Walk your way into the New Year in the Cotswolds

There are other walking holiday companies that cover the  countryside but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for single and solos travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies, because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit on one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

Getting to Cirencester

By train – Kemble is the nearest station, some 6 miles away. Taxis readily available. This is your cost. See www.nationalrail.co.uk. However, wherever possible, our walk leader will collect and return you to Kemble Station. Please advise the office of your train times in advance if you wish to be collected.

By car –  the post code for your Sat Nav is GL7 2LE. 

 Full detailed journey instruction will be sent with your Joining Details prior to the holiday.

Its all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secrethills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekends activities – but its good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for traveling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – its not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

To reserve a place on any of our holidays, please follow these simple instructions.

Reserve online  – once you have chosen your holiday, click on Proceed Booking and complete the online form. If you have difficulty reserving online, please  contact us (tel: 01694 723600, email: info@secrethillswalking.co.uk) and we will assist you to complete your booking.

Payment

Please note we cannot take credit/debit card details over the phone. You may pay by the following methods when you book online…

• Paypal – if you have a Paypal account, simply click on the link to the Paypal website.
• Credit / Debit card – we use Paypal to host our credit/debit cards facility because it is a very secure system. So if you want to pay with a card, simply click on this option which will take you to our page on the PayPal website. Check in there as a “Guest” to enable your card payment. You do not need to have a Paypal account for this transaction.
• We will also accept a Bank Transfer – you will find our account details on the booking form.
• Finally, we will also accept a cheque payable to Secret Hills Walking Holidays and sent to: Secret Hills Walking Holidays, 35 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BH

Please note than an initial deposit is required with each booking regardless of which payment method you choose. Your booking will be accepted when your payment (deposit or full balance) is received. Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

It is important that you read the terms and conditions before you sign the booking form.

Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

We walk 8-10 miles each day. The paths are well marked and are well maintained. We walk at a moderate pace, we don’t rush because we want to ensure that you take in the lovely countryside views. There are some short ascents and descents but nothing strenuous.

We start walking on the first afternoon – a 4 miles walk into Cirencester Par and along the River Churn back to the hotel

On the next two days we choose from

• a Bourton on the Water walks through the Slaughters and along the River Windrush
• a walk along the Cotswolds Way to Painswick 
•  a local walk from the hotel to Perrott’s Brook and then along the east side of the River Churn back to the hotel
• on the last day – a half day walk along the rides of the Cirencester Park – the Ten Rides.

New Year’s programme

30th December Arrive in time for a 2pm afternoon walk followed by tea, scones and cake.

We dine together in the hotel’s restaurant.

New Years Eve – December 31st –   we take transport to one of three lovely spots in the Cotswolds and complete a super walk with lunch at a lovely country inn – 6 – 9 miles walk

New Years Evening   (dress to impress)

• – Pre-dinner drink and canapes
• – Gala Dinner
• – Entertainment
• – Dancing
• – Welcome in the New Year 

New Year’s Day– 1st January – a later start –  10.00am, we walk from the hotel into the surrounding countryside and a 6/7 mile walk in the Churn Valley.

Evening – dinner in the hotels restaurant and possibly  a New Year’s quiz.

January 2nd – exit your rooms, walks optional (4 – 6.5 mile walks)  finishing at the hotel at 1.00pm – we say our good byes.