Terms and Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
The Waters and the Wild
Effective Date: 10th July 2026
These Terms and Conditions govern the sale of all goods purchased through The Waters and the Wild website.
Please read them carefully before placing an order.
By placing an order, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms.
Nothing within these Terms affects your statutory rights under the laws of England and Wales.
1. Definitions
Throughout these Terms, the following expressions have the meanings set out below.
"We", "Us", "Our" means The Waters and the Wild, a trading name of:
The Waters and the Wild Ltd
Company Number: 17316477
Registered Office:
105 High Street
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 2HW
United Kingdom
Email:
hello@thewatersandthewild.co.uk
Website:
thewatersandthewild.co.uk
For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, The Waters and the Wild is the Data Controller.
"Customer", "You", "Your" means any individual or organisation purchasing goods from The Waters and the Wild.
"Goods" means any object, book, artwork, natural history specimen, decorative object, archive material or other item offered for sale through the Website.
"Order" means your request to purchase Goods from The Waters and the Wild.
"Contract" means the legally binding agreement formed between you and The Waters and the Wild once your Order has been accepted.
2. About The Waters and the Wild
The Waters and the Wild specialises in carefully curated antiquarian books, historical objects, decorative arts, natural history specimens and material connected with folklore, mythology, symbolism, witchcraft, the history of belief and the material culture of enchantment.
Many objects offered for sale are unique, antique, vintage, handmade, out of print, historically significant, or impossible to replace.
Accordingly, customers should expect natural variation in age, manufacture, materials and condition.
Descriptions are prepared individually and are not generated from standard product templates.
3. Eligibility to Purchase
By placing an Order you confirm that:
you are at least eighteen (18) years of age
you have legal capacity to enter into a binding contract
all information supplied during checkout is accurate and complete
you are authorised to use the payment method provided.
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any Order where we reasonably believe these conditions have not been satisfied.
4. Website Information
We make every reasonable effort to ensure that information appearing on the Website is accurate but rrors may occasionally occur.
We reserve the right to correct typographical errors, pricing errors, historical inaccuracies, image errors, technical errors and stock availability. Such corrections may be made without prior notice.
Publication of a product does not constitute a legally binding offer to sell.
5. Product Descriptions
Every object sold by The Waters and the Wild has lived a life before arriving in our collection.
Our catalogue entries seek to describe that history honestly and accurately.
Descriptions are based upon physical examination, available provenance, published scholarship, bibliographical references, historical research and professional opinion where appropriate.
Where historical attribution remains uncertain, this will normally be stated. Scholarly understanding evolves over time. Future research may refine or alter accepted interpretations, attributions or dates. Unless expressly stated, catalogue descriptions should not be interpreted as certificates of authenticity.
6. Antique and Vintage Goods
Many Goods sold through The Waters and the Wild are antique or vintage.
Such objects should not be expected to present in the condition of newly manufactured goods.
Signs of age may include, without limitation, wear, foxing, rubbing, fading, historic repairs, patination, craquelure, shrinkage, oxidation, manufacturing irregularities; and evidence of previous ownership. These characteristics frequently contribute to the historical integrity and desirability of an object and should not automatically be regarded as defects. Condition information is provided to assist purchasing decisions but does not replace careful examination of photographs or additional enquiries.
Customers are encouraged to request further images or condition reports before purchasing.
7. Photography
We make every reasonable effort to represent Goods accurately through photography.
However screen calibration. device settings, ambient lighting, natural materials, hand-painted decoration, patination, metal finishes, textiles, paper and glaze may all appear differently depending upon the viewing device. Product photographs form part of the description but should not be regarded as guaranteeing exact colour reproduction.
8. Availability
Most Goods offered by The Waters and the Wild are unique. Adding an item to your shopping basket does not reserve it.
A Contract is formed only once payment has been authorised and the Order has been accepted by us. Where simultaneous purchases occur, priority will normally be given to the first successfully completed transaction.
If an item becomes unavailable before a Contract has been formed, any payment received will be refunded promptly.
9. Pricing
All prices are displayed in Pounds Sterling (£) unless otherwise stated.
Prices may be changed at any time before an Order is placed. Once an Order has been accepted, the agreed purchase price will not change.
Unless expressly stated prices exclude delivery charges, international customs duties, import taxes, local handling fees or other governmental charges. These remain the responsibility of the purchaser.
If The Waters and the Wild becomes aware of an obvious pricing error before accepting an Order, we reserve the right to cancel the Order and issue a full refund.
10. Payment
Payment must be received in full before Goods are dispatched.
We currently accept payment through Squarespace.
and such other payment methods as may be displayed during checkout.
All payments are processed securely through PCI-compliant payment providers.
The Waters and the Wild does not receive or store full payment card details.
Where fraud prevention systems identify unusual activity, we reserve the right to request additional verification before accepting an Order.
11. Order Acceptance
Following checkout, you will receive an automated acknowledgement confirming receipt of your Order. This acknowledgement does not constitute acceptance of your Order. Acceptance occurs only when The Waters and the Wild issues an Order Confirmation confirming that your Goods have been accepted for sale.
Until that time we reserve the right to decline any Order, including where goods are unavailable, payment cannot be authorised, pricing errors have occurred; export restrictions apply, we reasonably suspect fraudulent activity or exceptional circumstances prevent fulfilment.
Should an Order be declined after payment has been taken, a full refund will be issued using the original payment method.
12. Reservation of Title
Legal ownership of Goods shall remain with The Waters and the Wild until payment has been received in full and cleared through our payment provider.
13. Delivery
The Waters and the Wild ships within the United Kingdom and internationally to selected destinations.
Available delivery options, estimated delivery times and associated charges will be displayed during checkout.
Delivery estimates are provided for guidance only and are not guaranteed.
While every reasonable effort will be made to dispatch Goods promptly, delivery times may vary owing to factors beyond our control, including customs procedures, weather, industrial action or delays experienced by third-party carriers.
Unless otherwise agreed, Orders will normally be dispatched within 1-3 business days following acceptance of the Order.
Where exceptional circumstances are likely to delay dispatch, we will contact you as soon as reasonably practicable.
14. Packaging
Many objects offered for sale are fragile, historic or irreplaceable.
Every Order is packed individually using materials appropriate to the object being transported.
Packaging methods are determined solely by The Waters and the Wild in order to minimise the risk of damage during transit.
15. Delivery Address
Customers are responsible for ensuring that all delivery information supplied at checkout is complete and accurate.
The Waters and the Wild cannot accept responsibility for delays, failed deliveries or additional costs resulting from incorrect addresses supplied by the purchaser.
Where an Order is returned due to an incorrect address, additional delivery charges may apply before redispatch.
16. Collection in Person
The Waters and the Wild does not offer collection in person.
17. International Orders
Customers outside the United Kingdom are responsible for ensuring that Goods may lawfully be imported into their country.
International customers are solely responsible for customs duties, import VAT, local taxes, brokerage fees, inspection charges, storage charges imposed by customs authorities.
The Waters and the Wild has no control over such charges and cannot estimate their value. Failure to pay customs charges resulting in the return or destruction of Goods shall not normally constitute grounds for a refund.
18. Export Restrictions
Certain Goods may be subject to export licensing requirements or legal restrictions. The Waters and the Wild cannot be responsible for delays caused by licensing authorities.
19. Transfer of Risk
Risk of loss or damage passes:
for UK consumer sales, upon delivery to the customer or a person nominated by the customer
for business customers, upon delivery to the carrier unless otherwise agreed
for personal collection, upon collection.
Ownership remains with The Waters and the Wild until payment has cleared in accordance with Clause 12.
20. Inspection Upon Delivery
Customers are encouraged to inspect Goods immediately upon delivery.
If external packaging appears damaged, customers should photograph the parcel before opening, retain all packaging materials, photograph any damage to the Goods and
notify The Waters and the Wild within 48 hours. Prompt notification greatly assists insurance claims against delivery providers.
Failure to notify us immediately does not affect statutory rights but may affect our ability to recover losses from carriers.
21. Consumer Cancellation Rights
Where you are purchasing as a consumer within the United Kingdom, you may have the right to cancel your purchase under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. Unless an exemption applies, you may cancel your Contract within 14 days beginning on the day after you receive the Goods. To exercise your right to cancel, you must notify The Waters and the Wild by email before the cancellation period expires. Returned Goods must then be sent back within 14 days of cancellation.
22. Exemptions
The statutory right to cancel does not apply where Goods have been made to your specification, clearly personalised, sealed for health or hygiene reasons after opening or where another statutory exemption applies. Nothing in these Terms limits any statutory rights available under English law.
23. Returns
We hope every acquisition becomes a valued part of your collection. If you decide to return an item under your statutory cancellation rights, Goods must be returned unused except to the extent reasonably necessary for inspection and in the same condition in which they were received. You must complete with all accompanying materials and adequately packaged for safe transport. Customers remain responsible for the Goods until safely received by The Waters and the Wild.
We strongly recommend using a tracked and fully insured delivery service appropriate to the value of the item.
24. Antique and Vintage Objects
Customers should recognise that antique and vintage objects are individually catalogued and photographed before dispatch.
We encourage prospective purchasers to request additional photographs, measurements or condition reports before placing an Order.
We are always pleased to provide further information wherever possible.
25. Books
Antiquarian and vintage books are described according to established bookselling conventions.
Unless otherwise stated foxing, toning, edge wear, previous ownership inscriptions, minor annotations, binding wear, dust jacket wear, occasional loose gatherings are normal evidence of age and should be expected.
Where significant defects are known, they will ordinarily be disclosed within the catalogue description or accompanying condition report.
26. Refunds
Once returned Goods have been inspected, any refund due will normally be processed within 14 days. Refunds will be made using the original payment method.
Original delivery charges will be refunded where required by law.
Additional delivery services selected by the customer beyond the least expensive standard delivery option may not be refundable.
27. Faulty or Incorrect Goods
Nothing in these Terms limits your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
If Goods are not as described, faulty or incorrectly supplied please contact us at The Waters and the Wild as soon as reasonably possible.
Where appropriate, we may repair or replace the Goods where possible;
offer a partial or full refund or agree another appropriate remedy.
Many Goods are unique and replacement will often be impossible.
28. Failure to Deliver
Where Goods are lost in transit, The Waters and the Wild will work with the relevant carrier to investigate.
Claims may require a reasonable investigation period. Where Goods cannot ultimately be located, an appropriate refund or replacement (where possible) will be arranged.
29. Refused Deliveries
Where Goods are refused by the recipient without lawful reason, or returned due to unpaid customs charges, The Waters and the Wild reserves the right to deduct return carriage, customs charges, storage fees and other reasonable costs incurred before issuing any refund where permitted by law.
30. Exceptional Circumstances
If an item is damaged during transit, we ask that customers contact us before arranging repair or restoration. Historic objects often require specialist conservation, and unauthorised repairs may affect both value and future insurance claims.
Where appropriate, The Waters and the Wild may request independent conservation advice before agreeing an appropriate remedy.
Every object offered by The Waters and the Wild is individually researched, catalogued and photographed. If you would like additional images, provenance information, condition reports or further historical context before purchasing, we encourage you to contact us. We believe significant objects deserve informed decisions, and we are always pleased to discuss the collection.
31. Historic Objects and Material Culture
The Waters and the Wild specialises in objects created across many centuries. These include antiquarian books, manuscripts, works of art, decorative arts, natural history specimens, ethnographic material, folk objects and other historic artefacts.
By their nature, such objects frequently exhibit evidence of age, manufacture, previous ownership, restoration, conservation, use and historical alteration. These characteristics form part of the object's history and should not necessarily be regarded as faults. Customers acknowledge that antique and historic objects differ fundamentally from newly manufactured goods.
32. Historical Attribution
Where dates, makers, workshops, artists, authors, regions, schools or periods are identified within catalogue descriptions, those attributions represent our professional opinion based upon the evidence reasonably available at the time of cataloguing.
Unless expressly stated, catalogue descriptions do not constitute certificates of authenticity.
33. Provenance
Where known, provenance will be included within catalogue descriptions.
Provenance may consist of previous ownership, family history, auction records, dealer records, collection labels, bookplates, inscriptions, institutional associations or other documentary evidence. Absence of recorded provenance should not be interpreted as evidence against authenticity.
Likewise, the existence of provenance does not guarantee an uninterrupted chain of ownership.
34. Measurements
Measurements are provided as accurately as reasonably practicable. Because many objects are handmade or irregularly formed, minor variations should be expected.
Measurements are approximate unless otherwise stated.
35. Conservation and Restoration
Historic objects frequently survive because they have been repaired, restored or stabilised during their lifetime.
Where restoration is known and considered material, The Waters and the Wild will endeavour to disclose it within the catalogue description or condition report. Historic restoration does not necessarily reduce the historical, scholarly or decorative significance of an object.
Customers are encouraged to request additional information where restoration is of particular importance to their purchasing decision.
36. Antiquarian Books
Descriptions of books are prepared in accordance with accepted antiquarian bookselling practice.
Unless otherwise stated, descriptions refer only to the specific copy offered for sale.
References to editions, printings, bindings or bibliographical significance are based upon recognised reference works and professional judgement.
Historic books commonly display characteristics including foxing, toning, edge wear, binding wear, previous ownership inscriptions, bookseller labels, annotations, offsetting, dust jacket wear, occasional repairs or historic conservation. These characteristics are not necessarily defects and frequently contribute to the individuality of a particular copy.
37. Natural History and Taxidermy
Natural history specimens, including taxidermy, osteological material and preserved specimens, are sold solely for lawful collecting, educational, artistic or decorative purposes. Where known, catalogue descriptions will identify species and relevant historical information. Customers remain responsible for ensuring that ownership, importation and display of such material is lawful within their own jurisdiction.
The Waters and the Wild reserves the right to decline any transaction where legal restrictions apply.
38. Protected Species
Certain objects may incorporate materials derived from protected species.
Where applicable, The Waters and the Wild will identify known restrictions and assist purchasers with available documentation. Customers acknowledge that responsibility for complying with local import, export or possession laws rests with the purchaser. Where export licences or CITES documentation are required, dispatch may be delayed until the appropriate permissions have been obtained.
39. Cultural Property
Some historic objects may be subject to export licensing requirements or cultural property legislation. The Waters and the Wild complies with applicable legislation concerning the lawful acquisition and sale of historic material. Should an export licence be refused by the relevant authority, the Contract may be cancelled and monies paid refunded.
The Waters and the Wild shall not otherwise be liable for delays arising from governmental licensing procedures.
40. Colour and Display
Product photographs are intended to provide an accurate representation of each object.
However, colour, texture and finish may vary according to screen calibration, mobile devices, display settings, ambient lighting; and the reflective qualities of historic materials. Such variations do not constitute defects.
41. Authenticity
Unless expressly stated otherwise, The Waters and the Wild believes every object offered for sale to be authentic according to the description provided at the time of sale.
42. Intellectual Property
All catalogue descriptions, essays, photography, research and original written material published by The Waters and the Wild remain the intellectual property of The Waters and the Wild unless otherwise stated. No part may be reproduced, adapted, distributed, published or commercially exploited without prior written permission.
Reasonable quotation for academic, journalistic or educational purposes is welcomed provided appropriate attribution is given.
43. Limitation of Liability
Nothing within these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion would be unlawful, including liability arising from death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any other liability which cannot lawfully be excluded.
Subject to the above, The Waters and the Wild shall not be liable for indirect loss, consequential loss, loss of business, loss of profits, loss of opportunity, loss arising from delays beyond our reasonable control,or changes in scholarly opinion occurring after the date of sale.
Our total liability arising in connection with any Contract shall not exceed the purchase price actually paid for the Goods concerned.
44. Force Majeure
The Waters and the Wild shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Where such circumstances continue for an extended period, either party may terminate the Contract without further liability, save for any obligation to refund monies received for undelivered Goods.
45. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
46. Waiver
Failure by The Waters and the Wild to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or of any other rights.
47. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Website Terms of Use and any documents expressly incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between the parties concerning the sale of Goods.
48. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and any Contract formed between The Waters and the Wild and the purchaser shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or any Contract, save where mandatory consumer protection legislation provides otherwise.
49. Contact
Questions concerning these Terms and Conditions of Sale should be directed to:
The Waters and the Wild
Trading Name of:
The Waters and the Wild Ltd
Registered Office:
105 High Street
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 2HW
United Kingdom
Email:
hello@thewatersandthewild.co.uk
Website:
thewatersandthewild.co.uk