Safety and Responsibility
Town Explorers trails are self-guided experiences that take place in real-world public spaces. They may involve walking along streets and paths, crossing roads, using steps, walking close to water and encountering uneven surfaces, traffic, crowds, changing weather and other everyday hazards.
We want everyone using Town Explorers to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Please read the following information before starting a trail and make sure everyone in your group is aware of anything relevant to them.
1. Your safety and judgement
You are responsible for taking reasonable care of your own safety while using a Town Explorers trail.
Always remain aware of your surroundings and use your own judgement. Trail directions and information should never be followed if doing so would put you or anyone else at risk.
If at any point you believe a route, crossing, path, instruction or activity is unsafe, do not continue with that instruction. Stop, wait, choose a safer alternative route or discontinue the trail if necessary.
Local signs, barriers, restrictions and instructions from the police, local authorities, landowners or other responsible organisations always take priority over directions provided by Town Explorers.
2. Children and people in your care
Adults, parents, guardians and carers are responsible for the supervision, behaviour and safety of any children or other people in their care while using a Town Explorers trail.
Children should be appropriately supervised throughout the experience, with particular care taken near roads, traffic, water, steps, drops, uneven surfaces and busy public areas.
A Town Explorers trail is not a supervised activity and Town Explorers staff are not present to supervise participants.
3. Roads, traffic and crossings
Town Explorers trails take place in towns and cities and may require users to walk alongside or cross roads.
Always follow the Highway Code, pedestrian signals, road signs and any instructions or restrictions in place at the time of your visit.
Do not assume that a suggested crossing point is safe simply because it forms part of a trail. Traffic conditions can change and you must assess the situation at the time before crossing.
Never use your phone or concentrate on a trail activity when doing so would distract you from traffic or other hazards.
4. Routes and changing conditions
We make reasonable efforts to provide useful and accurate route information, but public spaces can change without notice.
Roadworks, building works, temporary closures, events, flooding, damaged paths, vegetation, traffic changes, private access restrictions and other circumstances may affect a route after a trail has been created or updated.
You should always respond to the conditions you actually encounter rather than relying solely on information displayed within a Town Explorers trail.
If the intended route is closed, restricted or appears unsafe, do not attempt to pass barriers or enter restricted areas. Choose a safe alternative route where possible.
5. Water, steps and uneven surfaces
Some trails may pass close to rivers, canals, ponds, harbours or other bodies of water and may include steps, slopes, cobbles, kerbs or uneven surfaces.
Take appropriate care and keep children and vulnerable people under suitable supervision.
Weather conditions can make surfaces slippery or change the condition of paths and routes.
6. Weather and appropriate clothing
You are responsible for considering weather conditions before and during your trail and for deciding whether it is appropriate to continue.
Wear footwear and clothing suitable for the route, weather and conditions.
During particularly hot, cold, wet, icy, windy or otherwise severe weather, consider postponing or stopping the trail if conditions become unsuitable.
7. Suitability and accessibility
You are responsible for deciding whether a trail is suitable for you and the people accompanying you, taking into account matters such as walking distance, terrain, mobility and individual circumstances.
Where Town Explorers provides information about distance, terrain, accessibility or expected completion time, this is intended to help you make that decision but conditions and individual requirements vary.
If you encounter part of a route that you cannot safely or comfortably complete, do not attempt it simply to continue the trail.
8. Using your phone safely
Town Explorers trails are designed to be used on a smartphone, but your phone should never distract you from your surroundings.
Stop in a safe place before reading instructions, looking at maps, listening to content or completing games and challenges where necessary.
Do not look at your phone while crossing roads or whenever your attention is required for your own safety or the safety of others.
If listening to audio through headphones, keep the volume at a level that allows you to remain aware of traffic, warnings and your surroundings.
9. Personal belongings
You are responsible for looking after your own personal belongings and those belonging to children or other people in your care.
Keep phones, wallets, bags, bicycles and other valuables secure and do not leave belongings unattended.
Town Explorers does not take possession or custody of users' personal belongings. We are not responsible for belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged as a result of the user's own actions, the actions of third parties or circumstances outside our reasonable control.
Nothing in this section limits any responsibility Town Explorers may have where loss or damage is caused by our negligence or where liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.
10. Other businesses, attractions and premises
Town Explorers trails may pass or refer to shops, cafés, attractions, historic buildings, parks, public facilities and other locations operated by third parties.
Opening times, access arrangements and conditions may change independently of Town Explorers.
If you choose to enter or use a third-party location, you are responsible for following its rules, signs and safety instructions.
11. Activities and challenges
Games, clues and challenges included within a trail should only be completed when it is safe to do so.
There is never any requirement to climb, enter a restricted area, step into a road, reach across a barrier or place yourself or another person in danger in order to find an answer or complete an activity.
If something cannot be safely seen or reached, move on.
12. Emergencies
Town Explorers does not provide an emergency or rescue service.
In an emergency, move to a safe location where possible and contact the appropriate emergency services.
Do not rely on Town Explorers, its website, navigation or trail content for emergency assistance.
13. Responsibility and legal rights
Users are expected to take reasonable care of themselves, supervise people in their care and follow the safety guidance above.
Town Explorers is not responsible for loss or harm resulting from a user's failure to take reasonable care, failure to follow applicable laws or safety instructions, or actions outside Town Explorers' reasonable control.
Nothing in this policy excludes or restricts any liability that Town Explorers cannot lawfully exclude or restrict, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
Nothing in this policy affects your statutory rights as a consumer.
14. Reporting a problem
If you discover a route closure, damaged path, incorrect direction or another issue that you believe could affect the safety of other Town Explorers users, please contact us so that we can investigate and, where appropriate, update the trail.
Safety information and routes may be updated from time to time as circumstances change.