The biggest challenge for those staying at the Royal Oak isn’t wrestling with a slopey camping field (it’s flat); being kept awake by traffic (it’s not near a main road); or finding things to do (it’s slap bang in the middle of the Peak District).
No, it’s chomping your way through one of the award-winning pies sold at the onsite pub. You could probably actually camp in one of these monsters – they’re that big. Packed with fine ingredients, they make for a fine reward after a day’s play in the Peaks, especially if accompanied by one of the excellent local draught ales.
There are two camping fields here, one sloping and one flat, with space for around 40 pitches (bring strong pegs for the rocky ground in the upper field). Surrounded by over 100 acres of farmland, with the 13-mile Tissington Trail passing right next to it and the Limestone Way actually cutting through some of the site, this is a great base for those interested in walking and cycling – especially since the Parsley Hay Cycle Hire is two miles away and has a range of bikes for adults and kids, including tandems.
Bakewell, Ashbourne, and the spa town of Buxton are all short drives away, making this an accessible and friendly place to get up close and personal with the British countryside – and its pies.