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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.

Accessible things to do on a rainy day in the Peak District

November 6, 2024
November 6, 2024 - Accessible things to do on a rainy day in the Peak District
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Rainy day activities in the Derbyshire Peak District

A wet day on holiday doesn't have to put a damper on your plans! There are plenty of indoor, accessible things to do on a rainy day in the Peak District, even when the British weather hasn't delivered on the sunshine you ordered.

As a multi award-winning accessible holiday business, we at Hoe Grange Holidays are dedicated to making sure everyone can experience the best of the Peak District, rain or shine.

Here are our top recommendations for accessible days out to keep you and your loved ones entertained on a wet day.

Top 8 rain-safe accessible days out in the Peak District

1. Step into another world at Chatsworth House

Sculpture gallery at Chatsworth House, ideal for an accessible day out when it's raining

Chatsworth House is an absolute must-visit, whatever the weather! The house itself is a sumptuous treasure trove combining beautiful period designs with the current Duke and Duchess' contemporary art collection. There's plenty to explore, and there are quieter spaces if you want to take a moment to yourself.

If the rain eases up, you can also explore the gorgeous gardens. The shops, Carriage House and Cavendish restaurants are also accessible.

Accessible features:

  • Assistance dogs welcome throughout
  • A lift in the house allowing access to the entire visitor route
  • Accessible toilets and a Changing Places bathroom
  • Touch tours and large print house guides available
  • Induction loops and multi-media guide
  • Visual story to help you prepare
  • Sensory bags for use in the house

2. Unlock nostalgia at the Great British Car Journey

A Delorean car at the Great British Car Journey exhibition

Whether you're a car enthusiast or just like a good story, The Great British Car Journey is a fascinating place to while away a wet afternoon. Showcasing Britain's automotive history from the first cars to today, there's plenty to tickle your nostalgia and spark your intrigue (look out for the car that might have been owned by a spy).

Accessible features:

  • Level access throughout the exhibition, with a ramp to access the main entrance
  • Seating throughout
  • Bluetooth hearing loop available for use with audio visual guide
  • Accessible toilets
  • Assistance dogs welcome throughout
  • Cafe and gift shop on the same floor as the exhibition, with a view over the cars

3. Delve into our industrial heritage at Cromford Mills

A man in a wheelchair and his companions looking at the exhibition in the visitor centre at Cromford Mills

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cromford Mills is an excellent choice for history buffs and anyone interested in the Industrial Revolution. There's plenty to explore indoors, including the visitor centre's immersive displays.

Accessible features:

  • Assistance dogs welcome throughout
  • Accessible toilets, and a Changing Places toilet at Cromford Wharf across the road
  • Seating throughout
  • Tramper motorised scooter available for hire
  • Audio guides
  • Tactile model of the heritage site
  • Queue fast-tracking available, and sounds can be turned off
  • Staff and volunteers have received Dementia Friends training

Image credit: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

4. Dig for fossils at the National Stone Centre

A single storey building with a balcony cafe

Near the charming town of Wirksworth, the National Stone Centre is a great choice for families and geology lovers alike. It celebrates the area's rich quarrying and mining history and you can learn about fossils, rock formations and local geology in an engaging way. For families, there's a kid-friendly fossil dig activity indoors, perfect for entertaining young ones on a rainy day.

If the weather cheers up, explore the rest of the site to learn about the natural landscape and local industrial heritage. The main path has a flat surface but may be tricky to navigate after lots of recent wet weather.

Accessible features:

  • Accessible parking
  • Level access in the visitor centre
  • Accessible toilet

5. Explore the power of community at Eyam Museum

A stone built museum in Eyam - a fantastic activity for a rainy day in the Peak District

Discover the fascinating history of the Plague Village, a remarkable story of community resilience and sacrifice, in Eyam Museum. Learn about the 17th century villagers who chose to isolate themselves to prevent the spread of the dreaded Plague - what were their motivations, what were their challenges, and what is their legacy today.

If the rain stops, explore the rest of the village to see some of the places mentioned in the museum in real life!

Accessible features:

  • The story of the Plague display on the ground floor is fully accessible to wheelchairs
  • There is a stair-lift for access to the small temporary exhibition gallery on the first floor
  • Assistance dogs are welcome throughout
  • Parking is available in the public car park directly opposite the museum
  • There are public accessible toilet facilities operated by RADAR key across the road from the museum
  • Seating throughout

6. Find your peaceful haven at Buxton Pavilion Gardens

A glass conservatory with a domed roof in some gardens in the winter - Buxton Pavilion Gardens

In the center of Buxton, the Pavilion Gardens are a calming, peaceful place to pass the time. While partly outdoors, the gardens include a beautifully restored Victorian conservatory, tropical greenhouse, and an accessible indoor café overlooking the outside areas —perfect for a cosy escape from the rain.

Accessible features:

  • Accessible parking
  • Wheelchair accessible lift from ground floor foyer to the Pavilion Arts Centre
  • Accessible toilets and a Changing Places bathroom

7. Cosy up for the afternoon in the pub

A man and a woman sat in front of a fireplace at the pub, drinking wine and beer

Who says you have to have a jam-packed itinerary full of activities when you're on holiday? One of our favourite rainy day activities is to cosy up in one of the many excellent local pubs.

The Miners' Arms at Carsington is one of our top choices, with an excellent menu and plenty of local beers and spirits to sample.

Accessible features (The Miners' Arms at Carsington):

  • Level access
  • All dogs welcome
  • Accessible bathroom
  • Family-friendly

8. Snuggle up in your log cabin

A cosy afternoon reading in a log cabin, with soft lamplight coming from the bedside lamp

If you don't fancy getting out and about at all, there's plenty to keep you occupied in our cosy log cabins. With a stash of board games, a DVD player (available on request), and plenty of books to borrow, there's something for everyone.

If you book Pinder or Daisybank, you can even take a dip in the outdoor hot tub - we promise that you don't notice the rain when you're wet already!

Accessible features:

  • Wheelchair wetrooms
  • Level access throughout
  • All dogs and pets welcome
  • Mobile hoists
  • Hydraulic hoist for the hot tub (Daisybank only)
  • Rise and recline armchairs
  • Electric profile beds
  • Hearing loop and wake and shake alarms
  • High contrast doorframes and Braille on taps
  • Sensory activities box
  • Dementia signage and aids
  • Over 40 other pieces of additional access equipment to help make your stay comfortable

For more information, visit our accessible holidays webpage.

Why stay at Hoe Grange Holidays?

A man in a wheelchair and a woman sat on a red sofa with an assistance dog at their feet. They are in a cosy log cabin with a red rug and red curtains, cosy inside on a rainy day in the Peak District

If you're looking for a cosy and accessible place to stay, Hoe Grange is the ideal base for exploring the Derbyshire Peak District. Our award-winning accessible log cabins are suitable for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, people with visual and/or hearing impairments, and we're accredited as autism-friendly and dementia-inclusive too!

With hundreds of 5-star reviews, our log cabins offer a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, whatever the weather. We make it our mission to make sure everyone feels at home and you have everything you need to relax and enjoy your holiday!

Rainy days can be wonderful days

A rainbow shining over Hoe Grange Farm in the Peak District

Don't let a bit of rain hold you back from enjoying the Peak District. From historic houses to hands-on experiences, there's still something for everyone indoors. With these accessible options, you'll find plenty of ways to make the most of your stay, no matter what the forecast brings. And if you're travelling without a car, we've got you covered with even more ideas too!

So pack a raincoat, bring your sense of adventure, and enjoy the delights of the Peak District on a rainy day!

-Caroline

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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  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  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  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  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'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  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  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 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 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 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  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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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

    dghiggs61
    October 25, 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  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

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