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Hoe Grange's secluded location adjacent to the Peak National
Park makes it an ideal base for 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.
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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.
There is plenty of scope for the
adventurous mountain biker!
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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).
Please contact us for further details.
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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.
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