Ashbourne Heights

This site hasnt changed in years. It needs to add to its facilities. The shop is useless. There is no cafe to sit and have a decent breakfast or takeaway. There is no bar on site. There is nothing for older children. i.e. games room. In fact why dont they start investing some of that money they are making back into the site?

Although the site is in a beautiful position, I thought the facilities really let it down. After paying nearly £30 per night for a caravan I was disappointed to find we had to pay extra to use the on-site swimming pool. The main negative point though, was the fact that there is only one toilet/ shower block for 4 fields worth of campers. This resulted in dirty facilities where the showers were stone cold. A disappointing stay.

On arrival the campsite looked really inviting. The staff in the shop/reception were lovely and on the whole we had a great time, making the most of the nearby Tissington trail, hiring bikes and making the most of the weather.
One small issue occured when we were pitching our tent. We went as a couple with another couple and wanted our tents to be close, with a space inbetween for our bbq, table etc. We pitched our tents, only to be told by a warden that we were not far enough apart and needed to move, which we did. However, later on that evening many more campers arrived, all pitching their tents extremly close together and they didnt have to move! In fact that evening, they squeezed so many tents and even a caravan in our field, i think all health and safety rules and regulations had vanished!
Also the showers are only cleaned on Fridays and Saturdays?! Gross! By the Tuesday I was glad to be going home. How can you only clean a shower twice a week and why are those 2 times on 2 days in a row?

We have recently returned from 3 night stay at Ashbourne Heights. We were a tent party of 3 families, 6 adults and 6 children from ages from 4 to 13 years old. We found the site easy to locate, in beautiful countryside. When we booked in at reception both members of staff were very cheerful and helpful. We were shown to our field and advised we could choose which pitches we would like as there were a few available. We were in 'Thorpe Field'. The pitches were spacious and Thorpe Field is close to the amenities block with 4 showers and plenty of toilets - ideal because of the children with us. They were well maintained throughout our stay. The pool on site was again well maintained and the children really enjoyed having a pool that was close by and never too busy. The shop on site has basic supplies:- only one small criticism - no daily papers however for weekend stays they can be ordered in advance. The village of Ashbourne is 5 minutes drive away where there is both a Sainsbury and Somerfield store along with plenty of shops and pubs. It is a very nice place to browse. Special mention to the Coach and Horses Pub, 27 Dig Street (in the town) the meals we had there were reasonably priced, generous portions and totally delicious. We could not fault all 12 meals. The staff were very welcoming too - well worth a visit. Apart from the weather - rain is not nice when you are camping! - we had a wonderful time and will be definitely going back there. So Thank You Ashbourne Heights and see you again soon! I would recommend this site for both campers and tourers and for singles/couples and families (older teenagers may not think there is enough to keep them entertained)
Ashbourne Heights, Near Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Camped here for the weekend.
The site itself is really nice and well maintained. There is a large play area for the children and an indoor swimming pool on site. You are given a very spacious pitch which we easily fit our tent and 2 cars.
After reading some reviews I was a bit worried as a lot of people mentioned signs everywhere telling you what you can and can't do. To be honest I didn't see any of these signs so maybe they are a little more relaxed now.
Here comes the BUT...
For the price which to be honest is one of the most expensive i've come across for a tent we didn't expect to then have to pay to use the pool. New charges from July 09 where £1.50 child and £2.50 per adult for an hours swimming. Nobody told us at the time of booking that extra charges would apply to actually use the facilites. The facilities were the main reason we booked the site. We didn't then expect to pay to use them.
The amentity block on the tent field leaves a lot to be desired. Although basic and clean there is only 1 shower, 3 sinks and 2 toilets. So morning and night there was a bit of a queue. A bucket in your tent may be needed if your desperate.
However, after exploring the site a bit we found another shower block over the other side where the static caravans are. This was a lot bigger, 10 toilets, 4 showers, 4 sinks and 1 private vanity cubicle. This block could do with being where the tents are and vice versa considering they are the ones with no facilities. Having this block near the static caravans and tourers seems a waste as they have their own bathrooms anyway.
The charges to use the facilities and the size of the camping amenites block are the only things that would stop me visiting here again as the rest of the site is really nice.
Ashbourne Heights, Derbyshire

We have just returned from Ashbourne Heights. The last time we went there was 30 yrs ago in a caravan. this time we were in our motorhome and our son and family had a tent. The site was crowded but that is expected on a Bank holiday. The staff were cheerful and friendly.

I was staggered to see the amenities, for the tenters, which were limited, lots of toilets, but only a few showers, only a few washing up areas, no toilets at all in the field where my granddaughters were, and a good 5min walk to find them. Some porta cabin toilets would have been a good idea.

Also no motorhome emptying point.

I have been coming here for three years. I have noticed that the site has gone very quiet this season, and alot of seasonal pitches have been vacated. I think this site is in need of a much needed face lift. It has no indoor play area for the kids, no decent eats place, there is a great lack of staff nowadays. where have they all gone!. The shop leaves alot to be desired, it has a very small amount of stock.

FIRST VISIT TO THIS SITE MAY 2008 IN OUR TOURING CARAVAN. PRETTY COUNTRYSIDE SURROUNDING PARK. PLOTS NICE AND SPACIOUS - NOT AT ALL OVERCROWDED. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS BAD WEATHER AND SITE IS RATHER EXPOSED. SWIMMING POOL AND PLAY PARK GREAT FOR KIDS. THE SHOP IS VERY BASIC AND THERE IS NO LOCAL STORES SO STOCK UP. SHOWERS NOT THE BEST. STAFF NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT LOCAL AREA - HAD TO FIND OUT FOR OURSELF. TISSINGTON TRAIL NEARBY BUT NOT IDEAL FOR WALKS AS ITS A BUSY CYCLE TRAIL. WOULD RECOMMEND DOVEDALE ADN CARSINGTON WATER - GREAT DAYS OUT. WE THOUGHT THE MANAGER HERE WAS VERY NICE AND HELPFULL - SHE HAD 2 LOVELY BORDER COLLIE DOGS.

On arrival at this site set in the heart of the Peak District, you are privileged to witness some really outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. Passing the Play Area you arrive at Reception. Here you will find excellent facilities, including a Well Organised Shop, Heated Swimming Pool, Launderette etc as well as all the usual facilities. Most of the grassy pitches have hook ups and nearby water points. There is a dedicated area for Motor Caravans if required...........The Childerens Play Area is large and well equipped , it is also fenced off for the childrens safety.............. There is a special area for pot washing with large sinks, and the usual Chemical Emptying Point...... The three Shower and Toilets Blocks are regularly cleaned, and each person is issued with their own access key to maintain good standards........ Each part of the site has their own block........ This site has numerous Seasonal Pitches, but it also has a wonderful Rally Field for Campers and Hard Standings for Tourers, so all in all it caters for everybodys taste...... There is a lovely dog walk just off site... Ideal for walkers and cyclists it is situated almost on the Tissington Trail... Three miles North of Ashbourne on the A515 Ashbourne-Buxton Rd......Turn into site just before the new Tissington Trail Bridge.... Site opening dates are March-October........ We have been visiting this site for the last 10 yrs and never tire of the wonderful countryside it has to offer.............