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Next Step Photography in Exmoor

Holnicote House

■ Location: Exmoor

■ Duration: 3 nights at an HF Country House

■ Board Basis: Full Board

■ Travel Dates: Feb-Nov 2027

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Carbon Footprint: 67kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£809

pp

Members From

£779

pp

Members Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
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Want to improve your photography skills? Join our expert tutor in Exmoor and get guidance on how to get the best photos of the region’s coastal towns, moorland and wildlife. Designed for keen photographers looking to take their skills to the next level, this trip includes hands-on instruction from our expert tutor in key areas such as selecting and using the right lenses for different scenes, mastering advanced composition techniques, and harnessing creative lighting and colour to elevate your images. As you photograph these breathtaking landscapes, you’ll also dive into advanced post-processing techniques, including the art of black-and-white editing.

Accommodation

HF Country 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.
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What You’ll Love

  • Spending time outdoors photographing some of the area’s best spots
  • Expert tuition by our professional Photography Leader
  • Developing your photography skills
  • Relaxing at our comfortable country house
  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 6 people 2026 and 10 people in 2027)

What's Included

  • 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  
  • Expert tuition
  • 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

Itinerary

Itinerary

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.

Our first full day starts with a morning tutorial covering a variety of photographic techniques. Afterwards, we will explore the local area around Holnicote House and the village of Selworthy.

Our first visit of the day is to two villages on the coast, Lynton and Lynmouth, known by the Victorians as Little Switzerland. We continue along the coastal path to the Valley of Rocks with wonderful scenery and flocks of wild goats, then to Watersmeet, one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands in the south west. Here, the East Lyn River cascades through the woodland, meeting Farley Water and giving the site its name.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

View all

Accommodation

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.

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.

Helping you enjoy the Great Outdoors - A natural focus on walks 

Walks talks and Discovery Points 
Our founder, country pastor turned social innovator, Thomas Arthur Leonard, was passionate about encouraging people to explore the countryside. His legacy continues in HF's continued focus on walking.  Many guests choose to travel with us on guided or self-guided walking holidays, and as such, evenings at our houses are often busy with walk leaders hosting various briefings and talks.  On guided walking holiday arrival days, there are walking information briefings before dinner, and for the duration of any guided walking holiday there will be a Walks Talk before (or on occasion after dinner), to go through the following day's walk options.  Self-guided walking guests, and those on special interest holidays (where there is free time to explore independently), are of course welcome to also join in these Walks Talks - please talk to the team locally if you have any queries. Our Discovery Points are filled with handy maps and route notes, designed to ensure everyone, not just those booked on a guided walking holiday, can enjoy the beautiful countryside settings that our HF houses enjoy.  

The walking day 
Prior to setting off on guided walks, our HF Holidays Leaders run through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure walkers 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.  

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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.

 •  32 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 43 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  •  Two lounges  •  Garden with croquet lawn  •  Well-behaved dogs welcome on self-guided holidays  •  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, 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.

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 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. 

 

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 Holnicote House

Address

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. 

More Information

Essentials 

  • Camera and any additional lenses you may have (e.g. wide-angle, telephoto, macro, etc.)
  • Memory card (and spare)
  • Spare battery and charger
  • Your camera's instruction manual
  • A laptop plus accessories for viewing, editing and sharing images (whilst it’s not essential, bringing your own laptop will mean you get more from your photography holiday if you shoot digital)
  • Waterproof clothing and outdoor footwear, ideally walking boots
  • Bag for your camera equipment, spare clothing, lunch, water, etc
  • Notebook and pencil (pencils work better in the rain!)
  • A tripod or monopod if you feel more comfortable with one

Optional extras 

  • Filters: neutral density and graduated, polarising will all help you achieve a wider variety of water images
  • Memory stick for storing images
  • Camera rain-protector—a shower cap or plastic bag, or something more expensive if you prefer

For being outside all day

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 over trousers
  • 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
  • First-aid kit

 

Carbon Footprint - 67kg 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

Andrew Hasson

Andrew has been a professional photographer for 35 years, and had his pictures published in newspapers and magazines all over the world.
His work has appeared on every page and in every section of every national newspaper in the UK. His first national front page was in 1991 and his last one was two weeks ago.
He is still regularly commissioned by The Times, the Sunday Times, the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, The Observer, the FT, the BBC and Channel 4. His portraiture and profile work is also constantly in demand from other private sources.

He lives in Brighton with his wife, an author. They have three sons and a granddaughter.

Code: SEL03-EPL05

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Dates & availability

Next Step Photography in Exmoor

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. Read more about membership

2027

26 Feb - 1 Mar 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£809

pp

Members

£779

pp
Single rooms

£839

pp

£809

pp
Book Now

26 Nov - 29 Nov 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£809

pp

Members

£779

pp
Single rooms

£839

pp

£809

pp
Book Now
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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 and self-guided 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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© 2026 HF Holidays Limited. Registered in England, number 5713R. VAT Number 125 4899 87. All Rights Reserved.

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