Penny is your enthusiastic walk organiser and will take the weather, group wishes/abilities and other factors into consideration before finalising the programme but this itinerary should give you an idea of what to expect.
Monday
Arrive at Eastfield Lodge in the afternoon for homemade cookies and tea. All join us in the lounge in the evening for pre-dinner drinks and delicious canapes before a two course dinner to get to know each other better.
Tuesday
West Burton Circular – 7.5 miles / 12 kms
This walk takes in some of the local attractions in Wensleydale and the picturesque village and waterfall at West Burton. It also eases us in gently before a longer walk the following day and should allow time for a stop in the tearoom or The Fox and Hounds Inn. The footpaths cut through lush fields, woodlands and alongside the River Ure with little ascent throughout this first walk. The Cauldron Falls, so named because of its deep plunge pool, is worth stopping to see and Turner thought so as he painted the scene.
Evening – Back at the Lodge, it's time to kick off your boots and relax with tea and cake. Tonight our local butcher Kev will be on site cooking up his famous premium BBQ, including 4 or 5 salads, breads and wine included. A wander into Leyburn for a pint from the Wensleydale Brewery, a lighthearted quiz or an early night are all possibilities.
Wednesday
Hubberholme Hobble – 10.5 miles / 17 kms
This morning's hearty Yorkshire breakfast will fuel you for this, the longest of the walk days with a couple of good challenging hill climbs. Hopefully we will be rewarded with views over the stunning expanse of the rolling Dales into little explored Littondale stretched out in front of us if the weather is clear. This route covers open, remote and raw moorland and forms part of the Pennine Journey route devised in honour of Wainwright.
Or
Penhill Circuit – 12.5 miles / 20 kms
This is a classic route up to the summit of Penhill standing at 553m. Penhill can be seen from the lodge and therefore poses a challenge hard to ignore. Starting in West Witton, a steady climb allows us to ease into the day and when reaching the top, the views back towards Wensleydale make it all worth the effort. The grouse stick their distinctive heads up through the heather and hopefully we will hear the familiar cries of the lapwing and curlew. This day can be shortened with a little organisation of cars or taken on as the significant long walk of the break in its entirety – it is up to you.
Evening – The drying room at the lodge will provide the ideal place for wet boots to dry ready for the morning. Once walking kit is stowed away, another delicious cake and hot showers are in order before a three course supper is on offer and very much deserved.
Thursday
The Leyburn Shawl – 8 miles / 13 kms
The Leyburn Shawl is a historic and popular local walk and for very good reason. It follows the ridge line along a limestone crag to the village of Preston-Under-Scar with beautiful views across the valley to Penhill, which you might be able to proudly state you conquered the day before! It wends its way back through gentle meadows past Bolton Hall across pastureland to return to Leyburn. It is a treat to leave the cars behind and walk directly from the lodge this morning, especially if there are long journeys to face the following day.
Evening – For our last evening, Henry will arrange for us to dine at a local restaurant in the market town where you can celebrate the week together (pay individually.)
Friday
A leisurely breakfast will be served before your departure.
Autumn Walking Break - Mon 14th October - Fri 18th October 2024 - 4 Rooms available
For further information and dates/prices for 2025 & 2026 please visit:
https://www.colletts.co.uk/holidays/walking-yorkshire-dales/
It is not possible to book this special Itinerary online. To book or if you have any questions regarding the Guided Walking Breaks, please call Henry or Penny on 01969 623196 or 07753897258. Alternatively, email: henry@eastfieldlodge.co.uk
Terrain
The routes can include tracks, rocky paths, heather moor and muddy fields. We try to avoid roads but sometimes short sections are necessary.
Kit
The appropriate footwear is vital as well as a good waterproof coat, warm layers, hats and gloves or (even in the Dales) sun cream, a sunhat and sunglasses on occasions. Please be suitably prepared for every type of weather as it can change suddenly in the hills. We advise guests to bring a flask and a sandwich tub. We provide each guest with an Eastfield Lodge sustainable water bottle to reduce our use of plastic.
Fitness
There is always a range of pace and fitness on these breaks and everyone joining the break should appreciate that they are joining a group. Having said that, every effort is made to allow everyone to start the day, to walk at their preferred pace and regroup when necessary and to leave a walk when they have had enough. Being surefooted is an advantage but no navigational skills are required as all walks are guided.
Travel to the Lodge
Arrival on Monday can be from 4pm and by car is less than 30 minutes drive from the A1. The Lodge has limited parking but parking locally is convenient. The North East Rail link runs from Edinburgh to Kings Cross stopping at Northallerton where a taxi journey can link you to Leyburn. The buses run from Bedale but the service stops at 4pm.
N.B. The SatNav can guide guests around to the back lane which runs behind the Lodge and this is very narrow. The entrance to the Lodge and Car Park is directly from the main road into Leyburn between the Petrol Station and the Church.
Walk Days
Although some walks start near Public Conveniences, this is not often the case. Toilets are accessed with a 20p inside the National Park but wild wees are sometimes the only option! Car Parking in the Park currently in 2022 cost £4.50 for the day.
The adventures we've had...
The Walking Breaks cost £595 per person based on 2 people sharing a Super-kingsize, kingsize or Twin Room.
Single Supplement - Eastfield Lodge has no single rooms but single occupancy of a double room is always possible at a total additional supplement of £195 for the 4 nights. Availability is limited so please contact us for more details.
It is not possible to book this special Itinerary online. To book or if you have any questions regarding the Guided Walking Breaks, please call Henry or Penny on 01969 623196 or 07753897258. Alternatively send an email to: henry@eastfieldlodge.co.uk
The Walking Breaks cost £575 per person based on 2 people sharing a King, Double or Twin Room.
This includes:
- All Guided Walks for 3 days
- 3 Evening Meals with wine included
- 3 Packed Lunches (with sandwich filling choices)
- 4 hearty Yorkshire Breakfasts
- Prosecco & Canapes on the first evening
- Afternoon Tea and Cake each day
- Accommodation in the Lodge for 4 nights
Not included:
- Independent Travel to and from Eastfield Lodge
- Dinner on the last night in Local Restaurant
- Any additional drinks or snacks in tearooms or pubs
- Any unscheduled transport from a walk
Single Supplement - Eastfield Lodge has no single rooms but single occupancy of a double room is always possible at a total additional supplement of £195 for the 4 nights. Availability is limited so please contact us for more details.