This small period 16th Century Manor House caters exclusively for walkers from all around the world. It has a stunning aspect nestling in the foot of the Howgills in the Yorkshire Dales. It creates an atmosphere which is all a far cry from the anonymity of a conventional hotel. In fact, it offers a cream tea on arrival so try to make sure you arrive for 4pm. Its lounge and bar have retained their period charm through the wood panelling. Led by experienced chefs, they serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. They aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from their own gardens whenever possible. It prides itself on friendly service of the highest standard. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a 23-inch TV. 

To allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, we will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with 2,500ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. However, the programme is flexible and can be altered to suit your needs. All walks are weather dependent and own transport or coaches may be taken to the walk starts.

What to bring: To ensure that you are properly equipped, please take a moment to read through the ‘What to bring list’ and ensure that you have the necessary clothing and equipment. 

Covid/Infection Guidance: As a matter of respect to other members when attending events, we ask that you take the following guidance into account. People with symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with others. Those who are asked – or choose to test – and get a positive COVID-19 result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days following the day of their positive result. Normal Walkwise Terms & Conditions apply.

Travel Insurance: It is also recommended that when travelling on holiday or attending Spice weekends away in the UK or overseas that you have adequate travel insurance in case of emergency, cancellation, etc. Travel insurance is an important aspect to booking a weekend or holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances. We also strongly recommend a personal travel insurance policy that includes COVID-19 cover. While we cannot recommend specific insurance policies as everyone’s requirements are personal to them, Spice have linked up with market leader Staysure Travel Insurance which you may like to take a look at.

MAPS: if you like to follow your walking routes on a printed map, the map you would need for this event is: 1:25 000 OL19- Howgills & Upper Eden Valley and OL2 Yorkshire Dales S&W

You MUST have:

• Walking boots

• A Water bottle (minimum 1 litre)

• A Rucksack with a plastic liner

• Waterproofs: jacket and trousers

• A Warm hat

• Warm gloves (not leather)

• Thick walking socks

• Base layer: (thin thermal or warm T-shirt. Best not to be cotton as it gets cold when wet)

• Over layer: (warm sweater or fleece)

• Extra layer: warm top for when cold (eg. when stopped for lunch)

• Comfortable walking trousers (not jeans as they are too cold & heavy when wet)

• Personal Medication

• A face covering and hand sanitiser

• Smart casual clothes for the evening.

You may wish to bring:

• Trekking Poles

• Vacuum flask (if you like hot drinks on the hill)

• Medium size Tupperware container or plastic bag, to put picnic lunch in.

• Sit mat 

• Sun glasses

• Lip salve

• Camera

• Personal first aid kit

In good weather and/or summer, you may also wish to bring

• Short trousers

• T - Shirts

• Sun hat

• Sun tan lotion

In poor weather and/or winter, you may also wish to bring:

• Gaiters

• Balaclava

• Extra warm clothing

The beauty of this area is that we actually have some stunning walking immediately from our doorstep and our weekend will allow us to walk everything the Sedbergh area has to offer. Sedbergh sits in a beautiful valley, nested between the Yorkshire Dales and the Howgills, which are often described as sleeping elephants with each broad rolling ridge reaching up to the central point, the Calf. No doubt one of the days will see us heading off in this direction, possibly taking in the wonderful Cautley Spout Waterfall too. But you don’t need to go high here, in an Arcadian walk, defining the pastoralism and harmony in nature we can circumnavigate the valley around Sedbergh and take in brace of charming limestone ravines, the river Rawthey, a host of waterfalls and finally the vibrant arts and heritage centre housed in a Victorian mill. At the head of the valley there is the great swath of the Mallerstang Valley and the River Eden. It is possible to catch the train to Kirby Stephen and then take a great walk over the Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Common via the delightful Sand Tarn where one gets the views not only of the impressive valley beneath but back across the previous day’s walk on Howgills before a fine descent drops them back to the car. Alternatively heading Southeast to the Edge of the Yorkshire Dales there is the cobbled glory of Dentdale. Here they have a great variety of options, but a favourite may be to take a circular walk encompassing the enchanting, wooded gully of Flinters Gill, a lofty terrace viewpoint above Deepdale and almost certainly partake of hearty refreshments after a great day’s walking. 

Heading West we can pop over to the Coastal Village of Grange over Sands or Cartmell where there is some superb walking which can take in both villages, the Stunning Cartmell Piory and the amazing viewpoint of Hampsfell which offer the dual viewpoints of Morecambe Bay and the Southern Lake District. Yet another favourite walking area is to visit the beautiful villages of Silverdale and Arnside which combine some stunning limestone scenery with the Coast and the amazing viewpoint of Anrside knott. If this is not enough to go at, we can also pop up the M6 and slip into the back door of the Lake District where we can explore Haweswater or possibly the beautiful Lake of Ullswater where we may be able to combine a walk with a cruise on the lake on board one of the Ullswater steamers. So much to choose from!!! Basically,we will most likely head to wherever the best weather is! Hope to see you there!

Thorns Hall, Cautley Road, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5LE Tel: 01539 620973

By Road: 

From the M6 come off at junction 37 and follow the A684 (east) for five miles. On reaching Sedbergh follow the road around to the right into Finkle Street (avoiding the main street), and then almost immediately turn left at a small roundabout into Back Lane. At the next mini roundabout bear left onto the A683 towards Kirkby Stephen. Thorns Hall is a further 100 yards along the road on the left. Look out for our sign. 

From the A1 (from the east) leave at Leeming Bar and follow the A684 via Leyburn, Hawes and Garsdale. On reaching Sedbergh turn right at the T junction with the A683 (signposted Kirkby Stephen). Thorns Hall is 100 yards along the road on the left. Look out for our sign. 

From the A66 (from the north) leave at Brough and follow the A685 through Kirkby Stephen to where the A683 forks left (signposted Sedbergh). Follow the A683 into Sedbergh. Thorns Hall is on the right about 200 yards beyond Baliol School. Look out for our sign. Visit your holiday page on our website for a map. 

Car Parking is available in the grounds. No responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage to guests’ property or vehicles. We advise not to leave valuables in cars. 

By Train: The nearest train station is Oxenholme, the Lake District, on the main line between London and Glasgow. For train times and route planning by train visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or phone 03457 48 49 50. 

By Shared Transfer: If you’re travelling to or from Thorns Hall on Mondays or Fridays from 3 March to 27 November 2023, you can join the group transfer from Oxenholme Railway Station. Places are limited so booking is essential. We recommend booking at least 14 days in advance by contacting: HF Holidays Customer Success Team +44 (0)203 974 8865 customer-success-team@hfholidays.co.uk 2023 prices are £30 per person for a return transfer or £15 per person for a single transfer.

By Taxi: The 10 mile journey from Oxenholme station to Thorns Hall can be made by taxi. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Woofs of Sedbergh. As a guide price, it costs £29 per 4-seat taxi in 2022. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting: Woofs of Sedbergh* Tel: +44 (0) 1539 620414 Email: woofs.sedbergh@outlook.com 

The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Thorns Hall Manager. 

*Woofs of Sedbergh is not owned or managed by HF Holidays