3 Night Guided Birdwatching in Western Yorkshire Dales

Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

3 nights at an HF Country House

Availability Oct 2026, Feb-Nov 2027

One itinerary available

Full Board

Non-members From

£589

pp

Members From

£559

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Join a group of fellow nature enthusiasts and seek out some of the North West England’s best birdwatching spots with an experienced ornithologist. Autumn sees thousands of birds flock to these shores and we’ll visit some of the area’s most popular birding sites, including RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay. By day, you’ll discover natural beauty spots where birdlife thrives and by night, you’ll enjoy expert help identifying what you’ve spotted.

Accommodation

HF Country House
Delivering on all fronts for countryside lovers, this cosy Grade II-listed manor house is just a skip away from Sedbergh – the Cumbrian market town treasured for its cobbled streets, public school, artisan shops, and bookshops (it’s known as England’s official book town for good reason). You’ll also have the Yorkshire Dales National Park on your doorstep as well as the Howgill Fells - the small group of hills adored by legendary fellwalker, illustrator, and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright. The walking opportunities here are outstanding, but if you fancy travelling further afield there’s Kendal (home of the mint cake), Hawes, Wensleydale, Appleby-in-Westmorland, and Lake Windemere all within easy driving distance.
Sedbergh - External_Front.jpg

Walking grades and options

Though these holidays don’t cover great distances on foot, they are still active. You'll be hopping on and off the coach and should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Walking to the bird watching sites may take you across country tracks or footpaths and, at times, off the beaten track so be sure to bring sturdy shoes.

Though these holidays don’t cover great distances on foot, they are still active. You'll be hopping on and off the coach and should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Walking to the birdwatching sites may take you across country tracks or footpaths and, at times, off the beaten track so be sure to bring sturdy shoes.


What You’ll Love

  • Daily guided visits to the best birding sites in the area
  • Guidance from an expert ornithologist leader
  • Visiting RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay
  • Chances to spot Marsh Harriers, Bittern, Bearded Tit, Hawfinch and more
  • Relaxing at our country house in the Western Yorkshire Dales

What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
  • Local ornithologist leader
  • All transport throughout the itinerary
  • Cream tea on arrival day
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
  • Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available 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.

Itinerary

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00 in 2026. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

After dinner this evening, your ornithologist leader will introduce themselves and the itinerary. They’ll also give an introductory talk on the local area’s birdlife and what you’re likely to see during your holiday.  

RSPB Leighton Moss 

Though these holidays don’t cover great distances on foot, they are still active. You'll be hopping on and off the coach and should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Walking to the birdwatching sites maytake you across country tracks or footpaths and, at times, off the beaten trackso be sure to bring sturdy shoes. 

We make a fantastic start to the holiday with a visit to this popular little RSPB reserve in Silverdale, a charming village that sits on the Lancashire-Cumbria border. In the care of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds since 1964, Leighton Moss is home to ahuge volume and variety of wildfowl and waders. It also has breeding Marsh Harriers, Bitterns, and Bearded Tits.   

We’ll spend some time at the outer hides on the edge of Morecambe Bay, before visiting the main reserve and the nearby Kent estuary. If we’re lucky, the starlings may treat us to one of their spectacular aerial displays. Please note that the number of starlings and the best locations for murmurations can vary daily, monthly, and yearly. If they’re present, we’ll do our utmost to ensure you experience this incredible natural spectacle.  

Please note entrance fees to Leighton Moss RSPB reserve have not been included in the price of the holiday. We know many of you are RSPB members and will be able to access the reserve free – please remember to bring your membership card. Any non-members, please allow approx. £10 per person for entrance fee. 

Sizergh Castle  

We’ll begin our second day at Sizergh Castle. The sizeable grounds of this16th-century stately home in Kendal are one of the best sites in the area to look for the elusive Hawfinch. After exploring the grounds we'll head to Helsington Barrows to see if we hear or even possibly see, Crossbill, and then to Roudsea Wood, with its ancient yews, to see what other wildlife we can spot.

Please note entrance fees to Sizergh Castle gardens have not been included in the price of the holiday. We know many of you are National Trust members and will be able to access for free – please remember to bring your membership card. Any non-members, please allow approx. £5 per person for entrance fee. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.  

Accommodation

Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

Delivering on all fronts for countryside lovers, this cosy Grade II-listed manor house is just a skip away from Sedbergh – the Cumbrian market town treasured for its cobbled streets, public school, artisan shops, and bookshops (it’s known as England’s official book town for good reason). You’ll also have the Yorkshire Dales National Park on your doorstep as well as the Howgill Fells - the small group of hills adored by legendary fellwalker, illustrator, and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright. The walking opportunities here are outstanding, but if you fancy travelling further afield there’s Kendal (home of the mint cake), Hawes, Wensleydale, Appleby-in-Westmorland, and Lake Windemere all within easy driving distance.

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.

  •  25 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 32 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  •  Lounges  •  Garden  •  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, Thorns Hall has 25 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 spacious Room 25 for its ground floor setting, brick fireplace, comfy seating, large bed, and gorgeous views of the gardens. Room 4 is large and airy while the cosier Room 13 has an exposed wood ceiling and courtyard view. 

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 Thorns Hall

Getting here

Address

Thorns Hall
Cautley Road
Sedbergh
Cumbria LA10 5LE

Tel: +44 (0)1539 620973

By train

The nearest station is Oxenholme, Lake District, on the main line between London and Glasgow.  

Check National Rail for routes and journey times.  

By shared transfer

If you’re travelling to or from Thorns Hall on Mondays or Fridays or over the festive period, you can join our group transfer from Oxenholme Railway Station.

2026 prices are £50 per person for a return transfer or £25 per person for a single transfer.

Outward journey: Depart Oxenholme Railway Station at 16:30; arrive at Thorns Hall at 17:10.

Return journey: Depart Thorns Hall at 09:30; arrive at Oxenholme Railway Station at 10:10.

Places are limited so booking is essential. We recommend booking at least 14 days in advance by contacting:

HF Holidays Sales and Support Team
Tel: +44 (0)203 974 8865
Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk

By taxi

The journey from Oxenholme station to Thorns Hall is 10 miles and will take about 20 minutes. 

For pricing, please contact Woofs of Sedbergh directly.

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

Tel: +44 (0)1539 620414
Email: woofs.sedbergh@outlook.com

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

*Woofs of Sedbergh is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.

By car

There’s a car park available at Thorns Hall if you decide to drive.

Leave the M6 at junction 37 and follow the A684 eastbound for five miles to Sedbergh. At Sedbergh follow the road into Finkle Street (avoiding the main street), then almost immediately turn left at a small roundabout into Back Lane. Turn onto the A683 following signs to Kirkby Stephen. Thorns Hall is 100 yards on the left. 

By air

The nearest airport is Manchester International Airport. 

There are direct trains every hour to Oxenholme with the journey taking around 90 minutes. From Oxenholme station you can complete the journey to Sedbergh by taxi. 

National Rail have up-to-date information on train times and routes. 

Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option, but it'll take you at least four hours to reach Oxenholme. Catch the train to London Paddington station, then the London Underground to London Euston where you can connect to the main line train to Oxenholme. The journey from here is 2.5 hours. 

More Information

Packing list - Guided Bird Watching

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, preferably insulated  
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Spotting scope and/or binoculars 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

Recommended  

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

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

For 2026: Gemma Wren

Gemma has over 25 years of experience in nature conservation, supporting large scale recovery projects and running guided wildlife tours around the Morecambe Bay area. Gemma has worked in various locations across the UK and abroad, studying wildlife, working as a ranger, and managing landscape partnerships for conservation charities including the National Trust and RSPB. A keen photographer, she has a wide range of wildlife knowledge and loves to share her passion for the natural world with our HF guests.

John Miles

John has many years of experience leading birdwatching tours across Britain and internationally, ranging from long weekends to two-week cruises. He is also a regular contributor to Birdwatching magazine and has authored books on the best places to watch birds in Northern England.

Code: SDB03-WBR05

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Dates & availability

3 Night Guided Birdwatching in Western Yorkshire Dales

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

30 Oct - 2 Nov 2026

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£569

pp

Members

£539

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

2027

5 Feb - 8 Feb 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£589

pp

Members

£559

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£619

pp

£589

pp

5 Mar - 8 Mar 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£599

pp

Members

£569

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£629

pp

£599

pp

29 Oct - 1 Nov 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£649

pp

Members

£619

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£679

pp

£649

pp

19 Nov - 22 Nov 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£589

pp

Members

£559

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£619

pp

£589

pp
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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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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 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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