Holidays
Wainwright Bagging Northern Fells Challenge

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Wainwright Bagging Northern Fells Challenge

Challenge walks in Lake District

7 nights

Grades 6

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Groups of 10+

020 3974 8865

Bag the fell tops listed in Alfred Wainwright’s legendary guidebook The Northern Fells. Led by an experienced HF Holidays Leader, this week-long exploration of the Lake District sees you and a group of like-minded walkers tackle over 10 miles of remote landscapes and four to six Wainwrights each day. Highlights include the trail to the summit of Skiddaw and a ridge walk to High Pike for stunning views towards Scotland.

What You’ll Love

Following in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright on some of his favourite fells
Bagging all the summits in his The Northern Fells guide
Enjoying challenging walking with wonderful views and sense of achievement
Admiring panoramic mountain, lake, and river views from fells and peaks
Summiting Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Skiddaw Little Man amongst others

What's Included

Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee 
Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader 
All transport to and from walks where necessary

Trip Suitability

This trip is graded walking Activity Level 6. We explore the Northern Fells with long distance walks covering vast amounts of ground. This holiday is designed for experienced walkers who have good levels of fitness.

Your fitness

This holiday has been designed for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. Having a solid base of fitness before your holiday will ensure you’ve the best chance of completing the holiday and enjoying it to boot. Here’s a few simple tips to help you get fit and ready for your challenge:

Get out walking – whatever the weather, get out there, and start building your fitness months before your holiday
Build your distance gradually and get a number of 6-8hr hill days in
Ideally, try and do two consecutive days training if possible
Take the stairs every time
Train on different terrain
Train with your day pack and your walking boots too, to ensure they’re well worn in before your holiday
Other sports help improve your walking fitness too. The best ones are jogging, cycling, swimming, which will build your stamina, and yoga which will help strengthen your core and improve balance

Time training will help ensure you enjoy your holiday to the max.

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

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Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Distance: 10½ miles (16.5km)

Total ascent: 3,130 feet (950m)

Today’s challenge takes in five of the Wainwrights. After a short coach ride, we’ll begin our walk via Ullock Pike towards the summit of Skiddaw - the highest of the Wainwrights in The Northern Fells pictorial guide. From there we’ll continue, bagging Long Side, Carl Side, and Skiddaw on the way. We’ll then descend via Bakestall, before dropping down to Bassenthwaite village for a well-earned break.

Distance: 12 miles (20km)

Total ascent: 2,850 feet (860m)

We’ll explore the quieter side of the Lake District and the most northerly of the Wainwrights today. Our first summit will be Carrock Fell from where we’ll continue along the ridge to High Pike to enjoy the best views towards Scotland from the Northern Fells. We’ll retrace our steps briefly to take in Knott and Great Calva before descending into the River Caldew valley. We’ll return past Carrock Mine to Mosedale, where we’ll meet our coach back to Derwent Bank having ticked off four Wainwrights.

Discover more about Derwent Bank and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Total ascent: 2,920 feet (900m)

We’ll return to Mosedale this morning and continue our journey to bag five more Wainwrights. Our first summit will be Bowscale Fell via Bowscale Tarn, and then we’ll follow the ridgeline to Bannerdale Crags, Mungrisdale Common, and the iconic peak of Blencathra. Our descent takes us onto Souther Fell and down to Mungrisdale village.

Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)

Total ascent: 2,890 feet (880m)

On the northern edge of the Lake District, we'll tackle six more Wainwrights. Our first fell will be Binsey before walking via Over Water and Orthwaite to climb Great Cockup, Meal Fell, and Great Sca Fell. Our descent will take in Brae Fell and Longlands Fell before we head back. We’ll explore the quietest, lowest, and least rugged part of the Northern Fells range today.

Distance: 13½ miles (21.5km)

Total ascent: 3,400 feet (1,030m)

Our first fell stands proud above Keswick's skyline – Latrigg. After admiring the views from the top, we’ll continue along the Cumbria Way into the Glenderaterra Valley to ascend Lonscale Fell. Our route will take us onto Skiddaw Little Man, Broad End, Carl Side, and on to Dodd. We’ll then take the Keswick launch back to Derwent Bank having ticked off the final four, and therefore all, of Wainwright’s favourite Northern Fells, ready for a little celebration.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Download trip notes

Daily Walk Options

Harder Walks

Our most challenging walks where high levels of fitness and stamina are required. Walks will be long and strenuous in difficult mountain terrain.

Accommodation

Derwent Bank

Adored by poets, painters, and literary giants for centuries, the Lake District has always had an irresistible pull. It’s no surprise, then, that this country house near the market town of Keswick holds such appeal, not least for its setting in lovely grounds that slope down to the shores of Derwentwater. The location couldn’t be more perfect; to the west is Cat Bells, to the east is Keswick, Walla Crag, and Latrigg, and to the south is the entrance to the Borrowdale valley. There’s a wealth of big-name attractions within easy travelling distance, including Blencathra, Helvellyn, and Ullswater. Also visit-worthy for walkers is Scafell Pike for its well-trodden routes and trails and the 73-mile-long Cumbria Way for its mist-shrouded peaks, glacial valleys, and many excuses for pit-stops and picnics.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.

Check in & check out

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

• 40 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 54 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Free Wi-Fi • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • 2 travel cots & high chair • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Lounge • Garden • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Derwent Bank has 40 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: Room 12 for its extra space and lovely views across the gardens and Derwentwater. Rooms 46, 47, 48, and 49 are first-floor garden rooms, each with their own balcony.

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.

Room supplements

Superior	Premium single	Premium double/twin	Choose your room
£25 pppn	£20 pppn	£20 pppn	£30 per room

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Derwent Bank

View more details View holidays here

More Information

Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.

Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.

Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.

If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.  

Essentials 

Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip 
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable) 
Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
Waterproof overtrousers 
Gloves and a warm hat
Rucksack with waterproof liner
Flask for hot drinks  
Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity) 
Sunscreen 
UV sunglasses

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

spare warm clothing
spare high energy food
head torch and spare batteries
please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended 

Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve) 
Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters 
First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
Sit mat  
Waterproof pouch for valuables 
Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace) 
Wallet/purse 
Camera
Walking poles

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

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