Camping with toddlers can be, well let’s say a challenge! Here is our experience of camping at Common End Farm Campsite in the Peak District.
When I think about my childhood my fondest memories are nothing to do with the things I was bought, instead, they are simply the long days spent exploring with my Grandad. Whether that was beaches, forests, or as far as the back garden. Picking apples and berries, hunting for fairies or trolls, making potions, and walking so far that when you got back your legs had that satisfying dull ache.
When I had my own little boy, for us both I committed to exploring the UK. There are so many beautiful places to make memories. In a world where technology can overwhelm us all, I believe that it is so important to continue to pass down that sense of adventure I was lucky enough to enjoy as a child.
Let’s face it. We need to get outside! We chose camping in the Peak District at Common End Farm Campsite, and we were not disappointed. Here’s what we thought.
Common End Farm Campsite
Common End Farm is a small, camping and caravan site on a gently sloping 1.8 Acre grassed site. It overlooks surrounding fields and with some views reaching across to Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale, it provides a quiet and rural setting from which to explore the surrounding countryside and villages of the southern Peak District National Park. With electric hook-ups available and separate male and female toilets and shower facilities including a family shower room that features a toilet, shower and washbasin, you can enjoy the delights of the outdoors with a few essential comforts and facilities. The site is open from May to September.
Facilities on site:
- 30 pitches.
- 8 (10amp) electric hook-up points.
- 4 (6amp) electric hook-up points (suitable for charging and lighting)
- large overflow field with non-electric pitches offering a little more flexibility in pitching arrangements for groups.
- Drinking water tap.
- Chemical toilet disposal point.
- Refuse point.
- Pot washing area and freezer for ice packs (no charge)
- Ladies and gents toilets and showers.
- Hairdryer provide.
- 28-day pitch stays available.
We secured ourselves one of the last pitches at Common End Farm Campsite in Ashbourne and we were so grateful that we did. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. Staff cleaned the facilities to a really high standard. It was so refreshing to get outside and just enjoy nature. We felt so content and happy.
One of the great things about this campsite was that from 11 pm they were quite strict about keeping the noise levels to a minimum. Don’t get us wrong we totally expect noise from people enjoying themselves. In fact, the background noise helps my little one to sleep! This is great though if you do have children who need that bit of peace and quiet. We slept really well.
Common End Farm Campsite is a total Derbyshire Gem, family-friendly atmosphere and only being a stone’s throw from Dovedale beauty spots it made the perfect weekend for us.
Ilam Park
We sort of stumbled upon Ilam Park and it’s absolutely beautiful. Perfect for toddlers as there is so much to see and explore. Head over to the National Trust website and check out their ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4′ at Ilam Park and Dovedale. Download the wall chart and each time you visit you can tick one off.
Play pooh sticks in the River Manifold, hunt for fossils and bones, explore caves or just wander through the ancient woodland and admire buzzing wildflower meadows. We wish we had discovered this wall chart before our visit. At least now we have another excuse to return!
On our travels, we also stopped in Bakewell for traditional Bakewell tarts and custard. The cakes here were unbelievable. Once we had loaded ourselves up on sugar we went onto Dovedale Stepping Stones. There really was no shortage of things to do and places to explore.
Thank you for reading about our toddler in tow camping trip to Common End farm. We hope we have inspired you to visit the Peak District too. It will be the first on our list next year and every year after. Let us know your own experiences of camping with toddlers in the comments below.
