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Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.

30th Wedding Anniversary

September 27, 2016
September 27, 2016 - 30th Wedding Anniversary
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Do you recognise this handsome young couple?

David and Felicity's 30th wedding anniversaryYes it’s yours truly – a few less laughter lines, a little thinner and not a spec of grey hair in sight! Hard to believe, but this week we are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary – where has the time gone?

We were married at St. Michael’s Church, Sutton-on-the-Hill on 20th September 1986. The weather was glorious September sunshine just like it has been this week.

As I was marrying into a farming family the wedding had to be arranged around the farming calendar, avoiding lambing, silageing, and hay making. Also the wedding service had to be at 12 o’clock to enable David’s relatives to nip off and milk the cows at 4 o’clock before returning for the evening reception! These traditional farmers, very much set in their ways, were totally bemused by the fact that the bride had chosen brown top hat and tails that they had to go all the way to Leicester to be fitted for!

page boy at weddingThere were two bridesmaids and my nephew who was 4 years old at the time was a page boy. Max was not very keen on the knickerbockers, striped waistcoat, or buckles on his shoes, until we convinced him he was dressing up as a pirate - luckily he didn't ask for an eye patch or a sword !!

Back then horses were as much part of my life as they are now and we left church in style riding in a landau carriage pulled by two greys, Merlin and Mystic, expertly driven by Mick Bale, who was like a second father to me.

weddingThe reception was held at Newton Park Hotel, Newton Solney. Everyone was so enjoying the sunshine and the photographer was having a field day in the beautiful gardens, much to my father's annoyance as the Wedding breakfast was waiting! The day passed in the blink of an eye, which always seems to happen when you know everyone at the party and you’re having the time of your lives! The following day we traveled to Paris for a 10 day honeymoon - the longest time David has ever spent away from Hoe Grange Farm.

So to celebrate our wedding anniversary in style fine dining was the order of the day and we decided to try out The Kedleston Country House. Whilst this was an evening for us to celebrate 30 years together we couldn't resist putting on our “holidays” hat and tipping you all off as to the amazing cuisine! What a great excuse to try out somewhere new!

Off to a good start as booking a table online was simple.The staff were very welcoming and attentive without being intrusive, the decor retained many of the traditional features, but with a modern twist, and the furnishings were comfortable. It was a lovely atmosphere and there several small snugs where you could sit and relax.

salmon starterThere was an extensive menu using seasonal produce and the house wine was excellent. Accessibility had also been carefully thought out with a ramped entrance to the conservatory from the level gardens which also featured a crochet lawn. The path from the car park was small gravel, but there was space for a car to be drawn up outside the entrance if needed.

David Brown

David still as cheeky as ever!



All in all a romantic evening full of memories, and a wonderful way to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Felicity

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • star rating  We stayed in the Skylark pod last October (2018) and had a lovely time. There was homemade, rustic goods (bread, biscuits etc) when we arrived. Felicity and David who run... read more

    KBarry
    September 15, 2019

    star rating  Felicity and David made us feel very welcome right from our booking. The pods are well equipped and spotlessly clean. The area is very peaceful with great views and we... read more

    Adventurer_12121
    January 30, 2020

    star rating  Lovely place to holiday near to interesting locations and easy access to the High Peak trail and Carsington Water. Part of a working farm with fresh produce to enjoy during... read more

    Angie B
    August 3, 2019
  • star rating  We stayed in Skylark, one of the two glamping pods available at Hoe Grange in February 2020.

    Felicity & David welcomed us when we arrived to show us around... read more

    HelenLCarter
    February 6, 2020

    star rating  Second visit to the accessible holiday cabins at Hoe Grange. David and Felicity were as helpful and friendly as ever. We had a welcome pack of freshly baked bread, butter,... read more

    Charlotte M
    August 7, 2019

    star rating  We stayed for a night in one of the cabins . The cabin was spotless and very well equipped , lots of extra touches were added like fresh eggs and... read more

    Ajtravels14
    February 3, 2020
  • star rating  Another great holiday at Hoe Grange - such a great place for us all to holiday as a family - this time with a baby, a 3 yr old, a... read more

    Thesamps
    October 4, 2019

    star rating  We've just returned from our second visit to Hoe Grange. The suggested riding routes with stunning scenery were enjoyed by my daughter and I while the menfolk were delighted with... read more

    Jdrichie12
    July 11, 2019

    star rating  We have just returned from a short stay in one of the pods on site at Hoe Grange Holidays. We couldn’t recommend them enough. The pod has everything you could... read more

    Catboy86
    August 17, 2019
  • star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    dghiggs61
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  Myself and my sister travelled to Costa Rica and Panama via Viva Holidays Ltd. The holiday was exceptional and one to be treasured forever. Andrew at Viva Holidays... read more

    Paula C
    July 4, 2019

    star rating  A beautiful place to stay! Amazingly run family business! Everyone were very welcoming, friendly and cozy! The skylark pod we stayed in was very clean, cozy and well equipped! The... read more

    sophiee249
    January 2, 2020
  • star rating  lovely surroundings real farm country with chickens paying you a visit nice decking area to chill at the end of the day accommodation very good plenty to do nearby... read more

    vincent s
    July 28, 2019

    star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    David H
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  We had a lovely time staying in one of the incredibly well equipped pods. I bought my pony along and we had some great rides on the high peak trail.... read more

    plopster1
    June 7, 2019
  • star rating  What can I say?
    Absolutely superb!
    We have just returned from a family weekend staying in Daisybank cabin and the Skylark pod.
    It was our first trip away with my... read more

    Wheelieuser
    June 13, 2019

    star rating  What a wonderful find. As our first experience of needing accessible accommodation we could not have wished for better. Beautiful well equipped lodges in lovely surroundings. We stayed in both... read more

    L9943KBlesleym
    April 3, 2020

    star rating  It's been three years since we last visited but once we arrived it certainly didn't feel like it!
    We stayed in Hipley again which had had a refurbished wet... read more

    ElizabethA717
    September 21, 2019
  • star rating  We spent four nights at Hoe Grange and had a lovely time. The location is fantastic and right next to the High Peak Trail. The cabin was very clean and... read more

    Big_Al_0000
    July 16, 2019

    star rating  Arrived and was shown to our pod, fantastic location and the pod was very good indeed plus we had home made bread and milk and tea and coffee. A... read more

    mickvfr
    July 28, 2019

    star rating  Stayed last week, from 6th to 13th September in the log cabin called Hipley. This was amazing, it was our first visit but certainly not our last. Gold standard disability... read more

    548julie
    September 14, 2019
  • star rating  For the second year running, we have had a great family holiday at Hoe Grange. We had one cabin for the week, for two sisters and our elderly wheelchair-using... read more

    EJYork2013
    June 25, 2019

    star rating  We wanted a complete break and some peace and quiet and this was perfect. The caravan was secluded with beautiful views over the countryside. Everything was spotlessly clean and well... read more

    joanne B
    June 4, 2019

    star rating  What a lovely weekend away! We stayed in the lovely gypsy caravan, which was a wonderful and really unique experience. We took along our two horses, who also had a... read more

    rachelthomas2015
    June 18, 2019
  • star rating  Loved every minute of our stay, and so did the family and friends that came to stay. Excellent facilities in our cosy Hipley log cabin. By far the best... read more

    krimpenijssel
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  Recently spent a week in "Pinder" and had a lovely time. The location is stunning - the site is nestled in a beautiful valley on the edge of the Peaks... read more

    Peachey167
    July 16, 2019

    star rating  We stayed in Rainster cabin for a long weekend 6 th to 9 th September. This was my 5 th visit to the amazing Hoe Grange. I had visited before... read more

    Jan Horsman J
    September 17, 2019
  • star rating  We stayed in Pinder cabin and had a lovely stay, the cabin was spacious and comfortable, nice and warm after cold days out. The children loved meeting the animals and... read more

    Tiggywinkle15
    November 5, 2019

    star rating  On arriving at Hoe Grange in a downpour, we doubted if we’d made the right decision to go glamping, but after the warm welcome from David and a quick tour,... read more

    karenmD4738KD
    June 25, 2019

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