England
Choose Your Pace: Hiking in England's National Parks
Program No. 22986RJ
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Choose Your Pace: Hiking in England's National Parks
Choose Your Pace: Hiking in England's National Parks
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Participant Reviews
Based on 37 Reviews
SHOWING
Great trip and excellent leader!
— Review left November 2, 2025
Enjoyable hiking program with experienced guides. Sightseeing in small towns during travel days and as available during hikes. The physical activity level was exactly what we prepared for and experienced. Fantastic scenery!
— Review left September 3, 2025
Nice trip. Excellent guides, nice hotels. Nice hiking options. Overall guide, Nikki, was excellent.
— Review left August 27, 2025
This trip is contracted with HF Holidays in the UK. The guides for the trip are all volunteers and as such they do not conform to Road Scholar policy for educational content and there does not seem to be any oversight by Road Scholar to improve this problem. At one point, our group was shooed away from a site of interest against our clearly communicated preference because it was raining and our guide wanted to go get a coffee instead of supporting our interest in the 1000+ year old stone circle we were visiting.
Additionally the guides are inappropriate with participants at times, for instance one male guide was observed urinating in public by 3 different female participants.
The country houses that provided accommodations were adequate though quite worn. Unfortunately, again, the historic significance and history of each house was completely neglected-another educational opportunity missed.
The countryside was beautiful and when we had the benefit of a female guide we actually learned something about it but this was limited by the fact that the ratio of male to female guides was 2:1.
It is also worth noting that 2 of our 22 participants had serious accidents while participating, one who had to be airlifted to a local hospital.
I do not recommend this trip.
— Review left July 10, 2025
We chose the hardest level hikes every opportunity. There were seven and 3 of them were very challenging. The other 4 were delightful. We thought that was a perfect mix. It was our first trip to England and RS does such a fantastic job of international travel. Our British fellow hikers were a delight to chat with as we walked along together. Evenings in the country houses were a missed educational opportunity. HF wanted us all to participate in silly games and quizzes. indoor Curling! Really!? Give me an educational lecture or PowerPoint please.
— Review left July 5, 2025
The Hiking in England's National Parks trip is definitely worthwhile to take as you will learn something about that area in England and of course view the beautiful countryside there.
— Review left June 17, 2025
This trip was a great way to experience the beautiful landscapes of the lake district. It was wonderful to enjoy rain-free hikes, learn from the knowledgeable HF guides, and interact with British and Canadian hikers. Our leader was excellent and ensured that all aspects of the program ran smoothly.
— Review left June 2, 2025
This is a fabulous trip! The hikes were tailored to each individual's level. The country houses were grand, as was spending all day in the bucolic English countryside. Our leader was beyond informative and supportive and our group got along very well. I cannot recommend this program enough.
— Review left May 29, 2025
This was a beautiful and fun hiking program. The leaders were engaging and fun to be with every day. The food was terrific (I would have loved a lambburger, though). My only negative is that these were at most level 2 hikes, and I would have liked a few more challenging ones. Overall, it was a great trip. My wife and I loved this trip.
— Review left May 11, 2025
Without doubt, we loved this trip and hope Road Scholar continues to offer it as one of its many fine programs. The Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks may not have great art museums, cathedrals, and monuments, but it provided us with one of the best cultural, educational, and active experiences we have ever had.
— Review left November 27, 2023
Hiking the footpaths of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales is a wonderful way to see the beauty of the area and to learn about the history, geology, and sheep farming that make this area magical.
— Review left November 2, 2023
Wonderful hiking trip in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District. Would highly recommend taking this trip and enjoying the beauty of the area. Intermingling with British Hiking Leaders and local participants made this trip particularly enjoyable.
— Review left November 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed hiking and learning in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales NPs. It's a very unique part of England that I'd like to return to. Our leader, Neil, was excellent as well as the hike leaders from HF Holidays. Our group was really fun and knowledgable which elevated our outdoor classroom experience to another level. The country houses were beautiful and the local people very warm and hospitable. Excellent trip, great memories and new friends! I highly recommend it!!!
— Review left November 1, 2023
The participants in the group have noticed this Program is not in the Schedule Next Year. I enjoyed the Hiking and staying at the three HF Holidays Halls in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. I chose my own pace by doing a few "1" rated hikes and a few "2" rated hikes. The hikes were led by Nine different Hike Leaders. I saw Sheep, climbed the Fells and walked in the Dales, saw Pot-Holes and Swallow Holes, a Stone Circle, hiked a Rigg, saw Lakes, Meres and Tarns, rode a Ship on a Lake, saw Forces, Crags, Cairns, Cols, Dikes, Gills, Gullys, Rakes and did I mention some of the 8 Million Sheep that are around. I could not Count them all!
I met a few Brits and other Hikers from as far away as Australia. And that was not all.....
— Review left November 1, 2023
What a lovely trip. The accommodations in classic English manors were charming. It was nice having the choice of three different hikes each day. As with other RS tours, fellow travelers made the trip extra special. In addition to RS travelers, we hiked and dined with English hikers who shared a great deal about England and the Yorkshire Dales. Our leader, Peter, did a nice job looking after us and tending to situations that arose. Thanks for another wonderful trip!
— Review left September 25, 2023
Hiking England's National Parks was an amazing adventure. This area of England is so very beautiful, full of sheep, lush vegetation, incredible views and stone rows galore. Hiking with the Brits was such a pleasant experience. Overall recommend 100 percent!
— Review left September 25, 2023
A great introduction to the mountains and lakes of Cumbria. The phrase "English Pastoral" kept coming to mind as we roamed the green valleys and walked the hills in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
— Review left September 24, 2023
This was our first RS trip and we had such a great time. The weather stayed good, the sites were amazing and our fellow hikers made the trip very special. Everyone was supportive of each other, very encouraging and an inspiration. Couldn't have had a better 1st experience and we will be talking about this for years.
— Review left September 23, 2023
This is a wonderful hiking program in the Lake District and Yorkshire Downs National Parks. There was a variety of hiking levels and locations visited. And the country houses were each very special.
— Review left August 23, 2023
The calibre of the leader and guides on our program was truly exceptional and made each portion of this trip enriching and memorable. The guides were passionate about the landscape and it's beauty and helped us to experience all of it's historical and natural treasures. HAving 3 levels of hike to choose from daily was the BEST. And the lodging locations were absolutely gorgeous with exceptional staff, food and views. I was initially worried that 2 weeks might be too long but am now SO grateful that we gave each of our three stopping points the fullness of time. It was the perfect length trip and each day held unique natural wonders along with the chance to move at one's own pace along with others. I loved that our Road Scholar group got to mix in with others from a group called HFHolidays because these travellers from the UK had wonderful perspectives to share in addition to a friendliness beyond compare. I HIGHLY recommend this trip. It was the adventure of a lifetime in a most spectacular set of landscapes. Thanks to all who made it happen!
— Review left August 16, 2023
This was a wonderful adventure in beautiful Northern England, one of my favorite Road Scholar trips ever. I highly recommend it! The countryside in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District is lovely, the hikes and guides were ideal, and the lodging and food were fabulous. The ability to interact and hike with British (and Australian) vacationers added to the enjoyment.
— Review left July 9, 2023
A great way to explore Yorkshire and the Lake District. Every walking day offered a range of options both in length and interest. The transfer day stops are a nice break from hiking and a fun chance to see something new.
— Review left May 27, 2023
I really enjoyed my Road Scholar trip to the National Parks of England. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales were really lovely, and the hike leaders were all both personable and knowledgeable. I enjoyed interacting with my fellow American Road Scholars, and also with the English hikers who I walked with for a few days. We got to know more than just the landscape, but more about the people very much like us who lived there.
— Review left May 25, 2023
Take that bucket list trip with Road Scholar! I did and am so glad I did ! This trip has incredible scenery and daily chances to walk right into it on the pathways.Yes, it rains, but just wear waterproofs and get out into these inspiring farm pastures, fells , rivers and lakes
— Review left May 2, 2023
I do Road Scholar hiking trips to the exclusion of any other kind. This two-week adventure in the national parks of England has to be on every hikers wish list. The three country manor houses provided excellent lodging and food in historic settings set in the natural beauty of the parks. The meals and sack lunches were outstanding. Our guides (different ones at each house) were knowledgeable and provided extensive background on the areas that we were hiking through. Because they offered 3 levels of hiking, everyone found a hiking level to their satisfaction. I would like to do this hike again with different manor houses, especially the one in Whitby which was on our original itinerary but was changed after the hike was postponed by COVID for two years. It's nice to hike when Road Scholar takes care of everything.
— Review left October 18, 2022
This trip was absolutely fantastic. The variety of hike options each day and the lodging we stayed in was wonderful. The countryside was beautiful and we were treated very kindly by our RS leader. The experience on hiking on trails that intermingled in farmers homes, walking on paths with sheep at your feet made this trip exceptional. An experience so different than my local hikes in Oregon. The variety of food options could not have been better- We had perfect weather but we were prepared for rain. It never happened but if it had rained, it still would have been a fantastic trip. The county homes we stayed in were historical, one of a kind homes. Just a wonderful trip well worth the cost.
— Review left July 29, 2022
Great hiking vacation. We hiked 7 out of 11 days; the others were travel days. Comfortable lodgings, plenty of food, good / competent / engaging guides. Two specific comments: first, this is a hiking / walking trip not a sightseeing or history tour. Best for people who enjoy outdoor exercise. Second, you’ll eat at least 2 meals each day, more typically 3, with the same people. That’s about 30 straight meals! Be sure you enjoy this much socializing. Bottom line: if you like hiking through beautiful scenery and enjoy chatting with new friends at breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll love this trip.
— Review left July 24, 2022
We liked this trip very much. The country houses were very comfortable and well set-up for hiking. There were many options for hiking the beautiful English countryside. The food was abundant, with ample healthy options. The majority of the guests at the houses were from the UK. They were with us on our hikes, and we shared meals with them. Our interactions with them enhanced our experience. The sightseeing on transfer days was interesting . We were there in early April. We experienced a range of weather to include sun, rain and graupel. Rain gear is a must.
— Review left April 18, 2022
Greatly enjoyed this trip, had a great group of people and the group leader was fantastic.
— Review left November 27, 2019
I would love it if Road Scholar/England would work with HFHolidays on a trip along the southern coast and Cornwall. HFHolidays has several Manor homes in that area. I would sign up!
— Review left September 14, 2019
I loved our delightful and competent program leader, Neil, and the unique setting that was England. I'm amazed by the number of public foothpaths through farm, field, forest, and along waterways. According to Bill Bryson, there are 2.2 miles of public footpaths for every square mile in the country. That leaves a lot of exploring to do and seems to ensure that the Brits are serious about their hiking.
For this program, Road Scholar subcontracted with Hf Holidays. We stayed in Hf Holiday houses and our hikes (levels 1, 2, or 3) were led by Hf Holiday volunteers. Most had never been on the hike they led and it was amazing that they could navigate a group. My conclusion from this trip was that having hike guides who had not hiked a trail before was a problem with the Hf Holiday model. I don't recommend hiking in that manner and yes, there are some stories related to this particular challenge. At each location we were also joined at meals and on hikes by individual mostly European guests as well. The Hf Holiday house staff were attentive and lovely, too, each house with the same schedule and menus, but interesting in their differences.
Again, the Brits are serious about their hiking. The pace and ascent were considerably more challenging than previous hikes I've been on. The countryside is wonderful; each district was unique. Watch out for the cow and sheep poo, though. I loved hiking along the cliffs of the North Sea and in the Lake District.
I'm extremely pleased to have made new friends and reunited with others met on previous RS hiking trips.
— Review left September 9, 2019
This is a wonderful adventure of some beautiful English countryside. Portions of it are like a step back in time with the stone walls, stone buildings and quaint undeveloped scenery. The choice of various hiking levels from easy to challenging afford the opportunity to choose an experience each day according to your energy level, weather conditions or your own capabilities. The accommodations in comfortable country houses add to the romance of England. Loved this trip!
— Review left September 4, 2019
Hiking at Your Own Pace in the Three National parks in northern England is an excellent opportunity to explore the wonderful footpaths and Fells and Dales in a most beautiful part of England. The three hiking options provided each day were perfectly balanced for the different needs of the group participants. The group leader, Kevin, is a warm and wonderful person who steered out group quietly, respectfully and cheerfully. He has a lot of knowledge about the area. All of the locations are truly beautiful and interesting. The country houses provided excellent accommodations and cuisine. The volunteer guides took good care of the participants. A delightful experience for outdoor enthusiasts!
— Review left July 30, 2019
Choose from 3 levels of hikes, some of which take you across fields full of buttercups, up fell and down dale, and feel part of the northern English countryside as it was 200 years ago. Immerse yourself in the comfort of a historical country house with tea and scones, while enjoying a view of majestic beech and heritage trees ringing expansive green lawn sweeping down to a jewel-like lake. A Jane Austen novel or William Wordsworth poem come to life. Every day brings a new perspective on Northern England’s National Parks, each one with its distinct landscape. A very grand hiking trip indeed!
— Review left June 5, 2019
I had a wonderful time on this co-sanctioned walking program in the National Parks of the UK. RS association with HF Holidays on this program was the reason I signed up. I knew of HF Holiday's reputation in the UK and loved the idea of deciding which walk I would attend each day. The accomodations were wonderful, as was the food, and volunteer leadership of HF Hols. One word of caution to future participarts: these are each robust and lengthy walks whether on the easiest or most difficult walk. Make sure you have good hiking boots with lug soles AND do some serious hiking prior to this program so that you can get the most out of your walks. Have blister kits with you, as well. These walks are in areas of outstanding beauty. Enjoy the experience! We were so lucky to have Stuart Findlay as our group leader and problem solver! He was the glue that held things together! I highly recommend this program to anyone who has the desire to experience walking with participants from the UK who were part of HF Holiday program. This made the program extra special for me.
— Review left May 3, 2019
This is an outstanding trip. I greatly enjoyed the chance to interact to with the Brits who were on the hikes. The accommodations were outstanding, and the hikes are wonderful. We had beautiful weather with no rain, but that was highly unusual -- so bring rain gear!
I am grateful to the Hf Holiday volunteers who led the hikes. Our group leader, Stuart was well-organized, knowledgeable and attentive to the needs of participants.
— Review left April 27, 2019
Wonderful weather, companions, group leader (Stuart) and accommodations at HF houses. My only complaints: "easy" hikes at 7-9 miles are a bit too long. It would have been nice to have more time for other sight seeing. Some of the HF hike leaders had never hiked the particular trails and got lost! Very unprofessional. If you are a casual hiker make sure this program is right for you as even the hikes rated "easy" are rather long and arduous. You definitely need to be in decent shape to get the most out of this program.
— Review left April 24, 2019