A family-run holiday business in the Peak District has won England’s top tourism honour for accessibility, recognising an approach that helps a wide range of guests plan countryside breaks with more confidence
Hoe Grange Holidays, set on a working farm between Ashbourne and Bakewell, took Gold in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism category at the 2026 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
Known for its accessible log cabins, practical equipment and detailed pre-booking information, Hoe Grange is marking its 20th anniversary this year, celebrating two decades of helping disabled guests and others with access needs enjoy countryside breaks with more confidence.
VisitEngland presented the award at its 2026 Awards for Excellence ceremony at Aerospace Bristol on 3 June. The national awards recognise tourism businesses setting the standard across England, including in accessible and inclusive tourism.
For Hoe Grange, the win is not a one-off. It is the fourth time the family-run small business has received national Gold recognition in the accessible tourism category, following previous wins in 2011, 2016 and 2024.
The business offers level-access log cabins designed with wheelchair users in mind, wet room showers, flexible bed arrangements and more than 60 pieces of additional equipment, including mobile hoists, wheelchairs, shower chairs and rise-and-recline armchairs. It has also worked with AccessAble to provide a Detailed Access Guide for each cabin, with facts, figures and photographs to help guests decide whether the accommodation will work for their own requirements before they book.
Felicity Brown, co-owner of Hoe Grange Holidays, said: “For many disabled guests and families, the hardest part of a holiday can be the uncertainty before you even arrive. People are often expected to make big decisions on limited or vague information, and that can make booking feel stressful.”
Her daughter Caroline, who runs the business with both her parents, said: “We have always tried to be honest and practical about what we offer, and to provide the equipment and detail that help people decide whether this is the right place for them. Winning Gold again means a great deal because it recognises that accessibility is not a bolt-on. It is central to how people experience a getaway.”
The judges said Hoe Grange “puts the visitor experience at the heart of every decision”, with guests leaving “delighted with their holiday and desperate to return”.
The award follows other recent recognition for Hoe Grange Holidays, including the Legacy Award for Best Family Business at the Small Awards in May and Gold for both Accessible and Inclusive Tourism and Regenerative Tourism at the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards in March.
Co-owner David Brown also supports wider discussion about accessible rural tourism through his volunteer role as a Director of Farm Stay UK, encouraging more countryside accommodation providers to think practically about accessibility for a wide range of guests, not only wheelchair users.
He added: “For many people, a countryside break is about having space to relax, unwind and enjoy time together. Everyone deserves that opportunity. We hope this award helps show that good accessibility makes a real difference, giving people more confidence to book and helping them choose a break that suits their needs.”
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are the tourism industry’s highest national accolades, recognising outstanding businesses across accommodation, visitor attractions, experiences and accessible tourism.
