Western Yorkshire Dales

Western Yorkshire Dales, staying at Thorns Hall, Sedbergh

Following on from our HF holiday in Sussex in 2024, many people asked for another similar event. We have chosen Thorns Hall and are hoping to have enough attendees so we qualify for sole occupancy, as we have in the past. This will be the Society’s 5th event at an HF property and we expect it to be very popular. We therefore advise booking as soon as possible. If you are interested in attending this event the booking form can be found below

Booking Form

If you have any problems accessing the booking form, please email Kim Spencer direct on kim.witchend@gmail.com.

Activities

• The weekend will cater for walkers and non-walkers. We are offering a choice of walks on the Saturday and Sunday, organised group activities for the non-walkers (or ‘tourists’) on a car share basis if required, or your own free time. More information will be circulated to attendees later on.

Thorns Hall

• The earliest reference to Thorns (it was renamed Thorns Hall in 1685) was in 1534. Although the building has been renovated, many of the original features will appeal to history lovers; think wood-panelled public rooms, beamed ceilings, open fireplaces, and stone flag flooring, as well as magnificent views in all directions. There’s a pretty garden, books and games to borrow during your stay, a handy boot and drying room, and a Discovery Point, offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks. Accommodation comes by way of 25 well-appointed, en-suite guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior) spread across the main house and cottages surrounding the cobbled courtyard. There is no lift in the house and the dining room is upstairs. There is free Wi-Fi, and a licensed bar and lounges. 
• Check-in is from 4:00pm on the Friday, followed by afternoon cream tea. There is free on-site parking including an electric vehicle charging point - please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this. Check-out is by 10:00 on the Monday.
• The total cost for the weekend is £389.00 per person for a Classic Room; or an extra £10.00 per person per night for an upgraded Premium or an extra £12.50 per person per night for an upgraded Superior Room. If we do have sole occupancy, the upgrade costs will not be applied.
• There are also 3 standard single rooms which are not en-suite and share nearby facilities; these are reduced to £314 each.
• As well as the afternoon cream tea on arrival, the price includes three breakfasts, three 3-course dinners plus tea and coffee, and two packed lunches.

Booking

• Requests for upgraded rooms will be allocated in the order bookings are received. Whether or not we have sole occupancy of Thorns Hall does depend on the number of bookings and how many we are able to confirm by the end of April 2025. We will continue with our bookings after this but HF may also be advertising availability then, so the likelihood of having a room is reduced. As you can see, we have had to make our reservation a long time ahead. Please do book as soon as possible if you are interested.
• If you are requesting a single room, please wait for confirmation of your booking before paying your deposit as we can only use single-occupancy of twin or double rooms after a certain number of these rooms have been filled.

Deposit

• This is £75 per person and is non-refundable, although we would consider a refund depending on the specific circumstances.

Getting there

• By air: The nearest airport is Manchester International Airport. There are direct trains every hour to Oxenholme station.
• By train: The nearest station is Oxenholme, on the main line London to Glasgow. It is 10 miles from Thorns Hall and will take about 20 minutes.
• HF run a shared group transfer to and from Oxenholme. In 2025 it departed the station on Friday at 16:30 arriving at 17:10; and departed Thorns Hall on Monday at 09:30. More details, cost and updated details for 2026 will be on the website as soon as they are available.
• The local taxi firm is Woofs of Sedbergh 01539 620414 woofs.sedbergh@outlook.com
• If you would like to know about other attendees travelling by public transport please indicate on the booking form if you are happy for your contact details to be shared.

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKING FORMS CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM PAID UP SOCIETY MEMBERS