A HOLIDAY home set up for hiking breaks is attracting scores of walkers to Purbeck since its refurbishment.

West Lulworth House at Lulworth Cove, which has seen its 19 bedrooms undergo refurb-ishment, has been fully booked from February 28 to the end of October and November.

The home is owned by HF Holidays, the UK’s largest walking holiday company, along with 14 bedroom Lulworth Mill House, which contains the Dan-delion Cafe.

West Lulworth House’s bedrooms were given a shabby chic makeover and the bar and lounge have been given a new look.

The swimming pool has also received a makeover and an orangery will be built for guests to dine in.

House managers Geoff Smith and Liz Eddy say Dorset’s popularity as a walking destination is on the rise.

Mr Smith said: “The walking in Dorset is fantastic and the location of the house is second to none. Everything we need to provide for the guest is right on our doorstep. If there is inclement weather we can take them anywhere like Portland, Wey-mouth and Swanage.”

The holidays are attracting a younger clientele too with artists, geology, culture, literature and cycling weeks offered alongside the walking weeks.

Around 30 people are employed by HF at its two Lulworth Cove sites and it also runs an ice cream parlour from the bistro.

Mr Smith said: “We employ all local people as well as bring a lot of people into the area.

“We also have volunteers leading the walks who come from all over. Our holidays are very popular with single people – there’s a social element and a safety element.

“We have social activities every evening and outside entertain-ment coming into the house.”

HF is a co-operative society, with members having a say on the way the company is run.

It has recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of TA Leonard, the group’s leader, who was widely considered to be the father of the modern open air movement and innovator of the group walking holiday.