Looking for adventure holidays with the children?

Looking for adventure holidays with the children?

By Mary Knockton.

We have just got back from a really enjoyable family walking adventure holiday at Holnicote House, Selworthy in Somerset.

We stayed in Guns Cottage which is next door to the main building at Holnicote House which had it’s own garden on the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate.

Guns Cottage at Holnicote House

The holiday was run and organised by HF Holidays and is perfect if you are looking for a holiday which has organised activities every day but with no pressure to take part.

We’ve got 2 children, Tedi (4 1/2 years old) and Rose (9 months), and was unsure whether they would be too young to enjoy and take part in all that there was to offer.

Right from the moment we got there Tedi was off doing a treasure hunt and swimming in the pool, and Rose was a happy spectator (I don’t know why I worried, mums prerogative).

Mary and Tedi on our family walk to Selworthy Green with HF Holidays

The whole holiday is structured around the children and each day there was a choice of 3 walks, family, easy and hard.

The family walks were great because they were no longer than 4 miles and incorporated loads of stops, with games and activities, and visiting interesting places.

We ventured to the Exmoor Hawk and Owl Centre, Lynmouth and Lynton funicular railway, and Lynton and Barnstaple Steam Railway to name a few.

Lynton and Barnstaple Steam Railway

Breakfast and the evening meal is taken in the same place and you couldn’t want for any more choice, and if there is something you would like they are very accommodating to your needs (they did purée veggies for our baby every night and even supplied cucumber on demand!).

Packed lunches are supplied every day with a choice of sandwich, baguette or salad bowl (trying to choose the filling each day is harder than choosing the walk intensity).

David and Rose on our family walking adventure with HF Holidays

There is always an evening activity for all the family after dinner which is followed by a bedtime story. (Parents then tend to be ready for bed with the children still wanting more).

These activities are completely voluntary and you are not frowned on for not taking part. We found our 2 were ready for bed after dinner so retired.

I really didn’t know what to expect when booking this holiday but was more than impressed by the quality and experience of the walk leaders, activity leaders and whole holiday overall.

Would highly recommend!