Holiday Outlines - Autumn 2008

Fuller detail
This second half of the South Downs Way follows the crest of the Downs from the Saxon village of Steyning through increasingly wild and isolated stretches to the culmination of the Downs near Winchester. Along the way there are superb views to enjoy, and many fascinating historical landmarks, from ancient beacons and a lost medieval village, to the hill where the first semaphore messages were sent in the Napoleonic Wars. For the first 3 nights we stay in ensuite twins or singles at the Arundel Park Hotel close to the station in Arundel - making it easy to come by train. For the last 2 nights we all sleep in standard singles at friendly Wetherdown hostel located right on the Way. There will be transport to walks where needed. The average distance is 12 miles a day (longest day is 15 miles). On reaching Winchester on the last day, there will be time to visit the cathedral before our helpful taxi firm brings the luggage for those leaving by train, or gives a lift back to Arundel to any car drivers (cost depends on number of car drivers). Apart from one meal at Wetherdown, our evening meals will be in local inns (not included - from £15).

See photos & feedback from last year's holiday?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
For this lovely weekend in early autumn we'll be staying at the friendly Howe Keld Hotel in Keswick near the lake and the landing stage for the Keswick Launch - which we can use to reach walks around the lake. There are many lovely gentle walks in this area, perhaps starting with the path along the far lakeshore for its excellent views down the lake and across to the craggy wooded promontories of Borrowdale. From the end of the lake we can walk into Borrowdale for tea beside the river at Grange. On Sunday there could be a rewarding walk to Watendlath past pretty Ashness bridge and 'Surprise View', or we might walk to Castlerigg Stone Circle which has a superb setting surrounded by fells. This weekend is priced on a full board basis, and in the evenings we'll enjoy David and Valerie's excellent cooking - so do arrive by 6.30pm on the first night!

See photos from a previous Gentle Derwent Water?
Use your browser Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The West Highland Way is one of the most breathtaking long distance paths, following ancient trails steeped in history through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, from the Scottish lowlands near Glasgow to Fort William near the foot of Ben Nevis in the Highlands. There'll be the wonderful colours of autumn along the shores of Loch Lomond, dramatic waterfalls in Glen Falloch, the bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor, and the dramatic Highland scenery of Glencoe and Lairigmor. We start from Drymen, missing out the first road walking section from Glasgow. From Drymen it is 83 glorious miles to Fort William, averaging 12 miles and 340m of ascent a day over 7 walking days. On the way we stay mostly in B&Bs, old coaching inns, and small hotels, with one night exclusive use of a beautifully converted and catered railway station bunkhouse at Bridge of Orchy. Guided by Sue M. (Evening meals are not included - from £15).

See photos & feedback from last year's holiday? (in May)
Use your browser Back button to return.

Not included: evening meals - from £15. Inexpensive shared lift from Glasgow Central station to Drymen at 4pm.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This weekend break is based on the beautiful Dorset coast, staying at the Cromwell House Hotel in Lulworth Cove to walk the striking coastal paths nearby. On the Saturday we can take the path from the village heading to Durdle Door for a wonderful walk along the cliffs, maybe descending to the beach at Durdle Door if we feel energetic. On Sunday we could either walk in the other direction from the Cove along another lovely stretch of coast path, or do a walk along Purbeck ridge which would give us extensive views across both the coast and the Dorset heathlands, finishing with a spectacular view of the Corfe Castle ruins. (These coastal walks are all well within the Low Intermediate grade, but may involve more 'up' and 'down' than some other low intermediate destinations!) If you can arrive by 1pm on Friday, there can be another shorter walk inland from Lulworth Cove in the afternoon. Lulworth Cove lies between Swanage and Weymouth, and is a short taxi ride from Wool station on the Waterloo to Weymouth line. Cromwell House is a comfortable 2 star hotel 200m from the sea front with ensuite twin and single rooms. (Single supplement £10 a night).

See photos from last year's Lulworth Cove w/e?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The Alpujarras stretch from the Sierra Nevada watershed in the north to the Mediterranean in the south and create a paradise for walkers. Moorish influences can still be seen in the little villages with narrow streets and white-washed houses that seem to hang on the hillsides. Forest tracks and intermediate mountain paths wind through a landscape rich in wildlife - boar, ibex, foxes, wild cats, and many birds, while in the valleys vines, almonds and olives are grown and mules still toil in the fields. This holiday is based on the edge of Los Berchules village with a backdrop of the snow-capped Cerro Gordo. Hotel Los Berchules offers good ensuite twin rooms and plenty of singles, a comfortable bar and lounge with an open fire for cooler evenings, a wide outside terrace with lovely views, and tasty evening meals of tapas and other regional dishes. The holiday finishes with a last night in Granada so that we can visit the Alhambra before we fly (not included - €12), or we can explore the rest of this fascinating city. The meals in Granada and 2 evening meals at Los Berchules are not included (on these 2 evenings we will eat out in mountain restaurants - from £10).

This year's Alpujarra's holiday photos coming soon!
Use your browser Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The Grasmere fells will be coming into their autumn colour for this weekend of lovely Low Intermediate rambles or rewarding explorations onto Grasmere's Intermediate fells. You can choose which level of walks you prefer each day - useful if you're not sure which grade will suit you best. Lower rambles might include a wonderful circuit of Loughrigg Fell, with stretches through the autumnal woods, lake views, and a return past pretty Loughrigg Tarn. Intermediate walks have all of Grasmere's fabulous ridges to choose from - wild Blea Rigg, popular Helm Crag, or lesser known Grasmere Common overlooking Easedale Tarn. The weekend is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere - always a favourite for its friendliness, comfortable rooms, lovely garden, and excellent food!

See photos from last year's Low Int & Int w/e here? (in May)
Use your browser's Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail -
Sandpipers Hotel lies close to the shore of Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight, near to the Needles. From here it is only a short hop by bus to an impressive choice of gentle and intermediate IOW walks: Tennyson Down, the Needles, and Alum Bay; Mottistone and Compton Downs or gentler coast path stretches; delightful circuits from the pretty village of Shorwell with its thatched cottages and manor houses; and maybe a stroll beside the River Yar to Yarmouth. Sandpipers is a spacious and elegant Victorian hotel with an airy breakfast conservatory, an attractive bar and comfortable lounge with books to borrow, excellent aga-cooked food… and to top it all there are plenty of single rooms! The simplest way to get there is by train to the Lymington ferry terminal, catch the ferry to Yarmouth, then its only 5 miles by bus direct from the ferry to the hotel.

Travel - nearest train station: Lymington
If you're coming by public transport, the simplest way to get to Freshwater Bay is to take the train to the Lymington ferry terminal, catch the ferry to Yarmouth, then its only 5 miles by bus from the ferry to the hotel.
By Car: You can do the same route by car, or it might be quicker to catch the ferry from Portsmouth and drive across the island.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The Suffolk Coast is another area of outstanding natural beauty. Centred along this coastal stretch is the ancient settlement of Dunwich - once the seat of kings facing the North Sea. Later it became a thriving port and ship building harbour important enough to elect 2 members of Parliament. However, over the centuries the sea made serious incursions along this coastline, and in the 14th century alone 400 houses, 2 churches, and several windmills 'succumbed to tempests'. Today Dunwich is reduced to a quiet village on the edge of the sea with a fascinating history, a small museum, and a ruined priory. Paths fan out from the village through Minsmere Nature Reserve, to the pretty estuary village of Walberswick, or inland through fields and woodland - giving us several of 7-8 miles circuits to explore. In Dunwich we will be staying at The Ship Inn - a former coaching inn which offers simple ensuite twin and single rooms, and excellent pub fare in the evenings. Darsham station is 5 miles away by taxi. (Evening meals are not included - from £15).

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The last opportunity of the year to stay at High Trenhouse near Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales. High Trenhouse is a beautifully converted farm and barn on the edge of the moors above Malham Cove and Gordale. The Pennine Way from Malham Cove passes close by on its way over Fountains Fell to Pen-y-ghent, and across the moors are interesting paths to the pretty village of Arncliffe and the lively town of Settle with its tearooms and small shops. High Trenhouse offers a large number of single rooms - a boon for WW groups - and most have ensuite facilities. There are comfortable spaces for relaxing or making our own fun including a small honesty bar, the food is delicious, and there's even a sauna and Jacuzzi - so bring your swimsuit! A choice of Gentle and Intermediate walks each day will allow you to move between the grades to take it easy or stretch according to mood. We will also arrange an inexpensive shared lift from nearby Settle station at approx 4pm.

See photos from an August Malham break?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This autumn's Map & Compass holiday will have 2 guides to cater for different levels of map reading experience. One group will start from basics and work up to using compasses - leaving with a secure sense of how to find your way using a walking map, and how to find out where you are (and where you're going!) by using map and compass together. The other will start with a compass refresher, then go on to apply compass techniques in more advance situations - great for if you've done Maps & Compasses before and want to consolidate what you know and take it further. This holiday with Yvonne and Marian is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere where there are lots of single rooms available, a roomy lounge and conservatory, and a games room which we will turn into a map reading space. Maps and compasses will be provided (or bring your own!)

See photos & feedback a previous Maps & Compasses holiday?
Use your Browser back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Walking at intermediate level near Castleton allows us fantastic opportunities to get up onto the moors and ridges with great views to the hills, forests, reservoirs and valleys of both the White (limestone) and Dark (gritstone) Peak. An absolute 'must' will be the Great Ridge of Rushup Edge, Mam Tor and Losehill. A short bus ride to Edale gives us a chance to 'do' part of the Kinder Edges, perhaps via Jacobs Ladder or Ringing Roger (great names round here!) The Roman Road up and along to Win Hill is a long ridge walk with fab views back down to Ladybower reservoir (perhaps returning via the teashop in Hope). If we want a change of scene, the circuit of Abney Moor from Brough or Bradwell, famous for it's ice cream, gives lovely open moorland walking on easy tracks. We'll be spoilt for choice! Losehill Hall is a beautiful old Victorian mansion set in its own extensive grounds, ten minutes walk from the cafes and shops of Castleton. It is the National Park Study Centre and is run on eco-centre lines (everything is recycled, ensuite showers, communal tea/coffee facilities, locally sourced and fair trade food...). The Hall has a well stocked bar, comfortable lounge and dining room where excellent meals are served. All the rooms we have taken are ensuite singles.

See photos & feedback from a previous Intermediate holiday here? (in April)
Use your browser Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This holiday is a wonderful opportunity to improve the quality of your photographs with Caroline & Marian, walking in the beautiful scenery of Grasmere at the height of its autumn colours. There will be 2 groups to suit digital and non-digital cameras. If you're happy with your camera, there'll be space to learn more photography techniques from a professional photographer, with plenty of suggestions about how to get the most from your camera, the light and the landscape. If you haven't done much photography before, or have a camera that you're still getting used to - whether it's an SLR, a digital, or an older 'point&shoot' - you'll love their easy style that inspires confidence and a willingness to experiment - always with great results! 'Landscape photography' covers the full range, from majestic views to focusing on just a beautiful rock or fern. For this 3-day break we will be staying at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere with lovely views in three directions, excellent food, and comfortable bedrooms (Ensuite single supplement £10 a night). Film & camera not included - bring spare film/memory cards. Caroline will have her laptop with her so that you can look at your photographs in the evening.

See photos & feedback from a previous photography holiday?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Patagonia in the southernmost portion of South America contains some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. It is a land of wilderness where broad expanses of pampa meet the glacially sculpted spires of the Andes. Unique in its flora and fauna, and the wind blows strongly here much of the time. This high level holiday includes the spectacular 5-night 'W' trek in Las Torres del Paine National Park taking you to the foot of the soaring spires of Las Torres and close to Glacier Grey. We will also visit the spectacular Moreno glacier where huge blocks fall off into Lake Argentino to float away as ice bergs. The holiday finishes with 3 days walking in the magnificent Mt Fitzroy region of the Andes, including walking past Laguna de los Tres to reach close up views of Fitzroy's incredible North Face. Though not at altitude, non-technical, with day pack only, the walking in these areas is strenuous with plenty of 'up', and some long days in challenging terrain. The accommodation will be in hotels in Buenos Aries, tents or refuges on trek, and a hostel in Chalten near Fitzroy. Besides the internal flight between Buenos Aries and El Calafete, there will be a total 19 hours of transfer by minibus during the trip: north on Route 40 to the Paine National Park, and south to el Chalten. The first and last nights are spent in Buenos Aries with time to relax, take a city tour, see the historic area of San Isidro, or shop for souvenirs. The holiday includes the flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. (See WW website Accommodation page for the full itinerary).

Includes: all breakfasts, 10 packed lunches, 7 evening meals; international flight incl. fuel surcharges & taxes; transfers & transport to walks/trek; local guide Maria; porters, & most other costs. Atol No. 6497

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335