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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.

Celebrating 70 years of the Peak District National Park

April 17, 2021
April 17, 2021 - Celebrating 70 years of the Peak District National Park
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Happy Birthday to The Peak District National Park!

Did you know that today, 17th April 2021, is the 70th birthday of the Peak District National Park, which was the first National Park in the UK?

During the early 1930’s there were proposals to make Dovedale the first national park. As a result of the Depression the only escape from misery for many unemployed people was to get out into the countryside for cheap and healthy exercise. As we have recently been in lockdown we can all appreciate the positive effects getting outdoors can have on your mental health during difficult times.

Near surprise view Peak District

At the time the northern moors were strictly preserved for grouse shooting. This led to protest meetings with demands for access to the countryside and the growth of the right to roam movement.

In 1931 a government inquiry recommended the creation of a ‘national park authority’ to select areas for designation as national parks. However no further action was taken, so discontent amongst the working classes grew.

Kinder Scout Mass Trespass

Things came to a head when on 24th April, 1932, hundreds of men and women defied the law to walk over hills and moorland to the plateau of Kinder Scout, in Derbyshire.

Gamekeepers challenged the protesters and scuffles broke out resulting in five arrests. The Kinder Mass Trespass and harsh punishment of their leader , 20 year old Benny Rothman, and his associates unleashed a huge wave of public sympathy.

As time passed leisure enthusiasts and nature conservationists banded together to lobby the government for measures to protect – and allow access to – the countryside for the benefit of the nation.

Over time this led to The Peak District being designated as the first national Park in 1951.  The Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor National Parks also became designated parks later that year. The Royal Mail have introduced a set of stamps depicting the National Parks, including one for The Peak District. Peak District National Park Stamp

In March, Campaign for National Parks led hundreds of individuals and organisations, including Campaign to Protect Rural England on a special walk in the Peak District. Debs from The Outdoor Guide joined the party with Matt Baker and the CountryFile crew, at the viewpoint at Hollins Cross to celebrate the 70th anniversary and show how the parks are truly accessible for all.

20 Fascinating Facts about The Peak District

  1. The name ‘Peak’ does not relate to mountains! It comes from the Pecsaetan, an Anglo-Saxon tribe who settled the area.
  2. The Peak Park covers 555 square miles, taking in parts of Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
  3. The Peak District is divided into three areas; the Dark Peak with it's dramatic moorlands and gritstone ridges, the South West Peak,  with the iconic Roaches and rich rush pastures, and The White Peak, where Hoe Grange is situated, with steep limestone valleys.
  4. Around a third (20,000,000) of the UK population live within an hours drive of the park.
  5. It is very much a working landscape with 1,800 farms covering 90% of the area and 70 quarries suppling the finest limestone for construction, animal feeds, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. suckler cows at Hoe Grange Farm
  6. The park has 13,000,000 visitors a year and Covid has seen a marked increase in the use of the parks many trails.
  7. It has 34 miles of disused railways – the High Peak Trail above Hoe Grange, originally built in 1837 was opened as a trail in 1973 and has spectacular, panoramic views.
  8. There is 1,600 miles of footpaths, 65 miles of which are wheelchair accessible. Miles without Stiles are suitable for people of all fitness levels and those with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and the visually impaired
  9. The Peak District Boundary Walk  is 188 miles and circles the entire Peak District National Park.
  10. There are 55 reservoirs in the Peak District, which supply 450 million litres of water a day.
  11. The Peak District has the only UK population of mountain hares outside the Scottish Highlands. Take a My Guided Walk with Paul and you may be lucky enough to spot one! mountain hare
  12. Did you know many films have been located in the park? These include The Duchess, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, The Other Boleyn Girl and Robin Hood.
  13. The Peak District was the location for the TV series Peak Practice, one episode of which was filmed at Hoe Grange – as filming was taking place in our kitchen our children loved eating breakfast on the double decker canteen bus!
  14. The Peak District is also famous for Blue John stone, which is unique and only found in Blue John and Treak Cliff caverns in Castleton.
  15. Kinder Scout is the highest peak at 2086ft (636m). Kinder Scout was the location of the 1932 mass trespass, which lead the way for the Right to Roam movement giving access to the countryside to the mass population.
  16. The park is the home of the tradition of Well Dressing, with Tissington, just a few miles from Hoe Grange, being the best known. It was originally a pagan ceremony to honour water gods, and is now a summer tradition. Sadly due to Covid the well dressings at Tissington have been cancelled this year, but I am sure they will be back bigger and better than ever next year! Tissington well dressings
  17. Chatsworth House, known as the Jewel of the Peak District, is just one of the 2,900 listed buildings and one of many stately homes open to the public.
  18. There are stone circles at Arbour Low and Stanton Moor, as well as 450 historical monuments.
  19. Local artist, Sue Prince, created 180 paintings during three lockdowns. Sue started her paintings the day after the announcement of the first lockdown - on March 16th 2020 - depicting daily experiences familiar to us all.Artist Sue Prince - The Isolation Chronicles
  20. And of course Hoe Grange Holidays is the ideal base from which to explore all that the Peak District National Park has to offer!!

At Hoe Grange we supported the Peak District National Park Foundation's project #70kfor70 contributing to the Moors for Future project to help conserve this special landscape and ensure it is accessible for all to enjoy.

The Peak District National Park Foundation believe "Our right to enjoy the National Park was hard won by ordinary folk. In that spirit, let’s fight to make it ever more accessible, for everyone to enjoy. But it is also unique and very fragile; we must always strive to keep it special. This is what we believe – and why we exist. With your support, we can start to make good things happen."

Footpath at Hoe Grange

Our national park is a very special place, so if you have enjoyed exploring our unique countryside whilst on holiday why not help preserve it for future generations?

You can make a small donation to the Peak District National Park Foundation - they have a range of projects including "Peak District Proud Fund" which organises volunteer conservation work, such as tree planting, dry stone walling and footpath maintenance. There is also a specific Access Fund to enhance the accessibility of paths, improve signage, and replace stiles. 

Here's to the next 70 years!

Felicity 

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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  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'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  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 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  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 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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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  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 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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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 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 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  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

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