Our favourite holidays in 2023

Now we're well into 2023, it's time to start thinking about ticking off the destinations and adventures topping your wish list. We've got heaps of inspiration here; from Greece’s lesser-known island of Evia that’s all breathtaking beaches and natural wonders to Italy’s enchanting region of Umbria with its vineyards, olive groves, and medieval towns. Or you may fancy somewhere closer to home, such as the Cumbrian market town of Sedbergh or the Isle of Wight village of Freshwater Bay just a skip from Tennyson Down. Here are some of our favourite holidays worth putting on your radar this year. 

The peaceful Greek island of Evia rewards with superb walks, lovely vineyards, and glittering beaches where you may not see another soul. Highlights include the rocky ravines, waterfalls, and mysterious ‘dragon house structures in Dimosari Gorge and an ascent up Mount Ochi.

Umbria’s deep green valleys, cloud-shrouded mountains, and plentiful medieval, Roman, and Etruscan towns set the scene for some incredible walks. This guided walking holiday takes in the region’s most eye-popping ancient architecture, hilltop towns, and fascinating sights.

Our tread lightly holidays help protect the countryside we love. All walks start and end on the doorstep of our country houses – minimising your carbon footprint. With no need for transport, these holidays are kinder to the environment.

Embrace the slow-travel trend and rediscover the joys of a more romantic mode of transport. Avoid airport inconveniences and embark on a relatively stress-free and sustainable journey to Provence - the sunny corner of France famous for sweeping coastlines, charming villages, and wonderful local markets.

Learn all the tips and tricks you need to improve your bridge game. Morning teaching sessions with a qualified bridge expert will cover a different topic every day including defending, transfers, and simple overcalls. And you’ll have plenty of time to try out your new skills during games against your fellow guests.

Explore the corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park most adored by legendary guidebook author Alfred Wainwright. Little beats a stay at Thorns Hall – our Sedbergh country house where our centenary year in 2013 was marked by a royal visit from the then Prince of Wales, King Charles III. To find out how we’ll be celebrating His Majesty’s coronation on Saturday 6 May 2023, read our blog.

Discover New Zealand’s incredible array of landscapes with a walking holiday that covers both the north and south islands. Highlights include UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park, Mount Cook, and a cruise across Milford Sound. There’s also a chance to learn about Māori culture and experience a typical hāngī meal.

Nothing feels more precious than time away with your loved ones. Make everlasting memories with a family walking adventure in Cornwall. Spend a week in the seaside resort of St Ives and enjoy precious time together discovering the spectacular Cornish coastline.

Our holidays have a big focus on sociability, so we offer a fabulous selection for solo travellers wanting to enjoy shared experiences. There’s no hidden single supplement to pay, and even if you start off alone, you’ll find that strangers are easily brought together by a mutual love of the great outdoors. 

Thanks to its well-worn trails and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status, Shropshire is the perfect place for a self-guided walking holiday. Best of all, you’ll stay in the market town of Church Stretton at Longmynd House – our Grade II-listed property that’s just undergone a £1.2 million makeover. 

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is a fiercely independent isle big on British pride and French joie de vivre. Expect clifftop coastal paths, battle-worn castles, ruined forts, and places that played a pivotal role in WWII. There’s also spectacular sandy stretches fit to rival any beaches you’ll find on the continent.

While you might think we’re getting ahead of ourselves, our festive breaks are so popular they fill up months in advance. We offer Christmas and New Year holidays across the UK, but a stay at our characterful country house in the Scottish Highlands puts a long list of fabulous winter walks on your doorstep.