7 Night South Downs Self-Guided Walking Holiday

Abingworth Hall, Thakeham

7 nights at an HF Country House

Availability Jul-Nov 2026, Jan-Oct 2027

One itinerary available

Full Board

Grades 1, 2 & 3 details

112kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£724

pp

Members From

£694

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
So deserving of its National Park status finally bestowed in 2010, the South Downs has always been a siren call for walkers. A landscape of chalky cliffs, high-backed hills, ancient woodland, hidden valleys, and dramatic coastline, there’s plenty to impress those seeking the charm of the English countryside. This holiday rewards with incredible trails, big-name attractions, picturesque villages, historic towns, comfortable accommodation, and the flexibility and freedom to do as much or as little as you please.

Accommodation

HF Country House
Country living just got cosier at this former farmhouse. Abingworth Hall is just a skip away from the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs – a landscape of ancient woodland, hidden valleys, chalky cliffs, and high-backed hills so deserving of its national park status finally bestowed in 2010. While the views from the doorstep are as wow-worthy as you’d expect, the walking opportunities around the sightseeing greats such as Devil’s Dyke, Seven Sisters Country Park, Kingley Vale, Parham House, and the Clayton Windmills (known locally as Jack and Jill) are equally standout. You’ll also be within easy driving distance of several historic towns and cities, most fabulously Arundel, Chichester, and Brighton.
10688_0192 - Abingworth Hall

Walking grades and options

Explore at your own pace and choose the best walk for your pace and ability. 


What You’ll Love

  • Discovering the gorgeous landscape of the South Downs on foot   
  • Soaking up views of the coast, cliffs, and rolling countryside    
  • Spending time at Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve  
  • Visiting the castle and cathedral at nearby Arundel  
  • Making use of our detailed route notes and recommendations  
  • Staying a skip away from Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs 

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  
  • Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently 

Reviews


Gallery

Itinerary

Self-Guided

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.

These are a selection of longer walks on well-graded paths that allow you to discover local highlights and viewpoints. These routes are often further from the house but still offer walks that start and end on the doorstep of the property, plus options for guests travelling by public transport or car. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at Abingworth range from 6 to 8 miles and visit popular areas such as Pulborough Brooks, Arundel, and Seven Sisters. 

These walks are ideal for those with more stamina who can push themselves to go that extra mile. Some routes will start from the house, but some may require the use of a car. Public transport may not be possible for every route in this category due to remote locations. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at Abingworth range from 8 to 12 miles and visit popular areas such as Beachy Head, Petworth Park, and the South Downs Way. 

Our easiest selection means walking at a relaxed pace, often stopping and spending time at places of interest along the way. Some are circular walks that start and end on the doorstep of our country house; others make use of local transport whilst remaining close to the property. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at Abingworth range from 2 to 6 miles and visit popular areas such as Ditchling Beacon, Wolstonbury Hill, and Thakeham. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

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

Abingworth Hall, Thakeham

Country living just got cosier at this former farmhouse. Abingworth Hall is just a skip away from the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs – a landscape of ancient woodland, hidden valleys, chalky cliffs, and high-backed hills so deserving of its national park status finally bestowed in 2010. While the views from the doorstep are as wow-worthy as you’d expect, the walking opportunities around the sightseeing greats such as Devil’s Dyke, Seven Sisters Country Park, Kingley Vale, Parham House, and the Clayton Windmills (known locally as Jack and Jill) are equally standout. You’ll also be within easy driving distance of several historic towns and cities, most fabulously Arundel, Chichester, and Brighton.

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.

•  27 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 37 guests minimum  •  Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival)  •  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  •  Three lounges  •  Heated outdoor pool (open May to September*)  •  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, Abingworth Hall has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium. 

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. 

We love: The Premium Rooms for views of the impossibly pretty surroundings. 

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

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

 

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location 

*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am and 16:00pm – 18:30pm

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

Getting here

Address

Abingworth Hall
Storrington Road
Thakeham
West Sussex RH20 3EF

Tel: +44 (0)1798 813636

By train

The nearest station is Pulborough.  

Pulborough station has a short platform, so you’ll need to check the departure boards for which carriage to sit in.  

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

By taxi

The six-mile journey from Pulborough railway station takes about 15 minutes.  

It’s best to avoid arriving at Pulborough station between 2:50pm and 3:20pm as there may not be any taxis available due to school pick-ups.

For pricing, please contact the taxi company directly.

MJ Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from with MJ Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting: 

Tel: +44 (0)1903 745414
Email: mjcars@btconnect.com

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

*MJ Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.

Sue's Private Hire
You can pre-book a taxi with Sue's Private Hire* by phone, text or email. Please pre-book asap as there are no taxis based at Pulborough Station. Your journey will be mostly with a lady driver and an electric car.

Tel: +44 (0)1798 874848 / +44 (0)7918 137066
Email:- sueph520@yahoo.com

*Sue's Private Hire is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to change

By car

From the M25  
Take either the A24 or the M23 and then the A264 towards Horsham. At the Great Daux roundabout go south on the A24 towards Worthing. Go straight over two roundabouts and then at the traffic lights turn right onto the A272 to Billingshurst and Petersfield. After three miles turn left onto the B2139. Abingworth Hall is approximately four miles from this junction on the left hand side (go past Abingworth Meadows and Thakeham Pre-School). 

From the M27  
Continue onto the A27 around Chichester. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to the A29, then the second exit on to the B2139 to Storrington. At the mini roundabout, take the second exit onto the A283. Continue through Storrington then turn onto the B2139 towards Thakeham. Continue straight ahead at the traffic lights, and then take the first exit at the mini roundabout then the first exit. Continue down this road until you reach Abingworth Hall on the right.  

By air

The nearest airport is Gatwick Airport. 

The easiest way to get from Gatwick Airport to Abingworth Hall is by taxi, a 29-mile journey taking around 40 minutes. 

More Information

Walking safety (Self-guided)

  • Please complete and hand in your registration card to the House Manager on the first evening of your holiday
  • Please complete our Independent Walker Card each day before heading out on your self-guided walks.
  • Please note the phone number of the accommodation where you are staying (see Travel details section of your trip notes)
  • Check the weather forecast - this is updated regularly and displayed on the Discovery Point. Be prepared for the weather to change during the day and wear appropriate footwear such as walking boots. We would recommend that you wear or carry a waterproof jacket and trousers, a spare warm jumper or fleece, hat and gloves. In addition, we recommend a water bottle, spare food, map, compass, torch, whistle, small first aid kit and survival bag
  • Take a copy of a map and a route card
  • Be aware of ticks – more information can be found at the Discovery Point

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 - 112kg 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.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: ABW07-POA06

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Dates & availability

7 Night South Downs Self-Guided Walking Holiday

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

31 Jul - 7 Aug 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

7 Aug - 14 Aug 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,169

pp

Members

£1,139

pp
Single rooms

14 Aug - 21 Aug 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

Call to Enquire

Call to Enquire

Single rooms

£1,169

pp

£1,139

pp

21 Aug - 28 Aug 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

28 Aug - 4 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,169

pp

Members

£1,139

pp
Single rooms

4 Sep - 11 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,169

pp

Members

£1,139

pp
Single rooms

£1,169

pp

£1,139

pp

11 Sep - 18 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,169

pp

Members

£1,139

pp
Single rooms

18 Sep - 25 Sep 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,169

pp

Members

£1,139

pp
Single rooms

£1,239

pp

£1,209

pp

25 Sep - 2 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

2 Oct - 9 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,029

pp

Members

£999

pp
Single rooms

9 Oct - 16 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,029

pp

Members

£999

pp
Single rooms

£1,099

pp

£1,069

pp

16 Oct - 23 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,029

pp

Members

£999

pp
Single rooms

£1,029

pp

£999

pp

30 Oct - 6 Nov 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£899

pp

Members

£869

pp
Single rooms

£899

pp

£869

pp

6 Nov - 13 Nov 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£899

pp

Members

£869

pp
Single rooms

£969

pp

£939

pp

13 Nov - 20 Nov 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£899

pp

Members

£869

pp
Single rooms

£724

pp

£694

pp

2027

29 Jan - 5 Feb 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£909

pp

Members

£879

pp
Single rooms

£979

pp

£949

pp

5 Feb - 12 Feb 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£919

pp

Members

£889

pp
Single rooms

£744

pp

£714

pp

12 Feb - 19 Feb 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£919

pp

Members

£889

pp
Single rooms

£989

pp

£959

pp

19 Feb - 26 Feb 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£919

pp

Members

£889

pp
Single rooms

£744

pp

£714

pp

26 Feb - 5 Mar 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£919

pp

Members

£889

pp
Single rooms

£744

pp

£714

pp

5 Mar - 12 Mar 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£929

pp

Members

£899

pp
Single rooms

£999

pp

£969

pp

12 Mar - 19 Mar 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£929

pp

Members

£899

pp
Single rooms

£754

pp

£724

pp

19 Mar - 26 Mar 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£929

pp

Members

£899

pp
Single rooms

£999

pp

£969

pp

26 Mar - 2 Apr 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£929

pp

Members

£899

pp
Single rooms

2 Apr - 9 Apr 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£864

pp

£834

pp

9 Apr - 16 Apr 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

16 Apr - 23 Apr 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

30 Apr - 7 May 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

7 May - 14 May 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,269

pp

£1,239

pp

14 May - 21 May 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,024

pp

£994

pp

21 May - 28 May 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,269

pp

£1,239

pp

28 May - 4 Jun 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

11 Jun - 18 Jun 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,339

pp

£1,309

pp

18 Jun - 25 Jun 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,269

pp

£1,239

pp

25 Jun - 2 Jul 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,199

pp

Members

£1,169

pp
Single rooms

£1,269

pp

£1,239

pp

2 Jul - 9 Jul 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

9 Jul - 16 Jul 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,249

pp

£1,219

pp

16 Jul - 23 Jul 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,319

pp

£1,289

pp

30 Jul - 6 Aug 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,249

pp

£1,219

pp

6 Aug - 13 Aug 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,249

pp

£1,219

pp

13 Aug - 20 Aug 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,249

pp

£1,219

pp

20 Aug - 27 Aug 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,004

pp

£974

pp

27 Aug - 3 Sep 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,179

pp

Members

£1,149

pp
Single rooms

£1,249

pp

£1,219

pp

3 Sep - 10 Sep 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,209

pp

Members

£1,179

pp
Single rooms

£1,279

pp

£1,249

pp

10 Sep - 17 Sep 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

17 Sep - 24 Sep 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,209

pp

Members

£1,179

pp
Single rooms

£1,034

pp

£1,004

pp

24 Sep - 1 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,209

pp

Members

£1,179

pp
Single rooms

£1,279

pp

£1,249

pp

1 Oct - 8 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

8 Oct - 15 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

15 Oct - 22 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

22 Oct - 29 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp

29 Oct - 5 Nov 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,039

pp

Members

£1,009

pp
Single rooms

£1,109

pp

£1,079

pp
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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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