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.
Escape the Crowds: 7 top tips for a serene Bank Holiday in the Peak District
April 25, 2024Archives
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Your bank holiday weekend in the Peak District
Bank holidays in the Peak District can be chaotic, with thousands of people visiting iconic hot spots such as Dovedale and Chatsworth House.
Who wants to spend the day in a traffic jam? Instead of following the crowd, we suggest you stay local and enjoy some of the hidden gems closer to Hoe Grange! You'll get to experience the Derbyshire Peak District like a local, and save on time and fuel too!
Here are our 7 top tips for some off-the-beaten-track adventures to make your bank holiday truly unforgettable - for the right reason!
7 top tips for a serene Bank Holiday in the Peak District
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Walk up an Ethel
Home of the Kinder Mass Trespass and the birthplace of National Parks, you can’t visit the Peak District National Park without taking a ramble.
While the popular trails may be crowded, venture off onto lesser-known paths to experience the peace and quiet of the Peak District.
Have you heard of the Ethels? The Ethels are a hill walking challenge for the summits of the Peak District, named after pioneering environmentalist Ethel Haythornthwaite. There are 95 hills in total, all over 400m above sea level, along with some significant lower prominent hills that stand out in their own right.
You can download the smartphone app “Ethel Ready” which maps and lists all 95 Ethels by name with their height and grid reference.
There are several Ethels you can easily walk to from Hoe Grange!

- Minninglow Hill, the largest Neolithic chambered tomb in Derbyshire and two Bronze Age bowl barrows which are a Scheduled Monument.
- Harboro' Rocks (or Harborough Rocks), a dolomitic limestone hill just along the High Peak Trail with views across to Carsington Water. You can also explore Harboro' Cave which is a natural cavern in the rocks where archaeologists have found evidence of human occupation as far back as the Ice Age.
- Tissington Hill, with breath taking panoramic views over the undulating countryside.
2. Pedal the Peaks
A great way to get around the Peak District and explore its natural beauty is on a bike! You see so much more as you pedal along the country lanes and trails. Leave the car behind, borrow one of our mountain bikes and follow our Hoe Grange “cycles, cafés and castles” cycle route, or cycle up the High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay for tea and cake. If you’re not an active cyclist, why not hire our electric bikes so you can whizz up the hills with ease?

3. Go climbing
Climbing is a very popular activity in the Peak District, not surprising with its varied rock formations and landscape. There are some challenging routes to tackle for the more experienced climbers such as Stanage Edge and Curbar Edge, but these locations are often crowded. Instead, walk up the High Peak Trail from Hoe Grange and enjoy a spot of bouldering at Harboro' Rocks. The rocks there may not be very high, but they're great for practising technique!
A little further afield is Black Rocks, another good climb with panoramic views over the Derwent Valley below. If climbing feels a little too adventurous, Black Rocks is also a great place for a circular walk through the woodland or you can take your horse along the trail.

4. Perfect picnic spots
If you prefer something a little less active, why not pack up a picnic and follow our short farm walk? Instead of jostling for space in crowded parks, or struggling to get to the Peak District’s scenic hot spots, you’ll be admiring the view within minutes without another soul in sight.
The rocky outcrops overlooking the farm are the ideal place for alfresco dining. A fabulous spot for families as the children will love clambering over the boulders and playing “I’m the King of the Castle” - just like our own children did when they were younger!
Or if you're looking for a little romance as a couple, you can enjoy the gentle sounds of nature with a glass of bubbly while watching the sunset over the hills on the farm.
5. Historic houses
Whilst Chatsworth is said to be the jewel in the Peak District’s crown, it can become very crowded, especially on a sunny bank holiday. Instead, we suggest you visit Haddon Hall on the River Wye near Bakewell. With 900 years of history, the medieval manor remains largely untouched, with beautiful tapestry collections, a stunning long gallery, huge fireplaces, early English furniture and stunning Elizabethan walled gardens with colourful rose beds.

Better still, beat the crowds and get up early to go on a ranger-led dawn chorus wildlife walk through the Medieval parkland!
6. Glorious gardens
Just a few miles from Hoe Grange, Cascades Gardens is the perfect place to relax and unwind away from the bank holiday crowds.
Inspired by Japanese gardens and Buddhist philosophy, Cascades Gardens is a celebration of nature where you can meditate and find peace of mind.

The grounds were originally home to a 19th-century quarry, lead mine and corn mill. The gardens are now completely transformed into beautiful spaces set on many levels with a meditation seat around every corner.
The gardens complement and blend into the spectacular natural landscape of rocks, cliffs and woodland. Every season brings new surprises with hellebores, unusual perennial flowers, rare trees, shrubs and conifers.
Our top tip is to climb the steps to the cliff-top path and admire the panoramic views, before popping down to the café for delicious cake.
7. Stargazing under dark skies
As dusk falls, relax on the decking of your cabin or glamping pod, cosy up under a blanket and look up to indulge in a spot of stargazing amidst the dark skies of the Peak District. At Hoe Grange, we're just two miles from an official dark sky area at Minninglow and we are so lucky to have minimal light pollution.
Another magical way to experience the night sky is at Wirksworth Star Disc, a 21st century stone circle created by Aidan Shingler. It spans 12 meters (40 ft) with a star chart mirroring the northern hemisphere’s night sky carved into black granite. The stone circle is engraved with the constellations, their names and a depiction of the Milky Way.

Escape the crowds this bank holiday in the Peak District!
With these hidden gems waiting to be discovered, your bank holiday in the Peak District promises to be a truly unforgettable adventure. So book your stay at Hoe Grange, and use our #lovelocal knowledge and expertise to get away from the crowds.
Felicity







