Horton Women's Holiday Centre

Providing affordable holidays for women and children since 1980

HOMEThe Womens Holiday Centre is in the small Yorkshire village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and is the only collective, non-profit-making, user-led holiday centre for women and children in the UK. It was set up in 1980 as a charitable co-operative, with feminist influences. Since then, this volunteer-run women’s co-op has been making a difference to the lives of thousands of women and children from all over the country, by providing holidays for those on moderate or limited means. Payment is by a sliding scale according to income, where the lowest charge for one night, including food, will never exceed one day of benefit entitlement. Other low cost holiday options, such as renting a caravan or camping, can leave a woman feeling even more isolated and vulnerable than she does at home, with many more practical tasks to manage in a smaller space. In contrast, the Womens Holiday Centre provides a uniquely supportive environment, where women often socialise together and share meals etc. The Women’s Holiday Centre is for all women, with or without children, on their own, or with friends. Women from all walks of life are welcome and visit regularly. The house offers a safe and friendly environment, where women and…
ABOUT USThe Womens Holiday Centre is in the small Yorkshire village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and is the only collective, non-profit-making, user-led holiday centre for women and children in the UK. It was set up in 1980 as a charitable co-operative, with feminist influences. Since then, this volunteer-run women’s co-op has been making a difference to the lives of thousands of women and children from all over the country, by providing holidays for those on moderate or limited means. Payment is by a sliding scale according to income, where the lowest charge for one night, including food, will never exceed one day of benefit entitlement. Other low cost holiday options, such as renting a caravan or camping, can leave a woman feeling even more isolated and vulnerable than she does at home, with many more practical tasks to manage in a smaller space. In contrast, the Womens Holiday Centre provides a uniquely supportive environment, where women often socialise together and share meals etc. The Women’s Holiday Centre is for all women, with or without children, on their own, or with friends. Women from all walks of life are welcome and visit regularly. The house offers a safe and friendly environment, where women and…
ROOMS & FACILITIES
bookings & pricesVisitors are welcome to use the house and facilities freely during their stay. We ask that you take care that your behaviour does not interfere with someone else’s holiday and that the house is left in good shape for the next visitors. You are expected to clean up after yourself and also to help out with chores around the house for about 20 minutes each day. The workers will know what needs to be done, please ask them. Groups may book the whole house, closing it to other visitors. See our Prices and Booking web page. Bedrooms There are :- Two double bedrooms (prior booking is recommended). A communal room with a large platform bed, two doubles and a single, that sleeps up to eleven. A communal room with single beds that sleeps up to five. It is possible to make up a bed in a room on the ground floor if requested. Children’s cots are available on request. If the weather is good there is also space to camp in the garden. All bedding is provided. Visitors are asked to bring their own towels to help reduce laundry costs, and wear-and-tear on our poor washing machine! Bathrooms There is…
events & activities
Support usHow can I help? There are really easy ways in which you can help. The WHC is able to offer low cost holidays on the basis that all guests take responsibility for helping to keep the house clean and tidy. Ask a worker if you are struggling to find a job to do – they’ll be able to tell you! Telling other women about the house, and paying the most that you can afford also assists the house. The payment system is operated on trust, and so the workers are not responsible for establishing how much each guest is able to pay. The “prices and bookings” web page offers guidelines on this. The sliding scale is designed so that women on (the lowest) benefits can stay for a week at the WHC on their usual income. Donations There is a wish list of items that the house needs – as you can imagine, some everyday items need replacing regularly in a house as busy as this! If you would like to contribute, you could donate an item off the wish list. There is also a donation box above the fireplace in the dining/sitting room, or you can help us raise…
Contact

Events at the centre

Lesbian weekends

September 2026: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th

**PLACES STILL AVAILABLE** This is a very popular weekend and we expect it to fill up! Get in touch soon if you’d like to book!

These will be an informal weekend where lesbian women can enjoy a closed house at the Women’s Holiday Centre and either organise activities together or just spend time chatting and relaxing. Come with friends, partners, come by yourself, come however suits you, make new friends, laugh, chat and feel at home.

Feel free to spread the word about these events among you friends, groups and networks for those you think might be interested!

Prices & how to book

Older boys week

August: Friday 7th – Friday 14th

October: Friday 24th – Monday 27th

**PLACES STILL AVAILABLE**These times are set aside for women to be able to bring boys up to their 15th birthday (boys up to their 11th birthday are welcome all year round).

The specific plans and activities for these times very much depend on the women who book, what the boys who come with them would like to do, and what the weather is like. There are loads of options of things to do whatever the season, and interesting places to go locally, such as walks, a castle and woods, waterfalls to explore, etc., and we have a living room with a real fire plus plenty of board games, books, DVDs etc. We also have an area for a bonfire outside in our garden, as well as space for outdoor games and other activities.

prices & how to book

External events in the surrounding area

There are often different events and activities on offer in the surrounding areas that are accessible from the centre by train, bus, car or (or foot if you’re a walker!). We will update this section as and when new events come up.

Free guided walks and tours

Various dates, on-going

These interesting walks and tours are run by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line. Check out their calendar of events.

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The Women’s Holiday Centre
The Old Vicarage
Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Settle
North Yorkshire
BD24 OHD
+44 (0) 1729 860 207

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