• A farm set in rolling green hills with blue skies
    what to expect

What to expect on an autism-friendly holiday at Hoe Grange

Hoe Grange Holidays offers autism-friendly holidays in a quiet, peaceful location on a working farm between Ashbourne and Bakewell.


Here is a detailed guide on what to expect at each stage of the process – from researching and booking a holiday to what happens during the stay.


Hoe Grange Holidays is run by the Brown family – Farmer David (centre), his wife Felicity (left), and their daughter Caroline (right).

Three people standing at a five-bar wooden gate in front of a field. They are all smiling and wearing purple polo shirts that say "Hoe Grange Holidays" on. On the left is a woman in her 50s with short brown hair and glasses. In the middle is a man in his 50s with silver short hair. On the right is a woman in her 30s with shoulder-length light brown hair.

What to expect: A detailed guide

Where can I find all the information I need?

There is a lot of detail on the Hoe Grange Holidays website to help me find the information I need to have a comfortable holiday.


If I want to see what the log cabins and glamping pods look like before I book, I can use the 3D virtual tours. I can also see a gallery of photos for each log cabin, glamping pod or gypsy caravan. I can find the tours and the photos on the individual property webpages:

If I want to see more photos or videos of a specific area of the site, I can contact the Brown family and they will be happy to send these to me.


If I want accessibility details like the width of the doors, whether there are any steps, and what type of bathrooms the log cabin or glamping pod has, I can look at the Detailed Access Guides on the AccessAble website.


If I want to see a full list of the additional accessibility equipment that I can book for free, I can look at the accessible equipment webpage.


If I want to know what kind of things to expect during my stay, I can read the sensory story.


If I have any questions that I can’t find the answer to on this website, I can contact the Brown family by email or phone. They will always respond to me in the same way.


How do I book?

When I am ready to book, I can make a reservation online or by phone or email.


To book online, I will:

  • Visit the Book online webpage
  • Choose my log cabin, glamping pod or gypsy caravan
  • Select my arrival date and how long I want to stay
  • Enter the number of people coming (including myself)
  • Add any extra options if I want them

If I’m not sure if I want any extras, I can add them later through the online guest portal, email, or phone. However, they might not always be available.


On the next page, I will share my details and answer some questions about what I would like for my stay, such as if I would prefer white or brown bread in my welcome pack.


There is a question that says, “Is there anything else you would like us to know about your booking?”. This is where I can share any information I want the Brown family to know. This could be:

  • If I do not want to be contacted by phone
  • If I would like to have one primary contact to talk to about my booking – though this is not always possible, the Brown family will try to make this happen
  • If I want any additional items of accessibility equipment that I couldn’t add to my booking on the previous page
  • If I would like to book a self check-in
  • If I have any specific social distancing or cleaning requirements, like having the windows left open before I arrive

I will finish my booking by pressing the “Complete booking” button after I’ve accepted the terms and conditions.


If I make a mistake when booking, I can contact the Brown family. They will help me fix it so I don’t need to worry.


If I don’t want to book my holiday online, I can contact the Brown family by phone or email and they will ask me for the information they need to make my booking.

What happens after I make my booking?

I’ll get an automated email.


When I pay the deposit, I’ll get a personalised email from the Brown family that confirms any equipment I want is available and that any requests I’ve made are possible.


When I pay the balance, I’ll get another automated email confirming the payment.


A few weeks before my holiday, I will get an email with some top tips for making the most of my stay. This will include a mobile phone number I can contact if I prefer to use WhatsApp before and during.


I won’t usually be contacted by phone unless there’s a question on the day I am checking in. If I prefer not to be contacted by phone, I can let the Brown family know when I make my booking.


If I have any questions or concerns before my holiday, I can email, phone or message on WhatsApp, and they’ll respond the same way.

Who will I meet on my holiday?

The Brown family who run Hoe Grange Holidays have all completed training so they know how to provide an autism-friendly welcome and will listen to my needs. Farmer David has lived at Hoe Grange all his life and enjoys answering questions about the farm and the animals. His wife Felicity loves horses and will happily tell me all about the horses on the farm. Their daughter Caroline helps them to run Hoe Grange Holidays.

Three people sat on a dry stone wall and a millstone at Hoe Grange Holidays, all wearing purple uniform polo shirts. On the left is a woman in her 50s with short brown hair and glasses. In the middle is a man in his 50s with silver short hair. On the right is a woman in her 30s with shoulder-length light brown hair. The man is holding a small brown and white Jack Russell dog.


I will see some of the animals in the farmyard, including the cat, called Kat, and some free-range chickens.


A black cat with smooth fur sat in a farmyard


Two chickens with bright red combs on their head walking around the farmyard at Hoe Grange Holidays.


If I want to meet the other animals – including Oliver and Rocco the horses, the pygmy goats, the cows and the sheep – I can ask any of the Brown family. I must not go near them on my own.

Two dark-coloured horses in stables in a farmyard, looking out the stable doors at each other. This is Oliver and Rocco who live at Hoe Grange Holidays.

What happens when I arrive on site?

I can look at some pictures of the lane to the farm and what I will see when I arrive in the sensory story.


When I arrive at Hoe Grange:

  • I will drive up the lane and park in the farmyard
  • If I arrive before 7pm, a member of the Brown family will be at reception to greet me
  • They will show me where to park, where to find my log cabin or glamping pod, and give me a quick tour
  • I can ask them to help me unload my luggage into the cabin
  • They will tell me how I can contact them while I’m on site and ask if I have any questions

If I requested a self check-in, I will have an email with instructions instead. This will include contact details for the Brown family I can use if I have any problems.

What happens during my stay?

The Brown family won’t contact me during my holiday unless I ask for help or if there is an emergency. However, I can contact them with any questions or problems and they will be happy to help. I can choose how I contact them – either by going down to reception or the farmhouse, by calling them or by text or WhatsApp.


If I want to meet the farm animals, I can let the Brown family know and they will arrange a time with me.


Hoe Grange is a peaceful place, but because it is a working farm, I might hear animal noises (such as cows, chickens or horses) or farm machinery. I might also notice smells from animals or the farmyard. These things are explained in the sensory story, so I know what to expect.

What happens at the end of my stay?

I need to leave my log cabin or glamping pod by 10am on the last day of my holiday so that the housekeeping team can get it ready for the next guests to arrive, unless I have pre-booked a late checkout.


Before I go, I must check I haven’t left anything behind, especially under the bed or in the fridge. I can choose whether to take the sheets off the bedding and put them in the laundry bag or leave them where they are.


I will leave the keys in the log cabin or glamping pod and shut the door behind me.


I don’t need to let the Brown family know I’m leaving, but I can choose to say goodbye to them in reception if I want to.

What happens after my holiday?

I will get an email from the Brown family to say thank you.


If I signed up to the mailing list, I will get monthly emails with special offers and local tips. If I don’t want to receive them anymore, I can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the email.

Accessible holidays

See our 3D tours

Read our Sensory Story

Enquire today or book direct online to avoid disappointment

Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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 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

    David H
    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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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  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

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