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Frequently Asked Questions
Special Interest Holidays
From the home page choose "Special Interests and Tours" from the "Holiday Choice" menu then choose a group you are interested in. Alternatively type in any word in the "site search" box at the top of any page to see if we do it. If we don't and you'd like to see it added, feel free to email us any suggestions. We own our UK properties so can programme what we want, when we want!
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We always refer to them as holidays, but some guests call some of these titles "courses". Depending on the type you choose, there might be a structured course of learning to follow, or so much information and concentrated activity that you can't help but progress your skill level. The vast majority however are best described as holidays by their nature (sightseeing for example) and none lead to certification. All are relaxed, highly sociable affairs with no pressure to participate all the time if you don't want to. We do our best to describe each individual holiday on this website so there should be no surprises, and any differences between types should be clear. If you do need further information, email us or phone us on 0845 470 7558 (or outside the UK on +44 20 8732 1250) and we'll be pleased to help.
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Each description is carefully constructed to give you the necessary information. Space limitations mean that we cannot include a lot of detail, but we are happy to service any query. If 'phoning, your first port of call will be our Reservations Team, who may well have to refer detailed queries to operations staff and even Leaders (our tutors and guides). We will answer queries accurately and thoroughly but can't always do so immediately.
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Look to the right of most individual descriptions on the site to see a paragraph that will help you decide (where there is none then your ability or knowledge has no bearing). Some find self-assessment tricky so if in doubt we will gladly put you in touch with a Leader.
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Relatively speaking these are not demanding holidays but you do need to be able to be on your feet for long periods if you are fully mobile and if you wish to join in the full programme, or to have a helper with you if have cannot move around freely and independently. If we go out for the day, it tends to be from either 9.30 am to 5.30 pm approximately, or from later morning to about 4.00 pm, depending on the holiday type. The general intro to each holiday type (ie where you are taken to when you click "Back to Top" within the holiday descriptions) on this website gives useful information on this point where relevant, and so do individual holiday descriptions.
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It depends on the holiday type. We restrict all group sizes for one reason or another, some to no more than 8 so that the Leader can tutor effectively, others may be limited to ensure you can sit comfortably and listen or work in one of our activity rooms (generally to a maximum of 15 to 20), or else we may have a limit dictated by transport practicalities and how many we can comfortably seat on one of our coaches.
The general intro to each holiday type (ie where you are taken to when you click "Back to Top" within the holiday descriptions) on this website sometimes gives useful information on this point where relevant. We do sometimes have small groups of 5 or 6 when guests can enjoy an even greater degree of personal attention.
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We don't reveal the numbers booked on to each holiday mostly for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Also, sometimes guests enquire because they are reluctant to book without knowing that there are sufficient numbers of fellow guests already booked for their liking. All we can say is "jump aboard" because the trend nowadays is for people to book later than they have done in the past and if we revealed a case of "low numbers" to you, you might well miss out on a brilliant holiday!
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From this site's homepage, select "holiday choice" at the top then "Full list of holidays at" from the drop down menu.
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We have an amazing panel of well over 200 freelance guides, tutors, directors and facilitators, our generic name for them being "Leader" for want of anything better! We work closely with them to develop programmes, allowing full freedom to their expertise. We think they are the make or break of special interest holidays and strive to provide the best we can; we have some exceptional individuals with a blend of technical and people skills to inspire, and all are considered approachable and friendly. OK, you can do anything with statistics but consider this - 99% of surveyed guests (thousands, not hundreds) recently rated their holiday Leaders as very friendly and helpful, but no-one said they were unacceptable on this score! Leaders hold qualifications where available, or hold an equivalent level of knowledge built through a passion for their subject.
Many Leaders approach us in the first instance to offer their services, and we make an assessment of their suitability based on very high standards and demands.
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We are working towards this. Our brochure does name them for most holidays, but if you need to know ask via email or phone for the lists of each holiday type which interest you, providing your name and full postal address.
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This depends very much on the holiday type. For specialist holidays, generally we provide the right environment and anything highly specialist, you provide the personal equipment. We ask you to bring your own painting materials for example (based on plenty of advice) but provide tables for you to work at and hanging space for your finished work or ask you to bring an instrument on music holidays but provide the music to play from. Our holiday descriptions tell you more.
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As much as you want, but we usually programme in an afternoon (approximately
1.00 pm to 4.00 or 4.30 pm) on indoor-based holidays, and some evenings depending on the subject. Outdoor holidays offer full days out. In addition, on any
7-night holidays there is a full day set outside with no programmed activity. Again depending on the subject, Leaders will often respond to enthusiastic groups who wish to carry on "working" and of course the facilities are available to you all the time.
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Unfortunately no such arrangement exists at the moment.
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We do our best to give you as much accurate information as possible in each holiday description so that you can be confident you are making the right choice. We are happy to answer any query before you book, too. If you find that on the day, trying something new for example just isn't your thing, there is often another holiday running alongside that you can switch to with minimum fuss, although this will depend on availability.
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Welcome, included and of equal status with everyone else. Lots of people come on their own and rue the years they missed out on HF holidays! Such is the popularity with single guests however there is much competition for the single rooms we have available and a late booking may result in disappointment.
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Holidays in Britain - All meals are provided - a full English, Welsh or Scottish breakfast, our famous picnic lunch if you are going out, or an in-house lunch and excellent evening meals with lots of choice. Holidays in Europe are on a half board basis - breakfast and evening meal. Vegetarians are well-catered for. We may also be able to cater for more restricted diets, but please check with us first before booking.
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Comfortable rooms in splendid Country House accommodation in lovely countryside. From our home page choose Other Info from the top menu and then "HF Country House accommodation" to see pictures and to learn more. We own most of these properties and manage them to best advantage of the activities that we run.
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The holiday price includes:
- Accommodation in comfortable Country hotels; All meals in Britain; Dinner and Breakfast in Europe, some tours may vary so please check at time of booking.
- Transport where it forms part of the holiday programme.
- Admission costs to places of interest where they form part of the programme and unless otherwise indicated (some tours exclude it to give you flexibility over what you do).
- The services of a Leader, sometimes a further one, or two Leaders, depending on the holiday you choose.
- Other items appropriate to the holiday type - check each description for detail.
- VAT at 17.5%
There are NO hidden extras on our holidays - all you need is some pocket money for your own drinks and souvenirs.
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Each Country House has a number of public rooms appropriate to the number of holidays we programme at each - comfortable lounges accommodating between 10 and 40 people, often with amazing views, and a dance floor. They are conceived to be multi functional so one week a room may be a dance studio, the next a workshop for crafts, or space to practice yoga in. We might provide extra, temporary lighting for example to make sure you don't strain your eyes if it's a holiday involving some close work. Some houses have specialist studios dedicated to painting. Facilities to show videos and other presentations exist. Some have pools, libraries or their own unique features and all have a bar and nice grounds with various leisure facilities and are excellant places to just relax in. If you want to see the details for each one, from our home page choose Other Info from the top menu and then "HF Country House accommodation".
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Sorry, no - with the obvious exception of guide dogs. We are not set up for taking proper care of animals, although it is possible to take your dog with you on some of our "Self-Guided Walking" holidays or "Independent Trails".
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Of course. If 'phoning, your first port of call will be our Reservations Team, who may well have to refer detailed queries to operations staff and even Leaders (our tutors and guides). We will answer queries accurately and thoroughly by phone or email but can't always do so immediately.
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You will meet all sorts of people, singles, couples, mostly adults, all sharing your interest. There are opportunities to mix with others too as we usually run more than one holiday type at the same time in the same place. The holidays are designed with adults in mind but you might come across children as they are welcomed on walking holidays. To find out the full programme of activities for each house, click here.
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Yes. From our home page choose "Group Options and bookings" from the "Bookings" menu at the top of the page.
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Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your tour from either your point of entry into the UK (overseas guests) or the nearest railway station to your home (UK guests) are sent to you on booking. All of our tours can be easily reached by train or coach, although it may be necessary to make a short bus or taxi journey from the station to the hotel.
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Since the turn of the last century! We are a very well respected company by virtue of this experience, as well as our genuine independence and high quality operation.
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Traditionally most of our new business has come by enthusiastic word of mouth, but the Internet is slowly sharing what many think of as a "best kept secret".
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