Booking Terms and Conditions

1. Booking and Payment

A booking is confirmed once a completed booking form has been received and the required deposit or full payment has been made.

The balance must be paid no later than 6 weeks before the retreat start date. If the balance is not received by the due date, Understories reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit.

Bookings made within 6 weeks of the retreat start date require full payment at the time of booking.

2. Deposits

Deposits are non-refundable except where the retreat is cancelled by Understories.

3. Cancellation by the Participant

All cancellations must be made in writing.

The following cancellation charges apply:

• More than 6 weeks before the retreat: loss of deposit only.

• Between 3 and 6 weeks before the retreat: 50% of the total retreat fee.

• Less than 3 weeks before the retreat: 100% of the total retreat fee.

If your place can be filled from a waiting list, Understories may, at its sole discretion, offer a partial refund.

We strongly recommend that participants obtain suitable travel and cancellation insurance.

4. Cancellation by Understories

Understories reserves the right to cancel a retreat due to insufficient bookings, illness of a tutor or key personnel, venue issues, adverse conditions or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

In the event that Understories cancels a retreat, participants will receive a full refund of monies paid to Understories.

Understories shall not be liable for any other costs incurred by participants, including but not limited to travel expenses, accommodation booked independently, loss of earnings or other consequential losses.

5. Programme Changes

While every effort is made to deliver the retreat as advertised, Understories reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the programme, tutors, activities, schedule, accommodation arrangements or venue where necessary.

Any such changes shall not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund.

6. Health, Wellbeing and Participation

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically and mentally able to take part in retreat activities.

Any relevant medical conditions, injuries, allergies, dietary requirements, accessibility needs or other circumstances that may affect participation should be disclosed at the time of booking.

Many retreat activities take place outdoors on uneven, natural terrain and may involve walking in varying weather conditions. Participants are responsible for assessing their own fitness and suitability for these activities.

Optional activities, including but not limited to yoga, walking, sketching and outdoor sessions, are undertaken voluntarily and at the participant's own risk.

Where yoga or other specialist activities are led by guest instructors, participants are responsible for informing the instructor of any relevant injuries, medical conditions or limitations before taking part.

7. Personal Responsibility and Conduct

Participants are expected to behave respectfully towards fellow guests, tutors, instructors, venue staff and the surrounding environment.

Understories reserves the right to ask any participant to leave the retreat without refund if their behaviour is deemed disruptive, unsafe, abusive or likely to adversely affect the experience of others.

8. Liability

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury arising from negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under English law.

Subject to the above, Understories' total liability shall be limited to the amount paid by the participant for the retreat.

Participants attend retreats and engage in activities at their own risk. Understories accepts no responsibility for injury, illness, loss, damage, delay or inconvenience arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

9. Personal Property

Participants are responsible for their own belongings at all times.

Understories accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of personal possessions, valuables, vehicles or equipment brought to a retreat.

10. Insurance

Participants are responsible for arranging any insurance they consider appropriate, including travel insurance, cancellation insurance and personal accident insurance.

11. Photography and Marketing

From time to time, photographs may be taken during retreats for promotional and marketing purposes, including use on websites, social media platforms and printed materials.

Participants who do not wish to appear in photographs should notify Understories before the retreat begins and every reasonable effort will be made to respect those wishes.

12. Force Majeure

Understories shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations where such failure results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, fire, disease outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, government restrictions, industrial disputes, transport disruption, utility failure or venue closure.

13. Data Protection

Personal information provided during booking will be used solely for the administration of retreats, participant communication and legal obligations.

Personal data will be processed and stored in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further details.

14. Website Use, Cookies and Privacy

Use of the Understories website is subject to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

By using the website and making a booking, participants acknowledge that they have read and understood these policies.

15. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.