Holidays
4 Night Western Yorkshire Dales Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday

4 Night Western Yorkshire Dales Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday

Name: 4 Night Western Yorkshire Dales Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday
Brand: HF Holidays Limited
SKU: SDB04-SUS01
Availability: InStock

Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

■ Location: Yorkshire Dales

■ Duration: 4 nights at an HF Country House

■ Board Basis: Full Board

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Carbon Footprint: 103kg CO2 details

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Explore the best landscapes the Western Yorkshire Dales 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.

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.

What You’ll Love

Exploring the landscape of the Western Yorkshire Dales on foot
Discovering high peaks, rugged dales, and quaint market towns
Hunting for second-hand books in Sedbergh’s shops and cafés
Spending time with like-minded people in the great outdoors
Finding new routes and places to explore with your HF Holidays Leader
Staying at Thorns Hall, our Grade II-listed manor 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 guided walks (on walking days)
Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently

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.

Version 1

Day 1 Arrival Day

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.

Day 2 The Howgill Fells & Sedbergh

Option 1 - Rawthey Valley

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 750 feet (220m)

In summary: Explore the green valleys around Sedbergh on this circular walk. We'll head through the fields into Garsdale and then return beside the Clough River and River Rawthey.

Highlight: Towards the end of the walk we'll pass Farfield Mill. This lovingly restored Victorian woollen mill that now hosts a heritage centre.

Option 2 - Over the Howgills

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 1,850 feet (580m)

In summary: This circular walk from Sedbergh ascends to the summit of Arant Haw in the Howgill Fells. We then descend over the Nab to join the Dales Way and return to Sedbergh passing the Brigflatts Quaker Meeting House and the River Rawthey.

Highlight: An opportunity to get high onto the Howgill Fells; a beautiful upland area of rolling grassy hills.

Option 3 - The Calf

Distance: 10.5miles (17km)

Ascent: 2750 feet (840m)

In summary: After a valley walk along the Rawthey Valley we'll ascend steeply past the Cautley Spout waterfall onto the Howgill Fells. We'll head to The Calf, the highest point of the Howgills, before a glorious descent along the ridge to Sedbergh.

Highlight: The classic Howgills walk where you'll get to experience this stunning landscape and soak up the views of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

Day 3 The River Lune & Howgills

Option 1 - Along the Dales Way

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 650 feet (220m)

In summary: The walk traverses slightly above Sedbergh before descending to reach the River Lune. Here we join The Dales Way, pass the Lune viaduct and the Brigflatts Quaker Meeting House to complete our circuit back to Sedbergh.

Highlight: Howgill views, and section of The Dales Way alongside the River Rawthey.

Option 2 - The Dales Way and River Rawthey

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 1,000 feet (320m)

In summary: Walk along the base of Winder, before descending towards the River Lune and The Dales Way, which is followed to Millthrop Bridge. From here it is a short walk back to Thorns Hall.

Highlight: Views of the Lune Valley, followed by beautiful walking beside the River Rawthey.

Option 3 - Bram Rigg Top and Great Dummacks

Distance: 10.5 miles (17km)

Ascent: 2,700 feet (820m)

In summary: An unusual West-East traverse of the Howgills, which includes s steep ascent to Bram Rigg Top. The descent is via the attractive Fawcett Bank Rigg, where the gradient steepens shortly before reaching the Rawthey Valley en route to Thorns Hall.

Highlight: The descent offers wonderful views south towards Sedbergh and beyond.

Day 4 Rivers Rawthey & Dent with Aye Gill Pike

Option 1 - Shadow of the Howgills

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Ascent: 700 feet (220m)

In summary: The walk starts by crossing a patchwork of fields beneath the Howgills, before more fields south of the River Rawthey. This is followed by a good path on the open fell and a short section of The Dales Way back to Sedbergh.

Highlight: A walk which offers the prospect of great views of the Howgills throughout.

Option 2 - Circuit to Dentdale

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 950 feet (300m)

In summary: The walk goes over the modest Frostrow Fells before descending to delightful Dentdale, and a section beside the River Dee. Part of The Dales Way is now joined for the return to Sedbergh.

Highlight: The peace and tranquility of Dentdale.

Option 3 - Aye Gill Pike

Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)

Ascent: 1,750 feet (540m)

In summary: A well-graded ascent, albeit with the prospect of some boggy sections, leads to the summit of Aye Gill Pike. The descent is into Garsdale, before walking beside the Rivers Clough & Rawthey back to Thorns Hall.

Highlight: The descent affords fantastic views towards the Howgills and beyond.

Day 5 Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

View all

Accommodation

Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

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.

Getting here

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

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

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

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

Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and 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 where 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. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.

Carbon Footprint - 103kg CO2

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.

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4 Night Western Yorkshire Dales Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday

Accommodation

HF Country House

What You’ll Love

What's Included

Itinerary

Version 1

Option 1 - Rawthey Valley

Option 2 - Over the Howgills

Option 3 - The Calf

Option 1 - Along the Dales Way

Option 2 - The Dales Way and River Rawthey

Option 3 - Bram Rigg Top and Great Dummacks

Option 1 - Shadow of the Howgills

Option 2 - Circuit to Dentdale

Option 3 - Aye Gill Pike

Accommodation

Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

Getting here

Check-In & Check-Out

About

Food & drink

Rooms

Accessibility

Getting here

Address

By train

By shared transfer

By taxi

By car

By air

More Information

Packing list

Walking safety

Carbon Footprint - 103kg CO2

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