Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.
These holidays offer a perfect mix of short, guided walks (3-6 miles), combined with time spent sightseeing. Visit a selection of standout highlights in Exmoor with hassle-free coach travel and the help of an experienced leader.
Highlights:
Holnicote House, Selworthy, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8TJ (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward. Check out by 10:00am.
Unpack Once!
Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination.
Walking tours with sightseeing include:
The Walking tour with Sightseeing program is a combination of Guided Walking Tours and Discovery Tours to give you the best of both touring styles.
Enjoy easier walks (6 – 8 km) that let sightseeing take center stage. We offer carefully-curated itineraries that balance sights, hikes, and activities. Let our experienced Leader introduce you to the heart of a region, highlighting the history, heritage, landmarks, wildlife, and more.
You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival. (D,T)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Ascent: 1550 feet (460m)
In summary: Setting off from Holnicote House, our route takes us to the coast via the historic Pack Horse Bridge at Allerford and Bossington village. After enjoying spectacular views from the historic coastguard look-out at Hurlstone Point, we return along the wooded slopes to charming Selworthy village.
Highlight: Selworthy village was rebuilt in 1828 by the Acland family to house the elderly workers of the Holnicote estate. The tea room is a delightful spot to relax in towards the end of the walk. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
Descent: 1,350 feet (400m)
In summary: We start with a descent to Watersmeet House today, a Victorian fishing lodge now owned by the National Trust, where two fast flowing rivers meet in a spectacular wooded valley. Walking downstream beside the East Lyn River past deep rock pools, we’ll reach Lynmouth and enjoy time to explore the town. Options include stretching your legs further with a walk out to Valley of Rocks, visiting exhibitions on the great flood of 1952, riding the funicular cliff railway up to Lynton, or relaxing with an ice cream and enjoying the scenery. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Ascent: 500 feet (160m)
Descent: 1350 feet (420m)
In summary: From high on the Quantock Hills we’re treated to fantastic views and glorious scenery as we follow moorland paths walked by Iron Age peoples and Roman soldiers. Descending past Walford’s Gibbet through woodland, we arrive at the village of Nether Stowey, home of the poet Coleridge, with the chance to visit Coleridge Cottage itself. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)
Ascent: 950 feet (300m)
In summary: Today we enjoy a steady climb and ridge-walk through the woods of Wootton Common before a steady descent all the way down into Dunster Castle.
Highlight: Dunster Castle was the home of the Luttrell family for over 600 years, and is now managed by the National Trust. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Distance: 4 miles (6km)
Ascent: 350 feet (100m)
In summary: Starting at Bilbrook we follow one of the longest river fords in the area and pass under the Somerset heritage steam railway bridge to reach the quintessential village of Old Cleeve with its 17th century church of St Andrews. We then follow along the Monks Path to Washford, the route once taken by the monks as they made their way from St Andrews Church to Cleeve Abbey. Finally we take the Mineral Line track to Watchet to explore its harbour, originally built at the time of Alfred the Great. There’ll be time to take in the views across the Bristol Channel, or perhaps visit the Market House Museum to learn about the fascinating history of this once important town. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Holnicote House
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)
| Departure Dates | Per person (single or twin) | Single in a double room |
|---|---|---|
| 2024: July 12 | $2,600 | $2,880 |
Pricing
Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.
Supplement applied for single in a double room.
Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.
Rates are in $ CAD.
Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.
Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.
During your Walking with Sightseeing Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.
Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.
Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.
Travel Details:
Address is: Holnicote House, Selworthy, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8TJ
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Taunton.
By Taxi:
The 30-mile journey from Taunton railway station takes approximately 55 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Bossington Private Hire. As a guide price, it costs £56 per 4-seat taxi in 2020. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. A shared taxi will be arranged wherever possible. Please prebook your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:
Bossington Private Hire*
Tel: +44 (0) 7971 044871
Email: inbossington@gmail.com
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Holnicote House Manager.
*Bossington Private Hire is not owned or managed by us.
By Bus:
The number 28 bus operates between Taunton station and Minehead. At Minehead change for the number 10 bus that will take you to the Selworthy turn (which is at the end of Holnicote House drive). A 2 minute walk along the drive will bring you to the house. Alternatively pre-book a taxi from Minehead; the 6 mile journey will cost you approx £10 for a 4-seat taxi from our recommended taxi provider.
By Car:
From Bridgewater take the A39 though the southern outskirts of Minehead towards Porlock. Holnicote House is on the left about 4½ miles out of Minehead, and about ¾ mile after the signpost to Luccombe (do not follow the signs to Selworthy). After the Selworthy Village sign look out for our sign 500 yards further on, on the left. Free car parking is available in the grounds.
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 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.
Address: Holnicote House, Selworthy, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8TJ
Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi
Stay in one of the main building’s bright, beautifully presented rooms or in the thatched cottages in the grounds, called Butlers and Guns respectively. With 32 bedrooms, Holnicote House has plenty of space and there’s a range of Classic, Premium and Superior Rooms to choose from: Superior rooms are on the first floor and decorated in keeping with the National Trust estate, with plenty of space and great views over the back garden, reaching out across Crawter Hill and Dunkery Hill, Somerset and Exmoor’s highest point. Ask for numbers 1, 4 or 9 to feel suitably special.
All ‘Classic’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Premium’ and ‘Superior’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers.
Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, attractive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, lounge, library and board games to borrow
After a day walking on Exmoor or exploring the heath and moorland, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the pretty gardens or challenge a fellow guest to a game of croquet. Take a dip in the large heated outdoor pool. For something less strenuous, snag a comfy chair in one of the cosy lounges, borrow a book, join a game of cards or scour the countryside through the large telescope. Head to the bar before dinner for a drink and a chance to catch up with your companions, best enjoyed by the windows overlooking the estate.
