MedusA Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 At the weekend, OH and I went camping with a friend to a lovely, family run campsite called Packhorse Farm (http://www.packhorsefarm.co.uk/), near Matlock. The weather was fabulous - a real Indian Summer feel about it (although it did get quite chilly after dusk). We wanted to try somewhere different to our usual basic campsite and weren't disappointed. The new shower and toilet block was extremely clean and the showers lovely and hot. I highly recommend it. There is a pleasant 5.6km circular walk which goes past the drive to the farm, called the Cuckoostone Walk. So named because of the 5-6ft high "cuckoostone" which stands on one of the fairways of Matlock golf course. Just as we were getting back to the campsite we were stopped in our tracks by the sight of a family of 6-7 stoats going off on their daily business. The mother was obviously nervous, but the babies were fearless and stared at us for ages, before Mum called them back. When we got back to our campsite, we saw them again - the stoats actually hopped over the drystone wall behind us, just a few feet away from our tents. Fabulous! We also decided to go and see this year's Matlock Illuminations (http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/our_website/news_and_press_releases/2009/may/news_items/matlock_bath_illuminations_2009.asp). I thought it was going to be something just for kids if I'm honest, but was very pleasantly surprised. There was a magical feel to the whole event and the illuminated boats were amazing. It's reassuring that in these days of commercialism and credit crunch cutbacks, something like this still goes ahead. The illuminated boat parade has been going for over 100 years (since Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubillee). We enjoyed ourselves so much, we're going back next month for another look which includes a clifftop firework display. I think this may be an annual event for us from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I love Matlock and all the area around it - lots of nice pubs too! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 oooo next time you go - we'll come in our caravan - looks brilliant. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I love Matlock. Very close to where I live and well worth a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Oh Matlock is beautiful isn't it. There's a childrens adventure type place near there from my distant memory (DD was about 3 when we last went there and she's nearly 22 now). Hythe in Kent does a venetian festival with illuminated boats every two years but they didn't quite look as professional as those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
