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3 Night Exmoor Family Walking Adventure

Holnicote House
Under 11s go free

■ 3 nights at an HF Country House

■ Availability Aug 2026, Aug 2027

■ One itinerary available

■ Full Board

■ Grades 1, 2 & 3 details

Non-members From

£669

pp

Members From

£639

pp

Members Save: on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. You can become a member during the booking flow. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
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Exmoor’s heather-clad moorland, wooded combes, and coastline provide an ideal outdoor playground for this family walking holiday. With wild ponies to spot grazing on the hillsides and wow-worthy walks to embark on, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. And when you're not busy exploring the great outdoors, spend time exploring a selection of charming villages and picture-postcard towns, or relaxing in the comfort of our country house.

Accommodation

HF Country House
There’s plenty to look forward to at this beacon of Somerset hospitality near the impossibly pretty village of Selworthy. The location couldn’t be more perfect; within rolling-out-of-bed distance from Exmoor National Park and an easy drive from Dunster Castle, Coleridge Cottage, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, and the sandy delights at Porlock and Minehead. The walking opportunities here are standout, too, not least for the trails around the Quantock Hills, Dunkery Beacon, Bossington, and a section of the England Coast Path that takes you on a glorious journey along the county’s coastline.
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Walking grades and options

This holiday is ideal for families with children 4+yrs. Please check you can manage the daily walks distance and ascents, detailed in your itinerary. The walking day is normally 6 to 8 hours. 

This trip is graded Activity Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3

Family and Easier Walks have gentle gradients. Medium Walks are on undulating paths. Harder Walks follow undulating paths with steeper sections.

Our family holidays offer the choice of up to 4 guided walks each day – you can choose an Easier Walk one day and switch to a Harder Walk the next. Our routes range from short strolls that are ideal for little legs, to longer walks that will appeal to active teenagers.

  • Adventure: each day choose from up to 4 different guided walks, with opportunities for longer walks on Exmoor or along the coast
  • Peace of mind: only families can book on our dedicated Family holidays - the kids get the run of the Country House in a safe environment
  • Free day: on our 7 night holidays, enjoy a day without walks to get out and make the most of the nearby family-friendly attractions

What You’ll Love

  • Meeting other families
  • Riding the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
  • Spotting lots of different birds on Porlock Marsh

What's Included

  • Family rooms available subject to availability
  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house 
  • Cream tea on arrival day 
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning 
  • Daily packed lunches 
  • Three-course evening meals tailored towards families, plus tea & coffee 
  • Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders 
  • Choice of up to four guided walks (on walking days) 
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary 
  • Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently  

Reviews

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Family Walks

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Option 1 - Porlock and Porlock Weir

Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)

Ascent: 600ft (180m)

Today we walk through woods and over streams from the village of Porlock to Porlock Weir. Here we’ll be able to spot fishing boats and yachts bobbing up and down in the harbour. The second half of our day takes us past Porlock Marsh, home to lots of birdlife, including oystercatchers, curlews, and lapwings.   

What your kids will love: Spotting lots of different birds on Porlock Marsh. Listen out for oystercatchers - they’re a very noisy wading bird with a loud call.

Option 2 - Porlock

Distance: 5.5 miles (8.5km)

Ascent: 750ft (230m)

We’ll set off on a circular walk from the house, visiting the village of Porlock and the coastal hamlet of Bossington. There are thatched cottages to spot, Saxon history to discover, and even a tale about Danish Pirates.  

What your kids will love: Stopping for a quick game of Poohsticks at the packhorse bridge near Allerford.

Option 3 - Hawkcombe and Porlock

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Ascent: 1,050ft (320m)

From a starting place high on the moors, we’ll make our way through Hawkcombe Woods Nature Reserve to the village of Porlock. Next, we’ll walk to Hurlstone Point to check out the old Coastguard station and take in the views, before finally heading inland and back to the house so you can share stories of your adventure with your friends. 

What your kids will love: Once you catch your breath at Hurlstone Point, you might just be able to spot Wales across the Bristol Channel.

Option 4 - Hills and wooded valleys

Distance: 9½ miles (15km)

Ascent: 1300ft (400m)

From high on the heather-clad moorland we’ll meander through woods and over fields as we make our way back to Holnicote House. Keep your eyes peeled for red deer, there are approximately 3,000 living on Exmoor.  

What your kids will love: The ancient oak trees in Horner Wood. Fun fact: some trees are 500 years old, which means they were standing when Henry VIII was also alive.  

Option 1 - Watersmeet and Lynmouth

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km)

Ascent: 400ft (120m)

We’ll start high on the cliffs overlooking Lynmouth Bay at Barna Barrow before descending through woodland to the old fishing lodge at Watersmeet. There’s plenty to do here – grab some refreshments at the National Trust café, stop to play hide and seek, or paddle in the stream. We’ll then follow the East Lyn River into Lynmouth with ample time to explore the village before heading back to the house.  

What your kids will love: Searching for wildflowers and finding the purple-blue Devil’s-bit scabious flower. The origins of its name are fascinating - the devil was so angry that this plant could cure all types of illnesses (including the plague), he bit away part of the roots.  

Option 2 - Around Lynton

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 1,800ft (540m)

We’ll take the zig-zag path down from Countisbury Hill to Watersmeet before continuing along the hillside to the Victorian town of Lynton. We’ll climb to a panoramic viewpoint above the Valley of Rocks, a local beauty spot with its own herd of wild goats who roam the hillsides. 

What your kids will love: Looking out for the wild goats roaming freely (and often hair-raisingly) on the cliff edges.

Option 3 - Lynmouth Coastline

Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)

Ascent: 3,200ft (980m)

We’ll follow the magnificent coastal path down Countisbury Hill to Lynmouth, then on to the Valley of Rocks and Lee Bay. We’ll return along an elevated path to Lynton and Watersmeet. 

What your kids will love: The bragging rights of being tough enough to take on the challenge. Although this is our longest walking option of the day, there’ll be plenty of fun, excitement, and adventure along the way. 

Option 4 - Valley of the Rocks

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 1,100ft (340m)

The first section of today’s route follows the option 1 walk to Lynmouth. From here we’ll take a ride on the funicular cliff railway, ascending 500ft to explore Lynton and the Valley of Rocks.   

What your kids will love: Riding the world’s steepest and highest water-powered railway. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

View all

Daily Walk Options

Grade 1 Grade 2

Easier Walks

Walk at a relaxed pace, often spending time at places of interest en-route. Walking experience isn’t necessary as distances are quite short and gradients generally easy.

Grade 3

Medium Walks

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

Accommodation

Holnicote House

There’s plenty to look forward to at this beacon of Somerset hospitality near the impossibly pretty village of Selworthy. The location couldn’t be more perfect; within rolling-out-of-bed distance from Exmoor National Park and an easy drive from Dunster Castle, Coleridge Cottage, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, and the sandy delights at Porlock and Minehead. The walking opportunities here are standout, too, not least for the trails around the Quantock Hills, Dunkery Beacon, Bossington, and a section of the England Coast Path that takes you on a glorious journey along the county’s coastline.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out). 

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks 
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.  

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house. 

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

 •  32 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 43 guests minimum •  Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm •  Free Wi-Fi  •  Free on-site parking  •  Boot room and drying room  •  Travel cot & high chair  •  Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks  •  Books and games to borrow  •  Licensed bar  •  Two lounges  •  Garden with croquet lawn  •  Well-behaved dogs welcome on self-guided holidays  •  Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point Visit England - Guest Accommodation 

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan  and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a  40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home.  A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast  and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including  hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick  and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Holnicote House has 32 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior. 

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV. 

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers. 

We love: The rooms in the main building or the thatched grounds, especially Rooms 1 and 4. The first floor rooms have fabulous views across Crawter Hill and Dunkery Hill. 

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply. 

 

Room supplements

Superior Premium single Premium double/twin Choose your room
£25 pppn £20 pppn £20 pppn £30 per room

 

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location 

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Holnicote House

Getting here

Address

Holnicote House
Selworthy
Minehead
Somerset TA24 8TJ

Tel: +44 (0)1643 862013

By train

The nearest station is Taunton.  

Check National Rail for train times and routes. 

By taxi

From Taunton train station it’s a 27-mile journey taking 1 hour.

For pricing, please contact Minehead Taxis directly.

Minehead Taxis
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Minehead Taxis*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:

Tel: +44 (0)1643 704123

A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Holnicote House.

*Minehead Taxis is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.

By bus

The number 28 bus runs between Taunton station and Minehead, taking around one and a half hours. At Minehead, change to the number 10 bus to the Selworthy turn (at the end of Holnicote House drive). A two-minute walk along the drive will bring you to the house.  

For bus times, check Traveline. 

By car

There’s free car parking at Holnicote House if you decide to drive.  

From Bridgwater take the A39 though the southern outskirts of Minehead towards Porlock. You’ll find Holnicote House on the left about four and a half miles out of Minehead.  

By air

The nearest airport is London Heathrow. 

Take the train to London Paddington station where there are direct trains to Taunton. It’s a relatively straightforward journey that’ll should take around 2.5 hours.  

Bristol Airport is also an option. From here, you can take the bus and train to Taunton. 

Check National Rail for routes and train times. 

More Information

Safety information (Family walking)

Who's the boss? Please note that parents are responsible for their children at all times; our leaders are not permitted to run activities without other adults present. All leaders undergo a thorough assessment so you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing that you are in safe hands. 

On the first evening of your holiday, your leaders give a short talk about safety on walks which we would like you to attend. Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and a minimum number of guests. Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest while clothing, equipment, or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem, all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps, and a compass.

Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.

If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks.

Kids on their own: Any teenager aged 14 years or over can leave you at the starting line and join a walk unaccompanied on the basis they can look after themselves. Children under 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult on walks; however, this does not need to be a parent or legal guardian. 

Please note, coaches used on this holiday all comply with UK law, and may not have seat belts suitable for children. Where children are under 3yrs of age, they must not travel in the front seat on coaches, nor or the back seat of coaches. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat  

Packing list - UK Guided Walking

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip  
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket 
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

  • spare warm clothing
  • spare high energy food
  • head torch and spare batteries
  • please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended  

  • Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)  
  • Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters  
  • First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool
  • Sit mat   
  • Waterproof pouch for valuables  
  • Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)  
  • Wallet/purse  
  • Camera
  • Walking poles

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: SEL03-FAM01

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Dates & availability

3 Night Exmoor Family Walking Adventure

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2026

14 Aug - 17 Aug 2026

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£669

pp

Members

£639

pp
Single rooms

£669

pp

£639

pp
Enquire now

21 Aug - 24 Aug 2026

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£669

pp

Members

£639

pp
Single rooms

£669

pp

£639

pp
Enquire now

2027

13 Aug - 16 Aug 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£699

pp

Members

£669

pp
Single rooms

£699

pp

£669

pp
Enquire now

20 Aug - 23 Aug 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£699

pp

Members

£669

pp
Single rooms

£699

pp

£669

pp
Enquire now
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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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© 2026 HF Holidays Limited. Registered in England, number 5713R. VAT Number 125 4899 87. All Rights Reserved.

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