I have just returned from a holiday that I would never have chosen as we usually self cater and look for somewhere away from the madding crowd. I submitted a review of the rooms at The Apple Pie, Ambleside where we had stayed in February. A few weeks later I received an email from Silver traveller informing me that I had won a three night holiday with HF holidays in any one of their 18 country houses in the uk!! I couldn’t believe my eyes as I’ve never won anything like this before. I soon heard from hf themselves, who were very efficient and helpful. We decided on Monk Coniston, near to the shore of lake Coniston where Donald Campbell attempted the water speed record. Hf are geared up for walkers of which we are not so as I said we would not have chosen this holiday but as I won it we thought what have we got to lose and off we went! Well…. we have just spent the best few days holiday, what a surprise! The walks can be guided by friendly, experienced volunteers who really know their stuff and range from approximately 6, 9 and 12 mile walks depending on your experience/stamina or self guided, where you go off at your own pace, maps provided for various walks around the area. We opted for self guided as we are more ‘potterers’ than walkers. The holidays are full board, breakfast, packed lunch of your choice and evening three course meal. We went off to explore on our own and met up at dinner time with the nicest bunch of people you could wish to meet. We met people from Canada, Australia, America and Holland as well as the rest of us Brits, about forty of us altogether. We had quiz night which we won! A really fun beer and skittles night and a ‘Taste of Cumbria’ evening showcasing local produce. Monk Coniston is owned by the National Trust and leased to hf, it’s a small, comfortable country house, our room was spotlessly clean and comfortable. I would recommend this holiday company to anyone not just walkers, as you can do your own thing and as someone commented that usually walkers are really nice down to earth people which we certainly found to be true. There were several single people in the group who were welcomed heartily so an ideal holiday for singles too. I cannot recommend hf holidays highly enough. We are now trying to decide which of the other houses to go to next as we are well and truly hooked. Thankyou Silver traveller for choosing my review and giving us this brilliant opportunity.
“Fantastic walking holiday in Coniston Cumbria”:http://hfholidays.co.uk