01694 723600 info@secrethillswalking.co.uk
01694 723600 info@secrethillswalking.co.uk

Testimonials

“

The hotel was good and the Guided walking experience was enjoyable

Tina, the leader, was amazing.

 I would book again, maybe for the Exmoor Experience.

Lakes, Fells and Waterfalls of the Lake District,  June 2025

Zainul Lawrence
“

The Guided walking experience was the best! Tina was our leader, a very caring, knowledgable lady, she really made the holiday special!

Tina organised the walks, discussed them, gave choices & alternatives, well organised!

 Based on this, my first experience I will definitely book with Secret Hills again.

Lakes, Fells and Waterfalls of the Lake District,  July 2025

Mrs Irmela Cross
“

 Lovely hotel – food and room were amazing. Having a pool was an extra bonus, but internet on top floor was a little flakey

 The Guided walking experience was superb. Tina and Simon were excellent guides and very patient with me making sure my feet were fully planted, which did slow us down a little

Superb organisation of holiday – asked for the extra nights beginning and end and this was very good. Lunches were amazing and the taxi service was good too.

I would reserve another holiday with Secret Hills; – looking at the October 25 Seven Sisters (if I have enough leave & money), and will prolly do one of the Ironbridge ones in 26.

Windermere Ring,  June 2025

Jane Shutt
“

A very nice hotel in a good location.  Food was good.

 Mike is an excellent guide, sensitive to the needs of the group & full of interesting information

.Lovely to be back walking with you.  I would always favour Secret Hills if I was looking for a walking holiday

Majestic  Malvern Hills,   June 2025

 

Caroline Lumb
“

The hotel had very comfortable rooms and bathroom and plenty of good food and friendly staff

The Guided walking experience was super! Tina is a very nice, caring and informative guide

The holiday was very well organised and checking the walking ability of the group

Secret Places of the Lake District, May 2025

Susanne Howse
“

The hotel was fine.  I had a huge room, with a double bed and two singles!!  Perfectly fine.  I felt the food portions were on the large side but all the staff were charming and helpful.
Tina, our guide, was superb.  Very informative, helpful, efficient and mindful of her guests needs.  She was well organised and simply the best! It was great there were only three of us on the walks. 
I would certainly reserve another holiday with Secret Hills Walking and recommend it to other people.
 I had a fabulous four days walking

Secret Places of the Lake District, May 2025

Jane Berkeley
“

The hotel was clean, my room was lovely and the staff were very friendly

The whole group I was with were lovely. Both Keith and Christine were great guide

The organisation was very good. It was my first experience of a solo holiday and everyone put me at ease from the time I booked to the time I left. I enjoyed every minute

I would definitely recommend your company to others

 

Derbyshire Dales and Peak District,   May 2025

Jo Elliot
“

The hotel was good but unfortunate that their website wasn’t available beforehand.

Very much enjoyed the walking experience.  Good walk leader and friendly group.

It was very well organised and a good all round experience.

Derbyshire Dales and Peak District,   May 2025

Diane Onyango
“

The hotel was clean, my room was lovely and the staff were very friendly

The organisation was very good. It was my first experience of a solo holiday and everyone put me at ease from the time I booked to the time I left. I enjoyed every minute I would definitely recommend your company to others and  I’m already thinking about squeezing the Cotswolds one in August into my schedule.

 

Derbyshire Dales and Peak District,  May 2025

Christine Proctor
“

The hotel food was excellent for an all-inclusive buffet with different choices every day.

I enjoyed the guided walking experience very much – a great holiday. Tristan was an excellent guide and good company.

I would you reserve another holiday with Secret Hills Walking and would recommend to others.

 

Mallorca, April 2025

Robert May
“

The hotel is always great there with comfortable room overlooking garden

I enjoyed the guided walking experience very much and I would book again with Secret Hills Walking.

Great weekend. Tina as always was a fabulous leader and really appreciate her knowledge, guidance, flexibility and friendliness. Lovely to also swap our books, Great group. Stone was also great!

Secret Place of the Lake District , April 2025

Helen Liebling
“

The guided walking experience I definitely enjoyed. Tina is very kind and takes care of every one and makes me feel at ease. The  walking Holiday? was well organised although I would have preferred to have a bus more often so the landscapes would have been more different. I would book another holiday with Secret Hills Walking as I enjoy the state of mind

The Lake District , April 2025

Pascale Eghiayan
“

I Loved walking with Tina, who was upbeat, helpful, informative.  It wouldn’t have been as good experience without her.  The holiday organisation was very good, couldn’t have asked for more.

I would definitely reserve another holiday with Secret Hills Walking.

Thank you so much for a wonderful time!

The Lake District,  April 2025

Jo de Louvois
“

The hotel was very good. Generally, I prefer smaller, more ‘local’-feeling hotels. But in this case it seemed a good choice to be located in Machico rather than Funchal, and the hotel catered for our needs so I have no complaints. The food was perfectly OK.

The guided walking experience was great – Honorio did an amazing job at tailoring each day’s walk to the group and to the weather. Despite rainy conditions for much of the week over much of the island, he always managed to find the right spots for our group, and we avoided a drenching! I appreciate Secret Hills holidays for their flexibility, and for recognising that we are there to have a good time, not for an endurance challenge.

I expected to have a brilliant time – and I did

I would reserve another holiday with Secret Hills Walking and would  recommend to others.

Madeira,  March 2025

Julie Condor
“

The Hotel was excellent.  Staff were very efficient and friendly

The hotel food was very good.  Good options for breakfast with excellent bread varieties and several coffee machines.  Dinner main courses were different every night and the I particularly enjoyed the fish options. 

Pete’s local knowledge ensured we did the best walk for the conditions on the day and were properly equipped.  His enthusiasm for the scenery, culture, history etc added to my enjoyment.    I have complete faith in Jill and Pete to ensure that we are capable of completing the walks and will do so safely.  

I enjoyed the whole experience very much.  I highly recommend the destination.

La Palma, March 2025

A Regular Walker
“

Many thanks to you Alan.

I have recommended Secret Hills to many friends.

Very well organised. Mikha (walk guide) was excellent.

Hotel was very clean, spacious rooms and very friendly staff…the meals were very good.

(Kate is a return customer)

 

Slovenia, May 2024

Kate Lefever
“

Another very enjoyable holiday. Each day ended with a sense of achievement and a feeling of friendship within the group – enhanced by leaders.

Having two leaders with excellent knowledge of the area meant walks could be challenging at times, with an “option” available should it be needed. Their caring and unobtrusive support was much appreciated – not just on the walks but overall ensuring we all had a good holiday. (Ruth is a repeat customer)

Mallorca 13th – 20th April 2024

Ruth Gurney
“

We have made three highly successful bookings with secret Hills Walking.
Very straightforward reservation. Pre-Holiday information was very helpful and effective.
Hotel fabulous, typical Spanish hillside country small hotel; very clean and comfortable; hosts were very friendly, courteous, considerate, hard-working – and the service and food was top-class – and very Spanish. (Did you enjoy the Guided walking experience?) Enormously! All days were varied and suited to weather conditions, terrain and my walking ability; the two guides were great company, considerate, friendly and understanding.
(How well did we organise your walking Holiday?) Perfectly! Not a single hitch. Transfers worked like a dream.
(Would you reserve another holiday with Secret Hills Walking, and would you recommend our Holidays to others?) Definitely yes and yes.
(Andy is a repeat customer)

 

Costa Blanca, March 28th – April 4th 2024

Andy Barnes
“

Wonderful, excellent leaders who are so much more than walking leaders, they care about you, and look after you. Hugely grateful to Pete and the UK office staff – thank you…grateful to Jill for sending links and explaining how to get into Alicante. Wondered about such a small group…it was a lovely group of people. Hotel couldn’t be better, lots of variety, healthy, home cooked, traditional, huge amounts.

(Angela is a repeat customer)

 

Costa Blanca, March 28th – April 4th 2024

Angela Richards
“

Guided walking – it was a pleasure to walk with a knowledgeable guide and not have to find my own way. A special thank you to Tina (walk guide)!
She went above and beyond…She was also very friendly, supportive and made me feel very much part of the group. Hotel excellent.

 

Easter in the Lake District, March 28th – April 1st, 2024

Fiona Mortimer
“

The guided walking experience was fantastic.  It was so great not to have to worry about the route, or getting lost, and to have other people to walk with and eat breakfast/dinner with.  The guide (Tina) was perfect, and my fellow walkers were all lovely and interesting people.  The walking experience couldn’t have been better. Overall, a very positive experience!  Thank you Alan 🙂 

 

Easter in the Lake District, March 28th – April 1st, 2024

Sarah Melanson
“

Excellent holiday, good leadership, truly enjoyable.

 

Easter in the Lake District, March 28th – April 1st, 2024

Ashley Bryant
“

Your organisation of the trip was (as usual) excellent…brilliant guiding by Jill and Peter – very knowledgeable, helpful, well organised, lovely people who really made the walking trip an absolute pleasure.

 

Gran Canaria, March 2024

Tony Giddings
“

Very nice hotel, well run and in a very nice location. Guided walking – Super! Jill and Pete (walk guides) put together a very interesting walk programme, and being flexible about it to suite the changing weather. From arrival at Gran Canaria airport to departing from there, everything in-between ran smoothly.

 

Gran Canaria, March 2024

John Chen
“

This is my 4th holiday with Secret Hills. A great hotel, good facilities, food excellent and staff very helpful. Couldn’t have been better, great walking and guides very knowledgeable of the area. Weather on the first day not helpful but alternative walk excellent.

 

Gran Canaria, March 2024

Melvyn Hill
“

This was my first Secret Hills holiday and it exceeded my expectations.

I would highly recommend to others who enjoy group walking at a decent standard. 
Our leaders (Jill and Pete) were excellent, for their knowledge, experience, consideration to us, flexibility to different abilities etc.  Special thanks to them both for leading a walk on their day off.  Very well organised. Jill and Pete made great decisions about which walks best suited the weather conditions.

Hotel was lovely and lived up to your description.  The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive… I particularly enjoyed the dinner menu featuring local dishes and Gran Canarian wine. Also, all our meals were taken around a large round table, which enabled us to mix and chat whilst dining together as a whole group. My room was quiet and very comfortable with fantastic views. 

 

Gran Canaria, March 2024

Anon
“

 

I enjoyed the guided walking experience very much as we had lovely countryside and Tristan was a brilliant guide; he was so knowledgeable and just a lovely presence.

 

Cotswolds Beauty, February 2024

Philippa Francis
“

…a good week in great company. Very well organised. Definitely enjoyed guided walking. Keep up the good work.

 

Madeira, February 2024

Pat McCarthy
“

Reservation – Straightforward and helpful, liked the personal touch. Guided walking very well led by Honorio. Organisation of holiday very good.

 

Madeira, February 2024

William Rees
“

Very much enjoyed guided walking, Honario was a very good guide. Seamlessly put together…did not want to go back home. Am already considering another holiday and I am always recommending you. Thanks for a good holiday.

 

Madeira, February 2024

Nigel Campbell-Smith
“

Guided walking excellent – Honorio (walk leader) was very knowledgeable and marshalled the group well. A really good experience – great walks and location, excellent guide and a friendly group of fellow walkers. Excellent organisation at every stage. Well done to everyone involved!

 

Madeira, February 2024

Tim Stretton
“

The guided walking was excellent. Tristan (walk leader) was brilliant and had thought through the walks for each day to give us a slightly different experience on each walk. The group was small but they were all great.
The whole thing was very well organised.
The hotel gets 10/10. The room and, best of all, bed was very comfortable. Food was great.
I’d like to say thanks to the Secret Hills team, and in this instance to Tristan in particular. Fantastic walk, 10 out of 10 for the whole experience!

 

Cotswolds Beauty, February 2024

Sharan Macdonald
“

The Hotel was good. Rooms clean, had all the basics, staff helpful. Very well positioned for Funchal centre and Old Town. Great to be able to just walk everywhere. 

The guided walking was great. So good to have a local guide with so much knowledge and with a great sense of humour too. The pace of walking was geared nicely to the whole group. The minibus and driver were very much appreciated, as were the morning coffees in little local bars and drinks stops on the way home. 

The holiday was exceptionally well organised from start to finish. 

I have already reserved another holiday and recommended to friends. 

 

Madeira, February 2024

Anon
“

Dear Alan,
Just back from the walking trip in the Cotswolds.
It was a lovely trip. The leader, Tristan, was excellent and felt we were in safe hands. We were also lucky with the weather.
I’ll certainly book another trip.
Kind regards,
Susan Holding

 

Cotswolds Beauty, February 2024

Susan Holding
“

Hi Alan,

A most enjoyable break in the Shropshire Hills. Hotel and food very good.

Alan and his team of experienced walk leaders looked after our group very well, providing interesting walks, even though the weather wasn’t good.

The holiday is well organised, with a nice personal touch, and I would thoroughly recommend anyone to use this company.

Regards,

Mark Ward

 

Beat the Xmas Pud December 27th – 30th 2023.

Mark Ward
“

I very often talk to friends about my experience with Secret Hills.
Guided walking – Alan, Ing, Gail, Ian and John looked after us very well. Excellent organisation.
Thank you very much for a lovely holiday – I look forward to seeing you again in 2024.

 

Beat the Xmas Pud, December 2023

Susan Russell
“

Reservation very easy and simple. Guided walking – I enjoyed it to the fullest. It seemed like a good team with good experience. I will be booking another holiday very soon and will gladly recommend it to others.

Thank you very much for all the support received from the team, especially Craig and Carol.

 

New Year Cotswolds 2024

Maria Saavedra
“

Pre-holiday information… I was able to look at the areas on an OS map and so gained some knowledge of the terrain to be covered. The guided walks were good. Very well organised.

Beat the Xmas Pud, December 27th – 30th 2023.

Guntis Rebane
“

Hi Bev
This is my fourth holiday with Secret Hills.
Really enjoyed the Walking and I must give gold stars to both Jill and Pete (walk leaders) for being so friendly and very knowledgeable!
I am already recommending Secret Hills to friends.
Thanks for a great holiday.
Barry

La Palma, November 2023

Barry Ashton
“

I had an amazing week – with the help of two super leaders – their quiet, confident approach enabled me to start each day with confidence and end the day feeling I’d achieved something. Thank you, Jill and Pete. It’s good to know that once booked, everything that is promised will happen or if change is needed it will be done in the best way possible. Would recommend SH Holidays to others. Thanks for the opportunity to have another great holiday.

Madeira, November 2023

Ruth Gurney
“

Good organisation of holiday. Really enjoyed. Yes (would recommend and reserve again).

Madeira, November 2023.

Richard Turner
“

Did you enjoy the guided walking?
Yes, especially the mountain walks. Great walks with nice people.
Would you reserve another holiday and would you recommend?
Yes to both.

 

Madeira, November 2023.

Eric Sim
“

Hi Alan/Bev
Holiday was enjoyable as always and the walking/guiding was great.
Hotel was pleasant and breakfast/ packed lunch was good.
Reservation process and pre holiday information was good and already booked on another holiday
Thank you Anne Dawson

Madeira, November 2023.

Anne Dawson
“

 

Hi Bev,

I heard about Secret Hills via the advert in Ramblers magazine.

The Reservation and Pre Booking process was smooth.

The hotel and food was most enjoyable, and the staff very welcoming and friendly….i would recommend staying there.

The holiday was well organised and i would certainly recommend Secret Hills to friends.

A special mention for Bridget, our Walking Guide. She was absolutely brilliant. Very welcoming and friendly throughout. She led excellent varied Walks.

This was my first Solo holiday and I shall be looking to book again with Secret Hills.

Mark

Sea to Sky, October 2023

Mark Ward
“

It was great and I will definitely recommend Secret Hills to my friends and will return to visit other areas with you.
The guided walks were fantastic. Alison had gone to a lot of trouble to plan routes that were interesting and varied. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the area and able to share her passion with us. She is also good at judging when to just let us enjoy the experience for ourselves, which I think is important too when you are in such a wonderful place. It was a joy to be able to walk in this beautiful area of England with such a lovely group of people. The organisation was seamless, thank you.

South Downs, October 2023.

Nicola Jarman
“
It was REALLY great weekend; Alison (walk leader) was a brilliant, friendly, knowledgeable leader, the scenery was stunning, lunch pubs excellent, I will definitely be returning there, and to other places, with Secret Hills. Thank you all !
 
South Downs, October 2023.
Nicola Howard
“

 

Dear Bev and Alan.  I truly like Secret Hill’s concept. An introductory walk to meet our guide and group is an asset for all.  The Fighting Cocks provided excellent food and staff.  The accommodation was comfortable and suited my needs.  But, overall, Bridget (walk leader) deserves high praise.  Her instant relaxing approach to greeting us set the tone for the days ahead. Knowledgeable, great sense of humour and very much a team member. I would certainly recommend Secret Hills and will definitely book another holiday.

Best wishes Catriona

Sea to Sky, October 2023

Catriona Munro
“

The basic recipe for these Secret Hills Walking holidays works really well, if you have a good comfortable base, good friendly company, good well organised walks and supportive enthusiastic group leaders. This was certainly the case in the Alpujarras so the total holiday experience was very enjoyable. For me the walking was spot on as in parts it was challenging, the descents rather than ascents, but had plenty of relaxing stretches to interact with fellow walkers. Expertly guided as ever by Jill and Pete.
The hotel was very good, with comfortable rooms, good facilities and grounds.

Spain, Alpujarra’s October 2023.

Clive Fletcher
“

Organisation of holiday excellent. I am looking forward to future holidays with you.

Wales, Lakes – October 2023.

Susan Russell
“

So glad I made this booking, absolutely everything went superbly. Slovenia is a beautiful country with so many fabulous walking opportunities. The hotel does everything right, and then some. We were blessed with glorious weather; and the group were super bunch, we had so many laughs and so much fun. Thoroughly enjoyed the guided walking. Mika was an excellent guide, the walks were of a well thought variety, to showcase the beautiful Slovenian scenery.

Slovenia, September 2023

Colin Harrison
“

A very enjoyable holiday with a lovely group of people who got on right from the start. It was lovely to have people in the group from outside the UK.
The guided walking was excellent and varied. Our guide Miha was fun, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience very enjoyable. He constantly made sure we were okay. The walks were in varied terrain and challenged us without taking away the enjoyment.
The organisation was excellent from start to finish.

Slovenia, September 2023.

Carole Yule
“

As usual I really enjoyed the holiday.
The Hotel Alcadima was lovely. The room was comfortable, very quiet, spacious with effective air conditioning and great shower.
The walking was very enjoyable. Jill and Pete (walk leaders) had compiled an interesting programme in an area of ‘secret’ hills.
All aspects of the holiday were taken care of. The visit to The Alhambra Palace on our non-walking day was a great added opportunity.

Spain, Alpujarra’s September 2023.

Janet Coates
“

Can I say a massive thank you for the wonderfully well organised holiday we all had in Slovenia. I was bowled over by the beauty of the place, and your local knowledge and detailed briefs made it all a breeze. Miha (walk leader) was wonderful, with endless patience. In fact, all in all, I have never been so well looked after on any holiday. I will definitely be up for another one.

Slovenia, September 2023.

Catherine Myatt
“

Hi Alan,

Jean Pollard here…I have just been on your Devon/ Dorset trip…. It was great to see you in person.I had a great time and the holiday was exactly as I had hoped it would be….it was an excellent ‘first holiday on my own’.  To have my day already planned for me was such a treat and to be able to walk good distances on consecutive days was spot on. Peter (walk leader) was an excellent companion/guide and it was good to meet the rest of our group. The whole 5 days were so well organised ……all credit to your company. Later today, I will be looking to see where I can go next…with Secret Hills obviously!

Best wishes, Jean . 

Dorset & Devon, October 2023

Jean Pollard
“

Great holiday, great scenery, great people! Guided walking: Excellent. Jill and Pete are fantastic guides, very informative and very good at communicating in advance both route options and lunch arrangements. Excellent hotel, it was everything I was promised in the holiday info. Yes I would reserve again and recommend to others.

 

Spain, Alpujarra’s October 2023.

Marie Denivelle
“

was an amazing leader, planning the route according to everyone’s ability. The weather wasn’t great but to have a positive energetic leader encouraged us all…the company of the group and leaders made it a hugely enjoyable holiday. Hotel was great…food was great…amazing jacuzzi. The organisation was great. I would reserve another holiday.

Nicky Price
Windermere Ring, October 2021
“

Guided walking holiday: I very much enjoyed it, the guides were excellent, well organised and made the walks interesting with historical and nature facts along the way. The group was about the right size. It was very well organised. The guides went out of their way to be helpful, including giving me a lift to the pub on my final day to make

Sue Dewhirst
White Peak,September 2021

  • I had an amazing week – with the help of two super leaders – their quiet, confident approach enabled me to start each day with confidence and end the day feeling I’d achieved something. Thank you, Jill and Pete. It’s good to know that once booked, everything that is promised will happen or if change is needed it will be done in the best way possible. Would recommend SH Holidays to others. Thanks for the opportunity to have another great holiday.

    La Palma, November 2023.

    “
    Ruth Gurney
“

A first rate break Alan! Thanks so much. Hotel very good. Excellent food and good local beers. Guided walking was brilliant! All your guides and the walking routes were first rate. The Shropshire Hills is a great area. my return journey easier, which was much appreciated.

Lewis Thomas
Shropshire Hills Church Stretton – August 2021
“

service. Extremely well organised. The hotel was very good, absolutely nothing adverse to report. The walking in Madeira was superb and offered great variety with wonderful views. Roberto and Miguel were first class guides. A thoroughly enjoyable holiday, Madeira is an excellent walking destination. Another most enjoyable holiday, Alan, Well done and thanks.

Colin Harrison
Madeira, November 2021
“

Did you enjoy the guided walking?
Yes, especially the mountain walks. Great walks with nice people.
Would you reserve another holiday and would you recommend?
Yes to both.

Madeira, November 2023.

Eric Sim
“

I enjoyed the guided walking experience very much as we had lovely countryside and Tristan was a brilliant guide; he was so knowledgeable and just a lovely presence.

 

Cotswolds Beauty, February 2024

Philippa Francis

  • I thought the pre-holiday information was excellent. We loved the hotel, particularly the staff. They were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast is particularly good and the dinner was always very enjoyable with fresh fruit available if we didn’t always want pudding or cake.I thought our guides were brilliant. They made it fun, even though I found some of the walks were challenging. I felt a sense of achievement at the end of the day after a tough walk.The organisation was very good and everything went smoothly. There was always an alternative if we weren’t able to complete a more difficult walk for any reason. The lunch stops were always expecting us and we enjoyed them. I did find some of it challenging, but I was very pleased that I was able to complete some of the more difficult walks and felt great afterwards. I really loved the holiday. I particularly enjoyed the company of the rest of the group, who were a variety of personalities. We had great fun. We are planning our next Secret Hills Walking holiday for next year. We have already recommended Secret Hills to friends and would do so again. Alan did a great job organising our holiday. We will definitely be back.

    “
    Alison Mountain
    Slovenia September 2019.