7 Night Exmoor Christmas & New Year Self-Guided Walking Holiday
Spend the festive season in Somerset and head out on winter walks that take you through Exmoor National Park. And when you’re not busy enjoying wintry scenery along the South West Coast Path, cosy up in Holnicote House – a beacon of Somerset hospitality near the impossibly pretty village of Selworthy. We pull out all the stops at this time of year and our houses welcome you with a sprinkling of festive cheer, seasonal food, and plenty of yuletide treats. So wrap up warm and step into Christmas with HF Holidays.
What you’ll love
- Getting into the festive spirit with a self-guided walking holiday
- Staying in our country house in rural Selworthy
- Heading out on your choice of winter walks
- The easy-to-follow routes and maps available in our Discovery Point
- Discovering the stunning landscapes of Exmoor on foot
- A celebration dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
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
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.
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Our easiest routes, allowing plenty of time to savour the beautiful scenery. All our walk notes suggest the best places to stop, great pubs, and tea rooms.
- Holnicote Estate walk - 1 mile
- Selworthy Beacon from the car park - 1 mile
- Dunkery Beacon from the car park - 2 miles
- Selworthy village - 2 miles
- Valley of Rocks - 2 miles
Some longer walks generally on good paths. Experience the beauty of Exmoor as you walk through delightful moorland scenery.
- Lynmouth to Watersmeet - 4 miles
- Dunkery Beacon from Webbers Post - 4 miles
- Selworthy villages walk - 4 miles½
- Webbers Post - 5 miles
- Around Dunster - 5 miles
- Selworthy Beacon - 5 miles
- Selworthy Beacon & Hurlstone Point - 6 miles
- Around Lynton & Watersmeet - 7 miles Sample route
For those who enjoy striding out. We've included some longer walks across Exmoor and along the coast.
- Quantocks circuit - 8 miles
- Selworthy: coast, views & villages - 9 miles
- Dunkery Beacon - 9 miles
- Dunkery Beacon & Horner Water - 12 miles
- Coast path & East Lyn river - 13 miles
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Holnicote House
There’s plenty to look forward to at this beacon of Somerset hospitality near the impossibly pretty village of Selworthy. The location couldn’t be more perfect; within rolling-out-of-bed distance from Exmoor National Park and an easy drive from Dunster Castle, Coleridge Cottage, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, and the sandy delights at Porlock and Minehead. The walking opportunities here are standout, too, not least for the trails around the Quantock Hills, Dunkery Beacon, Bossington, and a section of the England Coast Path that takes you on a glorious journey along the county’s coastline.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Holnicote House has 32 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 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, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The rooms in the main building or the thatched grounds, especially Rooms 1 and 4. The first floor rooms have fabulous views across Crawter Hill and Dunkery Hill.
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 |
*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, 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 Holnicote House
Getting to Holnicote House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Holnicote House
Selworthy
Minehead
Somerset TA24 8TJ
Tel: +44 (0)1643 862013
By train
The nearest station is Taunton.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
From Taunton train station it’s a 27-mile journey taking 1 hour.
For pricing, please contact Minehead Taxis directly.
Minehead Taxis
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Minehead Taxis*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1643 704123
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Holnicote House.
*Minehead Taxis is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
The number 28 bus runs between Taunton station and Minehead, taking around one and a half hours. At Minehead, change to the number 10 bus to the Selworthy turn (at the end of Holnicote House drive). A two-minute walk along the drive will bring you to the house.
For bus times, check Traveline.
By car
There’s free car parking at Holnicote House if you decide to drive.
From Bridgwater take the A39 though the southern outskirts of Minehead towards Porlock. You’ll find Holnicote House on the left about four and a half miles out of Minehead.
By air
The nearest airport is London Heathrow.
Take the train to London Paddington station where there are direct trains to Taunton. It’s a relatively straightforward journey that’ll should take around 2.5 hours.
Bristol Airport is also an option. From here, you can take the bus and train to Taunton.
Check National Rail for routes and train times.
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
- First-aid kit
Holnicote House 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 | ||||||||
|
23 Dec - 30 Dec 2024 7 nights |
Self-Guided Single from £1,150 Double from £1,325 pp |
from £1,325 pp |
from £1,150 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
27 Dec 2024 - 03 Jan 2025 7 nights |
Self-Guided Single from £1,030 Double from £1,205 pp |
from £1,205 pp |
from £1,030 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
112Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More