What is Move More Hope Valley?
Hope Valley Climate Action Group has received support from High Peak Borough Council to deliver Move More Hope Valley—an exciting new initiative designed to encourage and support residents and visitors to make more everyday journeys on foot, by bike, or via public transport.
Over the last few months we’ve started discussions with communities across the Hope Valley, taking part in events and forums centred around active travel. Our aim is to better understand local needs, explore opportunities, and inspire sustainable travel choices that benefit health, wellbeing, and the environment.
This is a timely project, as the insights gathered through Move More Hope Valley will help shape Derbyshire County Council’s upcoming Active Travel Master Plan for the Hope Valley, which has recently launched its 8-week public consultation, 30th June to 24th August 2025. Move More Hope Valley could also pave the way for smaller, community-led improvements—based on what each village identifies as important.
Why should we move more?
There are lots of benefits for moving more and keeping active and below are just a few reminders:
- People become healthier, happier and more fulfilled by improving their health and wellbeing
- Communities are more connected, stronger, feel safer and the local economy is enabled to thrive
- Society is more equal, with empathy, effort and resources being invested in the right places, enabling good lives for all
- Environments encourage movement, are welcoming, highly valued and contribute positively towards tackling climate change
Conversations so far
Through our events and discussions with the community so far we’ve gained valuable insights into what might help residents move more and fit physical activity into daily life. Not to mention that our smoothie bike has been a big hit and helped spark some of those ideas.
What would help you be more active?
You gave us some brilliant suggestions, including:
- A Park run in the Hope Valley
- A Family friendly cycle club
- A local walking group
- Cycle skills for all ages – map reading, route planning
- Children friendly running club
- Safer cycling lanes
- Slower speeds on the roads
- Less phone time
- Setting a goal
- Map of mountain bike routes
- Planning ahead
- Cycle bus to Hope Valley College
Thank you so much for all of your feedback and insights so far. If you have any more ideas to share with us or are interested in helping bring some of these ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you and here to support you!
Hope Valley Bike Collective
In response to your feedback around family bike groups and cycling skills, we launched the Hope Valley Bike Collective in the summer of 2025. This group is open to everyone and is focused on getting more people of all ages and abilities cycling in the Hope Valley.
The group had its first meeting in August, with a great turnout and lots of ideas and energy to move the project forward. At the end of November we hosted our first community event, Pies, Pedals and Puctures at Hope Sports Centre.
The event, aimed to promote everyday cycling by people of all ages, began with a social ride led by Peak Gravel Gang, alongside our first cycling taster session on the field, by Paul from Peak Cycling UK. Highlights included learning new bike skills, getting bikes serviced by 18 Bikes, swapping kit, and warming up indoors with delicious pies and refreshments from Café Adventure while enjoying a screening of cycling adventures and an inspiring talk on bikepacking by Peak Grave Gang.
Wellness Walks at Evelyn Medical Centre
We’re delighted to be teaming up with Evelyn Medical Centre, as part of our Move More Hope Valley project, to launch fortnightly wellness walks. Join us for a short, relaxed stroll around Eccles Close. The route is flat, wheelchair-friendly and just 0.6 miles long, with plenty of chances to stop, rest and chat. Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or mobility.
Why join us? Lift your mood, keep active at your own pace, meet neighbours, and build confidence on your feet so it’s easier to walk to the bus stop for appointments, visits and days out. Fewer car journeys are good for the planet too.
When and where: Every other Tuesday, from 11.30 am. Check our Events page for dates. Starts and finishes at Evelyn Medical Centre, Hope. It’s free, with tea and biscuits afterwards. No need to book, just turn up. We’d love to see you there!
Wellness Walks are part of Move More Hope Valley, run by Hope Valley Climate Action in partnership with Evelyn Medical Centre.
Hope Valley Art Trail by Rail 2026
Second Hope Valley Art Trail by Rail draws hundreds of visitors
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Art Trail by Rail 2026! Over the weekend, visitors explored 14 venues between Chinley and Grindleford, every one within walking distance of a station on the Hope Valley train line, so the journey became part of the experience!
More than 75% of visitors travelled sustainably: around half came by train, 30% on foot and 6% by bus or bike. A huge thank you to our artists, volunteers, and venues, and to our sponsors and partners TransPennine Express, the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Railway Partnership and High Peak Borough Council.
What’s Coming up with Move More
Free Walk Leadership Training
We’re partnering with High Peak Borough Council to offer free walk leadership training for anyone interested in leading low-level walking groups. No prior experience needed — we’ll provide all the training. Contact emilygait@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk for more information.
If you’re part of a local group or community space and would like to host us at your event, we’d love to hear from you!
