Cycling and walking trails abound around these
parts, and after a hard day’s pedalling or rambling,
sometimes you just want to sit and relax. Which is where Bank House Farm comes in – a pretty
near-perfect spot for camping. Its riverside pitches
are just the ticket for resting weary legs and simply
admiring the views over the Manifold Valley and
distant hills. And if the thought of even a short
walk to the nearest pub or shop makes your heart
sink, no problem! The village pub is just across the road for a quick pint or something more
substantial, and the village shop is right next door.
Here you can stock up for your campfire cooking
or enjoy a refreshing cuppa.
In the heart of the Peak District, and in the
middle of the pretty hamlet of Hulme End, the
River Manifold winds its way around the campsite,
forming the main attraction for kids who are camping here. Rope swings are slung from tree
branches and there’s even a tiny beach along the
river’s banks. The main camping field is near the
farmhouse (and the main facilities) and there are
pitches set along the riverbank and in the adjacent
fields. A second field runs on a freestyle or pitch-where-you-like basis and is where owner Wayne,
who recently took over the site with his wife
Alexa, directs larger groups.
The nine-mile Manifold Valley cycle and
walking trail starts just 200 yards from the site and follows the old route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light railway to the village of
Waterhouses. And you can join the Tissington Trail,
which runs from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, two
miles away in Hartington.
