Greencroft Caravan Site

Passion for stately piles stoked by Chatsworth? Luckily there’s no shortage of alternatives hereabouts: it’s a 20-minute drive to Haddon Hall; Kedleston, Sudbury (and its museum of childhood) and Hardwick are within about 45 minutes; and the Georgian-era Melbourne Hall is an hour away.

Taking to the saddle, bike hire is handily close by at Parsley Hay and Hassop Station, both within 20 minutes. Prefer to tour in style? Sign up for a vintage tour in an old Ford Phaeton, taking in dams and dales, train tracks and troglodytes, moorlands and local munch.

For urban days, there’s plenty round here to choose from. Start by indulging a sweet tooth 15 minutes away in Bakewell, home of the Bakewell pudding, before travelling on to Buxton spa town (25 minutes) to swing from the trees at Go Ape and dive below the surface at Poole’s Cavern (plus lots more).

Keen on entertaining the whole family in one easy day? Head to Matlock 25 minutes from base, where the Heights of Abraham alpine cable car offers up views, Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park has rides and adventures for younger kids, and there are a handful of museums for mum and dad.

For more hair-raising adventures, it’s less than 40 minutes to Alton Towers.