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.
Exciting news here at Hoe Grange Holidays!
We have just received a red letter in the post announcing that we are finalists in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism category.
Following on from our success at the regional Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards in March where we won Gold for Sustainable Tourism as well as Gold for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, we were put forward to the nationals. Having been selected from businesses across the UK it's an honour to be representing the Peak District.
We have previously won the Silver Award for sustainability in 2012, 2013 and 2016, and are thrilled to be finalists for the fourth time. We believe this shows our consistent approach to a sustainable ethos right across the business.
The Sustainable Tourism Award celebrates the locations, attractions and accommodation providers that keep sustainability at the core of what they do. We are particularly delighted as the category covers all types of businesses large and small, not just accommodation providers.
Here at Hoe Grange we have implemented many eco practices since we opened in 2006, earning a Green Tourism Gold Award, Peak District Environmental Quality Mark and TripAdvisor’s Green Leaders Platinum Award.
As farmers who have diversified into tourism we have always been conscious of our impact on the environment and wildlife, sourcing water from a bore hole and using a combination of wind, solar and biomass energy supplies to reduce our use of fossil fuels by more than 80 per cent.
We support other #LoveLocal businesses and have a small onsite shop selling local produce, art and crafts, although this is currently closed due to Covid and social distancing.
We have also installed an electric car charging point for guests to plug in for free during their stay.
We also encourage carbon-free days out for our guests, providing them with information to see the beautiful area surrounding the farm on foot, bike or even horseback, as we have facilities for guests to bring their own horses on holiday.
Find out how else we look after our beautiful Peak District surroundings on our environment page.
Don't just take our word for it - Hoe Grange Holidays has been awarded Green Tourism Gold Award and Peak District Environmental Quality Mark for our sustainable efforts.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said:
“These awards celebrate businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have exceeded expectations and delivered excellence during the last 18 months and it is fantastic to see such an outstanding list of finalists.
We have made the VisitEngland national finals 6 times in 9 years, winning 2 Golds, 3 Silvers and 1 Highly Commended - not bad for Peak District farmers!!
Wish us luck for the finals which are being held online on Monday 17th August at 7pm. The ceremony is being streamed on You Tube so you can join us live to find out if we have won Bronze, Silver or maybe even Gold!
Felicity
UPDATE!
We are delighted to report that we won the VisitEngland Bronze Award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism - amazing that our little business is just one of three chosen from hundreds across the UK. Our congratulations go to The Hive Cafe and Bakery Birmingham who won the Gold Award and The Quiet Site in Ullswater who won the Silver in our category.
The Peak District was also successful in the Glamping and holiday Park category with Landal Darwin Forest bringing home the Gold Award!
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said: “The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence represent the highest accolades in English tourism and so we should all be extremely proud that the Peak District and Derbyshire has received national recognition with not one but two prestigious awards.
“Thousands of local jobs depend on tourism and these awards are a timely reminder of the value and quality of our tourism offer, and of the commitment and dedication of businesses such as Landal Darwin Forest and Hoe Grange Holidays who work so hard to provide visitors with experiences to remember.
“Congratulations to our worthy winners who have proved the Peak District and Derbyshire’s tourism businesses are amongst the very best in England!”