If you are organising a family camping trip on a budget - aren't we all?! - and are looking to line up some fun but cheap days out then Derbyshire is a great region to visit, with the National Park providing literally hundreds of options. We've researched a few hotspots for affordable fun here, though, to give you some ideas, listing the campsites, touring grounds and holiday parks nearby each.
Discover the Millenium Walkway
One of the most popular free days out in Derbyshire is based at New Mills in the high Peak District. At 4.5 miles it is doable for kids, especially if you pack a picnic, a ball and take a break midway. It's a mainly flat, circular route with plenty of variety: you'll walk along the tow path of a working canal, pass through open countryside, through the Torrs Riverside Park where the highlight of the walk lies...the Torrs Millenium Walkway which rises above the River Goyt beneath a spectacular retaining wall. Feel swept along by the power of the River and enjoy the exhilaration of the river's song.
Enjoy a cheap day out in Buxton
Yes, you could spend a fortune in the pretty, historic town of Buxton... but you really don't have to fork out wads of cash to enjoy the town. Pack a picnic and head to Buxton for the day to undertake your very own tour! Plan a visit to the famous St Ann's Well, the source of the internationally renowned 'Buxton Mineral Water'. If you want to blow away the cobwebs and enjoy panoramic views across the Derbyshire countryside, take the walk up Grin Low to Solomon's Temple, a Victorian fortified hill marker built on the hills outside of Buxton. It's a 400 foot climb, but the walk is short and it will burn off some energy! If you're looking for a picnic with a view, this is your spot! For some releaxation in opulent spendour (for free!) visit the 23 acre Pavilion Gardens at the heart of the town and immerse yourself in the beauty and symmetry of the gardens, walkways and the beautiful grade II listed visitors building.
Take a bike ride along the Cromford Canal
For those of you who like to pack your bikes when off camping or touring, we had to include Cromford Canal. The Peak District has a plethora of great cycling routes offering any number of free days out in Derbyshire(check out the 'cycle route maps on each campsite's individual listing for a map of the cycle routes nearby!) but the Cromford Canal is worth a mention because it provides options for all level of riders. If you are looking for a short, flat family ride, with some of your party on foot, then you can stick to the canal path itself which provides a scenic route along this historic canal, with penty of wildlife to see (save your breakfast crusts and you can feed the ducks along the way!). If, though, you are camping with teens and like a challenge, then you can extend the route and head up on to Bonsall Moor from Cromford Canal - the round trip being about 13 miles. There are three steep climbs onto the moor, along the High Peak Trail, before dropping back down again to Cromford...fabulous views and the perfect excuse for a hearty picnic afterwards!
Campsites near Free Days Out in Derbyshire
These campsites and touring grounds all make great bases from which to take advantage of the cheap days out on offer in Derbyshire. Use our 'cycle route' map on each campsite's individual listing to find out where the local, regional and national cycle routes run and get on yer bike with a picnic! Our 'Things to do' tab on each site's individual listing provides information and reviews on over 1000 local venues, attractions, shops and pubs - a great planning tool!
There were no campsites that match this pitch type so we are disregarding this and showing them all.
