Terms and Conditions

1. About Us

Stones & Stories is operated by Ashley Hutton, trading as Stones & Stories, based in Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom.

Contact: support@stonesandstories.co.uk

2. Our Service

Stones & Stories provides self-guided, phone-based interactive treasure hunt experiences. Players purchase an access code online, which grants access to a digital walking experience through a specified town. The experience includes GPS-guided navigation, video content, and interactive clues delivered through a progressive web app on the player's mobile phone.

3. Purchasing an Access Code

3.1 Access codes can be purchased through our website at the prices displayed at the time of purchase. All prices are in pounds sterling (GBP) and include VAT where applicable.

3.2 Payment is processed securely by Stripe. We do not store your credit or debit card details.

3.3 Upon successful payment, you will receive a unique access code by email and on the purchase confirmation page. This code grants access for one group of up to 6 players.

3.4 Access codes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. After this period, unused codes will expire and no refund will be available. We will send you a reminder email before your code expires.

3.5 Each access code may only be used once. Once a hunt has been completed, the code cannot be used to replay the experience.

3.6 Access codes are non-transferable for resale. You may give your code to another person to use (for example, as a gift), but you may not sell access codes.

4. Using the Service

4.1 To use our treasure hunt, you will need a smartphone with a modern web browser, an active mobile data connection, and GPS/location services enabled.

4.2 The treasure hunt is a self-guided outdoor walking experience. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of your group at all times. You should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather conditions and terrain.

4.3 Some stops on the route involve uneven surfaces, hills, and steps. If any member of your group has mobility requirements, please review the route information provided before purchasing. We offer the ability to skip individual stops where accessibility may be a concern.

4.4 The treasure hunt operates in all weather conditions. If weather prevents you from completing the hunt in one visit, you can pause and resume on another day using the same access code.

4.5 You must obey all applicable laws while participating in the treasure hunt. Do not trespass on private property, obstruct public pathways, or behave in a manner that causes disturbance to residents or other visitors.

4.6 Children under 16 should be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times during the treasure hunt.

5. GPS and Technical Requirements

5.1 The treasure hunt requires GPS/location access on your mobile phone. GPS accuracy may vary depending on your device, weather conditions, and physical surroundings (narrow streets, tall buildings, tree cover).

5.2 If GPS is unavailable or inaccurate at any stop, we provide an alternative manual verification option so you can continue the hunt.

5.3 We recommend ensuring your phone is fully charged before starting. The experience typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours and uses GPS, video playback, and mobile data throughout.

5.4 We are not responsible for issues caused by your mobile device, mobile network coverage, browser compatibility, or operating system. Our service is designed to work on all modern mobile browsers.

6. Leaderboard and Team Names

6.1 Upon starting the hunt, you will be asked to choose a team name. This team name may be displayed on our public leaderboard if your team completes the hunt using GPS at all stops.

6.2 Team names must not contain profanity, offensive language, discriminatory terms, or any content that could be considered harmful, threatening, or inappropriate. We reserve the right to remove or modify any team name that violates this requirement without notice.

6.3 We reserve the right to remove any team from the public leaderboard at our discretion.

6.4 Teams that use the manual location verification (GPS fallback) at any point during the hunt will not be eligible for the public leaderboard.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 All content within the Stones & Stories treasure hunt — including video content, written clues, storylines, app design, graphics, and the Stones & Stories brand — is owned by Stones & Stories and protected by copyright law.

7.2 You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our content without prior written permission.

7.3 You are welcome to share photographs and videos of your experience on social media. We encourage you to tag @stonesandstoriesuk and use the hashtag #StonesAndStories.

8. Cancellation and Refunds

8.1 Our full refund policy is available at stonesandstories.co.uk/refund-policy.

8.2 If you have not started the hunt, you may cancel within 14 days of purchase for a full refund in accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

8.3 Once you enter your access code and begin the hunt, you have consented to the digital service being provided and your statutory right to cancel under the cooling-off period no longer applies.

8.4 Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

9. Gift Purchases

9.1 Access codes may be purchased as gifts. The code will be sent to the recipient's email address if provided at checkout.

9.2 Refund requests for gift purchases must be made by the original purchaser.

9.3 Gift codes are subject to the same 12-month validity period and all other terms set out in this document.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

10.1 We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at stonesandstories.co.uk/privacy-policy.

10.2 We collect your name, email address, and optional phone number when you purchase an access code. This information is used to deliver the service, send your access code, and contact you regarding your purchase.

10.3 GPS location data is processed locally on your device to enable the treasure hunt to function. We do not store or track your location data on our servers.

10.4 We use cookies and similar technologies on our website. For details, see our Privacy Policy.

11. Limitation of Liability

11.1 We provide the treasure hunt experience on an "as is" basis. While we make every effort to ensure the experience is enjoyable and functions correctly, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.

11.2 We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your participation in the treasure hunt, including but not limited to personal injury, loss of property, or damage to your mobile device, except where such loss or damage is caused by our negligence.

11.3 Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be lawfully excluded or limited.

11.4 Our total liability to you for any claim arising from or related to the service shall not exceed the amount you paid for your access code.

12. Changes to the Service

12.1 We may update, modify, or change the treasure hunt content, route, clues, or stops at any time without notice. This includes adding, removing, or altering stops due to building works, access restrictions, or other practical considerations.

12.2 We will make reasonable efforts to ensure any changes do not significantly diminish the overall experience.

13. Errors and Omissions

13.1 While we take every care to ensure the accuracy of the information provided throughout our treasure hunt experiences — including historical facts, dates, locations, and descriptive content — Stones & Stories does not warrant that all content is entirely free from errors or omissions.

13.2 The historical information presented in our videos, clue descriptions, and supporting text is provided for entertainment and general interest purposes. It is based on publicly available historical sources and local knowledge, but should not be relied upon as authoritative academic or scholarly reference material.

13.3 Physical details referenced in clues — such as features on buildings, plaques, inscriptions, and architectural details — may change over time due to renovation, weathering, removal, or other circumstances beyond our control. We make reasonable efforts to regularly verify clue accuracy, but cannot guarantee that all physical details will remain as described at all times.

13.4 If you discover an error, outdated information, or a clue that no longer works due to a physical change at a location, we would be grateful if you could let us know at support@stonesandstories.co.uk so we can investigate and update the content promptly.

13.5 Stones & Stories shall not be held liable for any loss, disappointment, or inconvenience arising from errors or omissions in the content, provided we have taken reasonable care in its preparation and act promptly to correct any issues brought to our attention.

13.6 Maps, GPS coordinates, and distance estimates are approximate and provided for guidance only. Actual walking distances and times may vary depending on your route, pace, and any detours taken.

14. Changes to These Terms

14.1 We may update these terms from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

14.2 Your continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

15.1 These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

15.2 Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of our service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15.3 If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact us at support@stonesandstories.co.uk in the first instance. We will do our best to resolve your concern informally.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these terms, please email us at support@stonesandstories.co.uk