There were 39 members who attended the 2024 weekend at HF’s Holnicote House in Selworthy Somerset. Both the Saturday and Sunday featured long walks, although the weather was somewhat better on the Sunday. The Sunday also featured a shorter walk and for the first time an “Amble” was included on both days. Those that were unfamiliar with the area agreed how pleasant it was and many intended to go back another time and explore some more of the area.

Some 35 members joined the 2023 weekend trip which was held at the Peveril in the Peak, Derbyshire.  The weather was better than expected and both long and short walks were held on the Saturday and Sunday. Some members climbed Thorpe Cloud on the Sunday afternoon and there was an additional short walk at Ilam on Monday morning for those who wanted. Everyone agreed it was an excellent time away.

2022 week end away was at Derwent Bank in the Lake District from Friday 1st to Monday 4th April

26 members took advantage of this weekend away. Despite the poor weather forecast during the previous week, we were delighted with the fine sunny weather that greeted us over the week end. Jerry and Glenys led a longer walk on the Saturday whilst David P. led a shorter walk that day. On the Sunday David B. led a nine mile walk Keith led a slightly shorter walk. All the walks were enjoyed by all who took part.

The 2019 week end away was at Horns Hall Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire. Thirty members had a very enjoyable weekend. Hardy walkers went out on Saturday in very mixed weather, everybody who wanted to walk, went out on Sunday when the sun shone.

Sedbergh is a small, attractive old market town in the Northwest corner of the Yorkshire Dales and is a recognised ‘Book Town’ with 26 independent bookshops.

The towns of Hawes, Kirby Lonsdale and Kendal are within easy reach and near Kendal  is Sizergh National Trust. Some of us used the the Settle – Carlisle railway when the weather discouraged us from walking. 

West Lulworth House – on the Dorset Coast -2018

30 members had a very enjoyable break at Lulworth Cove on the weekend of 20th to 23rd of April.

The Long Mynd (HF), a 4-star country house, is set in extensive wooded grounds in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and enjoys stunning views from the elevated location above the attractive Shropshire town of Church Stretton which is 10 minutes’ walk away. This is an ideal place for walking and there are many stunning walks which start from the house.

The House is superbly situated for exploring the local area with the attractive market town of Ludlow only 20 minutes’ drive away, Shrewsbury (the county town of Shropshire) featuring many black and white timber houses is 30 minutes’ drive. These towns can also be reached by train from Church Stretton. Acton Scott Working Farm Museum is 10 minutes’ drive, Attingham Park (N.T.) an 18th century house and estate near Shrewsbury is 25 minutes’ drive away, Powis Castle and Ironbridge Gorge the ‘birthplace of the Industrial Revolution’ with its 10 museums are 45 minutes’ drive away.

We stayed in Newfield Hall.

Glenys and Jerry led a 9-mile walk starting from the village of Malham that took us to the scenic views of Janet’s Foss, Gordale Spar Malham Tarn and Malham cove. Sheila and David led a 7-mile walk, also from Malham, which headed through Kirkby Malham, Airton and Hanlith. David and Jullie organised a 9-mile walk on the moors North East of Malham passing Vistoria Cave above he town of Settle and returing to Malham Tarn. 

HF’s Holnicote House in Selworthy Somerset.

33 members visited Coniston in the Lake District. Various walks were led by Peter B. Glenys and Jerry, David B and Kate Turner. The accommodation provided by HF at Monk Coniston was again up to the excellent standard we come to expect from them.

In May 2014, 34 of us visited Dolgellau in the Snowdonia National Park. Dolserau Hall lies in its own grounds just outside Dolgellau towns. Two walks were led on each day. Peter B and Roger E on day one, Peter B and David B on day two.

Check out some photos by Keith S, Margaret W and others here.  

This May 44 of us visited Abingworth, Sussex. lies in eight acres of mature grounds with its own lake and heated swimming pool and sits in the weald just north of the South Downs. Three walks were available each day. On Saturday, Glenys and Jerry led the walk over the Downs from East Dean to Beachy Head and the Birling gap before the superb walk atop the Severn Sisters Chalk Cliffs and back up the Cuckmere Valley. Roger E. led the middle, circular walk starting and finishing on the South Downs Way, Peter M. led the shorter walk starting and finishing at the house. On Sunday, which turned out to be the wettest day, David and Julie led the longest walk (before rain stopped play early) starting with a climb up to the South Downs Way and visiting the Cisbury and Steyning Rings. Peter M. led his second walk from Washington, passing St. Mary’s Church, over the A24 and gradually climbing up to the South Downs Way. We followed the Way for about three miles and after our halfway lunch break, rapidly descended from there on to farm land to eventually complete our walk at Abingworth Hall. Roger E. led the third short walk, which, because of the weather returned to the house where the packed lunches were eaten in warmth and comfort in the conservatory. 

50 of us went to to the H.F. hotel, Nether Grange in Alnmouth, Northumberland. This hotel had an interesting history as it was built in 17th century as a granary, when Alnmouth was a major port exporting grain, coal and other commodities. After a storm in 1806 the river changed course and the fortunes of the port declined; however, with the coming of the railway in the late 19th century Alnmouth became a popular holiday destination and many of the old industrial buildings were converted to guest houses and hotels. Nether Grange was one of these and is only a few yards from the sea and several of the rooms have sea views. As usual with these holidays we drove up on the Friday, walked Saturday and Sunday and drove home on the Monday. On Saturday two groups of us explored the coast to Craster and Dunstanburgh Caster. The energetic group walked from the hotel and caught the bus back. A third, smaller group had an easier walk into Anwick. On Sunday one group explored the Cheviots whilst another explored Hulne Park, part of the Alnwick Castle estate. A third group went for a shorter walk in Rothbury and then explored Cragside House and grounds.