We booked the Saints Way with Contours after Encounters couldn't find us a room in Withiel. I wish I had read the fine print on the Contours site. AFTER we had paid for the trip, they told us that we had to call a car service in the morning of our first day and arrange a pickup time. We would be picked up in Withiel and driven to our second and third night's accomodation, then driven back to Withiel the next morning. When I got home I looked it up and, after some searching, found a small disclaimer buried in the details on their website that they might do that. I think they should state very clearly, before they take your money, that on the Saint's Way you will not actually be walking from point A to point B to point C, rather from point A to point B, then driven to Point C and back to point B in the morning. It sucked much of the fun out of the first walking day. We had to make a couple of detours (see below) and had to hurry towards the end of the day in order to make our connection. I could easily have stayed in one place and taken cabs to and from points along the walk and I would have saved a small fortune. They booked us into some slightly bizarre "B&Bs",one of which was clearly just a room in someone's house in Padstow, which is full of hotels. Our hosts were very kind and the room was nice, but it seemed slightly awkward. They also play a little game with foreign travellers where they try to avoid sending you the maps ahead of time. I suspect it is to avoid the postage fees. This time we left home 10 days before the start of our hike. They absolutely refused to send us the material in time to accomodate our schedule. We had hiked with them before in the Cotswolds, with only a three day interval. That time they claimed trouble with their printer. At the prices they charge, they should be able to assemble an envelope and put it in the mail a couple of days early. I agree with a previous poster about the quality of the information. On our Cotswold hike, there was a good guide. This time the guide was broad and extremely vague so we would up using only the map. There were a couple of times where the stile was extremely difficult to find and a guide would have saved us a lengthy detour. Complaints aside, our accomodations were always clean and pleasant and our luggage was always waiting for us. But I think I'll try a different agency next time.

WE spent five nights in B+Bs whilst walking the Shakespere Way. One was outstanding, two excellent, one good. However The White Bear at Shipstonon Stour is to be avoided at all costs! I would strongly advise anyone thinking of staying there to ask to see a current health and hygeine certificate and more importantly an up to date certifecate of inspection from the Fire Service. We were worried all night especially when lights fused and the bar attendant reported this was a normal occurance. we had to visit the co op to buy bleach and rubber gloves to clean the filthy bathroom before use. Couldnt face breakfast there, went to The George early next morning. Contour tours were not helpful when we phoned to request a change of venue. However every other aspect of their service was very good. I would probably use them again.