Square and Compass

BASIC CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITE IN DARLEY DALE AREA OF DERBYSHIRE
SHOWER AND TOILET FACILITIES AVAILABE AT THE SQUARE AND COMPASS
DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE SITE

Simple Derbyshire campsite with spectacular Peak District views Chatsworth House and Heights of Abraham 15 minutes’ drive Dog-friendly grass pitches; Country Inn with fantastic menu to suit all tastes across the road from the site. When you book a stay at The Square and Compass that’s exactly what you get… stunning rural views over the hills and woods of the Derbyshire Dales. It’s time to pack your gear and embark on a peaceful back-to-basics camping trip to a typical country inn 15 minutes’ drive from Matlock and on the very edge of the Peak District National Park. This is just the spot for introducing the family to the idea of pared-back camping with just a tent or caravan and not a huge amount of facilities on site. Sheltered by tall trees, the grass pitches are supplied with running water (drinking water is also available on site) and toilets and showers are on hand in the pub across the road. However, please note there’s no electricity at all on site, so you’ll have to pack torches and batteries for navigating your way around after dark. Bring barbecues too for alfresco feasts (grab supplies in Matlock supermarkets), or forget the self-catering option altogether and head for the pub across the road for traditional, excellent quality pub food or head into Darley Dale (five minutes, or 20 minutes’ walk if you want to make a night of it). We also have our own stretch of the river for the fishing enthusiasts. A daily charge is applicable. The Square and Compass is also a springboard for family-friendly days out at local theme parks, stately homes and caves. And sporty types, don’t forget all those cycling and hiking trails just waiting for you – and of course, any dogs who might be accompanying you – in the national park.

Site type

Open all year

Languages spoken

English

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

No dogs 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

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

No dogs allowed

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

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

Pub campsite

Nearby leisure

Dinghy sailing nearby

Restaurant nearby

Location

Square and Compass

Station Road

Darley Bridge

Matlock

Derbyshire

England

DE4 2EQ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

53.1607°N
-1.5932°W

Nearest transport

Coach

2.1 mi Railway Station

3.1 mi Fishpond Hotel

Rail

2.1 mi Matlock Rail Station

3.1 mi Matlock Bath Rail Station

3.8 mi Cromford Rail Station

Airport

18.4 mi Sheffield City Airport

25.6 mi East Midlands Airport

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

Some easy-peasy family strolls include the ramble up to Nine Ladies Stone Circle (20 minutes’ walk) to spy the Bronze Age formations, or a potter around the manicured grounds at Chatsworth House (15 minutes’ drive). If you can persuade the kids, you could also tour the sumptuous house filled with priceless antique treasures, and reward them with a visit to the petting farm and adventure playground afterwards. Days out with younger kids might encompass pony rides and lamb feeding (in spring) at Matlock Farm Park (10 minutes), or a watery ride on the log flumes at Gulliver’s Kingdom. Major pulls for older offspring include cable-car journeys up to the woodland trails and illuminated caves at the Heights of Abraham (both 15 minutes), or perhaps a day on the adrenaline rides at Alton Towers (45 minutes). Rainy day? Keep everyone busy with a visit to the swimming pool and soft-play centre at Arc Leisure Matlock (10 minutes), see a film in Chesterfield (25 minutes) or go deep underground on a guided tour of the mining tunnels leading to the Waterfall Cavern at the Blue John Cavern (40 minutes).

Must see

Sir Richard Arkwright's Masson Mills 3.6 mi

Haddon Hall 3.7 mi

Arkwright's Cromford Mills 3.9 mi

Chatsworth 4.1 mi

Hardwick Old Hall 11.8 mi

National Trust

Winster Market House 2.4 mi

Hardwick Hall 11.8 mi

Hardwick Estate: Stainsby Mill 11.8 mi

Kedleston Hall 14.2 mi

The Old Manor 15.8 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

WHITWORTH INSTITUTE 0.1 mi

Darley Dale - Oker - Jughole Wood - Bonsall - Wensley - Darley Dale 0.3 mi

South Darley Parish Walk 0.4 mi

SYDNOPE HALL 1.7 mi

Rowsley - Stanton Moor - Winster - Birchover - Rowsley 2.1 mi

Local events

Buxton Festival (Thursday 4 July 2024 – Thursday 4 July 2024)
Buxton, Derbyshire 15 mi
Download Festival (Friday 14 June 2024 – Friday 14 June 2024)
Derby, Derbyshire 24.7 mi
Rewind North (Friday 2 August 2024 – Friday 2 August 2024)
Macclesfield, Cheshire 27.5 mi
Bloodstock Open Air (Thursday 8 August 2024 – Thursday 8 August 2024)
Swadlincote, Derbyshire 29.7 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.

Reviews

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Does Square and Compass have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Square and Compass dog friendly? No View all features
What attractions are near Square and Compass? Some easy-peasy family strolls include the ramble up to Nine Ladies Stone Circle (20 minutes’ walk) to spy the Bronze Age formations, or a potter around the manicured grounds at Chatsworth House … Read more