3 Night Southern Lake District Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday
Explore the best landscapes the Southern Lake District has to offer with walks that start and end on the doorstep of our country houses. With no need for transport, our tread lightly holidays are kinder to the environment and will minimise your carbon footprint.
What you’ll love
- Exploring places that inspired Wordsworth, Ruskin, and Beatrix Potter
- Discovering charming Lakeland villages
- Soaking up views of rugged mountains and scenic lakes
- Spending time with like-minded people in the great outdoors
- Finding new routes and places to explore with your HF Holidays Leader
- Staying at Monk Coniston, our Grade II-listed country house
What’s included
- 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, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Choice of up to three different-grade daily walks
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
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.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
Option 1 - Coppermines Valley
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 380m (1,250ft)
In summary: Walk in the historic Coppermines valley and the lower slopes of Coniston Old Man.
Highlight: The history of mining in the area and feeling of being in among the fells.
Option 2 - Tarn Hows and Hole Rake
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 1,775 feet (540m)
In summary: We head out of the House, up through Hill Fell Plantation, to reach the picturesque Tarn Hows. From above the tarn, we then take a quiet path down to view the iconic Yew Tree Farm. Onto a bridleway and a short section of road, before we cut up across the hillside, over a couple of short rocky sections, on to the deep chasm of Tilberthwaite Gill. We ascend above the gill to near the top, where we turn into the hanging valley of Hole Rake on the flank of Wetherlam. This eventually brings us down into the Coppermines Valley, on down through the village and back to the House.
Highlight: A broad loop taking in the village, impressive mountain scenery, a gorge, waterfalls and ‘must-see’ local sights of Yew Tree Farm and Tarn Hows.
Option 3 - Coniston Old Man
Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Ascent: 2,800 feet (860m)
In summary: Head up to Coniston Old Man via the Coppermines Valley and the old slate miners track. From the summit descent via Goats Water to view the magnificent eastern crags of Dow Crag.
Highlight: The view from the top of Coniston Old Man.
Option 1 - Tarn Hows and Yew Tree Farm
Distance: 6.5 miles (10km)
Total ascent: 800 feet (260m)
In summary: Explore the charming countryside surrounding Monk Coniston and visit the picturesque Tarn Hows, a famous beauty spot.
Highlight: The picturesque views around Tarn Hows look like they are straight out of the pages of a Victorian tourist guide.
Option 2 - Black Crag and Tarn Hows
Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)
Ascent: 1,750 feet (540m)
In summary: Walking from the House, we cross woods and fields up to Iron Keld Plantation. We then traverse an open fell to Black Crag summit which commands a great viewpoint. Continuing on via Hollin Bank, we join the Cumbria Way, returning to Monk Coniston via the picturesque Tarn Hows.
Highlight: The summit of Black Crag is one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the Southern Lake District.
Option 3 - Low Tilberthwaite and Wetherlam
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)
Ascent: 2650 feet (800m)
In summary: A grand day out in the mountains, reaching the top of Wetherlam after a mild but exciting scramble up Wetherlam Edge.
Highlight: The sense of achievement on reaching the top having scrambled up ‘The Edge’.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Monk Coniston
With a desirable address overlooking Coniston Water (the inspiration for Arthur Ransome’s 1930 novel, Swallows and Amazons), this characterful Grade II-listed house delights with lakeside and woodland walks from the doorstep, décor that stays true to the period feel, and plenty of Beatrix Potter references. While the children's author and illustrator did not live at the Monk Coniston estate (her beloved home was Hill Top, bought in 1905 with the royalties from The Tale of Peter Rabbit), she campaigned with the National Trust to save it from development. She then purchased the entire estate in 1930 and as the new owner she immediately sold half to the organisation, bequeathing them the other half in her will.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Monk Coniston has 30 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, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surrounds. 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, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The rooms with a garden or lake view. We also love Room 9 on the first floor for its original features and beautiful views across the gardens and fields that slope down to the shores of Coniston Water.
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.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. 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.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
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, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on 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.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Monk Coniston
Getting to Monk Coniston
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
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 (or sunhat)
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- A small torch
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone and portable charger
- Watch
- 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
- Spare pair of socks
- Energy snacks
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles, useful for descents
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- Blister kit
- Waterproof rucksack liner
- Head torch
- GPS device
Monk Coniston Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
29 Mar - 01 Apr 2024 4 nights |
Tread Lightly Single from £449 £399 Double from £449 £399 pp |
from £449 £399 pp |
from £449 £399 |
Save £50 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
04 Oct - 07 Oct 2024 4 nights |
Tread Lightly Single from £449 £399 Double from £449 £399 pp |
from £449 £399 pp |
from £449 £399 |
Save £50 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
25 Oct - 28 Oct 2024 4 nights |
Tread Lightly Single from £405 £355 Double from £405 £355 pp |
from £405 £355 pp |
from £405 £355 |
Save £50 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
4 nights
from
£405pp
£355pp
On offer
or call 020 3974 8865
For group bookings of 10+ guests click here
