It’s not often you get something for nothing, but thanks to the determination of group of countryside revolutionaries, exploring and enjoying our National Parks is indeed free! It’s 70 years since the 1949 Act of Parliament that established the family of National Parks in England and Wales.
The right to roam
Hard to believe today, but the rebellious ramblers of the 1932 Kinder Mass Trespass in the Peak District were imprisoned for protesting on the moors for the right to roam and have open access. However, their concerted efforts were eventually rewarded and led to legislation establishing the UK National Parks. It means that today our most beautiful countryside in England, Wales and Scotland has the strongest levels of protection.
Celebrating the 70th anniversary of National Parks
This year we celebrate 70 years since the 1949 Act of Parliament was passed which established the 15 National Parks that we know and love today. Ethel and Gerald Haythornthwaite were environmental campaigners and pioneers of the countryside movement and were instrumental in establishing the Peak District as Britain’s first National Park in 1951.
As campaigners they fought to protect the countryside, but realised the importance of the landscape as a living, working environment.
They also founded the charity Friends of The Peak District which we support and which continues to protect the precious countryside around us.
The Peak District National Park
The Peak District, founded in 1951, is the oldest National Park. with it’s breath-taking gritstone edges and moorland of the Dark Peak, contrasting with the steep limestone dales of the White Peak. It is also famed for its caverns and the precious and unique Blue John stone.
Growing up at Hoe Grange Farm David didn’t really comprehend the beauty of our special environment. It is only since diversifying into self-catering holidays that we truly appreciate where we live and work!
When guests arrive and get out of their car they often gasp at the stunning views and gamboling lambs! #uniquedistrict
Discover National Parks
Saturday 6th April 2019 is the start of Discover National Parks Fortnight. There are celebrations across the UK with events and experiences to inspire people of all ages and interests to venture outdoors, explore and learn more about these special places. #DiscoverNationalParks
What is it like to work as a Ranger in the Peak District? As part of the English National Park Experience Collection you can get hands on and find out!
There are 15 National Parks in the UK, all of which are unique – some have high mountains, some have rolling valleys, others meandering wetlands and dramatic coastline. They are home to our most precious wildlife, protect our beloved countryside landscapes and are a source of boundless pleasure for the millions who visit each year.
The wide-open spaces enable you to explore, experience the elements, learn, relax, and escape the pressures of the modern world. You can enjoy some quality family time, discover ancient traditions, or go on a more challenging, rugged adventure. There is something to appeal to all age groups and abilities.
10 Facts about the Peak District National Park
- The name ‘Peak’ does not relate to mountains (we only have large hills!) but is thought to be derived from the Pecsaetan, an Anglo-Saxon tribe who settled the area.
- The Peak District National Park covers an area of 555 sq miles, but is by no means the largest National Park – the Cairngorms in Scotland is the biggest. It reaches into five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester.
- Ramble along 1,600 miles of public rights of way, footpaths, bridleways and tracks, 64 miles of which are accessible to disabled people.
- Take a walk on the wild side! Around 520 sq km (202 sq miles) is open access land – open to walkers without having to stick to paths (more details: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/crow).
- Cycle, walk or ride along 34 miles of disused railways, including The High Peak Trail next to Hoe Grange, Tissington Trail and Monsal Trail.
- Nearly 90 per cent of the National Park is farmland with around 1,800 farms. Incredibly there are 5,440 miles (8756 km) of dry stone walls!
- Not short of water there are 55 reservoirs supplying 450million litres of water a day.
- More than a third of the national park (35%) is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) where important plants, wildlife and geological formations should be conserved.
- There are more than 450 scheduled historic monuments, including Nine Ladies Stone Circle (Bronze Age) on Stanton Moor, and Neolithic henge at Arbor Low.
- There are quite a few quirky and distinctive customs, but one of the most well know is well dressing. Originally a pagan ceremony to honour water gods, it is now a favourite tradition in many villages, including Tissington just a few miles from Hoe Grange. The wells are dressed with flowers, petals, seeds, twigs, nuts and berries, pressed into soft clay held in wooden frames and often depict Biblical themes.
The Peak District and all the National Parks are a real treasure. They protect and steward our most valuable natural assets, whilst at the same time providing access to open country for all. Feel free to enjoy to your heart’s content whilst you stay at Hoe Grange!
Felicity
Booking your holiday direct with the owners is always the best way to make sure you get the cheapest deal and don’t pay over the odds. Most of our holiday guests book direct, but you may have found us on other websites such Trip Advisor or Air BnB.
The business went from strength to strength with the unique hurricane lantern the star of the show (and my all time favourite too!). The hurricane lanterns are made from translucent wax with inlaid flowers & designs so that the tealight inside shines through the intricate patterns.
A couple of Annie’s friends offered to help out making candles to keep up with demand. They soon outgrew the pig sty and production moved into the old village forge, which was larger. It also meant there was more space to open a small shop.
Never one to stand still Annie has introduced a range of ceramics designed for every day use. The glaze on the pottery is called a “Frip” glaze because it bursts in the kiln, creating a beautiful finish, each piece being unique.
Annie is an inspiration and a real shinning light. Her hand crafted scented candles are proving popular with our holiday guests as little gifts to take home. We have a small selection in our onsite shop – there’s nothing more romantic than #hygge candlelight. Here’s 
Sunshine and heat is wonderful for our holiday guests staying in our log cabins and glamping pods, but not so great for the farm animals. June 2018 has been the driest on record. I can’t recall when I last saw the farm fields so brown and the grass is so dry it scrunches underneath your feet.
We usually make silage for winter forage for the cows and sheep and around 900 small bales of hay. Hay making was interesting as the cut grass was so light and dry that half of it blew away! Whilst the sizzling sunshine has produced excellent quality hay, the excessive dry weather has meant the quantity is about half the usual yield at just 430 bales.
Did you know that only 3% of the world’s water is fresh and less than 1% of this fresh water is available for human use? The rest being frozen or located too deep within the earth for us to reach it.
The gift of life through water is so often taken for granted, so it’s an amazing testament to the villagers that this ancient art is still thriving today.
Others believe the custom started later in 1615, after severe droughts throughout the area led to loss of cattle and crops, except at Tissington where water flowed freely from the 5 wells in the village.
Then comes the intricate process of creating the outlines with cones from the Alder trees and coffee beans, before pressing individual flower petals to complete the picture.
Other natural materials are used to add texture and contrast, such as twigs, wool, feathers, and small stones. Usually everything is natural, but this years design of Yew Tree Well makes reference to the world wide concern about plastic waste.
It’s wonderful how the whole village comes together to keep this special tradition very much alive. Everyone takes part in this annual celebration; young and old working together, digging clay, picking flowers, decorating the boards, or erecting the dressings at the various wells throughout the village.
