Callow Top Holiday Park

What better way is there to spend a freezing cold winter’s evening than the second best thing to camping, and that’s browsing the net looking out for likely sites?

“Look what I’ve found,” I said to my long suffering wife. “Not ANOTHER campsite,” she muttered. “Yes,” I replied, “but look, it’s got just about everything. A pub that brews its own beer, a restaurant, a well-stocked shop, swimming pool, fishing lake, children’s playground, entertainment, excellent showers and toilets. The list goes on.”

“Great,” says the wife. “Where is it?”

“Ashbourne,” says I. “It’s only about one hour’s drive away.”

Her response was: “If it was 200 miles away I would say it was worthwhile, book it.”

We went there during the spring half-term and the place was heaving with families having a great time. I would say it is definitely a family-orientated site, so if you want peace and quiet I would advise you to go in term time.

If you like walking, cycling, or exploring the Peak District then it is an ideal base. While there we went to Sudbury Hall museum of childhood, Waterworld at Stoke-on-Trent, the spa town of Buxton, Pooles Cavern, Castleton and the Speedwell Cavern. The site is open from the end of March until the middle of November. ¦

ESSENTIALS

Cost Low season £20.50, high season £25.50 for two people per night; children £1.50; dogs £1.50

Facilities Children’s play area, amusement arcade, games field with football posts, cricket nets and a volleyball court. There is also a pub/restaurant and cafe/bar with a Wi-Fi hotspot and entertainment during peak season.

There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool and the supermarket-style shop sells a wide range of products. Other facilities include showers a laundry, dishwashing facilities and disabled washroom facilities.

TRAVEL

Road Make your way to Ashbourne from whichever part of the country you are coming from. The site is just north of the town on the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton Road. The drive leaves the main road opposite Sandybrook Garage. Two large green signs mark the entrance.

Train Derby station is about a 30 minute drive away.?Take the bus from the train station to the bus station in Derby, then take either ‘The One’ or ‘109′ to Ashbourne. It is a 20 minute walk to Callow Top.

NEARBY

Food and drink The Callow Inn is a traditional pub and restaurant on-site. It offers real ales, brewed in their own micro-brewery, and a good selection of pub food. Arnold’s Café/Bar also serves food and shows football on Sky TV. There’s a wide selection of places to eat in the local area, from posh restaurants to village pubs. Some takeaways in Ashbourne will deliver to the site.

Shops Ashbourne has four supermarkets, including Sainsburys and M&S Food. A local market runs every Thursday and Saturday

ATTRACTIONS

Peak District Britain’s first National Park features some of the country’s finest scenery, from rugged moorland, rolling hills and dales to lush meadows and leafy forests (see the picture). It’s a haven for outdoor-lovers.

Alton Towers Britain’s most popular theme park is a 20-minute drive away from the campsite and is a must-visit for any family.

Ashbourne is the nearest town to Callow Top, a 20-minute walk away along the Tissington Trail. It combines historic architecture with quality shops, pubs, restaurants and teashops. There’s also a golf course and a leisure centre with indoor pool and gym.

CALLOW TOP HOLIDAY PARK
Buxton Road, Sandybrook, Ashbourne,
Derbyshire DE6 2AQ
01335344020
[email protected]
www.callowtop.co.uk



This review was published in the March 2012 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.

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