The Racecourse Retreat
View prices & book- Spacious family-friendly pop-up site in the Derbyshire countryside
- Four miles from the Peak District; a 15-minute drive from Matlock
- Back to basics pitches with firepits; close to walks and bike routes
Site type
- Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
- The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
- Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
- Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
- Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
- If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
- Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.
Languages spoken
English
Open from Fri, 24 May to
Pitch types & availability
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £20 1 night, 2 adults
View prices & bookElectric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £28.50 1 night, 2 adults
View prices & bookBell tent
4 people maximum Dimensions: 5.0m width x 5.0m length (16.4ft width x 16.4ft length) Calculated area: 25.0m² (269.1ft²)
Arrival daysFrom £80 1 night, 2 adults
View prices & book
Reviews
Voted 84% of visitors View breakdown
would recommend this site to a friend
would stay here again
Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.
Everything about the site is excellent, staff are super friendly and all…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Everything about the site is excellent, staff are super friendly and all facilities are kept clean. Great views from the site Only negative would be to have more showers..
Disliked: Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
This was our second year of staying at The Racecourse Retreat again…
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Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: This was our second year of staying at The Racecourse Retreat again it was for bank holiday weekend. We visited with our family members and their children and they absolutely loved it as much as we do. The staff are friendly and helpful always up for a chat. Over the weekend they had a number of events on for adults and children such as a live band and a film afternoon for the kids. The new shower block is such a benefit to the site i would say they could do with another 2 of them to accommodate all 3 fields for when its busy but we didn't encounter any issues, the ladies only toilet is such a lovely touch always clean and smelt nice. We'll be back next year !
Recommend to friends Visit again
Simple site with good facilities…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Simple site with good facilities
Recommend to friends Visit again
Food options being available on site ie pizza van, burgers etc. Friendly…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Food options being available on site ie pizza van, burgers etc. Friendly staff. Clean toilets and showers.
Disliked: When we initially set up there were 2 boys (later realised were staff) going up and down the back farm behind the tents on a quad then motor bike revving it near the cows and scaring our dog as it was loud. We also weren’t aware of the music till late or that this was even on offer when booking through pitch up (shame this is isn’t clearer- depends what you’re after). I appreciate what the campsite was trying to do offering entertainment and the female singer was good but we had been given welcome info when we arrived which stated this would be on and by 11pm it was quiet time which is quite reasonable but it didn’t stop at 11pm and went on with another band starting again (it was very loud) if you were camped far away from the bar area/ band marquee you couldn’t get away from the noise. This was a bit of shame as we did want some sort of camping serenity. The only other downfall was the toilets and showers it was quite a big and busy campsite and they had 4 main toilets then showers attached behind with another 3 toilets and showers. Needed at least another toilet block/ showers in the main areas as there was always a queue. The only other one was at the bottom of a big hill at the campsite where you checked in and this was a big walk from the main tent pitches- also only open between 7am- 7pm. This would be a lovely campsite if the basic bits were looked at - more toilet facilities, calmer environment (even the second night which was a movie night they had put on in the marquee was really loud if you just wanted peace) and maybe a little shop for essentials rather than focusing on bands and bar.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Friendly, organised site. Value for money and going the extra mile by…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Friendly, organised site. Value for money and going the extra mile by providing bar and live entertainment.
Disliked: Washing up facilities not quite sufficient for bank holiday demand!
Recommend to friends Visit again
Got there and found ample pitches as well as being surprised by…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Got there and found ample pitches as well as being surprised by a mini festival being run by the park! Had an absolutely wonderful time and will definitely be going back!
Recommend to friends Visit again
The facilities were clean most of the time and the pitch was…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: The facilities were clean most of the time and the pitch was very spacious. The woman who checked us in was lovely !
Disliked: The atmosphere in the bar was odd and the people working in there made it awkward by staring at customers from the corner. The beer prices are high so definitely recommend drinking your own stuff. The music can be heard from the other end of the field so don’t be expecting to talk to your friends when it’s playing!
Recommend to friends Visit again
Clean facilities but not very good showers. Great views
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: We were lucky to stay during bank holidays and we loved the live band. My kids really enjoyed playing in the sandpit and the views were absolutely stunning.
Disliked: Showers. Facilities were exceptionally clean but only one shower can be used at a time. After I covered my hair and body with soap there was no water coming in anymore as the other was in use and had to use the sink to wash it all off.
Recommend to friends Visit again
This is our 4th visit to the racecourse and we were very…
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Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: This is our 4th visit to the racecourse and we were very pleasantly surprised with the new toilet/shower block. The team have done a fabulous job, they made our bank holiday weekend and we will definitely be returning, hopefully every year!
Disliked: Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
Everything was great. Even though there were lots of campers over the…
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Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked: Everything was great. Even though there were lots of campers over the bank holiday weekend, there was plenty of room between pitches. The scenery was beautiful. I was very impressed with the facilities, there were 3 unisex and 1 ladies toilet aswell as 3 shower rooms which also had toilets in. They were clean every time I used them. A nice added extra was the kids movie on Sunday afternoon. I will definitely be booking to go again.
Disliked: Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
Features
Pop-up campsite
Dogs allowed
Campfires allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house
Cycle hire
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Fitness centre
Games room
Indoor swimming pool
Kids' club
On-site restaurant/cafe
Outdoor swimming pool
Play area
TV room
Take away
Tennis
Watersports
Amenities on site
Bath available
Car parking by pitch/unit
Composting toilet
Disabled facilities
Dog park
Drying room
Food shop
Free wifi
Ice pack freezing
Internet access
Launderette
Parent & baby washroom
Pick-up from public transport
Portable toilet
Pub toilets
Public telephone
Shower available
Toilet block
Washing-up area
Wifi
Groups welcome
D. of E. welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Rallies welcome
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Rules
Barbecue provided
Barbecues allowed
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed all year
Themes
Budget/backpacker
Peaceful
Remote location
Spectacular scenery
Walkers' paradise
Utilities
Charging facilities
Chemical disposal
Communal fridge
Electric car charging point(s)
Gas cylinders available
Recycling available
Renewable energy
Nearby amenities
Bar nearby
Dog walk nearby
Public transport nearby
Shop nearby
Type
Large (51-200 pitches)
Pop-up campsite
Nearby leisure
Canoeing/kayaking nearby
Climbing nearby
Cycle hire nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Horse riding nearby
Indoor pool nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Restaurant nearby
Sailing nearby
Watersports nearby
Location
The Racecourse Retreat
Hay Lane
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
England
DE4 4AF
Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
53.07337°N
-1.55707°W
Nearest transport
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
Must see
Arkwright's Cromford Mills 2.5 mi
Sir Richard Arkwright's Masson Mills 2.7 mi
Kedleston Hall 7.3 mi
Haddon Hall 9.5 mi
Chatsworth 10.4 mi
National Trust
Winster Market House 5.8 mi
Kedleston Hall 8 mi
Hardwick Hall 12.2 mi
Hardwick Estate: Stainsby Mill 12.2 mi
The Old Manor 12.7 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
Alport Heights - Kirk Ireton Circular 0.9 mi
Wirksworth - Bolehill - Middleton Top - Wirksworth 0.9 mi
Cromford (Black Rocks) - Middleton Top - Kirk Ireton - Black Rocks 1.8 mi
Lea Bridge - Whatstandwell - Alderwasley - Lea Bridge 2.2 mi
Derwent Valley Mills Buffer Zone 2.6 mi
Local events
- Download Festival (Friday 14 June 2024 – Friday 14 June 2024)
Derby, Derbyshire 18.6 mi
- Buxton Festival (Thursday 4 July 2024 – Thursday 4 July 2024)
Buxton, Derbyshire 19.6 mi
- Bloodstock Open Air (Thursday 8 August 2024 – Thursday 8 August 2024)
Swadlincote, Derbyshire 24.1 mi
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Nearest sites
Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.
Want to know more about camping in Derbyshire?
- Does The Racecourse Retreat have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is The Racecourse Retreat dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near The Racecourse Retreat? Where to wander first? A climb to the Black Rocks (five minutes’ drive) for views over the countryside? A little stroll around Bakewell (half an hour), over its medieval bridge, perhaps to … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of The Racecourse Retreat?
Camping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at The Racecourse Retreat? From £20 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.