Trip Information Sheet: HOC England Hiking Trip
Thursday June 6 – Sunday June 23, 2024
Leaders: Loraine Walter & Isabel Bravo
This proposed 18-day trip to England includes 2 weeks of hiking at 2 locations in the north of England, staying in lovely HF Holidays country homes in the north of England. The 2 hiking destinations are very different: the first week will be in the scenic and popular Lake District near the west coast, where the terrain is rugged and includes the highest peaks in England; the other is on the east coast and includes gentler hikes that explore the seaside and the rich local history.
Each week constitutes 5 days of hiking with one day off in the middle (generally Monday). Three levels of hiking are offered by excellent, qualified volunteer guides. HF provides 3 nutritious and varied meals per day (including vegetarian options); breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room, and you pre-order your packed lunch. Other hikers will be staying at the houses at the same time as us, offering a chance to interact with them also.
HF houses have excellent facilities for socializing. There is a bar and lounge where residents and guides gather for pre-dinner drinks, and this is where next-day hike briefings and evening social events (2-3 each week) take place. There is generally a terrace to enjoy the outdoors. They also have a well-equipped boot/drying room.
Accommodations will be in comfortable twin, double or single rooms within the main house or nearby ‘outbuildings'.
There will be chances to explore on your own on the weekly ‘day off’ as well as at Hadrian’s Wall as we travel between the 2 HF locations, and a full day in Glasgow prior to our flight home.
DERWENT WATER, Keswick (June 7-14)
The first week of our adventure will be at Derwent Bank, the HF House in the village of Portinscale, situated right on lovely Derwent Water and about 2 km by foot from the lively outdoorsy town of Keswick.
Derwent Water is one of the most northerly lakes in the English Lake District and is known as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’. There is a cruise around Derwent Water, including stops in Keswick and close to Derwent Bank, and you can walk around the lake.
The Lake District is known for its excellent hiking amidst stunning scenery. HF offers a variety of guided hikes, some of which are quite challenging. Some days a coach transports groups to the starting point and/or picks them up at the end, allowing for a wider geographic range. Because HF offers 3 levels of guided hikes every day there will be something for all levels of hiker. HF grades its hikes on a scale of 1-5 in England. The hikes from Derwent Bank are rated as grades 2, 3 and 5. Check out the detailed descriptions of the hikes offered by following this link and clicking on the ‘trip notes’ icon near the bottom. Note that there are 2 versions; we do not yet know which version will apply to our particular dates. https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/7-night-northern-lake-district-guided-walking-holiday
There is also a ‘resource area’ if you prefer to take a day off and hike locally yourself.
On the day off, there are lots of local hiking opportunities, including to Castlerigg Stone Circle, right from the house. Or one could have a relaxing day visiting Keswick with its ‘Pencil Museum’ (graphite for pencil lead was discovered nearby) and taking the Lake Cruise. Bus tours to spots of interest related to Beatrix Potter, the Wordsworths, and John Ruskin could be arranged.
ALNMOUTH, Northumberland (June 14-21)
For our second week, we travel to Alnmouth, on the east coast of England in the northernmost county of Northumberland, close to the Scottish border. It is much quieter than the Lake District, with a rich history; some sites are included in the hikes. We stay in HF’s country house called Nether Grange, a historic building situated right above the beach. The walking around Alnmouth is gentler, with offered hikes at grades 1-3,and includes much coastal walking – a total contrast to the rugged hills of the lakes. As for Derwent, this link will allow you to study the 2 possible sets of hikes. https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-alnmouth-7
HF describes Alnmouth thus: “This pretty coastal village is adored for its colourful cottages, superb walking routes, peaceful bays, and deserted sandy beaches where the River Aln meets the North Sea. There’s a small tidal harbour, a handful of small shops, and several pubs and cafés.”
On the day off, you can hop on a train (Alnmouth is on the main rail line to Edinburgh, which is only 1-1.5 hours away). Or a visit to Lindisfarne, also known as ‘Holy Isle’, up the coast, is well worth while, a very special place. https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/locations/alnmouth-northumberland
On the way between Derwent Water and Alnmouth we will have a stop along Hadrian’s Wall with a chance to explore Vindolanda, an amazing Roman fort and museum. According to experts at the British Museum, artefacts found here are collectively the single most important historic site in the UK.
GLASGOW, Scotland (June 21-23)
We will stay 2 nights in the modern Hotel Ibis Styles in the heart of Glasgow City Centre, Scotland's largest city.
There are plenty of attractions and opportunities for shopping and eating. Visit the cathedral or the wonderful Kelvingrove Museum.
Using local transport, we will make our way to the airport on June 23 in plenty of time for our 8:30 am departure to Toronto.
COST
Based on 24 participants, the total cost per person is $5920 for double occupancy (twin or double) or $6145 for single occupancy.
NOTE: If we are unable to match you up with a roommate and there are no alternative rooming arrangements, we will cancel your registration and process a refund.
INCLUDED in this price:
NOT INCLUDED in this price:
**PLEASE NOTE** This pricing is based on an exchange rate that conservatively reflects our best estimate. If there is a significant increase in the exchange rate, we may have to charge a supplement to cover the difference. Similarly, if the rates drop significantly, we will refund you the difference. Please be aware that the air fare, air tax and service charges are also subject to change at any time without notice. In the case of currency fluctuation, the airline reserves the right to adjust the rates accordingly.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
There are two parts to your registration, with two deposits ($180 to the Club and $800 to Teachers’ Travel Service). Your spot is not secured until both steps are completed.
Final Payment: The remainder of the cost is due February 22, 2024, and will be collected by Teachers’ Travel Service. We will notify you if there is an adjustment to the amount of the final payment due to fluctuations in the currency exchange, airfare, air taxes, surcharges or service charges. As with the deposit, you may pay Teachers’ Travel Service by etransfer (info@teacherstravel.com), credit card, or cheque (made payable to Teachers’ Travel Service, and dated February 22, 2024). If you wish to pay by credit card or etransfer, call Teachers’ Travel at 1 800 268-7229. Teachers’ Travel will send a reminder with the amount due.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you need to cancel your trip, please contact Teachers’ Travel at 1 800 268 7229. Please also contact Cheryl McCarney, our Club Manager, at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca.
The Club registration fee of $25 is non-refundable. Up until May 21, 2024, all other payments to Teachers’ Travel or the Club will be refunded ONLY if a replacement can be found (e.g., from the Club waiting list) and the replacement can be made without incurring costs to the Club or the travel agency. After May 21, 2024 there are no refunds.
If the trip experiences delays or changes in itinerary due to weather or circumstances beyond our control, that result in extra expenditures, these expenses are the responsibility of the participant, not the club or the travel agent.
If the entire trip has to be cancelled, you will receive a full refund, less any non-refundable deposits that have been made on your behalf.
INSURANCE
Emergency medical insurance coverage is mandatory.
Your medical insurance information will be collected by Teachers’ Travel at time of registration and then forwarded to the Club Manager. The Club Manager will request updated information about your emergency medical insurance a month or two before the trip departure date.
If you are paying for the trip by credit card, you should check your credit card policy to see if you have coverage as a benefit of the card. If you need travel medical insurance, you can purchase it through Teachers’ Travel at 1 800 268-7229.
The Halton Outdoor Club highly recommends getting trip cancellation insurance. This may also be purchased through Teachers’ Travel.
Feel free to contact Loraine Walter if you have questions. arctic.lorie@gmail.com