4-Night Exmoor Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Tread Lightly Destinations: Exmoor & England Trip code: SLSUS-4 2 & 3 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW We are all well-versed in ‘leaving no trace’ but now we invite you to join us in taking it to the next level with our new Tread Lightly walks. We have pulled together a series of spectacular walks which do not use transport, reducing our carbon footprint while still exploring the best landscapes that Exmoor have to offer. You will still enjoy the choice of three top-quality walks of different grades as well as the warm welcome of a HF country house, all with the added peace of mind that you are doing your part in protecting our incredible British countryside. The sweeping hills, wooded combes and glorious seascapes of the Exmoor National Park reward every footstep with an astonishing range of landscapes and moods to enjoy. Vibrant yellow gorse, purple heather, wild ponies and red deer meet a backdrop of huge blue skies and seas, adding a colourful variety to our Guided Walks. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • 3 days guided walking • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • Choice of up to three guided walks each walking day • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Head out on guided walks to discover the varied beauty of Exmoor on foot • Admire panoramic moorland views and expansive seascapes • Let an experienced leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Visit some of Somerset's most beautiful picture postcard villages • Look out for wildlife, find secret corners and learn about the history of the moors and coastline • Discover the clarity of the night sky in this International Dark Sky Reserve • A relaxed pace of discovery in a sociable group keen to get some fresh air in one of England’s most beautiful walking areas • Evenings in our country house where you share a drink and re-live the day’s adventures ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Pretty Somerset Villages Option 1 - Exploring Horner Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) Ascent: 1,050 feet (320m) In summary: A circular walk exploring the countryside and woodland around Holnicote House. Our route takes us through the village of Horner up through the wooded slopes of Horner Wood before reaching the Jubilee Hut. We then descend passing orienteering posts and beautiful beech trees before arriving back to Holnicote House. Highlight: Amble through ancient oak trees and arrive at wonderful views of the Porlock vale and maybe even the Welsh Coastline. Option 2 - Lucott Farm Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 1,900 feet (580m) In summary: A circuit visiting Horner packhorse bridge and oak woodlands en route to Lucott Farm and continuing above Hawk Combe to West Luccombe and then to Holnicote. Highlight: The Horner packhorse bridge is the oldest in Somerset. Beautiful native woodland and moorland views. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Option 3 - Periton Hill Distance: 11 miles (16km) Ascent: 2,050 feet (620m) In summary: After climbing to Webber’s Post, we will traverse the lower slopes of Dunkery Hill before passing through Wootton Courtenay and crossing over the wooded slopes above the village. We skirt Minehead before returning to Selworthy. Highlight: The beaver enclosure on the Holnicote Estate at the start of the walk. Fantastic views and a possible tea stop on Selworthy Green. Day 3: Porlock & Horner Wood Option 1 - Pop Into Porlock Distance: 5.5 miles (8.5km) Ascent: 540 feet (160m) In Summary: This is a relaxed circular walk across fields and minor roads to visit Porlock and then back along the coast and through the charming villages of Bossington and Allerford. Highlight: The village of Porlock is a great place to visit with it's church, museum, shops and cafes. On the way back we visit the much photographed packhorse bridge at Allerford. Option 2 - Explore North Hill Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km) Ascent: 1,700 feet (520m) In Summary: A circular walk exploring the eastern end of North Hill. We ascend gradually to the top of North Hill, where we have the opportunity to explore the remains of WWII tank training grounds before descending to return to the house via Lady Acland’s hut. Highlight: The whole of North Hill was requisitioned by the military during WWII to train British, Canadian and American troops in operating tanks. Traces of where they lived and trained still remain, if you know where to look! Option 3 - Lucott Farm Via Tarr Bull Distance: 11 miles (17.5km) Ascent: 2,400 feet (740m) In Summary: After passing through Horner Wood and following the upper reaches of Horner Water we will emerge onto Tarr Ball Hill with extensive views over Nutscale reservoir and open moorland. We then pass Lucott Farm and return above Hawk Combe. Highlight: Horner Wood National Nature Reserve and fantastic views across wide open Exmoor moorland. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 4: Beacons & Beaches Option 1 - Selworthy And Its Beacon Distance: 5 miles (8km) Ascent: 1,100 feet (340m) In summary: We pass through Allerford, famous for it’s picturesque pack horse bridge then continue to Lynch and the old Chapel. We then start our ascent to Selworthy Beacon through woodland, finally emerging to cross moorland to the trig point at the Beacon. After taking in the views across to the Welsh coast line, we descend via Selworthy village where we can explore the white-washed church and thatched cottages huddled around the green. Then it’s time to make our way back to the House via an old cobbled track. Highlight: Spectacular views from Selworthy Beacon, to Nash Point Lighthouse, the Quantocks and beyond on a clear day. Option 2 - Dunkery Beacon Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 1,900 feet (580m) In Summary: This is a circular walk visiting the highest point on Exmoor and Somerset. The walk takes us through woodland and then moorland to Dunkery Beacon and returns on a meandering path alongside the delightful river Horner. Highlight: The views from the top of Dunkery Beacon are fabulous. The tea room at Horner is also a welcome stopping off point. Option 3 - Selworthy Circuit Distance: 11 miles (17.5km) Total ascent: 1,900 feet (580m) In Summary: A longer circuit through the Holnicote Estate takes us to the coast at Hurlstone Point, then along the ridge over Selworthy Beacon. Eventually we descend from North Hill and return via Selworthy village. Highlight: Enjoy the great views from the top of Selworthy Beacon - on a clear day you can see across the Bristol Channel to the Brecon Beacons. Day 5: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Holnicote House Lying near the attractive village of Selworthy, in the heart of the Exmoor National Park, historic Holnicote House stands within a series of peaceful gardens with spreading lawns. Once the centrepiece of an extensive 12,500 acre estate, the charming and characterful house was gifted to the National Trust in 1944. Since then it has been reimagined as a walkers’ retreat, with wonderful access to the countryside. As well as 32 delightful www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 bedrooms, there are two comfortable lounges and a sociable bar. The landscaped gardens are still part of the wider Holnicote Estate and provide a wonderful area to wander. Outside the house, explore wild Exmoor, walk in the Quantocks, climb Dunkery Beacon and stroll on the Somerset Coast Path with the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, drop in Dunster Castle, ride a Victorian cliff railway and watch for wildlife including the majestic red stags. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay.