Spend the weekend in a barn? Don't mind if I do…read more It was a little late in the day when my friends and I put together our annual camping trip and before we knew it we were stuck with only the first weekend in September. Camping in September? Well it's worth a try, we'll just need plenty of warm stuff and a strong constitution won't we? It was then that I remembered something from back in my Girl Guiding days - you can camp in barns! Camping barns are pretty much just tents made out of stone, with a roof, with a flushing toilet and a sink if you're lucky (and yes, Alstonefield is a lucky barn). The ground floor of this one has one big communal room with wooden picnic benches and a cooking platform and the whole upstairs is for sleeping. No beds, just a wooden platform. Luxury it is not, but utterly beautiful, rustic, quiet and homely (in its way) it sure is. The barn is literally in the middle of nowhere (though there is still some phone signal), with nothing much around for miles barring the farmhouse at the other end of the dirt track and the myriad sheep and cows. There's no electricity but plenty of nooks and crannies for candles. We were mildly unsettled when we arrived mid-afternoon and could already see our breath on the autumnal air, but this gave way in the evening probably through a combination of the candles, the humans, bringing the barbecue inside and the ever present and loving beer jacket. It wasn't half as cold as we thought it'd be - especially for a clear night. We had plenty of space to cook, eat, drink, dance, sing and shout. Camping barns are a bit of a revelation for me. Warmer and (slightly) more comfortable than camping, with no crouching, no damp, no trekking to the toilet block, no falling over guy ropes, no packing away the canvas in the rain, no neighbours. but still with all the good stuff, the great outdoors, the roughing it, the hanging out with your mates. You can rent the whole of Alstonefield for £84 for the night - it fits 12 people (it's £7 each). What a way to spend a weekend! Just bring your woollens in case.

I've been visiting this camp site for over 22 years and always had a nice time here…read more It's a very basic place, with one small toilet block and a couple of showers but it's cheap! It's not far from Bakewell (2 miles) and a nice drive into Buxton (10 miles) and there is a pub in Monyash that has an outdoor childrens play area and really nice meals (2 miles) The campsite is fantastic for the kids as it is quite far from the road and you can let the kids roam and play without worrying about them wandering and there are some woods that the kids can explore in and enjoy themselves. At the far end of the camp site is a family only field that tends to be nice a quiet (ish) as the groups field is further away. In all my family love to come here, relax, walk and play and it's greta value for money.

nice quiet campsite with three field to choose from although the first field is supposed to be for…read morefamilies it tends to get a lot of duke of edinburghs groups in. Can get noisy at bank holidays but generally quiet and safe for children to play aound the site. They even have shetland ponies for the kids to stroke. The toilets and showers have recently been refurbished to a decent standard and is ongoing with its improvements.Nice and friendly owners. Tree swing for the kids which they seem to enjoy. Nice views of Lathkill Dale and pubs in the nearest villages of Over Haddon and Monyash. Bakewell three miles from the site and Buxton 10 miles from the site. Matlock and Matlock bath within easy reach as is Chatsworth house and Haddon Hall.Tissington trail not far away. Definately worth a visit. Good value for money.

A great day or half day out for all the family. The young can feed the ducks, the keen can take the…read more2 mile walk around the lake, the kids can play in the park/s (one just past the lake to the right then left and the other half way round the lake walk) Plenty of places to eat and drink or just grab an ice cream. Your typical Blackpoolesk place on a smaller scale. You can ride small boats on the lake and there is parking close by but this can be limited. During half terms and school holidays there is usually a fun fair on in the car park so you may have to park out of the centre and walk in

Great one stop shop for pretty much all major out door activities. Good range of equiptment, well…read morepriced and helpful staff on hand to assist you. They have a cycle surgery for maintainance and repairs to bikes. Good range of footwear and kit for the snow. It's a good idea to call ahead should you be after something specific just to check it's in stock.

Hmmm. The actual site itself is great. Its up the top of Edale, a short walk away from the pub. The…read moreshowers and toilet facilities are ancient and badly need upgrading. The main problem is the owners. They are notoriously grumpy, mean and unhelpful. There is a disturbance deposit to be paid on entry, group bookings are not allowed. Get orf my land!!

Set in Edale in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside 5 minute walk to beginning of Kinder Scout.The…read morescenery is stunning and very peaceful.Coopers is a working farm run by Mr Cooper who can be a bit curmudgeonly,but after all he`s a busy farmer! The site is open all year round,its not huge 135 pitches but that makes it more peaceful & quiet.it takes tents,caravans,camper vans.There is a PostOffice/shop on the site and a small cafe,which can be bit pricy but its good.Just on the entrance to the campsite is a pub The Nags Head,its a lovely rural stone built pub,with great pub-grub.They don`t mind dirty walking boots either.Theres another pub 5 mins walk The Rambler,which we preferred as there was more room to sit outside and is more "dog Friendly" slightly cheaper than other pub too. Lovely quiet site surrounded by beautiful countryside. Fell asleep to the sound of sheep baaing (beats counting them!) The toilets were very clean, 10p for a shower- water was nice and hot. There's a payphone just outside which came in handy as T-mobile has no signal (I didn`t hear 1 mobile all the time there, so maybe no signal for all). .Had a brilliant relaxing couple of nights, my 2 dogs loved it too. Will be definately going back -soon! Also for all you folk music fans theres the folk train which runs 4th Tuesday every month.Folk music on the Sheffield-Edale train which carries on in The Rambler pub,brilliant night!! Some great bands on too http://www.hvhptp.org.uk/folktran.htm

If you own a caravan and you are looking for your next voyage, then may I suggest here…read more In the heart of the Pennines, and surrounded by beautiful scenery, this campsite is ideal for a short holiday so you can explore your surroundings. I really do love this place, even though I only live up the road, this is where we had our first camping experience and it was great. You aren't alone either as this place is always packed to the brim no matter what season and other people that are staying there are willing to help you and you can make some great friends. If you want a pint, the pub is only up the road and does some cracking meals too. If you have travelled a long way then there is plenty to do like visit the little town of Uppermill or hop on to a train to Manchester which is about half an hour away. There is so much to do here, why do you think I live here! Look at their website for more information on prices etc.

i have a caravan and from march till september i work away,…read moreso i thought i will try well i hole farm,greenfield. i only live 7 miles down the road and it was the best thing to do i came for a few days and 6 weeks later still here the owner nigel top guy will go out of the way to help the also have a camp steward jack, you are in the midle of the country side, but what a great place to chill out

We camp here and use it as a base to explore Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. We spent a…read moreweek there one summer and visited York, Scarborough, Sherwood Forest, Bakewell, Castleton, Hathersage, Bradwell, Sheffieldto name but a few places. This certainly isn't an exhaustive list as the surrounding areas have so much to offer for everyone. The site itself has showers, toilets, sinks, washing machines and dryers. There is also a bunk house if you don't want to camp out, as well as self catering units. They offer bed and breakfast with these. There is instruction on various outward bounds activities available from the farm. The site is a farmhouse pre-dating 1340 and lead mine buildings from the 1850s, which have been completely rebuilt. There are three main parts to the campsite. The top larger field, a smaller centre field close to the toilet blocks which are key coded. And a third longer field which stretches down the road. The toilets are clean and well kept. The showers are wonderful. This site is perfect for walkers, hikers or those just wishing to get away from it all. The kids love Pindale farm and can't wait to go back there. Its extremely cheap in comparison to other campsites. The centre field has stunning views over to mam tor and there is a beautiful walk down into Hope where there are pubs, shops and supplies. You are minutes away from Castleton, its caves and castle. The only down side people may see to this site is the fact that there is a cement works at the back of it. However, we have never been troubled with any noise coming from it, or the lorries visiting it. We went with a 6mth old baby one year and he was undisturbed.

Fantastic family and adult campsite! Shower block is very antiquated and is currently having a new…read moremodern shower block being built at the time of this review! This must be one the largest and very level campsite we have stayed on. Showers cost 20p for 3 to 5 mins, play area for the kids with climbing frames, swings, etc in a fenced area next to the shower block, nice little shop for basic items, a good variety of wildlife, security is provided by a key coded barrier Overall a well sheltered with plenty of large trees campsite

Great caravan and camping site just 4 miles from York off the A19. Has adults only field and also…read morefamily fields. Right by the river Ouze, so some walks nearby also the locks and weir are interesting to sit by and watch in operation too. There is a local pub The Blacksmiths Arms nearby (see review) which opens for breakfast at £2.99 for campers who don't like to cook! Full meals and BBQ's available here with lovely real ale. Fulford just short drive away with another 3 pubs and an Aldi and Iceland for shopping. Piches from £16 £23 per night with electrical hook up. Small shop onsite with limited opening hours that stocks all essentials. Very friendly, flexible, helpful staff. Toilet block cleaned regularly, showers always always clean and free. Pot washing area too. Well worth a visit if you are looking for a nice place close to York.