Alstonefield Camping Barn

Alstonefield Camping Barn is a traditional stone barn on Gateham Grange, a 200 acre working sheep and beef farm on the Derbyshire and Staffordshire border near Alstonefield, Ashbourne. It sleeps up to 12 people bunkhouse style, with a cosy wood burning stove, and it stands at the foot of Narrowdale Hill with dale walks straight from the door. There is no electricity and no distractions, which is rather the point. You can drive right up to the barn along an upgraded bridleway, with parking for four or five cars, making it a solid base for walkers, cyclists, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh and school groups. Alongside the barn the farm runs a separate pop up group camping field for up to 50 campers, sole use, so it suits larger gatherings rather than passing tourers. This is not a site for caravans or motorhomes. The three villages of Alstonefield, Wetton and Hulme End are each around a mile away and all have good pubs serving food, while Dovedale's stepping stones, the Manifold Way and Thor's Cave are close by. The barn is open all year, with the whole barn from £132 a night, booked directly through the farm.