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
Campground type
48
1
48
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.- The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. 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, Jul 17 to
Campsite types & availability
9 
Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Site size: Unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £25 (£25)
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- 4
Powered grass tent or RV campsite
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Site size: Unlimited
Arrival daysFrom £35 (£35)
View prices & book - 5
Bell tent
2 people maximum 
No dogs allowed Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 14.1ft length
Arrival daysFrom £200 (£200)
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Reviews
95% would recommend this campground to a friend
94% would stay here again
What customers say
Guests rave about the incredible views, large sites, and welcoming staff. The bar and food are hits. Most facilities are clean, though some found them limited when busy. Manager's addressing water pressure issues. Great for families, with lots of room to play.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews.
Last updated 7/28/2026
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Brilliant camp site, friendly greeting at check in and spacious plots
Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Spacious plots
On site bar and pizza van
Entertainment
Great views
Quiet and relaxed
Disliked Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
Fantastic gem of a site in beautiful Derbyshire. We will be back !
Powered grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Friendly staff couldn’t have been more helpful .
Lovely views and lots of space .
Bar and pizzas were great and the live music was.
Disliked Bit more hot water but will be excellent when the new facilities are complete .
Recommend to friends Visit again
Lovely 2 night family camping trip.
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Anonymous Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Really enjoyed our first family camping session in years. Lovely site, lovely staff and lovely facilities. The kids loved it had so much space to play. The views all around were stunning, don’t think I’d ever get bored looking out over the fields. We live only a 40min drive from site, but it was so nice to be out in the open and so close to some of our favourite places (Carsington Water and Matlock Bath). Has certainly given us the camping buzz again and can’t wait to come back.
Disliked We wish we stayed longer!
Recommend to friends Visit again
Absolutely stunning!! It was a privilege…
Bell tent
Liked Absolutely stunning!! It was a privilege to be the 1st to stay in this pod, where do i start? The bed 10/10, amenities 10/10, staff 10/10!! The pods are beautiful and comfy, the mattress and quilt were lovely quality and no expense was spared on this pod, I was staying with husband who is blind and disabled and I couldn't have been helped more. Whilst no disabled facilities as yet the owner of the farm couldn't help me enough! I will definitely be rebooking asap
Recommend to friends Visit again
We would definitely come back to the this stunning, friendly site
Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Absolutely staggering views from this campsite on top of a hill. We had a warm welcome on arrival, with a map given out and clear guidance on what was going on.
The toilet and shower blocks were lovely and we really appreciated that washing up liquid, cloths and cleans tea towels were provided on site.
Our kids loved playing at the sandpit and met a few other children to play with there. It acts as a bit of a focal point for the children, which was brilliant.
Despite the elevation of the campsite the multitude of dry stone walls meant that wind was not a problem during our stay.
Disliked The bar marquee had quite loud, bassy music on Friday night continuously for hours. It didn’t go on too late at all but did spoil the peace of the location a bit for us in the evening. Might not be a problem for everybody but next time we would probably pitch further away from the toilets and bar area.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Stunning views, great pitches, food from…
Powered grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Stunning views, great pitches, food from bar was absolutely gorgeous, homemade and great value for money! Friendly and very helpful owners, its our 2nd time staying here and cant fault anything? Showers can be temperamental but believe there is going to be an upgrade to facilities quite soon and I cant wait to book again
Recommend to friends Visit again
Ideal family hot-spot
Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Massive open fields with great space between tents, lots of room for children to play and run around as children should.
Disliked Nothing to say here
Recommend to friends Visit again
Lovely place with beautiful views and…
Powered grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Lovely place with beautiful views and friendly staff.
Are children had a great time and so did we.
Showers and toilets were clean and camp was quiet after dark.
Bar and freshly baked pizza on the Friday and Saturday was a lovely addition to our stay.
We hope to visit again.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great value and facilities and would use again and would recommend.
Powered grass tent or RV campsite
Liked Great location and facilities for the price.
Tidy and clean with basic toilet and wash facilities but they are actively progressing a new modern toilet and shower block which is currently being built.
Affordable pricing for the area which includes access to onsite bar and pizza service. Onsite entertainment also included which was a good atmosphere on several nights of the week.
Disliked Not a dislike but appreciate more toilet and shower facilities are on the way which will help with the overcrowding of the ones currently in use.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Highly recommend and we will be back!
Primitive grass tent or RV campsite
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
Features
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Pop-up campground
Dogs allowed
Campfires allowed
Leisure on park
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis WatersportsAmenities on park
Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular sceneryUtilities
Charging facilities Communal fridge Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearbyType
Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campgroundNearby leisure
Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Horseback 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 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
GPS
53.07337°N
1.55707°W
Nearest transport
Bus
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, August 6, 2026 – Thursday, August 6, 2026)
Swadlincote, England 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 moreRV, travel trailer and tent sites Arrive: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. On-park 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 $33.68 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.