Camping with kids made easy

Family and camping are a match made in heaven.

I live on site, I love camping, I’ve loved juggling life here with my daughter, and I can hand-on-my-heart say that everyone should go camping at least once.

Especially if you’ve got children.

Get it on your bucket list - Now!

The chances are you’ll catch the bug, and before you know it, you’ll be here at Hill Farm, treated like family. We will know all your names, embarrassing family stories and the funny little things that make your family tick.

You like sitting in space with no walls? I like sitting in a space with no walls.

You see, it’s meant to be😜

So this is our disclaimer, come once and you may become a regular.

Our mission is to make glamping and camping your home-from-home. Your space to feel free, content and connected to nature in a community of like-minded humans.

People are always shocked when they ring up and we tell them how much it is to camp with us. It’s really affordable.

So there’s no excuse to not bring the whole family, with the kitchen sink, and enjoy your own private field with campervans and tents

Or make it easy at Hill Farm and you can book a Belle Tent or Glamping Pod, bring your bedding and some food, and you’re sorted.

Whether you choose camping or glamping, we have a magical family friendly experience that is made simple for you.

Once you’ve opened the flaps to your tent in the morning, your little people are free to run, roam and go wild.

Here, children get to be children and have all the FUN in the world onsite.

But even on the best of holidays, there are days you NEED to get off site!

So here are our three gorgeous fun family friendly days out in Derby, all near Hill Farm Caravan and Camping​​ - that don’t cost a penny (except parking).

Our top picks are in The National Forest.

This exciting project is planting trees across 200 square miles of town and countryside straddling parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

It’s ambitious because we live in one of the country’s least wooded regions, so as it grows our countryside will be unrecognisable! Local farms are entering blocks of land into the National Forest, National Forest Adventure Farm included.

Make it a priority to visit the forest now, so in years to come you can see the progress the project is making!

It is ONE epic lesson in re-generation for our kids to see. Something good we can shout about doing for their generation!

Ready,

Here goes: Our list of 3 fantastic FREE family friendly days out with the kids:

Markeaton Park - 100% Family Friendly

Mundy Play Centre car park, DE22 4NH

Main car park, DE22 4AA, entrance with 2m height restriction.

£5.20 for over 4 hours parking

Dog friendly, on leads.

It’s a magical land of everything your kids want! With 4 and a half stars on Trip Advisor and rated #6 in things to do in Derby, you know you are onto a winner!

It is Derby’s most visited park and there is a reason for it…

There is a huge lido-style paddling pool open from 27th May to 3rd September 2023. Opening hours: 10.30am - 4.30pm

The Mundy play area is buzzing. It has bouncy castles and car & track, we’ve done pot painting in the craft village, frisbee golf, crazy golf and a climbing wall.

As you would expect, there are plenty of play parks for the kids to scramble and swing away for hours, activity enough to drain the duracell bunny.

Plus - for the grown-ups reading this, it’s also soaked in history, walk about, enjoy the calm countryside beyond the bouncing kids, read a few signs and you will uncover the historical charm of Markeaton too!

Foremark Reservoir and Carver's Rocks - and BEACH For all the Family to Enjoy!

National Trust

DE65 6EG

£5 for all-day parking, £3.50 for 4 hours

Dog friendly, on leads

Foremark is a manmade reservoir and is known for its wildlife, especially around Carver’s Rocks, a SISS which is a walk away from the visitor centre.

And Foremark has an unlikely beach! It is the first of Derby’s unusual surprises, the second is up next…

Find Foremarks magical beaches dotted along the reservoir that wash down to the shoreline. The beaches are sandy, so you can grab a bucket and spade and get castle-building.

Between the play area, walks and beach, it is the perfect relaxing remedy for a long hot summer’s day, plus (if you forgot the picnic) there is a food kiosk.

Why not bring your bikes to Hill Farm, because Foremark, and Markeaton are huge and perfect places to cycle.

Download the National Trust PDF map here.

Take a walk to carver’s Rocks: What3Words ///treatment.dries.loved

One of the last areas of lowland heath left in Derby.

Mercia Marina

DE65 6DW

FREE Parking

Dog friendly, on leads

Mercia Marina is the largest inland Marina in Europe (Yes, Derby’s second surprise!). We are pretty lucky to have it so close.

It is known as a wildlife wonderland bursting with biodiversity, perfect for inquisitive minds and a full family day out.

In 2008 it had a quarter of a million pounds ploughed in it - no small gig. The whole site was invested in with lots of tree planting and conservation, all with nature in mind.

It is a real hidden gem. The charming Beetroot Tree makes me want to squeel “gimme the goods”, its super popular at the Marina. The cafe serves up quality coffee and delicious mouthwatering baked goods. I’m first in line!

Photo credit: Jason Thompson Unsplash

There are loads of shops and restaurants, I love the Indian street food and little cafe barge just by the main bridge. You’ll pass it by if you take a walk using route 1 on the map below. Route 1 will also take you to the King George V playing field, to a great playpark and plenty of space for the kids to run off a sugar high!

Download the Mercia Marina PDF here:

Book to camp with us at Hill Farm here

Head to our website home page here