Guided and Independent walking in the UK, Europe and Worldwide - HF Holidays
 
 
Special Interests Holidays -
Natural World
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Discover the Pyrenean Natural World
Birdwatching for Beginners
Discover Birds
Discover Wildlife
Discover Wildflowers
Discover Geology
Fossil Hunting
Discover Birds in Winter
Walking with the Stars

Holidays for groups of 11 or more
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Natural world

Europe's countryside takes on another dimension when you understand more of the life which it shelters and provides for. If you are a "beginner" or just have a passing interest in what makes the countryside tick, join our friendly experts who understand absolutely how intimidating it can be to join a group of experienced people. We'll open your senses on any of these holidays but some such as "birdwatching for beginners" may be for you.

If you already have a passion for birds, or flowers or other wildlife, come and enjoy the security of an organised group and be taken to the best spots.

We provide excellent Country House accommodation in some of Britain's highest quality countryside, with great food and a uniquely social atmosphere. For holidays in France we provide accommodation in a carefully selcted hotel. Programmes usually are based on full days out with a mini coach to hand for us to retreat to and go elsewhere as the need arises (but you'll need to be fit enough to walk the distances indicated), and one or two evening briefings as the group wishes.

Our prices hide nothing and represent remarkable value for money - you don't need to spend anything other than when you are out and about independently.

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Discover the Pyrenean Natural World

Learn more about the Pyrenees' fascinating variety of flora and fauna in the company of an HF Holidays' leader and knowledgeable local guide. We'll discover more about the region's glacial landscapes and unique eco-system while enjoying the abundant wild flowers and sightings of marmots and eagles.

Date Location Leader Price With Flight Price Without Flight
Sat 21 June 2008 (7nts) St Lary, France name to follow £735 £515

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Discover Birds for Beginners

If you are a beginner or just have a passing interest in what makes the countryside tick, join our friendly experts who understand absolutely how intimidating it can be to join a group of experienced people.

Enjoy leisurely, scenic walks of 3-7 miles learning about the difference between males and females, size, behaviour, habitat, and how to use a field guide. We'll give you the confidence to identify a few species, at which point you'll be hooked.

Northumberland: an autumn weekend in a birdwatcher’s paradise learning the basics. While the seabirds are for some the most fascinating, others use the area as a staging post in their great journeys around the world. Enjoy contrasting settings on two full days out as well as lectures indoors.
South Downs: a spring weekend with two full days out to internationally acclaimed areas for birdwatching, learning the basics and enjoying the lush countryside. Regulars boast that it’s possible to see up to 70 different species in a day here; we’ll help you on your way to seeing a good number of them!

Date Location Leaders Price
Sat 6 Oct 2007 (4nts) Southern Lake District Steve Bullen £369
Fri 9 May 2008 (3nts) South Downs Name to follow £279
Fri 17 Oct 2008 (3nts) Northumberland Name to follow £259

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Discover Birds

Our leaders have an uncanny knack for finding birds, given the right circumstances, making the most of every day out. Most days we will enjoy a short coach ride but transport is available to us all day (handy for anyone who wants to rest but we don't usually walk more than 6 miles or so) to take us to the best spots when we choose. We will learn about habitat, behaviour, and learn to recognise birds by song as well as sight. Occasional visits to RSPB reserves are included and other highlights might include listening for owls at dusk or even for birds at dawn if the fancy takes you; you don't have to go far for opportunities when our Country Houses are usually situated in their own grounds in spectacular countryside.

Your leader will take you on leisurely, superbly scenic walks (up to 8 miles but often less) through some of the richest sites in Britain, and sightings are likely to be excellent. We plan to visit a variety of habitats, and see warblers, finches, wagtails, terns and maybe the occasional rarity. Distances walked will be adapted according to the birds, habitat and prevailing weather.


Cornwall:
renowned for its capacity to provide some of the most exciting birding in the UK during migration, particularly in the autumn, Cornwall will reward you in October as anything can turn up on the prevailing westerlies!
Dartmoor: lush woodland contrasts with the famous moorland of Dartmoor and South Devon headlands to give us much to enjoy. Resident birds include Cirl Buntings, whose stronghold is the South Hams. Peregrine, Raven, Dipper, Pied Flycatcher and Little Egret are all relatively easy birds for us to find.
Derbyshire Dales: the activity of breeding birds is at its most intense in the Peak District in early June. We will visit both the White Peak and Dark Peak with their rich variety of habitat, which includes woodland, farmland, parkland, moorland and river valleys. We hope to see many of the breeding birds of the Peak including Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Wheatear, Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Common Sandpiper, Red Grouse and Curlew.
Isle of Arran: a naturalist’s paradise of great scenic variety. Shore to hill top takes us from Oystercatchers to Eagles.
Isle of Wight: one of England's best birdwatching areas with a variety of habitats conducive to a good species count.
North York Moors: Whitby’s location on the coast on the edge of the North York Moors means that we will spend time looking for birds both on the coast and in the moorland. We will also visit rivers, woodlands and a reservoir. Highlights we hope will include Puffin and Gannet, as well as specialist breeding birds such as Red Grouse.
Northumberland: birds ranging from Auks to Raptors make the Northumberland hills and coast premier sites for birdwatching. Weather permitting, we'll also travel to the Farne islands (allow £15). Snowdonia: sea cliffs, river estuaries and mountains provide habitats for Puffin, Chough, Dipper, Flycatchers and Goldcrest.
Western Highlands: inland lochs, sea lochs, moorland, woodland and mountain provide a majestic backdrop. The highlight is our trip to find Sea Eagles on the Isle of Mull.


Date Location Leaders Price
Sat 3 May 2008 (4nts) Snowdonia Name to follow £379
Sat 17 May 2008 (7nts) Northumberland John Rhead £659
Fri 30 May 2008 (3nts) Derbyshire Dales Chris Abell £289
Mon 2 June 2008 (4nts) Derbyshire Dales Chris Abell £359
Tues 24 June 2008 (4nts) North York Moors Name to follow £379
Sat 13 Sept 2008 (4nts) Isle of Wight Name to follow £389
Sat 20 Sept (4nts) Dartmoor Name to follow £419
Sat 11 Oct 2008 (4nts) Cornwall Name to follow £399
Mon 20 Oct 2008 (4nts)* Northumberland Chris Abell £369

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*Under 18s half price

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Discover Wildlife

Perfect for walkers with a general interest in learning more about the countryside. Oystercatchers to oysterplants, it's all here on leisurely paced walks.

Your leader will take you on leisurely, superbly scenic walks through some of the richest sites in Britain, and sightings are likely to be excellent. You will visit a variety of habitats and walks are up to 8 miles.


Cornwall:
the highlight is surely the new Sea Safari cruise along the south coast of Cornwall; an exhilarating experience of nature and the sea. Sightings can include dolphins and porpoises and occasionally even whales, and we will also learn about the historical sights and natural environment of this outstanding coastline. On dry land we go to Lizard Point, to look for specialist plants, some of which occur either rarely or nowhere else in Britain, plus Butterflies & Dragonflies.
Dartmoor: South Devon's many habitats offer opportunities to see guillemot, pied flycatcher and redstart, and maybe even an otter.
Isle of Arran: our Arran safari could include golden eagles, a variety of seabirds, seals, red deer, and perhaps an otter and basking shark. During this holiday we travel widely around this beautiful island.
South Downs: If you want to see the rare Field Cricket, the insectivorous Sundew plant, ancient wood pasture and flowers with names like Wood Spurge and Yellow Archangel, join us for the perfect short break providing insight into abundant summer wildlife.


Date Location Leader Price
Sat 21 June 2008 (7nts) Isle of Arran Name to follow £679
Sat 5 July 2008 (7nts) Dartmoor Name to follow £679
Sat 5 July 2008 (4nts) Cornwall Name to follow £379
Sat 20 Sept 2008 (7nts) Isle of Arran John Rhead £669

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Discover Wildflowers

Enjoy looking for Britain's remarkable range of wild flowers on leisurely walks of up to 6 miles. Your experienced leader will guide you to the best sites and provide lots of structured advice for beginners.
Derbyshire Dales: limestone dales and woodlands have a colourful array of flowers, including rare species such as the Frog Orchid and Burnt Orchid.
Isle of Wight: a mild climate and chalk downland make the Isle of Wight one of the best areas for wild flowers, including White Horehound, Toadflax, Bellflower and Hound's Tongue.
Southern Yorkshire Dales: the verdant Dales fields and verges are overflowing with wild flowers including Meadow Cranesbill, Dog Daisies and Meadow Sweet.

Date Location Leader Price
Sat 7 June 2008 (4nts) Southern Yorkshire Dales Name to follow £389
Fri 13 June 2008 (3nts) Derbyshire Dales Name to follow £289
Mon 16 June 2008 (4nts) Derbyshire Dales Name to follow £359
Sat 28 June 2008 (4nts) Isle of Wight Name to follow £389

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Discover Geology

Explore an array of rock formations and fossils depending on the area. In learning how nature has shaped the region you also walk through the area's most beautiful scenery encountering geological features. In the evenings there will be informal talks. Walks up to 3 miles, occasionally over rough and boggy ground.

Date Location Leader Price
Mon 22 Oct 2007 (4nts) Snowdonia Steve Bullen £369
Mon 24 March 2008 (4nts) Northern Lake District Name to follow £329
Sat 7 June 2008 (4nts) South Downs Name to follow £359
Sat 28 June 2008 (7nts) Isle of Arran Name to follow £639
Fri 17 Oct 2008 (3nts) South Downs Name to follow £284

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Fossil Hunting
With only a basic knowledge of fossils, a short walk (up to 3 miles at a leisurely pace) along the beach can become a journey back into the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs. Fossils dating from 65 to 130 million years ago are frequently exposed by coastal erosion. In fact, the South coast of the Isle of Wight is well known for its Iguanodon bones and footprints. There will be a visit to Sandown Museum, illustrated talks and evening discussions when specimens can be identified. You may also have your ‘finds’ cut for display with a diamond saw.

Date Location Leader Price
Sat 5 July 2008 (7nts) Isle of Wight Ken Brooks £679

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Discover Birds in Winter

November is an interesting time to watch birds, as winter migrants have arrived in large numbers to coastal and other wet areas. Leisurely paced walks up to 5 miles will allow you to see the best of these fantastic sites.

Your leader will take you on leisurely, superbly scenic walks through some of the richest sites in Britain to see the best winter birds.


Cotswolds:
we'll visit Slimbridge, home to the world's largest wildfowl collection, and the Cotswold Water Park where we may see Water Rail, Spotted Redshank and Red-crested Pochard.
Northern Lake District: the Solway Firth and Morecambe Bay, as well as the sands and estuaries of West Cumbria are areas of international importance for wintering wildfowl and waders. We also visit Leighton Moss RSPB reserve.
South Downs: we will visit not only the coastal and wet habitats at Pagham and in the Arun Valley but also heaths, woods and parkland. We hope to see Brent Geese, Little Egret, ducks and waders as well as specialist resident birds including Dartford Warbler and Stonechat.


Date Location Leader Price
Mon 5 Nov 2007 (4nts) North York Moors John Rhead £359
Sun 11 Nov 2007 (5nts) Northern Lake District Steve Bullen £449
Mon 19 Nov 2007 (4nts) Cotswolds Steve Bullen £349
Mon 10 March 2008 (4nts) South Downs Name to follow £329
Mon 17 Nov 2008 (4nts) Northern Lake District Name to follow £329
Mon 17 Nov 2008 (4nts) South Downs name to follow £329
Fri 21 Nov 2008 (3nts) Cotswolds name to follow £249
Mon 24 Nov 2008 (4nts) Cotswolds name to follow £329

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Walking with the Stars

Enjoy guided walks during the day from our Classic Walking programme. In the evenings, we'll show you how to start making sense of the night sky. We'll look at objects that can be seen with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope. Topics will include theories of the creation of the universe, galaxies, stars, the moon and planets, comets, meteors and asteroids.

Date Location Prices from
Fri 7 March 2008 (3nts) South Downs £224
Mon 27 Oct 2008 (4nts)* North York Moors £369

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*Under 18s half price

Prices are in £’s per person and include FULL BOARD en-suite accommodation, the walking programme, leaders, transport to and from the walks and 17½% VAT. Europe holidays include HALF BOARD en-suite accommmodation, the holiday programme and leaders.
Premium Single & Twin Room Supplement: £5 per person per night.

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HF Holidays, Catalyst House, 720 Centennial Court, Centennial Park, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3SY
E-mail : info@hfholidays.co.uk Tel : +44 (0) 20 8732 1220
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