3 Night Southern Lake District Festive Guided Walking Holiday
The Lake District has always conjured up an effortless sense of romance. But in winter, the whole place has an added sprinkling of magic. Spend the festive season amongst the much-loved walking trails and chocolate-box villages of the Southern Lake District. Our characterful country house at Monk Coniston will be at its festive best, making it a merry base from which to take wintry walks and much more. We pull out all the stops at this time of year and 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 guided walking holiday
- A choice of winter walks with our experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Discovering the stunning landscapes of Southern Lake District on foot
- Staying in our charming country house overlooking Coniston Water
- Enjoying festive fare and leaving all the organising to us
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)
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
- 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 - Hawkshead
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Ascent: 1,250 feet (380m)
In summary: A figure of 8 walk visiting the iconic beauty spot Tarn Hows, then across fields and open fell to the pretty village of Hawkshead.
Highlight: Hawkshead with its myriad of narrow alleyways. The countryside that inspired Beatrix Potter.
Option 2 - Coniston to Hawkshead via Grizedale
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 1,500 feet (460m)
In summary: Walk to Hawkshead village via Grizedale Forest and return over fields and open fell to Tarn Hows.
Highlight: Hawkshead with its myriad of narrow alleyways and connections with Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.
Option 3 - Hodge Close, Black Crag and Tarn Hows
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)
Ascent: 1,950 feet (600m)
In summary: We start with elevated views along Conistonwater, then descend to Yew Tree Farm. Ascending again we cross Uskdale Gap on the craggy Holme Fell, then descend again to view Hodge Close Quarry. We reach the widely panoramic summit of Black Crag. Finally a gentle descent takes us past picturesque Tarn Hows on our return to the house.
Highlight: A walk full of interest including Yew Tree Farm where the Beatrix Potter movie was filmed and the vast hole of Hodge Close Quarry.
Option 1 - Langdale Waterfalls
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 700 feet (220m)
In summary: Follow the Langdale Valley past Elterwater village, to the new Dungeon Ghyll Hotel through increasingly grand scenery.
Highlight: Spectacular waterfalls of Colwith Force and Skelwith Force.
Option 2 - The Langdale Valleys
Distance: 7½ miles (12km)
Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)
In summary: Walk along the peaceful valley of Little Langdale with its waterfalls and iconic Slaters Bridge. We pass Blea Tarn, then descend into the larger neighbouring valley of Great Langdale.
Highlight: Beautiful Blea Tarn, with its impressive views of some of the Lake District's most famous peaks.
Option 3 - Above Langdale
Distance: 8½ miles (14km)
Total ascent: 2,000 feet (600m)
In summary: Ascend to the great viewpoints of Side Pike and Lingmoor on the Langdale skyline. We descend to Elterwater Village to join the Cumbria Way along the base of this immense glacial valley.
Highlight: 'Threading the needle' (squeezing through a narrow fissure) to reach the summit of Lingmoor, and its classic view of the Langdale Pikes.
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 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 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 |
*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 Monk Coniston
Getting to Monk Coniston
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Monk Coniston
Coniston
Cumbria LA21 8AQ
Tel: +44 (0)1539 441566
By train
The nearest station is Windermere. From Windermere you can take a taxi or bus to Monk Coniston (see below).
The nearest mainline station is Oxenholme which may be more convenient for you, however there are no direct buses from Oxenholme to Monk Coniston. There are frequent trains from Oxenholme to Windermere.
Check National Rail for journey times and routes.
By taxi
The journey from Windermere train station to Monk Coniston is 10 miles.
From Oxenholme, it’s double that at 23 miles.
For pricing, please contact Ace Taxi directly.
Ace Taxi
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Ace Taxi*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1539 445445
Email: acetaxiwindermere@gmail.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Monk Coniston.
*Ace Taxi is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
The 505 takes you directly from Windermere station to Monk Coniston, taking about 50 minutes. The stop is right outside Monk Coniston.
Check Stagecoach for bus times.
By car
Car parking is available at Monk Coniston.
If travelling from the south, you’ll need to leave the M6 motorway at junction 36. Follow the A590 to Greenodd Roundabout, take the second exit and follow the A5092 before turning right onto the A5084 signposted to Torver. At the T junction turn right onto the A593 and follow into Coniston village. Turn right onto the B5286 and follow for 1.5 miles. The entrance to Monk Coniston will be on your right.
By air
The nearest airport is Manchester International Airport.
There are direct trains every hour to Oxenholme with the journey time around 90 minutes. From here you can change to Windermere or get a taxi (we recommend pre-booking one).
National Rail have up-to-date information on times and routes.
Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option, but it’ll take you at least four hours to reach Oxenholme. Take 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
- First-aid kit
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 | ||||||||
|
27 Dec - 30 Dec 2024 3 nights |
Twixmas Single from £565 Double from £565 pp |
from £565 pp |
from £565 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
| 2025 | ||||||||
|
27 Dec - 30 Dec 2025 3 nights |
Twixmas Single from £589 Double from £589 pp |
from £589 pp |
from £589 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
103Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More