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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.

Enjoy a virtual hike across Bleaklow Moor

April 10, 2020
April 10, 2020 - Enjoy a virtual hike across Bleaklow Moor
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During these strange and troubled times we can't get outside and visit our favourite places due to Covid-19. However we can still enjoy happy memories of previous visits. We can all cheer ourselves up by planning today to #TravelTomorrow.

Back in August last year Paul from My Guided Walks took us on an amazing walk over Bleaklow Moor just as the heather was beginning to bloom. Enjoy our virtual hike which Paul has kindly written to share with us.

Bleaklow Moor Crash Sites - A Guided Walk

Last August, I was joined by Felicity and David from Hoe Grange Holidays together with her sister and husband on this guided walk from Old Glossop in the Peak District National Park. The walk is around 10 miles and takes you to some of the hidden secrets of this wild area of the Peak District.

As we climbed up onto the first ridge we were greeted by the heather in bloom, which transforms the Dark Peak region into a carpet of purple from August and into September.

Bleaklow Moor Derbyshire

We continued across the moor, learning about the work done by the Moors For The Future Partnership and their volunteers. We discovered their dams, built to slow down the flow of water from the hills and to prevent the rain from washing away the peat and the sphagnum moss. The moss is so important for the production of new peat, which captures more carbon, and reduces flood risk.

Sphagnum moss

Once we reached the summit of Bleaklow, the second highest summit of the Peak District, we had a well-earned lunch at the Kissing Stones. You can clearly see why they are so named!

kissing stones

Aeroplane crash sites

Next it was time for the first of the aeroplane crash sites, a Defiant night fighter which sadly crashed in 1941 on its way to Lincolnshire from Edinburgh.

Defiant airplane crash site

We also caught a glimpse of one of the beautiful Mountain Hares which still inhabit this area. The Peak District is the only place in England where they still survive. Their fur turns to white in the winter months to keep them camouflaged in the snow.

mountain hare

Finally, before heading back down to Glossop, we visited our main objective of the day, the B29 Superfortress crash site on Higher Shelf Stones. In November 1948 this huge plane, named "Over-Exposed", tragically crashed in low cloud just below the summit killing all those on board. The wreckage and memorial is extensive, and the whole site makes for an eerie experience.

Airplane Overexposed carsh site

Over-Exposed was fitted out as a photo reconnaissance plane and had photographed and filmed the first nuclear bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

Our way back down to Glossop also included a quick visit to our third crash site of the day, a Lancaster Bomber, which tragically came down just a few days after the end of the Second World War.

Lancaster bomber aircraft crash site

Thanks to Paul for his interesting guided tour - the whole day made for a great hike, and Paul was extremely knowledgeable about the elements of history and nature. He knew exactly where to find the mountain hares, which we would have easily missed. We look forward to being able to #TravelTomorrow on another of Paul's informative guided walks when the Corona crisis is over!

More about My Guided Walks

myGuidedWalks is an award winning business providing a wide range of group walks, private guiding and navigation training across the Peak District. Their Mountain Hares Photography walks on Bleaklow have been a real hit.

myGuidedWalks have suspended activities due to Covid-19 (currently until the end of May), but the good news is you can still purchase vouchers or reserve dates for all activities ready for when the lockdown is over. All bookings are transferable or fully refundable if you are unable to travel on your booked date.

Support one of our #LoveLocal businesses and visit the myGuidedWalks website for ideas and to plan your return to the hills!

In the meantime #stayhomesavelives

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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  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 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  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

    dghiggs61
    October 25, 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 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 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  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  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  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 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

    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  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 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 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 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  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  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  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'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  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  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  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 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  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  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

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