25 Jul 2017
Organiser, motivator or maverick… find out what type of friend you are this National Friendship Day!

HF Holidays

Organiser, motivator or maverick… find out what type of friend you are this National Friendship Day!             

With National Friendship Day (Sunday 30th July) on the horizon, the UK's leading walking and outdoor holiday specialist HF Holidays has commissioned research via OnePoll and found that the average adult has 40 friends – and they tend to fall into one of eight categories.

The Organiser loves a list and plans everything – including nights out, birthday celebrations and holidays.

The Motivator is the one pushing you to step outside of your comfort zone, whether it's to try a new drink or get a new hobby.

The Oracle is the font of all knowledge and has been there, done that – if you're booking a holiday they know all the best places to explore!

The Elephant never forgets - birthdays, anniversaries... and insults.

The Maverick can always be relied on... to be unreliable. They are great fun and always up for a spur-of-the-moment party - but don't depend on him or her to turn up on time.

The Scrooge lives his or her life by one simple maxim - "Every pound's a prisoner". They are nowhere to be seen when it's their turn to buy a round and get the calculator out after a meal to divide the bill correctly.

Steady Eddie - or Steady Edwina - ​is your rock, always there for you, ready to pick you up when you're feeling blue.

Sarah Davis from HF Holidays, who commissioned the research, said: “Our friends are among the most important people to us and modern day life can sometimes get in the way of everyone getting together as regularly as you would like.

“Holidays and weekends away can be a great way for groups of friends to get away from their commitments at home and reconnect enjoying quality time with each other – even if they are all completely different.”

The study of 2,000 Brits, carried out via OnePoll, found the average adult has 40 friends, including two best mates, four close pals and five work buddies.

They also have nine other friends, on top of their close ones, within their friendship circle, 15 acquaintances and five friends outside of their immediate group.

Two of those friends are considered to be the 'Steady Eddie or Edwina' who they can always rely on, while another two are known as the Oracle – the ones who always know the answers.

One friend is the 'Organiser', two are known to encourage their friend to try something new while another two are the ones who never forget an important date or event.

Finally, two are considered to be the 'Maverick' – fun but unreliable, while there is always one 'Scrooge'.

But the study also found 92 per cent of people say their friendship group is made up of various personalities, with 43 per cent saying they go to different friends depending on their mood and what they need.

Half of UK adults also say they enjoy going away with their friends for holidays or long weekends an average of twice a year.

And 92 per cent believe trips away are a great way to bring friendship circles together, regardless of the different traits and personalities within it.

Sarah added: “We've been delivering experiences at HF Holidays for over 100 years during which time we've welcomed a whole range of personalities on our walking and leisure activity breaks. Our sociable group activities and communal dining experiences lend themselves perfectly to spending time with friends, new and old.  Over 70% of guests return year after year to reconnect and we've seen many a new romance blossom too.”  

Every year HF Holidays welcomes more than 60,000 guests to destinations all over the world with 18 country houses across the British Isles as well as over 90 locations overseas.  Britain's largest walking and outdoor leisure holiday specialist is well equipped for any outdoor break.

Organisers looking for a relaxing break will love HF Holidays' choice of walks each day, knowledgeable leaders/Oracles and bespoke walkers' accommodation. With so many different leisure activities to enjoy, everything from painting, photography, bird watching, arts and crafts, yoga and meditation, to learning to play the ukulele!

Oracles need look no further than HF Holidays to enjoy a self-guided break in UK or Europe where they can put their knowledge and map reading skills to the test on all the best places to explore! Prices start at £285 per person for three nights including full board accommodation.

Motivators looking for a real challenge can try the Cambrian Way on a fully guided trail - a great way to explore some of Wales' highest, wildest and most beautiful parts between Barmouth and Rowen, from the Rhinogs to the Carneddau and crossing some of the Snowdonia National Park's most famous peaks, including the summit of Snowdon, with incredible and rewarding views. Prices start at £819 per person for seven nights' full board accommodation whilst enjoying the social side of being part of a group.

At HF Holidays there's something for everyone, including Scrooge, with full board, en-suite accommodation, and all transport to and from the walks included for all UK guided breaks.

For more information on HF Holidays, please visit www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 0345 470 7558.

Places are limited on these holidays so book now to avoid disappointment. For more information on HF Holidays, please visit www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 0345 470 7558.

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For media information, please contact Louise Iles, PR Account Director, Sara Gillespie, Junior PR Account Manager, Mira Cowap, PR Account Manager or Michael Leonhardt, PR Account Executive at Gough Bailey Wright on 01527 579 555, lou@gough.co.uk / sara.g@gough.co.ukmira@gough.co.uk / michael@gough.co.uk

Notes to Editor:

  • Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is a co-operative society that has been organising outdoor holidays for over 100 years.
  • HF Holidays has 18 country houses in the UK's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as independent hotels for overseas holidays. 
  • HF Holidays has a host of accolades under its belt including: Which? Number one Recommended Holiday Provider 2017, Silver Travel Awards Best Activity Tour Operator 2017, Feefo Gold Service Award in 2017, Which? Recommended Provider status for 2012 - 2017; voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010-2014; and Best Large Short Break Operator 2011-2014.
  • HF Holidays is committed to responsible tourism and is a member of ABTOT and ATOL protected. 
  • HF Holidays is the only UK holiday provider to hold a Gluten-Free Accreditation from Coeliac UK with all 18 of its country houses officially holding this GF accreditation.
  • Follow @hfholidays on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram