From The High Peak Trail to the cutest pygmy goats, read all about our most delightful dog-friendly farm stay in The Peak District at Hoe Grange Holidays.
Two of my greatest loves in life are spending time with my terriers Pops and Gertie, and exploring new places.
Add into the mix a touch of luxury and a variety of four-legged furry animals to coo over, and you have the recipe for my perfect holiday.
So, when Pops, Gerts, and I were invited by Felicity and David to stay at the multi-award-winning Hoe Grange Holidays in The Peak District, it’s little wonder that I felt like I’d won the lottery!
Set on a working farm, at the foot of The High Peak Trail, these luxury dog-friendly log cabins are the perfect place to recharge and relax.
Situated just 16 miles from Derby, nestled in the rolling hills between Ashbourne and Bakewell, Hoe Grange Holidays are ideally located for exploring the picturesque towns and villages The Peak District has to offer.
A Warm Welcome
As we meandered up the long winding farm track from the main road, past the sheep busily grazing on the hillside, I knew we were going to love it here.
Arriving at reception in the damp drizzle that had followed us since Uttoxeter, we were greeted with a warm welcome and shown to our cabin. There are three dog-friendly cabins at Hoe Grange – Pops, Gerts and I stayed in Hipley.
Felicity and David have been in the self-catering industry for many years so it will come as no surprise that they know exactly how to look after their guests and make them feel at home.
The log cabins are immaculately clean, highly specced, in impeccable condition, and really are a true home from home.
With parking directly outside our cabin, it didn’t take us long to unload and settle ourselves into our cosy surroundings.
Despite the incessant rain, the cabin felt so warm and inviting. Waiting for us was a freshly baked loaf of Hoe Grange Farm bread, along with some locally roasted coffee, butter, milk, eggs, and a very scrumptious homemade cookie. [Which, incidentally, didn’t last long!]
There was plenty to make the dogs feel at home too, with a generous supply of doggy towels, bowls, blankets, and throws for the furniture so they could make the most of their holiday.
A Home from Home
Every last detail has been carefully considered to make your stay at Hoe Grange as comfortable as possible, and it is evident that Felicity and David work incredibly hard to maintain the high standard of accommodation.
The kitchen/ breakfast room is light and airy and has every mod-con and appliance you could wish for.
And I became rather attached to the recliner chair in the living room, the perfect way to kick back and relax after a hike along the High Peak Trail.
Much to Gerts’ and Pops’ delight there is also a Dimplex fire. There are no prizes for guessing who bagsied the best seat in the house when this was roaring away!
The kitchen/ living room looks out onto a large decking area, complete with outdoor seating. The decking is enclosed by a glass balcony, creating the perfect safe place for Pops and Gerts to wander around outside without me having to worry.
When the weather allows, it’s the ideal place to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding countryside. You can even hire a pizza oven, complete with everything you need to cook up an alfresco feast! How magical is that?
Designed to be inclusive for all guests, the cabins are fully accessible for those with limited mobility. The accommodation has ramp access, disabled shower facilities, and a range of specialist equipment to ensure everyone can enjoy this haven of peace and tranquility.
There is a super-kingsized bedroom which overlooks a paddock – home to Oliver the cob, [I’ve never had such an obliging neighbour!] and a twin bedroom which has a disabled ensuite shower room.
The main bathroom includes a whirlpool bath. I’m never one to wallow, but I have to say I could easily while away a good half an hour in there with a glass of Rosé!
Down on the Farm
As well as luxurious log cabins, Hoe Grange also has two Glamping Pods, which are dog-friendly too. The pods have their own kitchenette and shower facilities, so there’s no need to pad across to a shower block in your PJs!
We were lucky to have a nosey around before the next guests arrived and they are just adorably cute.
Adorned with twinkling fairy lights on the exterior, the pods are the perfect setting for a romantic weekend away under the stars. Fully insulated, they offer the perfect alternative to camping – no soggy bottoms or drafty posteriors here!
You can also stay in Rose Hip, a one-hundred-year-old Romany caravan that has been fully renovated and restored to provide the ultimate outdoor living experience. Whilst tastefully decorated with a nod to its traditional roots, this little beauty has all the mod-cons you need to make your stay truly special and unique.
With a very tasteful play area, Hoe Grange really does cater for all generations. I have such fond memories of farm stays with my parents as a child, and I have no doubt that Felicity and David would go out of their way to make youngsters feel a part of farm life.
The ultimate highlight of our adventure has to be meeting the four pygmy goats – Raspberry, Ripple, Looby-Loo, and Dora. [Yes, if there was an award for the best animal names, Felicity would win it!]
These girls are such characters and getting to spend time in their enclosure is a memory I’ll treasure forever. Raspberry even gave me a goaty kiss!
Hoe Grange – A Pet-Friendly Paradise
Felicity and David’s love of animals shines through at Hoe Grange, and dogs are made to feel just as welcome as their human counterparts.
Dogs are treated as part of the family and with The High Peak Trail just a stone’s throw from your doorstep, it really is doggy heaven.
Onsite there are warm water shower facilities for washing off muddy paws and you can even request a dog crate should you need one.
Dog tags are provided to use throughout your stay – just in case anyone loses their bearings – and dogs are allowed on the furniture provided you use throws provided. They are however requested to refrain from putting their paws on the human beds.
There is no additional charge for dogs, although a £100 ‘dog bond’ is required when booking your holiday. This is refunded after your stay providing there is no doggy damage.
It’s not just dogs who are welcome, you can even bring your horse on holiday at Hoe Grange. Just imagine cantering across the Derbyshire Dales, and waking up each morning to see your pony grazing in the paddock right next to you.
Hoe Grange really is a pet lover’s paradise.
Eco-friendly Accommodation
As well as providing the most perfect holiday destination, Hoe Grange also does its bit when it comes to looking after the environment.
With their very own wind turbine on-site to power the electricity, the cabins are heated using renewable technologies including ground source heat pumps and solar.
All the cleaning products are eco-friendly and they provide recycling containers to make sure waste is kept to a minimum.
Dog-Friendly Days Out Near Hoe Grange Holidays
I couldn’t quite believe our luck when we awoke on our first morning to glorious sunshine! So, up like the lark [very unusual for us!], we went to explore The High Peak Trail.
With stunning views, you can walk for miles, and apart from the odd runner and cyclist [who Gertie was eager to chase!], we didn’t come across another soul.
You can walk in either direction from the gate at the top of Hoe Grange Farm. If you’re up for more of a hike you can walk to Middleton Top Cafe. Unfortunately, I have to be mindful of how far I walk with Pops these days, so we kept it to a gentle saunter in the sunshine, enjoying the views and making the most of the beautiful weather.
Just a five-minute drive from Hoe Grange is the Tissington Estate. This is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Home to the FizHerbert family, Tissington Hall is an impressive 17th Century Jacobean mansion and the village is a beautiful spot to while away an afternoon.
With a quaint little duck pond, a cafe, old-fashioned sweet shop, and candle makers its quintessentially English vibe is quite charming.
As well as being home to the Tissington Trail, the village also provides some great posing opportunities!
By the way, do you like our new pad?!
Going further afield
Although our visit this time was quite fleeting, The Peak District is an area I’ve visited many times in the past and it is one of my favourite places to go with the dogs.
It makes a refreshing alternative to visiting the coast and with so many amazing dog-friendly villages and towns you are spoilt for choice.
Within easy driving distance of Hoe Grange, there is the traditional town of Bakewell (famous for Bakewell Pudding), the thermal spa town of Buxton, famed for its Spring-water, and Matlock Bath.
Matlock Bath has a somewhat seaside ambience, with amusement arcades and gift shops lining the promenade. If you need your fix of traditional fish and chips, Matlock Bath, or Derbyshire-on-Sea as it’s affectionately known, is the place to go!
Chatsworth Estate – A Dog Lovers Dream
With Pops being well into her senior years, our walks are a bit more limited these days, but there are some stunning walking routes and trails in the area to explore.
Among our favourites is the Chatsworth Estate which we visited before returning home to Wiltshire.
There is a whole maze of footpaths running throughout the estate, but this time we found a pleasant two-and-a-half-mile circular route starting from Calton Lees car park.
With a gentle climb through stunning scenery, it takes in some of the picturesque bridleways, woodland and parkland around the vast estate.
If you’ve not been, Chatsworth is a truly unique place and the views across the sweeping landscape to the impressive house would be amazing on a clear day. [As it was we had a job to see the paw in front of our face!]
Chatsworth Farm Shop and Cafe
After burning off some calories it was time for the obligatory cafe stop, so we jumped in the car and drove a short distance to Chatsworth Farmshop and Cafe.
Whilst dogs aren’t allowed inside the restaurant, they have a very inviting courtyard cafe area at the rear which is dog-friendly and offers table service.
Pops, Gerts, and I rather enjoyed our own private dining experience and they even put the outdoor heaters on for us so we wouldn’t be too chilly. [Gerts always shivers in temperatures less than 7°! Clearly, they took pity on us!]
The staff were so obliging at the cafe and my Parsnip and Apple soup really hit the spot after our walk. It was the perfect way to end our Peak District adventure before heading home, somewhat reluctantly.
This definitely won’t be our last visit to The Peak District, or to Hoe Grange Holidays. The area has so much to offer when it comes to holidaying with your dog; it really is a dog-friendly paradise.
Think long walkies, stunning scenery and a welcoming vibe to boot.
A huge thank you to Felicity and David for inviting us to stay. We’ve never felt more welcome and at home – you have created a true gem in Hoe Grange Holidays.
If you would like to book a holiday at Hoe Grange, check out their dog-friendly accommodation in The Peak District, where you will find a whole host of information about their farm-stays and the surrounding area.
Woofs and Wags
Kate, Pops and Gerts
xox
