HF Holidays Special Interest Holidays 2024

Third edition January 2024

Indulge in your passions Special Interest Breaks 2024

What sets HF Holidays apart HF Holidays offers 260-plus holidays in the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world.

Run as a co-operative with over 46,000 members, we focus on community, a choice of walks, and connecting like-minded people in some of the best places on the planet.

A British heritage brand with 110 years of experience Superb value holidays that focus on friendship, fellowship, fun, fresh air, and the feelgood factor Full-board as standard on our UK country house holidays, including packed lunches No single supplement to pay for solo travellers staying at our country houses* Experienced HF Holidays Leaders and Special Interest tutors Over 37,000 five-star Feefo reviews

Share your stories

* When staying in a single room

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

HF Holidays is well-versed in designing holidays that spark curiosity and adventure, especially for those who love trying out new things. Whether it’s painting, music, yoga, reading, cookery, or bridge that appeals, our special interest holidays will get you learning a new skill – or improving on one. Best of all, these breaks cater for everyone; couples, groups of friends, or solo travellers keen to meet like-minded people.

Led by expert tutors, you’re assured quality teaching and guidance as well as ample practice time to improve on your technique.

Accommodation comes by way of our characterful UK country houses where the countryside or coastline takes centre stage. We’ve put together an exclusive look at our best-selling breaks available from winter 2023 to spring 2024.

Start your search here for a holiday that sparks your imagination, maximises your creativity, and combines a stunning location with something you’re passionate about.

Harriet Holme UK Product Manager

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Our country houses Cherished for their one-of-a-kind charm and sense of warmth, our 16 characterful UK country houses all have desirable addresses just a skip away from some of the UK’s best-loved national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Accommodation All houses assure well-appointed guest rooms in up to three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.

All have tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, TVs, and en-suite bathrooms with toiletries.

For an extra charge, our more spacious Premium and Superior guest rooms offer upgraded amenities. We also have supplement-free single rooms available for solo travellers.

Food & drink Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival, breakfasts, packed lunches, and threecourse evening meals. Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please inform us of any food intolerances or allergies at the time of booking.

Facilities  Well-appointed guest rooms (Classic, Premium,

or Superior)

 Comfortable lounges and public spaces  Handy boot and drying rooms  Free onsite parking and EV chargers

(except Alnmouth)

 Licensed bar  Discovery Points with easy-to-follow routes, maps,

and local information for self-guided walks

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Art & Craft With the countryside as an inspiring backdrop, our art holidays cater for all ability levels; from beginners who love immersing themselves in this creative pastime to more experienced artists hoping to shake up their style. Led by expert tutors, you’ll get the chance to meet other arty folk and have practise your technique in peaceful surroundings.

Come & Craft Weekend 3 nights from £349 pp Months of travel Feb

Mar

Oct

Nov

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

2024

Experimental Portraits 3 nights from £459 pp Months of travel Nov

Southern Yorkshire Dales

2024

Painting with Acrylic & Mixed Media 4 nights from £549 pp Months of travel Mar

NEW Next Step Drawing

3 nights from £539 pp 4 nights from £699 pp Months of travel May

Sep

Shropshire Hills Southern Yorkshire Dales

2024

Next Step Watercolour 3 nights from £459 pp 4 nights from £699 pp Months of travel Mar

Nov

2024

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

Nov

Shropshire Hills Isle of Wight

2024

New dates added Introduction to Watercolours

3 nights from £459 pp | 4 nights from £549 pp Months of travel Feb

Nov

2024

Cotswolds Southern Yorkshire Dales South Downs

New dates added Introduction to Drawing 4 nights from £549 pp Months of travel Mar

Oct

Nov

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Explore Nature

Mind & Body

Thousands of rare bird species flock to our shores every year so these holidays are a great way to discover the best birding sites the UK has to offer. Use our easy-to-follow routes for self-guided walks to bird watching hotspots, before an evening of talks, tips, and advice from a local ornithologist, plus an HF Holidays Host to help you identify any species you’ve spotted.

Ticking boxes for a getaway full of soul-searching and tranquillity, our mind and body holidays give you every chance to hit the pause button and focus on your mental and physical well-being. Led by expert tutors, you’ll enjoy daily yoga or Pilates classes, both of which offer plenty of health benefits, in the relaxed setting of our characterful country houses.

Bird Watching

New dates added Pilates & Walking

Months of travel

Months of travel

3 nights from £365 pp | 4 nights from £449 pp Feb

Mar

Nov

Northumberland

3 nights from £469 pp | 4 nights from £529 pp Feb

Mar May Oct

2024

2024

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales Exmoor South Downs

Yoga & Walking

3 nights from £429 pp | 4 nights from £619 pp Months of travel Mar

Oct

2024

Southern Yorkshire Dales North York Moors

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Literature HF Book Club

Whether you’re continually diving into a page-turner or a lapsed reader wanting to find your way back to an enjoyment of books, you can look forward to friendship-forming experiences with fellow guests as you’re invited to explore texts, discuss story ideas, formulate opinions, and perhaps find inspiration to pen your own literary masterpiece.

Themes  Southern Lake District: Farm & Country  Western Yorkshire Dales: Historical Fiction  Exmoor: Literary Exmoor

3 nights from £459 pp | 4 nights from £689 pp Months of travel Mar

Sep 2024

Oct

Southern Lake District Western Yorkshire Dales Exmoor

NEW Creative Writing & Walking These breaks are perfect for both complete beginners and budding authors looking to build on their skills, style, and confidence. Based at selected country houses, you’ll enjoy a mix of group writing workshops and a one-to-one session with a published author and guided walks alongside an HF Holidays Leader.

7 nights from £1,159 pp Months of travel Mar

Southern Lake District Cotswolds

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Music & Singing Our music holidays hit the perfect note. Not only do they celebrate creativity both individually and collectively, but they break down boundaries and bring people together regardless of talent and experience. All that’s needed is an open mind and the desire to put in your best efforts.

HF Folk Jam

3 nights from £459 pp Months of travel Mar

Nov

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

2024

HF Choir

3 nights from £429 pp | 4 nights from £529 pp Months of travel Feb

Mar

Nov

Peak District Shropshire Hills

2024

NEW Choir & Walking

3 nights from £459 pp | 4 nights from £659 pp Months of travel Apr

Oct

2024

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Bridge

Enjoy morning bridge sessions and evening competitions led by experienced EBU-qualified bridge directors. Beginners can get up to speed on techniques, and terminology, while more experienced players will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge.

Solo players are welcome. EBU Master Points can be earned on Bridge & Walking and Stay & Play breaks.

Introduction to Bridge 3 nights from £459 pp Months of travel Mar

Nov

2024

Peak District Cotswolds

Improve Your Bridge

3 nights from £499 pp | 4 nights from £549 pp Months of travel Apr

Oct

Nov

2024

Shropshire Hills Cotswolds

Bridge & Walking

3 nights from £549 pp | 4 nights from £689 pp 7 nights from £1,169 pp Months of travel Mar

Apr

May

2024

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

Stay & Play Bridge

3 nights from £469 pp | 4 nights from £575 pp 7 nights from £1,035 pp Months of travel Mar

Apr

May

2024

Peak District Southern Yorkshire Dales

New Year Bridge

4 nights from £909 pp Months of travel Dec

Shropshire Hills

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Navigation Skills

Board Games

There’s an art to navigating the outdoors that goes beyond mastering a GPS tracking device and loading a smartphone app. You’ll learn to read a map, find grid references, correctly work your compass, and estimate distances and timings as well as plan your own countryside walks. No experience is needed.

It’s all fun and games on these breaks, not least because they help connect like-minded people and lead to all sorts of interesting conversations. Staying in the comfort of our characterful country houses, you’ll get to choose from a selection of board games – or you can bring your own.

Navigation for Beginners

3 nights from £365 pp

3 nights from £439 pp

Months of travel Southern Yorkshire Dales Jan

Mar

Nov

2024

Southern Lake District Shropshire Hills Peak District Exmoor

Board Games Break Months of travel Mar

Oct

2024

Shropshire Hills Peak District

Navigation for Women 3 nights from £439 pp Months of travel Feb

Mar 2024

Nov

Peak District Northern Lake District Shropshire Hills

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Christmas Markets & Winter Walking Add an extra sprinkling of magic to your winter. Our brand-new Christmas Markets & Winter Walking breaks combine a choice of guided walks with visits to some of the best festive experiences in Britain.

Christmas Markets & Winter Walking in the Cotswolds

Get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to the Cotswolds that includes guided winter walks in the countryside plus entry to Blenheim Palace’s fabulous festive market experience.

3 nights from £439 pp Months of travel Nov

Dec

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Christmas Markets & Winter Walking in the Peak District

For those seeking dramatic Pennine scenery this winter, the Peak District has plenty to please. This tour adds an extra touch of magic with a trip to Chatsworth House for its famous Christmas market.

3 nights from £439 pp Months of travel Nov

Dec

2024

Christmas Markets & Winter Walking in the North York Moors

Cooking & Walking As a culinary powerhouse, Italy has always been a persuasive draw.

So it’s easy to see the appeal of our holidays that focus on the food and wine of this fascinating country.

Enjoy olive oil and Marsala wine-tasting experiences in Sicily, perfect your antipasti preparation in Puglia, or make your own gelato on the Amalfi Coast.

Sicily Food & Hike

7 nights from £1,659 pp† Months of travel Apr

May

Oct Italy

2024

Amalfi Coast Cooking & Walking 7 nights from £1,659 pp†

Combine magical winter walks in the North York Moors with a visit to York Minster in its full festive splendour. Snap up some Christmas goodies at York’s famous festive markets.

3 nights from £439 pp Months of travel Nov 2024

Months of travel Apr

May

Sep

Italy

2024

Puglia Cooking & Walking 7 nights from £2,399 pp† Months of travel Oct Italy 2024

† Prices include flights. Land only packages also available online.

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Discovery Tours Our discovery tours have been expertly designed to strike the perfect balance between sightseeing, culture, and activities. Simply put, you’ll explore some of the best attractions and viewpoints a destination has to offer. Best of all, you’ll do littleto-no planning as we take care of everything. * 7-night tour only. Featured highlights may differ on 3 and 4-night durations.

Brecon Beacons Discovery Tour

Tretower Court

This tour explores medieval life at Tretower Court and Castle and the region’s mining past in UNESCO-listed Blaenavon. You’ll also enjoy a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway and a riverboat cruise along the River Tawe.* 3, 4 & 7 nights from £619 pp Months of travel Jun

Jul

2024

Southern Lake District Discovery Tour

Muncaster Castle

From the award-winning Holker Hall to William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, we showcase the best of the Southern Lake District. Soak up the scenery aboard a Windermere cruise and enjoy a falconry display at Muncaster Castle.* 3, 4 & 7 nights from £619 pp Months of travel Jun Windermere

Jul

2024 2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Snowdonia Discovery Tour

Cotswolds Discovery Tour

Conwy Castle

Blenheim Palace

We’ve lined up a trio of UNESCO-listed castles on this trip. Learn about Harlech Castle and the English Civil War, explore the imposing Caernarfon Castle, and visit Conwy. Top it all with a ride aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway.*

This Cotswolds Discovery Tour is a great way to tick-off all the must-sees.

Visit classic towns, spend time at Blenheim Palace – birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill - and relax in Hidcote Manor Gardens among other highlights.*

3, 4 & 7 nights from £589 pp

3, 4 & 7 nights from £589 pp

Months of travel

Months of travel

Jul

Jul

Aug

2024

Aug

2024

Northumberland Discovery Tour

Peak District Discovery Tour

Cromford Mills

Bamburgh Castle

Be wowed by the mighty castles of Bamburgh and Warkworth, find out about Roman Britain along Hadrian’s Wall, and take a boat trip around the Farne Islands – home to nesting birds and a thriving grey seal colony.*

Hear the history of the 11th-century Haddon Hall, find out about the industrial revolution at Cromford Mills, and uncover the warts-and-all story of Eyam and its battle against the Great Plague in 1665.*

3, 4 & 7 nights from £529 pp

3, 4 & 7 nights from £579 pp

Months of travel

Months of travel

Apr

Jun

Jun 2024

Oct

Sep

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

Southern Yorkshire Dales Discovery Tour Isle of Wight Discovery Tour

York

Osborne House

Walk around the ruins and parkland of UNESCO-listed Fountains Abbey, visit the Roman spa town of Harrogate, and explore York’s showstealing attractions.

There’s also time to stop by Brontë Parsonage.*

View the world-famous Needles and admire exotic plants at Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Spend time at Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House, and top it off with a ride aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.*

3, 4 & 7 nights from £529 pp

3, 4 & 7 nights from £539 pp

Months of travel

Months of travel

Jun

Jun

Jul

Oct

2024

Oct

2024

Shropshire Hills Discovery Tour

Cornwall Discovery Tour

Eden Project

Ironbridge

Glimpse life in Roman Britain at Wroxeter and cross the border into Wales. Other highlights include the medieval town of Ludlow and UNESCO-listed Ironbridge – cradle of the Industrial Revolution.*

Get an insight into the region’s tin mining past with a trip to Geevor Tin Mineand spend time in storied smuggling haunts like Mousehole and Penzance. You’ll also have the chance to visit the worldrenowned Eden Project.*

3, 4 & 7 nights from £589 pp

3, 4 & 7 nights from £579 pp

Months of travel

Months of travel

May

May

Jun 2024

Sep

Jul

Sep

2024

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

South Downs Discovery Tour

Brighton Pavillion

Discover Andalucia

Seville

Go wildlife-spotting in Petworth Park, and visit Parham House. Explore natural wonders such as Devil’s Dyke, enjoy the bucket-and-spade charms of Brighton, and stop by the Roman-founded city of Chichester.*

Andalucia raises the bar for beaches, fiestas, tapas, history, and nature.

Starting in Malaga, our guided holiday is loaded with big-name attractions, including Alpujarras, Granada, and Seville.*

3, 4 & 7 nights from £569 pp

7 nights from £1,799 pp†

Months of travel

Months of travel

Jun

Mar Spain

Oct

2024

2024

Scottish Highlands Discovery Tour

The Best of Slovenia’s Julian Alps

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Lake Bled

Admire the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and look out for red deer and mighty white-tailed eagles. Watch traditional highland wool spinners at work and explore the pretty village of Plockton.*

Spend time in Triglav National Park, and visit Ljubljana – Slovenia’s capital city. Other highlights include strolling the shores of Lake Bled and the incredibly scenic Lake Jasna.

7 nights from £1,429 pp

Months of travel

Months of travel Jun 2024

7 nights from £1,674 pp† Jun

Oct Slovenia

2024

† Prices include flights. Land only packages available online.

For all our Special Interest breaks visit hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest

110 years of walking and special interest holidays

Portmeirion, Wales

“Enthusiastic and knowledgeable leader who brought the best out of a bunch of people who had never met before!”

Trusted guest, HF Choir in the Southern Yorkshire Dales

Get in touch Call 020 3974 8865 | Email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk Browse over 260 holidays online at hfholidays.co.uk We're open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5.30pm and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays and Bank Holidays

*T&C’s apply. Details correct at time of publication (9.11.23). Full dates and prices are available online. All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. Single rooms may be available online or call to enquire. Non-member fee of £30 per person will apply. For full terms and conditions visit hfholidays.co.uk/booking-conditions