This year our maiden camping voyage saw us head over to the Golden Valley Caravan Park & Campsite set within the Amber Valley of Derbyshire. With Ripley, Heanor and Alfreton being the nearest towns.
Although we had previously tried to book onto this site last year (it was full) we were super eager to finally get to stay.
Each year with have what is becoming and annual camping trip with our friends and their kids (my godchildren) and the kids have a total blast. *cough cough* obviously we do too!
Our friends have a caravan and we have a tent so we have to book into places that can accommodate both and preferably near each other. Simon and Stacey have been and stayed over before at Golden Valley and they had recommended it so it was time to give it a whirl.
Location
The location is absolutely perfect for us. In fact only a mere 35 minutes away it made for a perfect 2 night getaway location.
There were some tight bends and super thin country lanes on our journey but its worth breathing in as we passed other cars as the area is beautiful.
The Site
The site itself is nestled within 26 Acres of historic woodland and is only a short walk to the Midland Railway Steam Train Museum and in 20 minutes by car there is the picturesque village of Matlock.
On entering the park it was clear to see that they looked after the site. It was beautifully clean and really well laid out with a lower section for camping and up a hill a second larger area for camping.
We were positioned perfectly near the entrance with our friends, directly opposite a large children play park and near the cafe and the new club house that is open on certain evening for kids discos!
On site there are lots of things to do. There is a small fishing pond, 3 outdoor play parks, bouncy castle, ride on kids tractors, a large sandpit, children’s indoor playroom, train ride and a log cart ride. Oh and if your not afraid of heights then there is a zip wire too!
Most of the activities were completely free but for the zip line there was a small charge as with the ride on electronic tractors!
There are two independent toilet / shower blocks (and some other toilets dotted around too). In addition to that there is a laundry room, Jacuzzi, and gym.
Staying At Golden Valley
As I mentioned we were camped at the bottom section of the site next to one of the play parks and near the main reception. This location could not have been better for us. The kids didn’t stop playing for the whole weekend.
We decided that for this weekend we would do limited cooking and use the cafe on site for almost all meals. The bacon cobs were lush and the meals were well priced and well cooked. I loved that we could eat in the cafe or take them away to eat anywhere on site.
The kids had a whole new level of freedom on this site based on where we were camped but unfortunately for some parents that meant practically leaving their kids to roam all day with no supervision. For us this resulted in a little boy being too excitable and who then ended up throwing the rubber flooring of the park at Joshua. Unbeknown to him it contained a rock and it cut open and blacked his eye for him.
Why do parents think camping means you don’t have to watch their kids?
That was our only negative of the whole weekend and there genuinely couldn’t have been anything the site could do about parents who don’t supervise their kids. The staff however were super helpful with Joshua’s injury and even came over later in the day to make sure he was ok and there was nothing else they could do.
Amazing Weekend
Of all the camping sites we have been to over the last couple of years this has been by far our favourite. Maybe it was the pitch location or just the sheer amount of things to do on site but we certainly will be back. (Although Golden Valley please can you pop a freezer in the washroom at the bottom field, it would make it magical!)
Disclaimer: We were not compensated in anyway for this post. We paid for this break in full and just loved it so much we wanted to share.
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