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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.

Lights, camera, action – film locations in the Peak District

September 30, 2021
September 30, 2021 - Lights, camera, action – film locations in the Peak District
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It’s no surprise that our spectacular Peak District with its wealth of stunning stately homes and breath-taking countryside is regularly used as a backdrop for blockbuster films and TV series. Everything from timeless classics such as Pride and Prejudice to the latest futuristic Star Wars TV series.

Locally there has been much excitement surrounding the two most recent Peak District film locations!

Tom Cruise on location in the Peak District

The disused Darlton Quarry near Stoney Middleton is the setting for the spectacular train crash in the new Mission Impossible 7 film starring Tom Cruise.

No chance for a second take here! By editing together the best shots from 50 or so cameras I am sure it’s going to be epic on the big screen.

The film isn’t due to be released until 2022, but here’s a little taster filmed by Richard Bowring.

May the force be with you. Another disused quarry, Middle Peak Quarry Wirksworth, was recently the setting for the Star Wars' planet Andor, home to the furry Ewoks.

Famous film locations in the Peak District 

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth house the magnificent home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and often referred to as ‘the jewel in the Peak District’s crown’ is probably the most famous film set, used on numerous occasions.  Chatsworth House doubled for Pemberley in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film and other TV adaptations.

The Sculpture Gallery is in the scene where Lizzie Bennet (Keira Knightly) discovers the bust of Mr Darcy (Matthew Macfadyn) and his housekeeper describes his many good qualities. The film prop of Mr Darcy’s bust made of resin mixed with dust is still on display today.

Chatsworth is also the setting for one of my favourite films, The Duchess, featuring Kiera Knightley as the 18th Century Duchess Georgiana and Ralph Fiennes as the Duke of Devonshire. Don't you just love all those amazing costumes!

stunt horse for films

The film Wolfman in 2010 was exciting for us as Hoe Grange was the base for 15 of Steve Dents stunt horses used in the film, including the gorgeous stallion Sevilla.

Haddon Hall

Owned by the Manors family since 1567 Haddon Hall is one of the UK’s best-preserved medieval manors. With over 900 years of history the unspoilt Elizabethan long gallery and the medieval kitchen are frequently included in films of the Tudor period, including The Boleyn Girl in 2008 and Elizabeth in 1998.

Haddon Hall  was a fitting choice for Mary Queen of Scots released in 2009, starring Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan considering Derbyshire's links to the real Mary Queen of Scots. It was used in scenes representing Hampton Court Palace and as the interior of Lord Darnley’s Chamber at Holyrood.

Jane Eyre fans will know the Medieval Manor as Mr. Rochester’s Thornfield Hall in several films, including the 2011 version staring Dame Judy Dench as the house keeper.

Haddon Hall was also the backdrop for the fairy tale adventure The Princess Bride released in 1987 which still has a cult following!

Stanage Edge

Who can forget the image of Keira Knightly against the skyline on the top of this craggy gritstone edge? Kiera played the role of Elizabeth Bennet daydreaming of the dashing Mr Darcy in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice block buster. Here’s me on the same famous spot - maybe I should have worn a skirt?!

Stanage Edge in the Peak District

Stanage Edge stretches for 4 miles and is known for its rugged beauty with stunning views over the Peak District landscape.

Lyme Park

Lyme Park is the location for another unforgettable scene. Who doesn't remember Mr Darcy, played by Colin Firth in the 1995 TV drama Pride and Prejudice, as he emerges from the lake dripping wet in a white shirt and breaches?

Lyme Park was also the location for supernatural thriller The Awakening in 2011, a ghost story set in post-World War I England, as well as the BBC TV drama The Village in 2014.

Hardwick Hall 

Constructed by Bess of Hardwick in 1590s Hardwick Hall is often referred to as “more glass than wall” due to the number and size of its windows. This Elizabethan masterpiece features in the 2019 historical film Mary Queen of Scots starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.  The beautiful gardens depict external shots of Hampton Court Palace. Read all about the real Mary Stuart's Derbyshire links, and her 'jailer' Bess of Hardwick, here

In the magical world of Hogwarts Hardwick Hall was digitally altered to become the sinister Malfoy Manor in the 2010 film Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

Now cared for by the National Trust Hardwick Hall is renowned for its tapestries, fine collection of paintings and countryside walks

Kedleston Hall

Another of our historic treasures, Kedleston Hall, once home of the influential Curzon family, was also used as a setting for the The Duchess starring Keira Knightley. Kedleston portrayed three key locations in the film; the Spencer family home in Althorp, Devonshire House in London and a rented villa in Bath. It also featured in the 2006 TV series Jane Eyre.

Dovedale, Lindale and Ilam Hall

This iconic part of the White Peak, famous for its rolling dales and stepping stones across the River Dove, featured in the 2010 version of Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe.

Dovedale stepping stones

Other films were partially filmed here including The Other Boleyn Girl in 2008, starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. Even if you are not really interested in film locations it's worth taking a stroll through Ilam Park

Derwent Valley

The Upper Derwent Valley, the low-level flying test area for the real World War 2 bombing raids, doubled as the Ruhr valley for the iconic 1955 film The Dam Busters. More recently, Ladybower Reservoir's giant 'plug hole' was used in scenes for Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation in 2015.

The Upper Derwent Valley has three beautiful reservoirs with dams worth visiting; Ladybower, Howden and Derwent.

North Lees Hall

In 1845 Charlotte Bronte visited North Lees Hall while staying with her friend Ellen Nussey at the Vicarage in nearby Hathersage. It's believed the hall and the surrounding areas were her inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre. Parts of North Lees were also used for filming Pride and Prejudice and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Hoe Grange Holidays

Not only have we hosted stunt horses while they were filming Wolfman, but the farm itself was a location for an episode of the TV series Peak Practice in the late 1990s

. Interestingly the main character in the episode was disabled and a wheelchair user – little did we know that we would later be offering accessible holidays with wheelchair facilities!

We have fond memories of being part of the filming process. I had a week off cooking as our farmhouse kitchen was used for filming. It was so exciting for our two young children to have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the double decker catering bus. It was fascinating watching the production in the making and David delighted in sorting out cows and tractors as and when needed.

Two of the actors Eva Pope and Con O’Neil were amazing and entertained and played with the children in between takes. Our children loved going to bed as they could use the Stannah stairlift installed for the week!

Actress Eva Pope reading stories to our children

You can watch the episode here – filmed in 1997 it looks so old fashioned! Can you spot our cows and David’s old tractor?

Felicity 

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • 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'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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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  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  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 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  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  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  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  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 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 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 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  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 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 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 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  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  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

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