Home Page

 Accommodation

 Book Online

 Accessibility

 Horse Holidays

 Hot Tub

 Outdoor Pursuits

 Farm

 Eco Page

 Local Attractions

 Local Events

 Availability / Prices

 Booking Form

 Download Brochure

 Terms & Conditions/Policies

 Contact Us/ Directions

 Testimonials

 Site Map

 Blog

WALKING AND CYCLING

Hoe Grange's secluded location adjacent to the Peak National Park makes it an ideal base for outdoor activities in the Derbyshire Peak District, including walking and cycle touring holidays. The variety of landscape is vast; from deep-cut limestone dales, such as Dovedale, Beresford Dale and Lathkill Dale, with fast flowing rivers and gorges, to the bleak and beautiful peat-covered moorlands.

Download and try out the Hoe Grange Time Travellers Trail, a moderate 8 mile walk or cycle, a fascinating journey back in time steeped in local history.

Miles of ancient drystone walls create a spiders-web of footpaths, brideleways and historic tracks providing some fantastic short circular routes for all the family or plenty of rugged terrain for those of you who need something more challenging. Enjoy the countryside to the full... For guided walks of our beautiful local dales contact Cath on 07870 778585 at Peak Walking Adventures, who can arrange personal itineries for small groups, couples and families - gift vouchers available. or try the following self guided websites for local routes The Walking English Man Snap the Peaks a photo and map guide White Peak Trails Routes There is also plenty of scope for the adventurous mountain biker! For guided mountain cycling contact Steve on 07961 052590 at Peak Tours, who offers guided routes avoiding main roads and killer hills! Local bike hire is just a few miles away at Middleton Top or Carsington Water, or we have two adult bikes for hire here at Hoe Grange for just £5 per day each. From your front door, the High Peak Trail, now part of the National Pennine Bridleway, is within easy reach. The Trail is 17.5 miles long and follows the old Cromford Railway, starting at Cromford and finishing at Dowlow, south of Buxton. It offers you an easy, non-strenuous introduction to the Peak District; yet it is an interesting route, with sharp curves and some fairly steep inclines. The limestone surface is good in all weathers.

Nearby Carsington Water is one of the largest non paying visitor attractions in the UK and has a fabulous 9 mile paved circuit for cyclists and walkers. Cycles can be hired for all the family including trailers and baby seats. The route incorporates the villages of Hopton and Carsington, where you can stop for a bite to eat at the popular Miner's Arms pub. There is another Miner's Arms at Brassington, showing this area was an important lead mining centre. You can still see many of the abandoned mine shafts and old soughs (drains) on your local walks.

Hoe Grange lies just 5 miles away from the famous Dovedale from where the walker can explore the many miles of well marked paths, along the picturesque dales or climb up on the ridges to take in the panoramic views. Further afield the famous walks of the Dark Peak beckon, including the Mam Tor circuit and the Goyt Valley. The rocks of the Dark Peak are gritstone and shale, acidic rocks laid down in a large river delta that eventually became the Pennines. It is an area of stark beauty and a must for walkers who enjoy a demanding walk; but remember the moors demand preparation and respect! Some circular walks that are our personal favourites include: Carsington Reservoir (9 miles) Biggin Dale & Wolfscote Dale (5 miles) Milldale to Dovedale (3 miles) Tissington to Parwich (5 miles) Ordance Survey Explorer map OL24 (the Peak District, White Peak area) can be provided at cost upon request. If you enjoyed our Hoe Grange Time Travellers Trail you can download more local walks from the Peak Experience website.

SAILING AND WATER SPORTS Hoe Grange is under 4 miles from Carsington Water, a fantastic place for you to experience a variety of watersports, including: dinghy sailing canoeing rafting windsurfing fly fishing wild life watching Instruction and hire of boats is available from the Watersports Centre. Alternatively you can launch your own dinghy or windsurfer from Carsington Sailing Club, which has excellent Club House facilities. Carsington Water is open throughout the year and hosts a variety of outdoor events. There is no charge for admission but there is a fee for car parking. Carsington has become an important nature reserve; you can visit the bird watching hides and the wildlife centre which has a remote viewing area. Whilst some of you are sailing, bird watching or fishing there is also a fabulous adventure playground to keep the children occupied.

CLIMBING AND ABSEILING As the most popular climbing area in the country the Peak District offers you the delights of both the famous grit stone and the excellent limestone crags. The well known Froggat Edge, to the north, and The Roaches, to the west are within 40 minutes, but within 20 minutes and closer to home there are some real adventure climbs on the limestone crags of High Tor near Matlock Bath and Wildcat near Cromford and on the grit of Black Rocks. For the beginners, Harborough Rocks is just 2 miles down the road; this friendly little crag offers good rock for those just starting and plenty of challenges for an evenings bouldering. A number of local companies can offer tuition for those who want to try climbing or abseiling, or you can make a start at Wirksworth Leisure Centre on the excellent indoor wall to see how you get on. Finally for those of you who like dark wet places there is also plenty of caving in the area. Opposite - A picture of Hoe Grange's own overhanging climbing rock, which appears in some guide books: Jacob's Pinnacle

PAINTING Hoe Grange is also home to landscape watercolour artist Roger Allen. Roger's fine detailed paintings are a reflection of seasonal change within the working landscape. If you would like to capture the beauty of the local landscape in watercolours then Roger can help you develop your techniques according to your level of skill, (for over 18 year olds). Roger is happy to work either on an individual basis or with small groups. (Groups need to provide their own materials). You can also see his latest collection of original paintings of the surrounding area whilst at Hoe Grange or by visiting his website www.rogerallen.co.uk Please contact us for further details.

ARCHEOLOGY

The area near Hoe Grange is a treasure trove for those with a keen interest in archeology.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle, just 5 miles away, is one of several prehistoric stone circles and dozens of cairns and mounds that make Stanton Moor an archaeologically important area, recognised as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Nearer still to Hoe Grange is the prominent landmark, Minninglow, which is capped by a Neolithic burial cairn. The beautiful grove of beeches can be seen from many miles away.