I've been told ofthis place and until I went I didn't realise it was there, I have been driving past this place for years visiting the Midland Railway Centre at Swanwick Junction :cry

I had never noticed it as a campsite until our visit last weekend although had seen the wooden entrance gates I got a big surprise when we went with 2 of our 11 grandkids for a fishing and train weekend :duh

This is what I have put on my website :tup

Coach Road, Golden Valley, Derbyshire, DE55 4ES.
Tel: 01773 513881 --Tel / Fax: 01773 746786

enquiries@goldenvalleycaravanpark.co.uk
http://www.goldenvalleycaravanpark.co.uk

Is located in Golden Valley by the side the Cromford Canal, in Amber Valley (GPS - 53.0056727N / 1.372902W) The park is set within 26 Acres of woodland, in a valley This secluded woodland hide away contains 40 super pitches for motor homes / caravans each one having its own water and EHU point with drain set in spacious bays in selected areas of the woodland, some designated as Disabled ones that are nearer to the toilet/shower block. Whilst the road up to the pitches looks steep, it's a short easy 1st gear climb away from the security gates (electronic keypad operated). The campsite has a Gold David Bellamy award and has numerous recycling facilities all around the campsite. There is ample room for camping / tents also within the woodland on upper and lower camping fields. The Hardstandings are made up of road chippings so whilst solid are easy to hammer rock pegs into and pull out of. The site has shower blocks, laundry room, under cover food preparation, washing up facilities and freezers on both levels, Jacuzzi & gym (extra charge), children's play room, cafe, bar and wildlife pond. Fishing is available at £2.50 a day the small pond is stuffed with F1 Carp and Tench. There 3 fantastic children's play areas one which is the largest physically near to the bar and fishing pond (fully fenced) and to the third small children's area and assault course. There is also a Zip slide- 120 metres long which is open at selected times of day costs just £1 a ride. In fine weather, there is also a quad track near the zip wire for children aged from 6. This costs £5 for ten/fifteen minutes. There is also a little train available for children to ride around the campsite free and donkey rides along the nature trail (again £1 each ride)

We went beginning of June 2009 on recommendation of a camper and we realised we had found a decent site from our grandson who asked not long after arriving "When are we coming back here?" The site was almost totally full when we arrived yet wasn't noisy a night even though we were near the shower block. Most of the campers and caravanners I spoke to thought the site was brilliant some of them so much so they had booked seasonal pitches and return regularly.
The Fishing
Whilst the pond is small you wouldn't expect whales but the biggest fish I saw out was about 4lb, and with Sweetcorn and Luncheon meat being the only baits working it was easy to catch "a fish a chuck" sometimes the bait didn't even hit the bottom before the floats buried themselves. Short Pole/ Whip are ideal with size 10 - 14 barbless hooks being great for easy unhooking.