HF Holidays has opened up all its 19 Country Houses in Britain to independent travellers, targeting couples and individuals who love exploring the countryside by car, on foot or by bike.

This means anyone – not only people booked onto HF Holidays' guided walking and leisure activity holidays – can enjoy the beautiful locations, friendly atmosphere and good food at the organisation's Country Houses.

These new Country House Breaks are flexible: guests can stay as long as they like and choose B&B, half board or full board with a picnic lunch, and are ideal for people who want to 'do their own thing'.

“Our Houses have immediate access to wonderful countryside and offer comfortable bedrooms, good food and a relaxed atmosphere, shared with fellow guests who also love the great outdoors,” says HF Holidays' chief executive Jim Forward.

Each House is unique, from Church Stretton's Longmynd - a turn-of-the-century hotel in the heart of the Shropshire Hills - to Monk Coniston, a lakeshore mansion leased from the National Trust in the Lake District.  Tennyson and Trollope were both guests at Freshwater Bay House on the Isle of Wight and Agatha Christie completed her first crime novel during her stay at Moorlands House on Dartmoor. 

All houses boast 'Walkers Welcome' and 'Cyclists Welcome' badges.  Each one has a drying room for wet weather gear and boots, some have a swimming pool, several a croquet lawn; others have beautiful gardens, a library or a grand piano.

And whatever its history, every House now offers rooms with en-suite facilities of three- or four-star standard, as well as a bar and comfortable lounges.  The largest House has 50 rooms, the smallest 25.

“Our Country Houses are not hotels,” stresses Forward.  “You won't find a trouser press, a phone or mini-bar in your room, a night porter or room-service.  You will find outstanding hospitality and a shared love of the countryside which creates a sociable house-party atmosphere.”

It is perhaps at mealtimes that a major difference between the Country House approach and a hotel is noticed.  Breakfast and dinner are often served 'family style' at tables of eight or 10: a chance to compare notes with fellow-guests about a walk enjoyed, or an attraction visited. In some houses there is the option for separate tables for different groups and individuals.  Local produce is used to create varied menus that reflect the flavours of each area.

Every Country House provides information on places to visit, walking routes and local activity providers. Guidebooks, maps and direction notes may be borrowed on arrival at the House. 

Each House has its own website and, as well as information about specific facilities, there is real-time availability and online booking.

Prices start at just £59 per night for a double en-suite room (£49 for a single), including full English breakfast – hearty enough to fuel a day's walking.  Dinner (three set courses) and picnic lunches can also be provided.

Country House Breaks are available at 19 Houses including:

Alltshellach: the Bishop of Argyll's mansion on the shores of Loch Leven (alltshellach.co.uk)

Derwent Bank: country house on the shores of Derwentwater (derwentbank.co.uk)

Dolserau Hall: in the heart of Owain Glyndwr country, near Dolgellau (dolserau.co.uk)

Freshwater Bay House: Isle of Wight on the Bay (freshwaterbayhouse.co.uk)

Lulworth Cove: historic house in Jurassic Coast hot spot (lulworthcove.co.uk)

The Longmynd: in the heart of Shropshire outside Church Stretton (longmynd.co.uk)

The Peveril of the Peak: since 1870 a welcoming Dovedale inn (thepeverilofthepeak.co.uk)

Bookings may be made online or by calling 0345 470 8558

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Release issued by Beacon PR 01572 748 800

Editor's notes:

• Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is a co-operative society arranging walking, outdoor and leisure activity holidays for 50,000 people each year.
• Options range from guided walking breaks in Britain to challenging ascents Worldwide.  The leisure activities range includes art, music, literature and mind-and-body holidays.
• HF Holidays is the recommended walking holiday partner of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity (ramblers.org.uk), and supports the work of the Ramblers through membership initiatives and charitable donations.
• HF Holidays is committed to Responsible Tourism, contributing to environmental projects around the UK – such as footpath maintenance – through its Pathways Fund and supporting local Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue teams as well as charities in Kenya and South Africa.
• Voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.  Also Best Large Short Break Operator 2011 and 2012.
• In recent research carried out by Which?, HF Holidays achieved Recommended Provider Status for the second successive year.
• HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.