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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.

Discover the starry skies of the Peak District

March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021 - Discover the starry skies of the Peak District
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When planning holidays in the countryside we often only consider what we will do with our days, but what about the nights? With our big, open skies you’ll be amazed at the star studded skies as you sit on the decking outside your log cabin in the complete darkness. The Peak District is the perfect place for getting away from the bright city lights giving you an opportunity to view the sky at night in all it's glory.

The sky at night

Over the past 100 years or so, our skies have become more difficult to view as man-made light pollution obscures the stars. However at Hoe Grange we are fortunate to be in one of the dark sky areas of the Peak District. Being so far away from towns and streetlights our night skies are truly dark, and you can still get a brilliant view of the twinkling stars above.

Burbage Edge

On a clear night there is nothing better than lying on the grass, gazing up at the starry sky and soaking in the peace and quiet or even better from the hot tub! If you are into astronomy and have a telescope, why not bring it along on your holiday?

Dark Sky Places

Don’t just take our word for it! The Peak District National Park Authority, Nottingham Trent University and the Science and Technology Facilities Council have collaborated to identify dark sky discovery sites where the conditions for stargazing are good.

One of the three designated dark sky sites is at Minninglow car park just a couple of miles along the High Peak Trail from Hoe Grange.

Dark Sky Places in the Peak District

There are three dark sky sites in the Peak District with astronomy interpretation panels to help you explore the night skies. The panels are changed each season.

  • Minninglow, off the A515 at Pikehall (nearest postcode DE4 2PN)
  • Surprise View, off the A6187 near Hathersage
  • Parsley Hay, off the A515 near Hartington (nearest postcode SK17 0DG)

Explore the universe with the help of these BBC interactive Star Guides and Calendars 

The Wirksworth StarDisc

If you are interested in astronomy and stargazing why not visit The Star Disc, situated at the top of Stoney Wood, near Wirksworth. It is a stunning space created by local artist Aidan Shingler to celebrate the wonders of the night sky.

The stunning StarDisc spans 12 metres. Carved into black granite is a star chart that mirrors the northern hemisphere’s night sky. The stone circle is inscribed with the constellations, their names, and a depiction of the Milky Way. Contrasting with the dark stone star chart is a perimeter of silver granite with 12 seats which represent the months of the year. Best viewed y night, 72 lights illuminate the StarDisc, powered by our nearest star – the Sun.
In close proximity to the StarDisc are six Solar Calendar Stones, positioned by local engineer, Keith Hunter, to show precisely where the sun rises and sets at the solstices and the equinox.

Location: Stoney Wood, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4EN
Latitude: 53.0859 N Longitude: 1.5781 W
Grid Reference: SK 28356 54381

Wirksworth Stardisc

Switch off your lights to show support for Earth Hour

Talking of dark skies it's easy to get involved in WWF Earth Hour on Saturday 27th March? At 8.30pm hundreds of landmarks across the UK switch off their lights as a visual display of their commitment to the future of our planet – The Shard, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and Edinburgh Castle to name a few.

It's a global commitment and the world’s most iconic landmarks also switch lights off to show support – such as the Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal.

Join in by switching off your lights for one hour from 8.30pm on Saturday to show solidarity, and create an unmissable sight on-ground. This year, amidst the current global Covid crisis, help re-create the same unmissable sight online by joining millions around the world for the first ever #EarthHour Virtual Spotlight. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something big this Earth Hour, find out how to get involved.

Growing support for Earth Hour has helped WWF find solutions for the environmental challenges faced the world over. This includes influencing national climate policies, planting new forests in Uganda, and banning plastic in the Galapago.

The problem is we think we have time. But for a future where people and nature thrive we need to act now! Make a start by calculating your environmental footprint.

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  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 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 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  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  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  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 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  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  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 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  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 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  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 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 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  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 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  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  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  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 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 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  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  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  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 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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