We’d decided a while back that we’d like to visit Chatsworth House. We’d not been to the Peak District for ages and thought it was about time we righted this wrong.
But why go in February? (I hear you ask) Well, our kids have grown up and don’t come on holiday with us, so we don’t need to go in half term. So, we can go “out of season” which generally means it’s much quieter.
Well, it certainly was quieter, although the CAMC site was full at the weekend. Actually, it wasn’t full, although you couldn’t book there even if you wanted to, there were empty pitches though. We’d had so much trouble booking, due to availability, that we eventually had to book a super pitch, which is a fully serviced pitch, including chemical as well. We don’t have all the necessary extras to be able to fully utilise a serviced pitch, as we don’t normally stay on them, this meant we had to pay more than we needed to pay, to make sure we could get the time we wanted to go.
As I said, it was quiet, it was so quiet in fact, that pretty much everything was closed for the winter. So much for hardy northern folk, I go to Derbyshire and they all go to Dubai.
I’d love to tell you how nice Chatsworth House was, but unfortunately it was closed. I would also like to wax lyrical about Crich Tramway Village, or even the lovely Haddon Hall, but these too were closed. Who knew Derbyshire closed?
Of course we should have done more research, however, as these attractions were closed it made us think of other things to do, other things that in the end didn’t cost quite as much money. ( Reading, eating, drinking and of course, sleeping )
Anyway, back to the lovely Chatsworth Park site.
Site Overview
Set at the end of a long single track lane (with some passing places) the site is on the grounds of Chatsworth House – it’s actually called Chatsworth Park – Chatsworth House is a short walk from the site. It’s notoriously difficult to book due to its popularity, it comprises of hardstanding only pitches, this means it’s open all year, even though Chatsworth House isn’t. We noticed weekends are booked up years in advance, ok I was using artistic license there, but certainly months in advance. Mid week are usually available, but weekends are not….
There is a small children’s playground at the opposite side of the site to the dog walking area.
Chatsworth House is accessed via a gate near the dog walking area and you’re given a key (as the gate is locked)
Toilet Blocks
The toilet blocks are certainly worthy of a Caravan Site toilet block – clean and warm, shower’s were hot. I didn’t think they were very well laid out, but it’s just a personal thing. I would imagine if the site got busy, then these too would be busy, there weren’t that many showers or toilets.
Site Access
As mentioned above, a single track lane is used to access the site, which is why they’re strict on arrival and departure times. No access before 1pm and departures before 12. You really wouldn’t want to meet another caravan on the lane coming in the opposite direction!
Wardens
Very friendly wardens, well, I only met one and she was very helpful. She said “Alright chuck”, which I always liked as a term of endearment. As a side note, the office do sell things like egg and milk.
Official Caravan and Motorhome Site Leaflets
Club site leaflet
Conclusion
Nice, clean well kept site. Very friendly wardens. All hardstandings (I didn’t see any grass pitches), which is a bit unusual. On the grounds of Chatsworth House, easy access to the grounds via a gate on site near the wall.
I would recommend checking when Chatsworth House is open as we were surprised it was closed for that length of time. For some reason we completely missed this message on their website “Please be aware that the house and garden are closed for winter and will reopen on 23 March 2019.”
The site literally backs onto Chatsworth House grounds and they are massive. Dogs need to be kept on a lead as there are a surprising amount of Deer in the park (see our videos below)
I’d recommend this site to anyone, mind you, I’d pretty much recommend every CAMC site we’ve been too, you know what to expect after a while and for the most part those expectations are met, they were certainly were here.
Check the opening times
Baslow, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PN
You Tube Videos
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