What to expect
Victorian Hotel
Stay in the historical spa town of Harrogate
Spectacular Countryside
Explore the natural beauty of Yorkshire
Sightseeing
Traditional Yorkshire town - Pateley Bridge
World Heritage Site
Studley Royal Park & Fountains Abbey
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About this trip...
About the trip
Based in the delightful Victorian spa town of Harrogate, join us for a summer Solos walking break discovering and exploring the beautiful and stunning Yorkshire countryside on two exclusive fully guided walking days.Activity Level:
What's this?What's Included
Single Room With Private Facilities
Half Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Half bottle of wine with evening meal-
Welcome drink & information meeting
1 x full day guided walking from Brimham Rocks to Pateley Bridge-
1 x full day guided walking from Ripon to Studley Royal Estate
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
- Lunches
Itinerary
- Arrive & Check In
- Ripon to Studley Royal Estate
- Brimham Rocks & Pately Bridge
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive & Check-in
Check-in to our hotel, and relax until evening comes. We'll come together to enjoy a welcome drink with our other Solos guests before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
- Dinner
Day Two: Ripon to Studley Royal Estate
After breakfast, we take our bus to the historical cathedral city of Ripon where we start today's delightful walk in St Wilfrid’s Crypt, built in 672AD. Leaving Ripon, we follow the beautiful River Skell via the Hell Wath Nature Reserve, spotting the wildlife inhabiting the ancient woodland, grassland and river. We continue to the Valley of the Seven Bridges above Studley Royal Deer Park and descend to the Deer Park for lunch. There is a café at the entrance to Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey. After lunch, we enter the awe-inspiring World Heritage Site and walk and explore this iconic Yorkshire landmark, experiencing stunning views.
We then walk back to Studley Roger to take our bus back to Harrogate for a well-earned rest before dinner.
Walking Distance: 10 miles approx Walking Time: 6 hours approx Grade: Easy to Medium
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Three: Brimham Rocks & Pately Bridge
Today we travel by bus to Brimham Rocks, home to the dramatic, weird and wonderful moorland rock formations. Our walk today is a beautiful circular walk in and around the Yorkshire valley of Nidderdale, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The walk begins at Brimham Rocks and descends through woodland to the River Nidd. Following the river, we arrive in time for lunch at the delightful, small market town of Pateley Bridge.
There will be time to explore the town before we set off along part of the Nidderdale Way across rolling hills, taking in the stunning views of the river below before arriving back at Brimham Rocks to discover the uniquely shaped geological formations. We then take our bus back to Harrogate ready for our final evening meal together.
Walking Distance: 9 miles approx Walking Time: 6 hours approx Grade: Easy to Medium
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Four: Departure Day
After a leisurely breakfast, we can check-out and perhaps have a final wander around delightful Harrogate before heading home.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
The Old Swan Hotel four-star
Situated in the heart of the beautiful historic spa town of Harrogate, this charming Victorian hotel offers a fantastic blend of Victorian splendour and elegant contemporary style. It caused a stir when Agatha Christie retreated here after famously disappearing for 11 days! This historic hotel is certainly a perfect base for our Yorkshire walking break.
Facilities include
Facilities include the impressive Wedgwood restaurant, bar/ lounge and free Wi-Fi
Room includes
Our comfortable bedrooms feature Freeview TV and radio, tea/coffee-making facilities and hairdryer.
Dates & Prices
Frequently asked questions
Location & Transport
From the SouthM1 to A1 to Wetherby, then exit onto A661 to Harrogate. Follow signs to Ripon and town centre. Drive down Parliament Street, straight across the traffic lights at the bottom, and up Ripon Road. After approximately 150 yards, turn left into Swan Road.
From the NorthA1 to A61 signed for Ripon and Thirsk. Follow signs to Ripon. Follow signs to Harrogate, through Ripley and Killinghall. Take 2nd exit off roundabout onto Ripon Road. After approx. 1 mile, turn right into Swan Road.
From the West M62 to A1 to Wetherby, then exit onto A661 to Harrogate. Follow signs to Ripon and town centre. Drive down Parliament Street, straight across the traffic lights at the bottom, and up Ripon Road. After approximately 150 yards, turn left into Swan Road.
Parking There is parking on site with 4 designated disabled spaces. The parking is regulated by Harrogate Borough Council and if you wish to park your car at the hotel you must display a valid permit purchased from reception on arrival (£10.00 per day). All parking is subject to availability and operates on a first come first served basis.
Rail Travel Harrogate Station 1 mile. There is an excellent service via York or Leeds.
Walking Programme
Two guided walks are included in the programme. The walking programme is graded easy to medium and you can expect to walk up to approx 10 miles on the first walk and approx 9 miles on the second walk.
Walking notes Distance: 9 to 10 miles per day
What to Wear
Walking boots: EssentialIt is recommended to purchase a snack and drink to take with you before each walk It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to Wear It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £10.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated).
For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
Dress Code
The dress code for during the evening is casual.
