David and Felicity Brown, owners of Hoe Grange Holidays, have been selected as one of 70 remarkable people in celebration of the 70 year anniversary of the Peak District National Park.
Having lived and worked at Hoe Grange on the family farm all his life, David Brown is honoured to have been selected by the Peak District National Park for the #70People70Years campaign.
Since diversifying into self-catering holiday accommodation in 2006, the couple have continued farming beef cattle and sheep alongside welcoming holiday guests. This has allowed the to share their passion and knowledge of the area to enhance the visitor experience.
“We love sharing our special landscape – it’s about slowing down, watching wildlife and farm animals, appreciating nature, discovering local history, exploring the countryside and breathing in the fresh air,” enthuses Felicity.
Providing guests with the means of accessing and enjoying the National Park and surrounding countryside is all part of the Hoe Grange Holidays experience. From the dark skies at night to the peace and tranquillity of being away from roads and close neighbours, the accessible holidays are a relaxing getaway.
Committed
David and Felicity are also committed to taking an environmental viewpoint when considering their business. They have invested in Hoe Grange’s own small wind turbine, solar panels, a ground source heat pump, a biomass boiler and draw their water from a borehole.
Hoe Grange Holidays has previously been awarded both the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark and the Green Tourism Gold Award for their sustainable practices.
“Yes, it has been a big investment, but we have made a business case for everything – it’s not just a ‘green-wash’, it’s fundamental to how we operate,” emphasises David.
Alongside these awards, the couple has also won Visit England Bronze Award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism in 2020.
“It’s a real honour to be chosen as one of just 70 people for the Peak District National Park’s #70people70years celebration highlighting remarkable individuals who have made a real difference,” admits David. “Guest’s reactions constantly remind us how lucky we are to live, work and play in the Peak District – we will never take it for granted.”
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