7 Night Western Yorkshire Dales Guided Walking for Solos
Exclusively for solo travellers, this holiday is the perfect way to explore the high peaks and sweeping panoramas of the Yorkshire Dales whilst meeting new people and making lasting friendships. Enjoy the freedom of holidaying solo but with the bonus of friendly company as you set out on guided walks around highlights such as the picturesque Rawthey Valley and Howgill Fells — a favourite of legendary fellwalker and author Alfred Wainwright.
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
- En-suite accommodation in our 4-star 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 two guided walks (on walking days)
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
- Dedicated Solos host
- Welcome drinks reception
- Farewell dinner with drinks included
- 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.
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.
Option 1 - Dales Way
Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)
Ascent: 500 feet (160m)
In summary: A delightful walk alongside the River Lune following the Dales Way. We'll then cross the fields to Brigflatts church and Sedbergh.
Highlight: Discover the attractive and tranquil scenery of the Lune Valley. Our walk ends back in Sedbergh where you might like to visit one of the historic pubs or explore the town's celebrated bookshops.
Option 2 - Howgill Traverse
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Ascent: 2,150 feet (660m)
In summary: A fantastic north to south traverse across the Howgill Fells. Walking high in the hills for most of the day we'll follow the undulating ridge over Hazelgill Knott to the summit of The Calf, then continue onwards along the ridge to Sedbergh.
Highlight: The Calf is the highest point in the Howgills and enjoys a great view over the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District mountains.
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 - Middleton Fell
Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)
Ascent: 2100 feet (640m)
In summary: The Dales Way takes us into Dentdale before ascending to Combe Top on the long ridge of Middleton Fell. Looking across to the nearby summits we return by good paths over the open fell to reach Sedbergh.
Highlight: The climb up to Combe Top should offer dramatic views of Combe Scar.
Discover more about Thorns Hall and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day.
Option 1 - Along Dentdale
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 500 feet (140m)
In summary: Follow the Dales Way along Dentdale, through the village of Dent to Sedbergh. Our route follows the River Dee for most of the day before a gentle ascent over the hill to Sedbergh.
Highlight: We'll explore the small village of Dent, peacefully situated at the head of the valley, and discover the story of its 'terrible knitters.'
Option 2 - Whernside
Distance: 10½ miles (16.5km)
Ascent: 1950 feet (600m)
In summary: Ascend from Dentdale onto the lofty summit of Whernside. We descend by Deepdale and follow the River Dee into Dent.
Highlight: Whernside is the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks with excellent views of the Pennines, the Lake District and the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Option 1 - Eden Valley
Distance: 7.5 miles (11.5km)
Ascent: 650 feet (200m)
In summary: Walk through the rich green pastures of Cumbria's Eden Valley on this walk from Dufton to Appleby. Our route includes the magical wooded valley of Dufton Ghyll.
Highlight: Our walk connects the charming fell side village of Dufton, with the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland.
Option 2 - High Cup Nick
Distance: 9½ miles (15km)
Ascent: 1,850 feet (560m)
In summary: Follow the Pennine Way from Dufton to the magnificent High Cup Nick. Our route takes us around the rim of this deep cut valley before a descending back to Dufton.
Highlight: High Cup Nick is an immense 'U-shaped' valley carved into the slopes of the North Pennines - a dramatic natural feature.
Option 1 - River Dee and Briggflatts
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 600 feet (200m)
In summary: Via the village of Millthrop we head into Dentdale to walk beside the River Dee. We then cross the River Rawthey to visit the Quaker Meeting House at Brigflatts and the return to Sedbergh.
Highlight: The Quaker Meeting House is not only of historic interest, but coupled with its garden, is a place for quiet reflection.
Option 2 - 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.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Thorns Hall
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.
Rooms
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
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, 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.
Food & drink
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.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Thorns Hall
Getting to Thorns Hall
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
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.
2025 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.
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
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
- Walking poles
Thorns Hall Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Extra Savings for Members
HF Members save £30pp in the UK, £50pp in Europe & £80pp on worldwide holidays. Call us to join, add membership when booking online, or find out more here.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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||||
|
20 Jul - 27 Jul 2026 7 nights |
Version 1 Single from £1,399 £1,349 Double from £1,399 £1,349 pp |
from £1,399 £1,349 pp |
from £1,399 £1,349 |
Save £50 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
|
16 Oct - 23 Oct 2026 7 nights |
Version 1 Single from £1,199 £1,149 Double from £1,199 £1,149 pp |
from £1,199 £1,149 pp |
from £1,199 £1,149 |
Save £50 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
7 nights
from
£1,199pp
£1,149pp
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