leave the toilet and shower facilities, as you would wish to find them. Abuse or damage to the facilities will be considered a serious offence. There is a no smoking policy in all on site
buildings. The facilities block (toilets & showers) maybe closed during short periods of the day for outdoor activity customers to use the building and cleaning to take place. Other toilets are available in the Café/Reception area.

Noise

We ask you to be considerate to your fellow guest, lodge/chalet neighbours and campers by keeping noise to a minimum after 10pm until 8am. The only sound we want to hear is natural.

Cleanliness

Guests are responsible for keeping their pitch and lodges clean and tidy. All property and refuse must be removed before vacating the pitch. Recycling bins are provided.

Health & Safety

Parents or guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. Be aware of motor vehicles using the site.
Please feel free to explore the Gorge and caves tickets are available from the cafe/reception (do not go into the water at all). There is deep water and risk of injury and drowning.

Barbeques/Fire

Fire pits are provided at each pitch. Wood/charcoal is available to purchase at the café/reception. Barbecues are allowed but they must be raised off the ground and should not damage the grass.

Dogs and other animals

Dogs and other animals under control are welcome. Always clear up after your dog/animal.

Consideration for local residents and the environment

All land beyond How Stean Gorge is privately owned and campers are requested to follow the public footpaths adjacent to the site.

Shop/Restaurant

The shop and restaurant are open daily, opening at 9am and closing at 5pm, 6pm at weekends in summer.

Contact Staff

If you have any queries or questions whilst you are on site please pop down the cafe between 9am and 5pm A member of staff will be on call for emergencies only.

Failure to comply with these terms and conditions in extreme conditions could result in you being removed from site. If drunk and disorderly the police have assured us that they will remove you
from site and convey you to Harrogate 22 miles away.