The Racecourse Retreat
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/-1.5570684149323877,53.07337104717692,12,0,0/376x277@2x)
- Spacious, family‑run site set in scenic 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
48
1
48
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.
- Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
- Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.
Languages spoken
English
Open from Fri 17 Jul to
Pitch types & availability
9 
Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £25
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- 4
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £35
View prices & book - 5
Bell tent
2 people maximum 
No dogs allowed Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 14.1ft length
Arrival daysFrom £200
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Reviews
95% would recommend this site to a friend
94% would stay here again
What customers say
This spacious campsite offers stunning views and a friendly atmosphere. Visitors praised the clean facilities, helpful staff, and well-maintained grounds. On-site amenities like a bar and food vans were popular. While generally well-received, some noted occasional queues for toilets and showers during peak times, and a few mentioned narrow access roads. The site is highly recommended and many plan to return.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews.
Last updated 21/07/2026
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Highly recommend and we will be back!
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Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Wonderful hosts, gorgeous views, super clean and lovely toilets (especially the ladies which we made a bee line for!), the bar - yes a bar onsite (not open every day).
Disliked The high winds - not normal though, and no fault of the site.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Kay
Thank you for your review.
We are glad to hear you had a lovely stay with us and especially appreciated our toilets. We like to add these little extras in the ladies toilets :)
We hope to see you back with us soon.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Nice friendly site with big pitches but toilets & showers let it down
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Family friendly
Large pitches
Nice staff on welcoming
Lovely views
Disliked Toilets and showers
Shower had no water pressure and was just trickling down the shower a guy who went in shower after me said it had been like that for a few days
Not many toilets available
There were only 6 toilets
The males have a urinals which is very handy but out of the 6 toilets 3 were showers so were taken up most the time with ppl showering and 1 was female only
Visited few times from 6:30am and 9pm and there wasn’t a time there wasn’t a queue
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Oilver
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear you disliked our toilet and shower facilities.
Im afraid we are limited as to the quantity we can have on site due to being a 'pop up site'.
We unfortunately have to go around the site turning the taps off several times a day as they are left on, this massively effects our water pressure on site however we are looking at ways to relieve this.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Would come again and recommend to everyone
Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Check-in is immaculate, very friendly, shop is nice, people are lovely. Site is well kept and has lovely views, has it's own bar and pizzas for sale on weekends. Lovely rural location. Toilets were extremely well cleaned.
Disliked Only 2 shower rooms however the ones they have are exceptional quality
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Pete
Thank you for your review.
What fantastic photos you took!!
We are really pleased you enjoyed your stay with us
Our shop has had a facelift for this season so we decided to stock it will all essentials, the toy shopping was especially fun deciding what to stock
We hope to see you back with us soon.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Relaxing
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked The views are stunning. The kids can run around in the big open field
Disliked Slow water flow from the showers when it’s weekend and everybody’s using it
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Gerlie
Thank you for your review of our campsite.
We hope to see you back with us again.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
The views were amazing. Spacious pitches…
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked The views were amazing. Spacious pitches and great toilets, showers and washing up facilities. We went Monday - Friday and it was lovely and quiet. Lots of space to play games (cricket, rounders, badmington etc)
Disliked Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Andrea
Thank you for your lovely review.
We love nothing more than to see people enjoying all the space the campsite provides :)
We hope to see you back with again soon.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Absolutely brilliant site Facilities are to…
Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Absolutely brilliant site
Facilities are to top standards
Fair price
Good location
Spectacular views
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Matthew
Thank you for your review.
We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us:)
We hope to see you back again soon.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Great family site. Bar, food.
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked We thoroughly enjoyed our stay so much so we rebooked for 2 weeks time.
Perfect for 1 or 2 nights.
Good food
Clean site
Clean showers
Clean toilets
Fantastic views
Family run and lovely people.
Disliked Some nets on the goals would be an advantage for the children
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Danny
Thank you for your lovely review :)
We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us and have decided to come back so soon!
Yes we do have a net for the goal posts and you will be happy to see it ready for your return :):)
See you in a couple of weeks.
Thanks
The Racecourse retreat team
Amazing place.
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Everything from start to finish.
Location,owners,staff,pitches,bar on site,life music evening.
Disliked Showers:)
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Agne
Thank you for your review.
Our live music nights seem to be a great hit :)
We hope to see you back again.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Lovely easy place.
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked Lovely area. Lovely people running the place. Nice quiet place to pitch up for a few days. The view is spectacular! If I’m ever in the area again I would definitely return. Would love to see some of the additions they are making in the future.
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Helena
Thank you for your review.
We agree the view definitely is a sight to behold!
Hope to see you back again.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
We had a fantastic stay at…
Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch
Liked We had a fantastic stay at The Racecourse Retreat. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the facilities were clean and well maintained, and the onsite bar was a great addition, especially with the live music on one of the evenings.
We can’t wait to come back for another weekend away during the summer holidays. Highly recommend!
Recommend to friends Visit again
From the manager: Hi Victoria
Thank you for your review.
We are pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. The singer was new to us this season and we have already booked them again :)
Hope to see you again soon.
Thanks
The Racecourse Retreat Team
Features
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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 WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Composting toilet 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 WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradiseUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal fridge Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearbyType
Farm Medium (26-50 pitches) Pop-up campsiteNearby 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 nearbyLocation
The Racecourse Retreat
Hay Lane
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
England
DE4 4AF
Directions Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
53.07337°N
1.55707°W
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease 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
- Bloodstock Open Air (Thursday, 6 August 2026 – Thursday, 6 August 2026)
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.
Want to know more about camping in Derbyshire?
Frequently asked questions
- 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?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. On-site accommodation Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at The Racecourse Retreat? From £25 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.