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HF Holidays, Britain’s only walking holiday co‑operative reopens Dolserau Hall, in the Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) today, marking the first milestone in an exciting programme to invest in, and elevate, all sixteen of its UK Country Houses.
The reopening follows a record year for HF Holidays and strong demand for walking and activity holidays, with Dolserau Hall welcoming guests again after a refurbishment of key public areas inspired by the beautiful surrounding landscape.
Dolserau Hall’s reopening sees the start of a new estate strategy that focuses on a £10.5 million investment programme over the next six years focusing on the front of house experience. This includes a roll out of its “consistently different” interior design strategy which balances a HF Signature Club-style feel, with nature-led interior design principles that bring the outside inside and honour the individual character and heritage of the property.
The new approach helps foster a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape, brought to life by Biophilic interior designer Jana Robinson’s framework: ‘From Forest Floor to Tree Canopy’, which will be rolled out across the estate. This concept reflects how we experience the outdoors in gradual layers, with the design echoing natural cues in light, texture, sound and rhythm. Incorporating natural elements into interior design is proven to enhance wellbeing, and the aim is to ensure guests feel rooted in their surroundings and a sense of calm.
From natural materials and nature‑inspired palettes to locally influenced artwork and atmospheric lighting, each house aims to offer a warm, welcoming, and sociable ‘home-from-home’ environment for guests to relax and connect with each other.
HF Holidays uses 100% renewable electricity across its country house estate, but further sustainability upgrades will also be at the heart of the investment programme including smart meters, more EV charging and waste reduction improvements to align with HF Holidays’ B Corp status.
An investment vision with co-operative values
As a co‑operative since 1913, HF Holidays reinvests all trading surpluses directly back into its UK estate to future‑proof walking holidays for generations to come. With 40,000+ members in its growing community, HF Holidays is inviting its members to increase their shareholding to fund the future of the next chapter. The next focus will be the completion of a full £3 million update to HF Country House Longmynd Hotel in the Shropshire Hills which will be finished in Spring 2027.
HF Holidays CEO Chris Simmonds explains: “Our goal is to ensure HF Holidays remains a self-sustaining independent society thanks to our supportive membership community. Our commitment to reinvesting in our houses ensures we continue to deliver exceptional experiences rooted in community, connection and belonging in the great outdoors. Dolserau Hall is just the start of an exciting new chapter.”
Further strengthening its UK Country House portfolio, HF Holidays is delighted to appoint Julia Winterburn to the newly created role of Head of UK Country Houses.
This appointment bolsters the current operational structure and support for its country house estate. Winterburn will be overseeing the guest and member experience and will help to deliver the walking holiday co-operative’s long-term vision to elevate the experience it offers its guests and members.
CEO Chris Simmonds continues; “Julia joins us with significant senior leadership experience in hospitality, leisure, and tourism. A strong track record of developing teams, improving guest experience, and leading through change will be a huge asset as we begin this new journey.”