What to expect on a Book Club holiday

Whether you’re continually diving into a page-turner or a lapsed reader wanting to find your way back to an enjoyment of books, our book club holidays are perfect for friendship-forming experiences with fellow guests. While enjoying a stay at one of our characterful UK country houses, you’ll be invited to explore texts, discuss story ideas, formulate opinions, and perhaps even find inspiration to pen your own literary masterpiece.

We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the reading list prior to your holiday. Informal discussions will be led by our HF Holidays Book Club Leaders, giving you the chance to share your thoughts with a group of like-minded book lovers. There will also be an excursion day giving you the opportunity for sightseeing based on the reading list.

While the itinerary varies depending on which book club holiday you’re booked on, you can expect to start the day with a tasty cooked breakfast. Some days, you’ll be taking part in laid-back discussions of works on the reading list with your fellow book club guests. Our HF Holidays Book Club Leaders will prompt the discussion and allow everyone to share their insights. 

Free-flowing tea and coffee will be made available throughout the day, and you can also make use of our Discovery Point should you wish to embark on a self-guided walk.

On your excursion day, you’ll board a comfortable coach and hop between standout sightseeing spots linked to the reading list. Evening meals are included, giving you an opportunity to continue the conversation with your fellow guests.

Our book club breaks are based at our characterful country houses, all of which are within easy distance from some of the UK’s best-loved national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Every location is specially selected to reflect the reading list. For example, our Gothic fiction book club holiday is hosted at Larpool Hall, our Grade-II listed property situated a skip away from Whitby – the seaside town known for its Dracula connections.

Full-board dining comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival day. Enjoy a continental or full English each morning followed by packed lunch and a delicious three-course dinner. 

You can expect well-appointed en-suite guest rooms for a great night’s sleep. We also have dedicated boot and drying rooms, licensed bars, relaxing public spaces, and evening entertainment on select dates. 

Please bring your copy/copies of the book(s) needed for discussion. This can be a paper version or tablet (for example, a Kindle or e-reader). The full reading list will be available on the Itinerary tab of your holiday. You may also wish to bring along a pad and pen to jot down any notes.

On your excursion day, be prepared for time spent on your feet. You’ll need comfortable shoes, season-specific extras (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat), and a small rucksack or cross-body bag for carrying a bottle of water and other small essentials. There’s no strict dress code and most guests wear casual clothing for dinner.