Policies, Terms & Conditions
Updated: 12 Mar 2025
It will be assumed that you have read and accepted these before making use of the tours or web site. The terms 'walk' and 'tour' are used interchangeably below. For the purposes of this page Laurence Scales is the guide.
The information given here is subject to change.
Covid-19
It will be assumed that you have read and accepted these before making use of the tours or web site. The terms 'walk' and 'tour' are used interchangeably below. For the purposes of this page Laurence Scales is the guide.
The information given here is subject to change.
Covid-19
Tours are offered subject to the local laws and rules applicable to the Covid-19 pandemic and these may change at short notice. At the time of writing it is not necessary to wear a face covering on a tour or on local public transport.
Language
Tours are given in English, unless special arrangements have been agreed.
Dogs
Tours are given in English, unless special arrangements have been agreed.
Dogs
For the convenience of their owners, their well-behaved dogs may be brought on tours in very small numbers at no extra charge. Please ask Laurence in advance if you would like to take advantage of this concession. However, Laurence's tours are for people, not dogs. The pace of the tour will be determined by the paying customers who have not brought dogs. Dogs, or circumstances arising from dogs on the tour, must not delay the tour, or annoy the other participants. (See also Right to Refuse.)
Weather and Comfort
I do not like to cancel walks. Scheduled walks could be cancelled if the forecast promises continuous or exceptionally heavy rain or a hurricane. Be prepared for a shower. Winter walks could be affected by snow or ice. Always check on the public tours page for last minute changes to public tours. Light rain is NOT normally a reason to cancel.
The weather forecasts in the UK have frequent recourse to the description "unsettled" which seems to mean some probability of showers, heavy or light, but can also include long periods when it is dry and sunny. If these walks only took place on days "set fair" then I would forever be arranging postponements, mostly unnecessary - hence my weather policy.
Weather forecasts are usually provided by the media for 3 hour intervals over the coming 24 hours. But you can do better and make your own short term prediction by looking at the weather radar for incoming bands of rain.
It's Cold Out There (Sometimes)
These days when we step from home to car to office to car to shopping mall it is easy to forget about the weather. It will much enhance your enjoyment of these tours if you respect the weather and add another layer, or a hat or a scarf when appropriate, or bring a bottle of water when it's hot. 8C is cold, especially when there is a wind blowing and there is a layer of cloud.
I do not like to cancel walks. Scheduled walks could be cancelled if the forecast promises continuous or exceptionally heavy rain or a hurricane. Be prepared for a shower. Winter walks could be affected by snow or ice. Always check on the public tours page for last minute changes to public tours. Light rain is NOT normally a reason to cancel.
The weather forecasts in the UK have frequent recourse to the description "unsettled" which seems to mean some probability of showers, heavy or light, but can also include long periods when it is dry and sunny. If these walks only took place on days "set fair" then I would forever be arranging postponements, mostly unnecessary - hence my weather policy.
Weather forecasts are usually provided by the media for 3 hour intervals over the coming 24 hours. But you can do better and make your own short term prediction by looking at the weather radar for incoming bands of rain.
It's Cold Out There (Sometimes)
These days when we step from home to car to office to car to shopping mall it is easy to forget about the weather. It will much enhance your enjoyment of these tours if you respect the weather and add another layer, or a hat or a scarf when appropriate, or bring a bottle of water when it's hot. 8C is cold, especially when there is a wind blowing and there is a layer of cloud.
Footwear
Please wear practical, protective and supportive shoes suitable for all types of urban ground: hard, soft, hot, cold, wet, sandy, steep, icy, uneven, or possibly strewn with sharp objects.
Scheduled Public Tours
Participants in scheduled public walks will be invited to buy tickets using Eventbrite or similar web service, and these are charged at a rate similar to the cost of other London walking tours.
Private Tours
When contacting me about a private tour please help me to help you by telling me the following. (Uncertainties increase costs!)
How you found out about me. (It helps me know who I am reaching and also helps confirm that you understand what I offer.)
Is it your first time in London or the seventeenth? I do not want to take you somewhere you already know.
What are you interested in particularly? Are you already knowledgeable, or do you just want to become knowledgeable?
Scheduled Public Tours
Participants in scheduled public walks will be invited to buy tickets using Eventbrite or similar web service, and these are charged at a rate similar to the cost of other London walking tours.
Private Tours
When contacting me about a private tour please help me to help you by telling me the following. (Uncertainties increase costs!)
How you found out about me. (It helps me know who I am reaching and also helps confirm that you understand what I offer.)
Is it your first time in London or the seventeenth? I do not want to take you somewhere you already know.
What are you interested in particularly? Are you already knowledgeable, or do you just want to become knowledgeable?
If you have an itinerary what are the constraints on my tour, such as finishing in a certain place at a certain time?
How many of you are there? If you are bringing children, how old are they and what interests them?
How many of you are there? If you are bringing children, how old are they and what interests them?
Do you want me to take into consideration any special mobility or health issues for the tour?
Accessibility
Routes and timings assume an average level of fitness and mobility. While London and the surrounding area is being made more accessible for the less mobile these walks have not been fully checked for step-free access - and building work etc may sometimes hamper access which is normally easy. People with particular needs are invited to get in touch well in advance of the walk.
Group Size
With the exception of private tours I aim to cater for a group of 8 to 25 people. There is an upper limit to ensure that everyone can hear, enjoy a more personal experience and remain safe in congested streets. A scheduled walk may be cancelled if I have had too few expressions of interest a few days before the date.
Children
Accompanied children are welcome (free of charge if carried, or in buggies, and very quiet - but see Accessibility above). These walks are not designed to be child-centred, but may well appeal to children with an interest in such things as history, science, adventure stories or architecture. I prefer any tour I give to be a conversation rather than a lecture and I think this helps in keeping all ages engaged. Children, or circumstances arising from children on the tour, must not delay the tour, or annoy the other participants. (See also Right to Refuse.)
Distance
The shortest outdoor walk is about 2.5 miles (4km) which we cover in about 2 hours.
Payment
I typically use Eventbrite or similar service to sell tickets for scheduled tours, or I can accept cash on the day. (But if I don't know you are coming then the tour could be cancelled at short notice due to insufficient bookings.)
For agreed private tours I can accept payment in advance using Paypal. Use my contact email address.
Accessibility
Routes and timings assume an average level of fitness and mobility. While London and the surrounding area is being made more accessible for the less mobile these walks have not been fully checked for step-free access - and building work etc may sometimes hamper access which is normally easy. People with particular needs are invited to get in touch well in advance of the walk.
Group Size
With the exception of private tours I aim to cater for a group of 8 to 25 people. There is an upper limit to ensure that everyone can hear, enjoy a more personal experience and remain safe in congested streets. A scheduled walk may be cancelled if I have had too few expressions of interest a few days before the date.
Children
Accompanied children are welcome (free of charge if carried, or in buggies, and very quiet - but see Accessibility above). These walks are not designed to be child-centred, but may well appeal to children with an interest in such things as history, science, adventure stories or architecture. I prefer any tour I give to be a conversation rather than a lecture and I think this helps in keeping all ages engaged. Children, or circumstances arising from children on the tour, must not delay the tour, or annoy the other participants. (See also Right to Refuse.)
Distance
The shortest outdoor walk is about 2.5 miles (4km) which we cover in about 2 hours.
Payment
I typically use Eventbrite or similar service to sell tickets for scheduled tours, or I can accept cash on the day. (But if I don't know you are coming then the tour could be cancelled at short notice due to insufficient bookings.)
For agreed private tours I can accept payment in advance using Paypal. Use my contact email address.
Payment is due on the date of completion of the tour. No arrangements for credit are offered.
If an invoice or receipt is required please let me know in advance.
Expenditure Not Included in the Cost of the Tour
Food, drink, transport, fares, insurance, souvenirs, purchases of a personal nature. These walks do not normally involve entrance to anywhere which charges admission. If there are any exceptions these will be explained in the joining instructions.
On private tours I understand that clients wish to go at their own pace, pause for refreshments, make additional visits to attractions, use taxis etc. The guide will not bear the expense of these extras without prior agreement.
Cancellation
In the event that a walk is cancelled by the guide then fee paid or tickets bought will be refunded, and any gift voucher used will remain valid for booking another walk. No other liability will be accepted, and no other costs will be refunded.
Tickets will not normally be refunded to latecomers, or in the event of disinclination to take up a place already booked on the tour.
Scheduled public tours may be cancelled if the number of bookings is very low 24-48 hours before the walk, or the weather forecast is exceptionally bad (see above).
For private tours a cancellation charge or loss of deposit may apply if the tour party making the booking subsequently decides not to take the tour. (These tours usually involve special preparation, and the guide may have had to decline other work when accepting the booking.)
Gift Vouchers
I do not sell gift vouchers but you can dress up your own card as a gift voucher if you want to treat someone, and provide payment to the guide in the normal way.
Start Time & Punctuality
Read the joining instructions carefully with particular regard to the meeting point. Some stations have several exits.
Please assume that the walk will depart promptly at the advertised start time and not wait for latecomers. For the more far flung walks there may be train timetables to consider. Another common constraint is cafe closing times. There may be other factors which determine the start time. Waiting for latecomers usually impacts the enjoyment of others.
Walk participants may be refused admission to the event, or left behind, if they do not arrive by the advertised start time.
The duration of the walk depends on many factors and it is not possible to guarantee an exact finishing time.
Risk Assessment, Safety and Security
These walks are at your own risk and you need to take responsibility for your own safety and security. The risks normally associated with walking and touring in London and the surrounding area apply to these walks and include hazard from: traffic, cycles, street crime, terrorism, animals, birds, rodents, insects, aircraft, trains, falling trees and branches, slippery ground, gradients, steps, uneven ground, open water, waterborne diseases, infectious diseases, solar radiation, meteorite impact, wind, flood, other extreme weather, falling objects, fires, escaping gas, electrical conductors, lightning, airborne particles, building materials and equipment, and construction work near public routes. A few walks involve visiting public parks and may include other risks due to golf or cricket balls etc. or related to the wildlife found there. Walks sometimes pause at a pub: see Pubs and Alcohol below. Tours may involve opportunities to obtain food: see Food below.
You need to accept responsibility also for your personal security and the security of your possessions. On tours we sometimes encounter crowds, and busy public spaces which sometimes attract people with criminal intent. Be particularly careful in public places with your money, identity documents, electronic devices and jewellery.
Toilets
A walk of 2-3 hours may not involve a planned toilet stop. If there is a toilet near the start of the route this will usually be indicated in the tour joining instructions. Please make use of toilet facilities before the start.
If an invoice or receipt is required please let me know in advance.
Expenditure Not Included in the Cost of the Tour
Food, drink, transport, fares, insurance, souvenirs, purchases of a personal nature. These walks do not normally involve entrance to anywhere which charges admission. If there are any exceptions these will be explained in the joining instructions.
On private tours I understand that clients wish to go at their own pace, pause for refreshments, make additional visits to attractions, use taxis etc. The guide will not bear the expense of these extras without prior agreement.
Cancellation
In the event that a walk is cancelled by the guide then fee paid or tickets bought will be refunded, and any gift voucher used will remain valid for booking another walk. No other liability will be accepted, and no other costs will be refunded.
Tickets will not normally be refunded to latecomers, or in the event of disinclination to take up a place already booked on the tour.
Scheduled public tours may be cancelled if the number of bookings is very low 24-48 hours before the walk, or the weather forecast is exceptionally bad (see above).
For private tours a cancellation charge or loss of deposit may apply if the tour party making the booking subsequently decides not to take the tour. (These tours usually involve special preparation, and the guide may have had to decline other work when accepting the booking.)
Gift Vouchers
I do not sell gift vouchers but you can dress up your own card as a gift voucher if you want to treat someone, and provide payment to the guide in the normal way.
Start Time & Punctuality
Read the joining instructions carefully with particular regard to the meeting point. Some stations have several exits.
Please assume that the walk will depart promptly at the advertised start time and not wait for latecomers. For the more far flung walks there may be train timetables to consider. Another common constraint is cafe closing times. There may be other factors which determine the start time. Waiting for latecomers usually impacts the enjoyment of others.
Walk participants may be refused admission to the event, or left behind, if they do not arrive by the advertised start time.
The duration of the walk depends on many factors and it is not possible to guarantee an exact finishing time.
Risk Assessment, Safety and Security
These walks are at your own risk and you need to take responsibility for your own safety and security. The risks normally associated with walking and touring in London and the surrounding area apply to these walks and include hazard from: traffic, cycles, street crime, terrorism, animals, birds, rodents, insects, aircraft, trains, falling trees and branches, slippery ground, gradients, steps, uneven ground, open water, waterborne diseases, infectious diseases, solar radiation, meteorite impact, wind, flood, other extreme weather, falling objects, fires, escaping gas, electrical conductors, lightning, airborne particles, building materials and equipment, and construction work near public routes. A few walks involve visiting public parks and may include other risks due to golf or cricket balls etc. or related to the wildlife found there. Walks sometimes pause at a pub: see Pubs and Alcohol below. Tours may involve opportunities to obtain food: see Food below.
Police advice on how to react in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack is summarised as: Run, Hide, Tell.
It is recommended that you do not wear headphones/earbuds during the tour, and restrict your use of personal electronic devices such as phones while you are on the move, as this may limit your awareness of risks around you.
You need to accept responsibility also for your personal security and the security of your possessions. On tours we sometimes encounter crowds, and busy public spaces which sometimes attract people with criminal intent. Be particularly careful in public places with your money, identity documents, electronic devices and jewellery.
Toilets
A walk of 2-3 hours may not involve a planned toilet stop. If there is a toilet near the start of the route this will usually be indicated in the tour joining instructions. Please make use of toilet facilities before the start.
Access to public toilets in central London has decreased over the years, especially in the early morning before pubs and cafes open. Please keep this in mind when planning your visit. Mainline railway termini generally have free public toilets.
Venues I visit on some tours such as the Science Museum and Royal Institution have public toilets available.
Trigger Warnings
Venues I visit on some tours such as the Science Museum and Royal Institution have public toilets available.
Trigger Warnings
There will be no trigger warnings. I talk about history. My tours and talks are aimed at people who want to find out about it, not censor it.
Right to Refuse
Laurence reserves the right to refuse people participation in walks/tours if in his reasonable opinion it might be a risk to the safety of the persons concerned and/or the other participants, or it might affect the enjoyment of other members of the audience, or it might affect the running of the event. Laurence will not tolerate abuse to himself or other participants. In such circumstances participation in the tour by the offenders may be terminated without refund.
Car Parking
I cannot give advice on parking. Please check this in advance and keep in mind that very few of my walks finish where they started. Consider using public transport but note that railway services can be interrupted or replaced by buses at weekends or bank holidays, extending journey times.
Pubs and Alcohol
The tours are not specifically pub tours, but for the comfort, and interest, of participants the tours may sometimes pause at pubs where shelter, refreshment and toilets may be found. In such cases participants may choose to consume alcohol at their own risk but are expected to drink responsibly and in moderation. See also Right to Refuse above.
Food
Food is not included as part of the tour but opportunities to consume food may sometimes arise during the tour. Participants are expected to take responsibility for the risks involved such as relating to hygiene, choking, obesity, allergy, aversion or any other adverse reaction.
Smoking
Walk participants are expected to obey the law and are asked not to affect the enjoyment of other participants by smoking inconsiderately.
Curtailment
A walk may be curtailed by the guide due to illness, emergency, bad weather or other circumstances outside his control. A full or partial refund may be given at the discretion of the guide.
You are free to leave the tour at any time (but please make your intention known to the tour guide to avoid the tour guide instigating an unnecessary search). No refund will normally be given in such cases.
Insurance
I have public liability insurance (annual, expires 20 Mar 2026). This is normally renewed a week or two before expiry.
Laurence reserves the right to refuse people participation in walks/tours if in his reasonable opinion it might be a risk to the safety of the persons concerned and/or the other participants, or it might affect the enjoyment of other members of the audience, or it might affect the running of the event. Laurence will not tolerate abuse to himself or other participants. In such circumstances participation in the tour by the offenders may be terminated without refund.
Car Parking
I cannot give advice on parking. Please check this in advance and keep in mind that very few of my walks finish where they started. Consider using public transport but note that railway services can be interrupted or replaced by buses at weekends or bank holidays, extending journey times.
Pubs and Alcohol
The tours are not specifically pub tours, but for the comfort, and interest, of participants the tours may sometimes pause at pubs where shelter, refreshment and toilets may be found. In such cases participants may choose to consume alcohol at their own risk but are expected to drink responsibly and in moderation. See also Right to Refuse above.
Food
Food is not included as part of the tour but opportunities to consume food may sometimes arise during the tour. Participants are expected to take responsibility for the risks involved such as relating to hygiene, choking, obesity, allergy, aversion or any other adverse reaction.
Smoking
Walk participants are expected to obey the law and are asked not to affect the enjoyment of other participants by smoking inconsiderately.
Curtailment
A walk may be curtailed by the guide due to illness, emergency, bad weather or other circumstances outside his control. A full or partial refund may be given at the discretion of the guide.
You are free to leave the tour at any time (but please make your intention known to the tour guide to avoid the tour guide instigating an unnecessary search). No refund will normally be given in such cases.
Insurance
I have public liability insurance (annual, expires 20 Mar 2026). This is normally renewed a week or two before expiry.
Web Links
This web site includes links to other web sites. These may have their own terms and conditions and are used at your own risk. I am not responsible for any opinions or inaccuracies on those other web sites.
If you find a broken link on this web site please let me know.
Accuracy
No liability is accepted for the consequences of any inadvertent inaccuracy on my part. Details of walking tours on this web site are only indicative of the length, subject matter and scope. The exact content and length of the walk may vary as I attempt to improve them, take account of prevailing conditions or special events, and consider the wishes of the group or individual client.
I do strive to ensure that what is said on the walks is correct. I have consulted about 600 books to date and numerous other papers, periodicals, podcasts and broadcasts. I have had access on-line to the UK Dictionary of National Biography as well as the national biographical dictionaries of Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.
Photography, Video, Filming and Sound Recording
Walk participants are welcome to take still photographs and brief videos and films for personal use. Members of the tour group may therefore expect to appear in someone's camera shot, though children should be avoided.
Walk participants consent to still pictures, video or sound recording (as members of the audience) which Laurence may use for publicity purposes. The copyright is assigned to Laurence for any recordings of events produced by Laurence or those assisting him.
If you wish yourself or a member of your party not to be photographed then it is your responsibility to announce this at the outset, but please be considerate to those who do want to take photographs on the tour by moving out of camera shot. You may wish to bring a high visibility garment to help ensure that you are not photographed inadvertantly.
Privacy & Data Protection Policy
It is possible to subscribe/unsubscribe to my mailing list for news related to my tours and talks. (It may occasionally be necessary to use this channel for legal compliance issues relating to my tours and talks.) This facility uses a service called MailChimp and for my purposes records names and email addresses only.
If you contact me by email or mobile phone I may retain the emails, texts and call information for a period. I always like to know what interests people about Laurence's Walks and how they found out about me. I also use services such as Eventbrite. You can find GDPR information for MailChimp here and Eventbrite here.
If images or videos of tours are displayed on this web site as covered above it is my policy not to identify any individuals seen therein (apart from myself). If I want to make any exception to that then written permission will be obtained from the persons concerned.
I do not share, transfer, sell or combine the data in my emails, phone or mailing list with other organisations. In the long term I imagine that there is the remote possibility that my business might be sold as a going concern, but I shall plan for that if and when it arises.
Otherwise, this web site does not solicit personal data - although external web sites, to which this web site contains links, may do so. Consult the relevant terms and conditions displayed on those web sites.
As of 13 Feb 2018 I deleted my Google Analytics account as it was of little use to me and I removed associated scripts from my website.
Customers are advised to think carefully before sharing any personal information on social media.
In developing this web site I have not employed any cookies. Biscuits on the other hand...
Social Media
I use social media for the purposes of promoting the walks and associated written work, but posts may include material unrelated to the walks but of similar interest. Nothing I say on social media takes priority over the terms and conditions stated here.
Disclaimer
I have an association with a number of heritage and/or cultural organisations as indicated on this web site. But the opinions expressed on this web site, and the services offered on this web site are my own and not theirs. I do not intend to imply any official endorsement by them of my activities in cases where none exists.
This web site includes links to other web sites. These may have their own terms and conditions and are used at your own risk. I am not responsible for any opinions or inaccuracies on those other web sites.
If you find a broken link on this web site please let me know.
Accuracy
No liability is accepted for the consequences of any inadvertent inaccuracy on my part. Details of walking tours on this web site are only indicative of the length, subject matter and scope. The exact content and length of the walk may vary as I attempt to improve them, take account of prevailing conditions or special events, and consider the wishes of the group or individual client.
I do strive to ensure that what is said on the walks is correct. I have consulted about 600 books to date and numerous other papers, periodicals, podcasts and broadcasts. I have had access on-line to the UK Dictionary of National Biography as well as the national biographical dictionaries of Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.
Photography, Video, Filming and Sound Recording
Walk participants are welcome to take still photographs and brief videos and films for personal use. Members of the tour group may therefore expect to appear in someone's camera shot, though children should be avoided.
Walk participants consent to still pictures, video or sound recording (as members of the audience) which Laurence may use for publicity purposes. The copyright is assigned to Laurence for any recordings of events produced by Laurence or those assisting him.
If you wish yourself or a member of your party not to be photographed then it is your responsibility to announce this at the outset, but please be considerate to those who do want to take photographs on the tour by moving out of camera shot. You may wish to bring a high visibility garment to help ensure that you are not photographed inadvertantly.
Privacy & Data Protection Policy
It is possible to subscribe/unsubscribe to my mailing list for news related to my tours and talks. (It may occasionally be necessary to use this channel for legal compliance issues relating to my tours and talks.) This facility uses a service called MailChimp and for my purposes records names and email addresses only.
If you contact me by email or mobile phone I may retain the emails, texts and call information for a period. I always like to know what interests people about Laurence's Walks and how they found out about me. I also use services such as Eventbrite. You can find GDPR information for MailChimp here and Eventbrite here.
If images or videos of tours are displayed on this web site as covered above it is my policy not to identify any individuals seen therein (apart from myself). If I want to make any exception to that then written permission will be obtained from the persons concerned.
I do not share, transfer, sell or combine the data in my emails, phone or mailing list with other organisations. In the long term I imagine that there is the remote possibility that my business might be sold as a going concern, but I shall plan for that if and when it arises.
Otherwise, this web site does not solicit personal data - although external web sites, to which this web site contains links, may do so. Consult the relevant terms and conditions displayed on those web sites.
As of 13 Feb 2018 I deleted my Google Analytics account as it was of little use to me and I removed associated scripts from my website.
Customers are advised to think carefully before sharing any personal information on social media.
In developing this web site I have not employed any cookies. Biscuits on the other hand...
Social Media
I use social media for the purposes of promoting the walks and associated written work, but posts may include material unrelated to the walks but of similar interest. Nothing I say on social media takes priority over the terms and conditions stated here.
Disclaimer
I have an association with a number of heritage and/or cultural organisations as indicated on this web site. But the opinions expressed on this web site, and the services offered on this web site are my own and not theirs. I do not intend to imply any official endorsement by them of my activities in cases where none exists.
Name of company
Laurence Scales is a sole trader.
Registered office
Flat 8, 14 Henfield Road, London SW19 3HU, England
VAT no.
Not registered for VAT.
