Award Winning Self Catering Holidays In the Derbyshire Peak District
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.
On 27 September 1825, a steam-powered locomotive named Locomotion No.1 set off from Shildon to Stockton, carrying passengers along a 26-mile journey that would change the world. The crowds cheered, smoke billowed out the chimney, and railway history was made.
That historic moment, now 200 years ago, marked the birth of modern railway travel. And while steam trains no longer pass through the hills around Hoe Grange Holidays, the story of that transformation is written into our very landscape.
Today, you can walk, ride or cycle straight from the fields of our working farm onto what was once the Cromford and High Peak Railway. A bold, 19th-century route that helped shape Derbyshireโs industrial past. Now reborn as the High Peak Trail, itโs a peaceful path with panoramic views and a fascinating tale to tell.
The limestone embankments near Minninglow are an incredible achievement, particularly when you think that the work would have all been done by hand rather than machine!
The Cromford and High Peak Railway opened in 1831. One of the first lines in the world to be built, it was designed to connect the Cromford Canal (which served the East Midlands textile industry) to the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge (which connected to industries in the North West). Instead of carrying passengers, it was built for freight, hauling stone, coal, and minerals, especially limestone over the steep slopes and limestone ridges of the White Peak. It was of great benefit to Sir Richard Arkwrightโs Cromford Mills as it significantly improved the movement of raw materials and finished goods.
With inclines so steep, they needed stationary steam engines to haul wagons up and down, it was more like a canal path than a modern railway. But what it lacked in smooth travel, it made up for in ambition.
By the 1960s, the track closed as it became uneconomic. Thankfully, the legacy lives on. The old railway line has been transformed into the High Peak Trail, a 17.5-mile traffic-free route perfect for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and horse riders alike.
One of the things our guests love most is the ability to step straight onto the High Peak Trail from our farm fields, no need to load up the car or plan a big route.
Whether youโre heading out for a gentle afternoon stroll or a longer e-bike adventure (yes, we offer electric bike hire on site), the trail starts right here. We also have an off-road wheelchair for hire so guests with limited mobility can join family and friends and enjoy the panoramic views.
And itโs not just for walkers and cyclists. Guests who bring their horses are welcome to ride along this historic route too. There's something extra special about following in the tracks of centuries-old horse-powered transport while riding your own four-legged companion across the landscape.
Oh, and look out for the cattle grid at the bottom of our farm drive. Davidโs father made it out of old railway rails when the line closed. A little reminder that long before recycling became a thing, we were already making use of what history left behind.
Railway stories run through the landscape and through our family too. Felicityโs grandfather was a train driver on the Great Western Railway, driving steam engines through the countryside many years ago. Perhaps thatโs why we feel so connected to Railway 200 and this part of the Peak Districtโs story. The past doesnโt just belong in museums, it lives in memories, footpaths, and the rhythm of slow travel.
For a deeper dive into the past, just a 10 minute drive or a 30 minute cycle ride along the trail, youโll find Middleton Top Engine House, where the world's oldest steam powered beam engine of it's type shows how wagons were hauled up the steep incline by cable. At 1 in 14 (7%), Hopton incline was the steepest in Britain and trains frequently had to be split and pulled up a few wagons at a time. Itโs still fired up on selected weekends and is well worth a visit.
You can also climb aboard a working heritage railway at Peak Rail, where steam and diesel trains run along a 4-mile stretch from Rowsley South to Matlock. Some services are wheelchair accessible and great for families, with themed events throughout the year from vintage cream tea rides to Santa specials.
In celebration of 200 years of railway history, Railway 200 is hosting events across the country. You can view the full timeline of milestones and planned activities or listen to the Great Rail Tales podcastย
At Hoe Grange, history isnโt something you have to go and find, itโs part of the view. The High Peak Trail offers something for everyone:
Whether youโre a history buff, a gentle rambler, or just someone who loves a good view with a story behind it, a railway-themed break at Hoe Grange offers something different.
Youโll wake to birdsong, breathe in that fresh Peak District air, and set out straight from your accommodation onto a route that once carried the weight of Derbyshireโs industry. These days, itโs more likely to carry families on bikes, dog walkers out for a stroll, or couples sharing a quiet moment on a bench admiring the view.
And at the end of the day? Head back to your spacious log cabin, cosy glamping pod or romantic vintage gypsy caravan, knowing youโve explored in the footsteps of wagons, workers and wheelbarrows!
Whether youโre walking, wheeling, cycling or riding your horse, the trail is yours to explore, with a touch of railway magic around every bend.
Ready to explore railway history from your doorstep?
Book a countryside stay with us and discover 200 years of railway-inspired adventure from your doorstep.
Felicityย
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