The windswept splendour of the Yorkshire Dales is even more memorable when explored with a group of new-found friends.

As a holidaymaker on a HF Holidays trip, I enjoyed banter over a communal dinner the night before and a lively day of hiking and socialising with the group the next day.

Formed in 1913, the Holiday Fellowship (HF) was originally formed to provide holidays for the working people of Lancashire.

Today, it offers guided walking holidays all over the world.

I was invited on a special centenary trip to help celebrate HF Holidays’ 100th birthday.

We stayed at Newfield Hall, an austere-looking manor house that could have been straight out of the pages of Jane Eyre.

Surrounded by open countryside and a few sheep, it is right in the heart of the Dales.

But inside what greeted us couldn’t have been further from a dour Mr Rochester-style introduction.

The welcome was as warm as a toasted crumpet – HF Holidays volunteers greeted us and showed us around and to our room.

The business is built on the enthusiasm of its volunteers.

All of them have been on guided walking holidays in the past and have enjoyed it so much that they've decided to return and lead the walks after undergoing a thorough leadership training programme.

And it’s the sociable nature of the holidays that keeps them coming back.

These are holidays that are predominantly booked by the 50-plus age group but there is no reason why keen walkers of any age shouldn’t get equal enjoyment from them.

And although I brought my mum along for the weekend, the camaraderie between all the guests was so strong that I wouldn’t have felt lonely on my own.

The holidays cater for everyone from hardcore walkers to those who fancy a three-mile stroll with plenty of time to stop at a tea room or pub.

A short drive from Malhamdale, we spent a morning exploring Malham and its surrounds.

This little village is not only dotted with gems like a working smithy run by a woman blacksmith but has some of the country’s finest natural beauty within a short walk.

Within a few yards we found ourselves admiring the charm of one of the oldest clapper bridges in the country.

The sleety snow careering towards me didn’t take away from the beguiling beauty of Janet’s Foss waterfall and the sight of limestone ravine Gordale Scar – its appearance becoming even more striking in the snow.

HF Holiday guests can opt to do walks of differing lengths.

One of the more adventurous groups headed out to scale Pen-y-ghent, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

And there’s no suffocating itinerary – I found that my choice to have a potter around the grounds of Malhamdale Hall and a leisurely swim of an afternoon was equally as encouraged as a falconry session or a pilates session, both of which were on offer at the hotel.

I have very little resistance when it comes to the offer of a quiz though, and recruited someone to my team who had also treated their mother to the trip – reassuringly another mother named Barbara.

A good solid mother’s name, we agreed.

With all meals provided proving tasty and hearty and full English breakfasts on offer in the morning to fuel us through the day, we were disappointed we didn’t have time to take part in a short walk on offer the morning of departure.

However, we left with full bellies and a determined resolve to return and see more of this alluring landscape.

Getaway

HF Holidays is the UK’s largest walking and leisure activity holidays provider and a co-operative society with over 33,000 members.

Newfield Hall, owned by HF Holidays, is a grand 19th century country house in extensive grounds with views of Yorkshire Dales.

Prices start at £259 per person for a three night break inclusive of full-board en-suite accommodation and a full programme of guided walks and sociable evenings.