His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales today visited HF Holidays at Thorns Hall in Sedbergh, marking the Centenary of the walking holidays company.

The visit formed part of a day of engagements undertaken by His Royal Highness in Cumbria.

During the visit His Royal Highness met members of HF Holidays, which is a co-operative society, and talked to guests enjoying a walking break at Thorns Hall.

The Prince of Wales learned about the history and ethos of HF Holidays, and its involvement in the promotion of participation in, and enjoyment of, Britain's countryside and coastline.

His Royal Highness also learned of HF Holidays' partnership with other organisations, such as the National Trust and Ramblers, and its leading role in the new Britain on Foot national campaign which sets out to support health, rural employment, tourism and the outdoor economy.

To mark the visit, The Prince of Wales was invited to cut a cake to mark the 100th, and to sign a commemorative copy of 'The Story of HF Holidays'.

His Royal Highness was presented with a MyBurdock soft toy walking bear, and a framed photograph which would have prompted memories of many visits to Balmoral on Royal Deeside in Scotland.

"We are honoured and pleased that The Prince of Wales took the time to visit one of our Country Houses and help us celebrate our Centenary year" said HF Holidays' Chief Executive, Brian Smith.

HF Holidays was founded in 1913 by Thomas Arthur Leonard and his friends.  The Society was known as the Holiday Fellowship for many decades.

HRH learned about the guiding principles of HF Holidays, namely 'to promote the healthy enjoyment of leisure, to encourage the love of the open air and to promote social and international fellowship and to cater for all ages, abilities, cultures and nationalities'.

"Leonard's principles still underpin all the work we do, with our holiday guests, our members, local communities, and nationally with others," said Smith.

"In our 100 years, HF Holidays has welcomed over five million guests on our very special, sociable and active holidays.

"This has resulted in HF Holidays being name Which? Magazine's preferred holiday provider in 2012, and winning the Guardian and Observer Travel Awards - voted Best Large Tour Operator - for the last three years," he added.

HF Holidays now welcomes over 50,000 guests each year, has 33,500 share-holding members and 800 volunteer walks leaders.

Thorns Hall dates back to 1535 and has been a base for HF Holidays since 1989.

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Further press information from

• HF Holidays' PR Manager Vladi Harris on 07918 078 057, vladiharris@hfholidays.co.uk  
• Jane Williams at Beacon PR on 07989 975 705, jane@beaconpr.co.uk

Background - HF Holidays

• Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is a co-operative society arranging walking, outdoor and leisure activity holidays for over 50,000 people each year.  
• HF Holidays has 19 Country Houses, many of them in the UK's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• HF Holidays is the preferred holiday partner of the Ramblers (the UK's walking charity). 
• The holiday range includes a huge choice of Guided Walking in UK and overseas plus Freedom Breaks, Leisure Activities, Family Holidays, Cycling Holidays, Singles Holidays.
• HF Holidays' walks leaders are volunteers who have to pass a rigorous selection course: they are passionate about walking and keen to share their experience with guests.
• HF Holidays is committed to a Responsible Tourism policy, contributes to environmental projects around the country - such as footpath maintenance - through its Pathways Fund and supports local Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue teams as well as charities in Kenya and South Africa.
• HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.