FIELDS FARM, BUXTON, PEAK DISTRICT CAMPSITE REVIEW

Location: 'Peak District'

Peak Forest, Buxton, Derbyshire, England, SK17 8EL

We visited 31st December 2021 - 1st January 2022

We had no plans for New Years eve (due to covid restrictions possibly changing) so decided to go away on a last minute trip in the van.

We were really excited, as it was the first time (currently) we'd ever camped in the winter months, so were looking forward to trying out the thermal pop top cover and diesel heater. We'll be writing a full review on these soon so do check the reviews page in the future.

PRICE AND BOOKING:

A lot of campsites do close for the winter season, but we used a website called 'Pitch Up' to locate and book campsite that was open. A deposit of £6 was required and then the rest was to be paid on arrival (cash).

I was a little nervous using pitch up as we'd never used it before, but it worked seamlessly and the campsite owner phoned us a few hours later to confirm. He even warned us that the field was boggy and suggested putting us on hardstanding on his farm if we'd prefer – but due to needing a toilet tent we opted to risk the field.

The owner is absolutely lovely, he popped over to see us and makesure everything was ok, told us where things were located in the field, what was in the local area, pub opening times etc and wished us a happy new year. He was in no rush for payment but please make sure you pay him as he told us he'd had a few that just leave prior to payment, which is really unfair and gives the rest of us honest campers a bad name!

It is a little on the pricey side at £20 per night, per pitch - but if you think of it as £10 per person (based on two sharing) at a great location for hiking and a pub 2min walk away, you can't really complain. There is currently no facilities, but the owner has started making a small toilet/shower block. Once this is completed, I think the price will be quite reasonalbe.

DIRECTIONS

It took us 1hour 10mins to get there following Google maps, and it was easy to follow. Roads were quite windy and dark but nothing we'd never experienced before.

The camp is easy enough to find, as it just off the T Juncton on the A623 as you go through Peak Forest, turning right just after the pub. The main enterence is a Large wooden Gate that has a large sign on, go through this and you enter directly onto the field. When we went however, he advised us to take a secondary enterence that comes off his farm land, this was due to the field being boggy in certain areas and he didn't want us getting stuck in the night. Glad we did this, as the following day, a motorhome got stuck in the mud and needed to be towed out! The farm house is stunning, especially decorated with festive lights!

THE SITE

By the time we arrived (6.30pm) it was dark. There are a row a lights along the back of the farm house - but you will need a good torch/lantern.

We had the whole field to ourselves for the night, but camped near the top end where it was less boggy.

It's a medium-sized flat field, and at a guess would fit APX 20 vans comfortably. Facilities, currently there is just a water tap and an elsan point, but as mentioned above he is building a small toilet shack in the far corner which would make it a perfect stop for tents too. He also mentioned the possibility of installing some Electric Hook Up points too, so would be good for longer stays too.

SURROUNDING AREA

There is a general store located on the map next door to the site - note this is closed and no longer in business. Same I believe for the Camping and Caravan club site behind it.

After we pitched up we had food and wandered over to the Devonshire Arms for a drink. As it was New year's Eve the pub was quite busy (nothing like Nottingham city centre mind!) But we sat outside either way as it was quite mild for December and well... Covid.

Devonshire Arms itself also has a small camp field which fits about 3 vans. We tried to book here first but it said there was no space. They also do not have standard facilities, however, I believe you have access to the pub toilets all night through a back door, and if no one is staying at the static van on site, they also leave that open to be used as a toilet/shower block. We did not use either of these so cannot comment on them but there are plenty of reviews on pitch up and other sites if you require more information.

Both these campsites work as a great central location in the peaks, with the base of Mam Tor being just over an hour and a half walk away. But if you don't fancy the walk there's always road parking at the base or in Castleton village, where you'll also find Speedwell and Blue John Caverns. Hope Valley, Bamford or Lady Bower reservoir are also just a short (21minuite) drive away.

New Year's Day We planned for a walk to Mam Tor and over into Castleton and back round (APX 6hours). But due to having one too many drinks the night before, we overslept, meaning we'd run out of daylight for such a big walk - especially with our poor navigation skills. So instead, we walked to the top of Winnants Pass and back (took us APX 3hours with a few stops for a dog sniff) which was still a great walk over muddy sheep fields.

As it was New year's Day we also encountered APX 15 odd horses and hounds on their way back from a trail hunt - chaperoned by quad bikes. Though nice to see such well behaved hounds, compared to our own, we both had mixed feelings about this practice.

On the way home, it was a toss-up between visiting Bakewell - where we've been many times before! or Eyam, the English 'plague village' that sacrificed themselves in 1965-6 to stop the spread of the plague to neighbouring villages. I've not been here since I was at school so we thought let's try somewhere 'different'. Note the Museum is closed over the winter months and reopens in February 2022. You can read more about our trip to Eyam here.