Blog 237 Wendy House trip 63 Motorhome Travels Now the Carsington Water site was Blackwall plantation 14 years later, A fab 5 days in the Pine Forests, so Relaxing

Keef Hellinger
Aug 1
4 min read

Travel Blog Summary, Carsington Water area, Derbyshire, Motorhome Trip No. 63, 78 miles, 27th-31st July 2026

NOTTS -> Carsington Water, CAMC site, Brassington, Longcliffe, Middleton Top, Wirksworth, Knockerdown, Kirk Ireton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire -> NOTTS (96 miles)

Blog 237 Wendy House trip 63 Motorhome Travels

Created by KeefH Web Designs, August 1st, 2026, 9.27 AM

cafe culture at carsington water — time to chill! sigh!

INTRO

As its only been a few months since I had both my knees replaced together (you fool!) we wanted to chose somewhere quite close to home so I didn't have to drive too far. The Caravan and motorhome site at Carsington Water was a good bet when I did the research so we booked mid week for 4 nights / 5 days. According to the camp wardens (who were very pleasant) weekends are always full especially during school holidays. I have to say with 138 pitches that is some attendance and good money for the club. It wasn't that busy for us and we got a great pitch (pitch 106) right by the amenities block.

pitch 106 a great campsite pitch carsington water — the wonderful pitch 106, great views, great sunshine

THE STORY

Blog 237 Wendy House trip 63 Motorhome Travels

We travelled via Hulland ward after Brailsford past the site and onto the wonderful Mainsails cafe at the Carsington Water visitors centre for coffee and cheese scones on the terrace followed by a brief walk around before arriving at the campsite. Check-in by about 2pm. If and when we return we would not take this route, next time it will be A52, Ashbourne and Kirk Ireton. Set up and relax, great site. That's Monday, Pimm's and lemon and much reading of the real Trump's truth social in Regime Change book. Tea of our usual Lasagna.

Tuesday had a long walk around the campsite, quite steep and dramatically changed from when we first visited 14 years ago, 138 pitches is a lot and they told us 8 trees came down last year, presumably sustainably felled and 70 are planned for this year, an expense for either the land owner or the club. a nice relaxing day topping up our suntan.

Wednesday we took the van out for a time of discovery visiting local villages and towns. Started with cafe at Carsington visitors centre. Only £2 parking based on ANPR. Good blue badge parking but you still have to pay, indeed there is a place for motorhomes up top. Not impressed with Wirksworth, far too busy, not what we remember although its been a while since we visited, remember mung bean curry in a pub there with friends. The Y festival near Longcliffe was sold out, a music festival apparently although we had not heard of it. Ended up at the Knockerdown pub for a lovely lunch , highly recommended #recommended

We have stayed at the holiday place often over the years and the pub then was small and not great food, it has improved immensely. They told us once before they were going to tack on a campsite, which is thee but not great and the pub staff told us it was being sold on. Definitely would not stay there.

Thursday was a day of rest and sun bathing, bought cakes and chocolate at the campsite shop. Finished the Trump book and started my next Frieda McFadden (her of the housemaid fame) Great views from our pitch, cows, horses and probably Kirk Ireton on the hill. Think the Barley mow has been renamed the Red Lion.

Friday up early, packed and back home by 8 am. A lovely few days away.

SUMMARY

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a familiar campsite gets a new name, a fresh sign, and a slightly more whimsical identity, this blog delivers the full saga. Your beloved Blackwall Plantation — once a rugged, quietly dependable Derbyshire stop — has now transformed into Carsington Water, a name that sounds less like a campsite and more like a religious retreat. But fear not: the trees are still tall, the walks are still gentle, and no one is expected to crawl through a miniature door to reach the facilities.

The blog follows your return visit, where you bravely investigate whether the rebrand has changed anything important. Spoiler: it hasn’t. The woodland is still peaceful, the lake is still doing its best impression of a postcard, and the motorhome still fits perfectly on the pitch — no shrinking required. You wander the area like seasoned explorers, checking that the paths haven’t suddenly become child‑sized or that the ducks haven’t unionised under the new management.

There’s a lovely thread of nostalgia running through the whole trip. You revisit favourite corners, compare old memories with new ones, and confirm that the site’s charm remains intact despite its possibly more sensible new title. Here's a fellow travellers review. The blog captures that comforting feeling of returning somewhere familiar, only to find it’s just as welcoming as you remembered — even if the sign now sounds like it should be painted in pastel colours, maybe by Monet.

In the end, it’s a warm, funny look at how places evolve while staying exactly the same where it matters. A gentle adventure, a familiar landscape, and a campsite that proves you don’t need a dramatic makeover to stay a favourite — just a good name and a great view.

Some history in the old name maybe?