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For Private Tour FAQ’s, please click here
Our app uses GPS co-ordinates to determine your location and play commentary, not mobile or Wi-Fi signal.
Simply download both the app and tour content (audio, maps and images) to your phone before you leave signal and you’ll have everything you need to tour offline.
And as there’s no time limit to use the tours, you can preview the tour routes, major highlights, itineraries and other travel tips as part of your trip planning.
1. Download the free Local Compass app from the Apple or Google Play store.
2. Tap the Explore menu to view all available tours.
3. Select your preferred tour and complete an in-app purchase.
Apple/Google will securely manage the transaction and your payment. All purchased tours will become visible in the Explore section and can be restored easily if ever lost.
And as there’s no time limit to use the tours, you can preview the tour routes, major highlights, itineraries and other travel tips as part of your trip planning.
Head to the ‘My Tours’ section and select the tour you wish to start. Next, select ‘Start Tour’ and you will be presented with the tour map, which shows the entire route and all of the places of interest. Select point number 1, tap the “…” icon in the top right corner and choose ‘Show directions’. You can then use choose your preferred navigation application to direct to you from your current location to the first point on the tour route. When you arrive there, Local Compass will automatically start providing you with voice-guided navigation as part of the audio commentary.
Please note, Local Compass needs to be running in the foreground for all features to work seamlessly. You will be prompted to bring Local Compass to the foreground when you arrive at point 1 on the tour, and the app should stay on your screen whilst you navigate the entire route.
No, not at this time. We are working on making Local Compass compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but for now, please do not connect your device to the vehicle using either of these services, as you may experience issues. Please only connect your device to the vehicle using a standard Bluetooth or auxiliary cable connection.
To ensure you don’t end up lost, or stuck down a narrow, rocky, potholed country lane, our tour routes are designed to be followed precisely and in the specific order shown on the map.
To make it easy to follow the tour route, we have included a guide line on the map interface that automatically heads north when you are driving. This line, along with the voice-guidance provided during our commentary, should be followed throughout the tour.
If you do stray too far from the designated route, the app will notify you and you can use the guide line as a reference point to make your way back on track.
All mobile devices that include a GPS chip and meet the minimum operating system requirements.
Apple iPad Wi-Fi models and Kindle Fire tablets do not include a GPS chip and are prevented from downloading our app, as they cannot determine your location.
Only English at this time. However, our version 1.2 update due winter 2024 will include Spanish and Japanese language support with full audio commentary.
Yes, no problem! Simply navigate to the ‘My Tours’ section, open the tour you wish to remove and tap REMOVE TOUR. You’ll be able to restore your purchased tours at any time from the My Tours tab.
With Local Compass, you can listen to your own road trip playlist whilst enjoying our tour commentary. Our app has been cleverly programmed to automatically pause your music at all of our audio commentary points and restart it when each commentary ends. You just need to keep Local Compass in the foreground at all times whilst following the tour route.
Navigation is included as part of the audio commentary, providing advanced, turn-by-turn directions. We do not recommend using another navigation app whilst you are using Local Compass, other than to direct you to point number 1 on the tour map.
If you stray too far from the tour route, you will hear a ‘Baaaaa’ from one of our local sheep and a pop up notification will appear letting you know that you’re heading in the wrong direction. If this happens, it’s best to pull over somewhere safe and use our map to find your way back to the tour route.
The commentary plays through the phone speaker by default. If you want to listen through the car stereo, you’ll need to set up a successful audio pairing between your phone and the vehicles’ stereo system.
Each vehicle and phone pairing process is unique, so we advise consulting the vehicle handbook for further assistance.
Using a 12v car plug adapter with USB into the cigarette lighter outlet provides a much faster and stronger charge, which is preferred when you’re using the GPS location services as it is constantly pinging with satellites and draining your battery life. This is especially true if you device is old and the battery is degenerating.
Plugging into a vehicles’ built-in USB port is not advised, as it can create a conflicting connection for Bluetooth audio pairing and you may not hear any commentary.
Each tour is priced individually and listed on the tour page.
Tours and bundles are one time purchase, with no time/date limits or expiry and include free updates. With Local Compass, there are no monthly subscriptions.
Yes! If you book our Quintessential Cotswolds Private Tour, collection and return to your Cotswolds accommodation is included in the price. This applies to the following postcodes:
Gloucestershire (GL) – All
Worcestershire (WR) – WR11 & WR12 only
Oxfordshire (OX) – OX7 only
If you are not staying in one of these postcodes, please let us know on your enquiry form and we will be happy to provide a quotation for any additional travel involved in collecting and returning you to your accommodation.
Yes! We offer a premium chauffeur service, enabling you travel to the Cotswolds in luxury from any part of the UK. Please enter your collection and return address on our enquiry form and we will be happy to provide a quotation.
It depends which tour you book! The Cotswolds is a large area of over 800 square miles, so it isn’t possible to see all of the region in just one day. However, all of our tours have been curated to show you the very best of the Cotswolds, whilst keeping the amount of time spent in the vehicle to a minimum.
A full itinerary will be emailed to you after booking and you can always check out our Private Tours page for more details regarding the stops on each tour.
Private tours cancelled within 24 hours of booking will be fully refunded. Cancellations received after this period will be refunded as follows:
75% refund if notice is received up to 72 hours ahead of tour start time
50% refund if notice is received up to 48 hours ahead of tour start time
Please note, no refunds can be given for any cancellations received within 48 hours of your tour start time.
