When is my private booking confirmed?

Your private tour is confirmed when we receive back from you the signed contract and your deposit of £50 - or the whole amount if you prefer.

What are the payment arrangements for private tours?

The full amount must be paid 48 hours in advance of the tour. You can pay by credit card or cheque, by telephone or by post.

Can I be invoiced afterwards?

Only previous customers can arrange to pay for their private booking by invoice.

What happens if the number in my group changes?

We assume the number in your group is the number you originally negotiated unless you contact us to the contrary.

If the number in your group or the composition of your group changes and the value of the sale drops, you must notify us no later than 48 hours beforehand. If you fail to do this you are liable for the original amount stated in the contract.

Sometimes some of your friends/colleagues may ask to join the group at the last minute. We have an optimum maximum for tours of 40 people. It is really important you let us know if the increase in numbers is going to generate the need for an additional guide. We wish your group to have a quality, enjoyable experience. Pay our representative for the additional persons at the start of the tour.

What do I do if I want to cancel my booking altogether?

You can cancel your tour at any time. The deposit in non-refundable. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the tour is due to begin you are liable for the full amount stated in the contract.

Are there any discounts on private tours?

Yes,  we have developed rates for the travel trade which are available on request.

You say we can negotiate where the tour starts from. Can you collect us from a pub?

No - but we will leave you at one! Our aim is that all our customers have an enjoyable, quality experience. Our obligation is to keep our customers safe. The consumption of alcohol beforehand can both impair your enjoyment and imperil your safety.

We do not meet private groups at pubs and it is policy to refuse customers visibly under the influence of alcohol entry to any of our tours.

What happens if we turn up late?

On your booking confirmation you have telephone number of the Mercat Tours office.  If requested we can also give you a contact number for our representative on the street. Please use it to alert us if you are delayed.

If you are late we reserve the right to shorten your tour. This can be necessary, especially if your tour includes a visit to the Vaults, for it is likely other tours are timetabled to descend there too. Also, the guide may have a later tour to take and is unable to wait on.

If you have not appeared 30 minutes after the due start of your tour and you have not contacted us the guide is authorised to leave.