Wet Weather Policy: We don’t melt in the rain (but we do take safety seriously)

Let’s be honest. If we waited for perfect weather in the UK, we’d never leave the house.

At Coddiwomple Club, we run our adventures in most weather, including rain, wind, and the kind of drizzle that soaks you sideways. The outdoors is the outdoors. Learning to handle a bit of weather is part of the fun, and it builds confidence for kids and grown-ups alike.

That said, there’s a firm line we won’t cross.

Our rule: We only cancel when it’s unsafe

We may change the route, shorten the walk, change the start point, or adjust the plan if conditions are unpleasant or if the group needs an easier option. Outdoor leaders commonly keep that flexibility, and it’s the sensible way to run family days out.

If conditions are genuinely unsafe, we will cancel.

What counts as “unsafe”?

Every location is different, but the usual red flags include:

• High winds, especially where trees, ridgelines, or exposed paths are involved (and where falling branches become a real risk).

• Flooding or fast-rising water, including where heavy rain in the days before makes streams, crossings, or ground conditions hazardous.

• Snow, ice, or severe winter conditions that make travel dangerous or increase slip risk beyond what’s reasonable for a family group.

• Severe weather warnings and deteriorating forecasts that indicate a higher likelihood of incidents.

How we make the decision

We monitor forecasts and local conditions in the lead-up, and we’ll always choose the safer option if there’s doubt. Many operators base decisions on official guidance and warnings, and that’s exactly the approach we follow.

Decision timing:

• If we can make the call the day before, we will.

• If conditions are borderline and changing, we may make a final call on the morning of the event.

If it’s wet but safe, we go ahead

If it’s simply raining, muddy, breezy, or generally “classic British”, we’ll usually crack on.

In those conditions we’ll often:

• pick more sheltered routes

• avoid exposed ground

• keep things moving with extra snack stops and warm-up breaks

• keep it family-paced, with plenty of time for kids

What you should bring (so wet weather stays fun)

Wet weather is only miserable when people are under-prepared. Please arrive with:

• a waterproof jacket (proper waterproof, not a fashion raincoat)

• waterproof trousers if it’s forecast to rain heavily

• warm layers (think fleece or wool)

• spare socks (the most underrated piece of kit on Earth)

• grippy footwear (walking boots or sturdy trainers depending on the event notes)

If you’re unsure, message us. We’d rather help you get it right than have a child shivering an hour in.

If we cancel, what happens next?

If Coddiwomple Club cancels an event due to unsafe weather, we’ll offer:

• a full refund or

• a transfer to a future date (your choice)

This mirrors the approach many organised events and guided operators take: refunds when the organiser cancels, not just because it’s rainy.

If you cancel because of weather

We get it. Sometimes it’s not the walk that’s unsafe, it’s the journey, or you’ve got a child who would hate it that day.

In that case, our standard booking terms apply. If you’re on the fence, contact us early and we’ll do our best to help.

The heart of it

We love a blue-sky day. But we’re also raising little adventurers, and that means learning that weather is part of the story.

We’ll only cancel if it’s unsafe. Otherwise, we’ll embrace it… and laugh about it later.