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Lovely site, lots of different areas to set up, not regimented like some sites, lots of things for the kids to do, great place to take them for their first camping experience, and they loved it, plenty of space to run and play, lots of different parks and a covered sand pit area.
On arrival we were greeted by a warden booked in very quickly and efficiently, then shown to our pitch.
Electric hook up points, and water points all over.
Very friendly atmosphere, and clean, lots of hot water and toilets and showers which are cleaned regularly.
Would recommend this site to anyone thinking about taking the kids for a first time. My kids asked whilst there, could we come again, so I think that its a hit with them.
We visited this site because we couldn't get in to our usual go to sites. What a wonderful site I absolutely couldn't find any fault in anything at all. Booking in friendly and efficient. Wardens really friendly and happy in their work. Just everything any parent or grandparent could want in a site. Just exceeded our every expectation on every level. We will certainly be going back just can't wait
We are just back from an Easter Break at Golden Valley.
The good points- the staff and facilities were excellent. The staff were helpful, polite, good humoured and worked really hard keeping the toilets and showers spotless. The showers were always hot with useful hooks and shelves to keep clothes and toiletries dry. There are mobile toilets and portaloos as well as the main shower blocks.
The kids loved the play areas and sand pits. The site it very family friendly and safe and noise levels are kept to a minimum at night.
The not so good- We were in a touring caravan and had paid for a super pitch. The pitches were not clearly marked which was flexible in one way but meant that cars and kids were everywhere and anywhere. There was no grass around the pitch just hard standing. It felt a bit like we were caravanning in a car park, particularly as we were very close to the showers and play area so there was a constant stream of traffic.
Some of the tent pitches looked idyllic with grass surroundings and away from the centre of the site. I know where I would rather be.
All in all the positives outweigh the negatives but I would ask about your pitch if you are in a caravan.
I have recently stayed on this site for one night out of season.
The cost of £24 was high for 1 person and a dog for one night on an out of season electric hookup pitch, when most of the facilities are closed.
The pitches were of a good size, and well kept even though it is just spring.
Ignoring the cost though the site is designed to embrace nature with walks around the site, and a fishing pond, a duck pond with geese and aims to blend into the scenery, and as such it is scenic and relaxing.
There are a number of facilities for children, including a kids play area, zip wire, and a pool room and a train which went around the park and the park does aim to appeal to families.
The facilities which were useful from my perspective were clean and well presented. The toilet block, shower cubicles, laundry and pot washing area were immaculate.
The wardens were polite and out and about, and the campsite felt secure.
It had a great location close to Ripley and Codnor but far enough away to escape. On checking in it was great to receive a leaflet showing the walks in the area, a booklet showing what was on and a map of the site.
We booked in with 2 days notice to stop over the august bank holiday. On arrival, check in was quick and easy and we were shown to our pitch. Pitches are very spacious despite it being obviously busy. Staff are v. Helpful and approachable and are always around doing something.
We were on one of the top sites, toilets were clean although sometimes there was no toilet roll but it was very busy that weekend. Pot washing facilities are great and there is also a laundry room. We didn't use it though. Showers are clean but a bit dribbly.
The facilities fof kids are great, our kids played for ages in the undercover sand pit. There was also a disco on the Saturday and Sunday nights. There was a zipwire and boats which had a reasonable additional fee. I did hear there was a train but we weren't sure where this was or what times.
Close enough to ripley and alfreton for shopping as the on site shop could have been bigger. Food in the cafe seemed reasonably priced. We only tried the chips so cant comment on anything else
Staff deal with complaints quickly and efficiently and the rules are to be adhered to. A lady camping near us was warned about not having her dog on a lead. So if you stick to the rules you should be fine.
All in all, we loved this site. Very safe, secure and family friendly.
Golden Valley, Ripley, visited June 27-29th, 2014.
The lane which leads to the site is clearly sign posted from the road. We arrived at 7pm after a short journey for a local weekend caravanning. Entry to the site is strictly controlled by gated access. A short walk to reception to register our arrival was greeted by a warm friendly smile and given details of our pitch and local information of the area. We were then shown to our pitch, number 30 with electric hook-up. Situated towards the back of the site but still within easy walking distance of all main facilities. The pitches are hard standing which requires the use of rock pegs to pitch any awnings or tents. Any barbeques are requested to be at least 18' from ground level due to abundance of local coal which has previously been mined in the area. Vented bricks are situated around the site to allow barbeques to be placed upon. Some 'Super Pitches' are also situated on the site with electric and waste hook-ups.
The main reception just beyond the gates is within a log cabin which also contains a small café and toilets. Camping essentials are also available from reception if required although. A licensed bar is also within the café to serve alcoholic drinks in the evenings. A notable point is payments by debit card is £10+ only. Cash-back is £2 per transaction.
Local shops/pubs are only a 5 minute car journey away in the surrounding towns of Codnor/Ripley.
The facilities are first class with toilet blocks, washrooms, showers, gym, games room, 4xplay parks, country walks etc. Facilities are very clean with regular checks and cleaning by park staff.
Our two children of 5 and 6 thoroughly enjoyed the play parks which were based around the main reception. Play areas for all ages from infants to teenagers with soft impact ground covering made of recycled chipped tyres.
Saturday morning we had a walk to the nearby Midland Railway accessed along a road running past the entrance. The walk is approximately 2-3 miles in length to the Midland Railway yard. Here reconditioned steam and diesel trains run to a regular time table and can be travelled upon with tickets obtained from the ticket office. Within the yard there are several train sheds with steam and diesel engines in various states of repair. Several are in working condition and visitors are able to walk around them taking in the history and getting 'hands on'.
Around the site itself are several short walks which our dog enjoyed, the terrain is steep in several places with loose gravel requiring adequate foot wear. Young children require supervision as there are several steep drops to the side of the path. For children interested in nature a Passport with pictures showing animals and plants which might be seen along the walk to be ticked off when found can be obtained from reception.
The site was about half full when we visited with a mix of permanent and touring caravans and also tents. After 10pm the site was quiet with no car movements. Lights around the main facilities and the surrounding roads provided guidance when needed.
The atmosphere on site was friendly and welcoming. Our two children loved the play parks and open spaces to play, whilst we could happily relax knowing the children were safe but still within earshot if a problem occurred. The only item to note is possibly the close proximity to Derbyshire Police HQ which has the helicopter based there. On a few occasions we did hear it take off and return.
Overall a very enjoyable short break, we shall return again!
Just came back from a brilliant weekend here from start to finish only thing that spoilt it was the rain Saturday morning. Booked a couple of weeks in advance and changed the number of nights we were stopping a couple of days beforehand with no problem. On reporting at reception we noticed that friends had booked as well so asked if we could be sited with them again this was dealt with without a problem. After booking in was shown a map of site where all amenities was and given a wildlife book for each child for the nature trail around the park which they really enjoyed. We were taken to the plots and explained that due to past wet days if we could keep off the grass has it was quite boggy again no problem to us grownups but the grandkids loved it. The showers are the best I've been in on a campsite toilets kept very clean, the water waste and chemical waste was a little walk away from us but ok. There's a cafe on site which is also a shop for basic stuff milk, bread etc nothing fancy. Also a small bar which we didn't use so cant comment in another building there was a Jacuzzi again didn't use and a pool table and small gym upstairs again didn't use. This is a great site and the grandkids loved it from day one will definitely be going back. I don't usually give 10 out of 10s but this site gets it
This was our first visit to golden valley, we received a warm welcome and was guided to a selection of pitches. The toilets, showers and washing up areas where always clean and loads of hot water.
Around the site there is loads of things to amuse the younger ones, My main activity was fishing, and although I did not set any records, have enjoyed 3 days of very good sport.
When the rains came the staff were brilliant, they came over with matting to put outside our tent, and on leaving helped push the trailer tent off the field to the car, (Cars are not allowed on the grass), which leaves it safe for the kids to run about.
Overall one of the best sites we have stayed at, and will be returning.
We spent the Easter Bank Holiday at Golden Valley, in total there were 4 adults and 4 children in 2 caravans. The staff were very accommodating, placing both our vans next to each other and gave us a lovely, cheery welcome, which continued throughout our 4 night stay. The facilities were some of the best we have experienced, showers and toilets were kept very clean, plenty of waste disposal points, lots of areas for the children to play and just enough entertainment too. We live within 30 minutes from this site and will definitely be returning as soon as we can and will recommend it to anybody with pleasure. Thank you to all the staff and well done.
After reading reviews on easter monday, we decided to go and have a look around, before booking, staff were really welcoming and friendly, let us park up and sign in visitors book, gave us a site map to help show where everything was located.
The cafe was open, we found it had everything you would need, play area, s were fantastic, 8y old tried them out and was in her element, toilet block, showers were immaculate, site was really clean, couldn't fault any of the pitches. All in all couldn't find one fault with the whole site, so will definitely be a regular visitor this coming year.
For people moaning about the price, if you want to pay lower prices, there are plenty of sites with out any facilities, but what you actually get on this site, plenty to keep kids occupied while you relax, shop in case you need to buy essentials, cafe, and a nice location, really the price isn't bad for what some basic site's charge.
We booked in here as we thought there were eating facilities on site and a pub a couple of minute's walk away which had been mentioned in previous reviews. Presumably because of the time of year, there was no cafe open on the site. The nearby pub was burnt out and locals said the fire had happened several years ago.
Lots to do for children including a playground and plenty of space to run around.
There seemed to be several families resident on the site.
Bin / toilet emptying area was clean and well organised.
Great having water and electrics at our pitch.
A very green rural site with lovely views.
Our experience was marred by lack of eating facilities.
At some point this was a nice site as the setting was lovely and quite with pretty scenery. However, we will not be staying here again. Personally I thought the facilities could have been cleaner and the toilet door on one cubicle did not even close and rendered it useless. The staff were very self contained and didn't really apply any customer service skills to the degree we got no smiles, mornings, thank you's. Lots of play equipment for children however they would benefit from a jet wash as the wooden structures were very slippy and some electrical equipment was faulty. The other reviews were very mixed when we booked but this was the location we needed and the website looked pretty, however, we would not stay again at £35 per night I expected better.
This was a great site for all ten of our family from grandchildren to grandparents. We had been a little concerned about a negative review we had read, but after our visit, there was nothing in the negative review that we could see. The children were well catered for, play areas, well laid out and plenty of room for them to run and play, but not too far away. The fishing lake was a great success with children catching fish almost immediately without any previous experience! Staff courteous and helpful, and never far away if needed. The toilets and shower rooms always clean, even a bathroom. The site also had porta loos scattered around discretely hidden in trees, to save having to walk too far in the night! Drinking water taps at pitches, great not having to fetch and carry water. Close to many attractions, for old and young.
We stayed at Golden Valley for the first weekend in Sept. I'm afraid that we were very disappointed with this site. We were looking for somewhere with some play facilities for the children which do exist at Golden Valley but they are a bit scruffy.
The toilet/washing facilities were clean but we had to walk past a row of drinking, smoking adults to reach them.
We weren't given a choice of where to pitch, and were directed to the bottom field (next to the shop/bar). As a result we experienced road noise late night and early morning (the site is next to an industrial estate which should have given us some warning on arrival). We were also kept awake by a helicopter hovering over the site on both nights.
We did explore the site and found another play area with a playshed filled with sand. Some areas did look very run down. Perhaps we arrived on an off day/end of season but the whole site needs a lot of updating and the immediate area isn't very attractive for walking or exploring. Staff looked like they really couldn't be bothered.
Unfortunately, the only golden thing we could find at this site was the wasp infestation!
We were looking for a site with a little extra for the children and I think we found it. We especially liked the safety aspect of the campsite where the cars are restricted to certain areas. I couldn't fault the toilets and the campsite shop was open during each day of our two day stay. Our children (4 and 2) loved the play park and the general freedom and running space of a good family campsite. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Common Questions
Is Golden Valley Caravan Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Golden Valley Caravan Park? There is a shop on site View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar On Site 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
Kids Playground 
TV Room 
Games Room 
Evening Entertainment 
Fishing On Site 
No Wild Swimming 
Indoor Pool <1 mile 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <1 mile 
No Tennis 
No Beach 
No Watersports 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
No Dog Walk 
Just returned from a weekend at this site. 
