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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.

5 great reasons to book an autumn horse holiday in the Peak District

August 31, 2026
August 31, 2026 - 5 great reasons to book an autumn horse holiday in the Peak District
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When was the last time your horse got a proper holiday?

A view over a reservoir in autumn from horseback, with the horses ears in the foreground

Not a quick trip out in the trailer. Not a rushed Sunday hack before you need to be somewhere else. A few days away where you can wake up, wander down to the stables to brush your horse, decide where you fancy riding and spend the day doing what horse owners would quite happily do all the time if work, family and everyday life didn't keep getting in the way.

Autumn is one of our favourite times for a horse holiday here at Hoe Grange. The Peak District countryside is changing colour, the air is fresher and there’s something rather lovely about coming back from a ride with muddy boots, rosy cheeks and absolutely no need to rush home.

Fancy swapping the usual routine for a few days of ride, relax, repeat? Take a look at our horse holidays and start planning your autumn break.

  1. Your horse gets a change of scenery too

Horse riding on High Peak trail in Autumn We all know how easy it is to fall into the same riding routine.

You leave the yard, turn left, do the familiar loop and arrive home knowing almost exactly which gateway your horse is going to spook at.

Taking your horse away gives both of you something different to enjoy.

From Hoe Grange, you can access the High Peak Trail and Pennine Bridleway through the fields, just 500 metres from the farmyard. There are circular routes to explore using local bridle paths and quiet country lanes, as well as access to our privately owned farm fields where you can have a good gallop.

It means you can get out and enjoy new countryside without having to load up the horsebox every morning.

And autumn brings its own rewards. Changing colours, wide Peak District views and those fresh days when you’re very glad to be outside in the saddle rather than staring through an office window.

For your horse, it’s a break from the usual surroundings. For you, it’s a chance to remember why you love riding in the first place.

  1. You can ride without watching the clock

rider on a horse taking a photo of the scenery There’s something very different about riding when you haven't got anywhere else to be.

No rushing back for work, no squeezing in an hour before dark, no mentally calculating whether you have enough time for the longer loop.

On a horse holiday, riding is the plan.

You can have breakfast, get the horses ready and head out at your leisure. Pick a ride to suit your group, enjoy the hills at your own pace and take photos along the way. Or even better book Imogen Moon for a photo shoot of your ride!

Then do it all again tomorrow.

Hoe Grange is surrounded by Peak District riding country, and we have route maps to help you make the most of it. Guided rides are available too if you'd rather have some company and local knowledge along the way.

There are plenty of hills around here, so a few days away can also be a good opportunity to build your horse's fitness and stamina.

Although, if your main goal is simply to enjoy a lovely ride followed by cake, we thoroughly approve of that too.

  1. Autumn horse holiday packing made easier - because the basics are already here!

black horse with white blaze in a stable with rider standing by its head and a saddle on the stable doorAnyone who owns a horse knows that going away isn't always quite as simple as throwing a toothbrush in a bag. And the change in weather in the autumn can make the packing list feel even longer.

There’s tack. Rugs. Feed. Boots. More rugs. The rug you probably won't need but absolutely must take just in case. And somewhere amongst it all, you might remember to pack something for yourself.

Some things are non-negotiable, but thankfully lots can stay at home. We've made it all a bit easier with our handy horse holiday packing guide- including what not to bring!

At Hoe Grange we have six spacious stables, including four Bradmore internal stables in our traditional stone barn and two traditional stone-built stables. Hay and straw bedding are included, so you just need to bring your horse’s hard feed.

There are two large grazing paddocks which can be divided into individual sections with our electric fencing, plus secure saddle storage, rug racks, wheelbarrows, mucking-out forks and yard brushes.

If you’re coming as a larger group, there’s plenty of space for horseboxes and trailers too.

So while autumn might mean packing for more than one type of weather, you don’t need to bring the whole yard with you.

  1. Autumn is made for a horsey girls’ getaway

group of horses riding up Royston valleyThere are some conversations that only make sense to horse people.

  • A twenty-minute discussion about mud
  • An in-depth analysis of somebody's new saddle
  • The latest product to use for sweet-itch
  • The need to replay one particularly good canter several times over dinner

A horse holiday gives you time for all of it.

And autumn feels like a particularly good time to get one in the diary.

Summer has flown by, the evenings are starting to draw in and winter still feels just far enough away. A few days riding in the fresh air gives you something to look forward to before the season of frozen taps, muddy gateways and permanently damp gloves begins.

Round up the friends you usually meet at the yard, load the horses and swap everyday responsibilities for a few days where the biggest decisions are where you’re riding and what you’re having for tea.

Autumn days also lend themselves nicely to the whole ride, relax, repeat routine.

Head out for a few hours, enjoy the changing colours and cooler air, settle the horses for the evening, then head back to the cabin for food, drinks and a long debrief about whichever horse provided the day’s entertainment.

Good horses, good company, fresh air and enough snacks to sustain a small riding club.

We think that’s a fairly good way to spend an autumn few days away.

  1. Autumn gives you plenty of choice over how far you ride

A dusk view over an outdoor dining table laid with wine and nibbles onto farm fields beyondgroup of horses riding on the High Peak Trail

One of the nicest things about taking your horse somewhere new is having fresh countryside to explore.

The less appealing part? Trying to work out which routes will actually suit you, your horse and the rest of your group.

That matters even more in autumn, when one day might call for a shorter, steadier ride and another might have you itching to make the most of the daylight and head out for longer.

That’s where local knowledge makes a real difference.

We know the riding around Hoe Grange well and can help point you towards routes for different riders and horses, whether you fancy an easier outing, something with a bit more distance, or a longer day in the saddle.

Some riders want to take their time, enjoy the views and stop for photos of the autumn colours. Others arrive wanting to clock up the miles while the days are still long enough to make the most of them. Groups often have different confidence and fitness levels too, so having several route options makes planning much easier.

You can access the High Peak Trail and Pennine Bridleway through the fields from Hoe Grange, as well as local bridleways and, depending on weather conditions and cropping, routes across our privately owned farmland.

If you’re already wondering where you might ride, have a look at our guide to the top 3 autumn horse riding routes in the Peak District. It includes three of our favourites, with different distances and riding experiences to choose from.

And if you’d rather not spend your evening poring over maps, just ask us. Felicity rides locally herself and we’re always happy to share what we know.

Then there’s only one question left to settle.

Shorter ride and more time relaxing afterwards, or the longer route while you’ve got the autumn daylight?

Find your autumn dates now

An open plan dining and living room in a log cabin with the table laid for dinner

If the group chat has been talking about a horsey getaway for far too long, perhaps this autumn is the time to actually do it. Bring the horses, bring your riding friends and enjoy a few peaceful Peak District days together before winter routines take over.

And if you’re the one brave enough to organise everyone, we can make the payment side easier too. Rather than one lead booker paying the full holiday total and chasing everyone afterwards, we can enable individual payments so each person can pay their own share.

Have a look at our horse holiday stays, choose your dates and start planning your autumn riding break.

-Felicity 

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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  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  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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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 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  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  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

    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 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  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  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'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 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  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  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  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  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  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  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 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  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 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  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

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