Offley Place
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I was expecting the worst when we booked this due to the harsh reviews. We had family visiting in the area and we bought our campervan two weeks before so this was our maiden voyage. Communication before we arrived was great with Ingrid the campsite owner responding very quickly to queries. On arrival Ingrid wasn't there but we were greeted by another gentleman who was very helpful. He initially told us to park one way but when my husband asked if we could park the other due to our awning being so big he said that was fine. Then when Ingrid came she did say we should park the other way round. But had our awning actually been able to be put up this would have made us quite wide and I am not sure if there would have been space for all the other people booked on to also get on with their awnings too with guy ropes etc. In the end, our awning broke while we were putting it up so it was just us and the van but that's a story in itself!
The site is very peaceful but there were only three other vans on the site at the time. If all the slots were full I could imagine you might be disturbed by others. As it happens with our awning antics and our dog that got a little noisy at one point I think we were probably the noisy ones so sorry to anyone else who might be reading this from this weekend ready to write their own review! We were not disturbed at all at night and had a good night sleep - something I am quite picky about.
The facilities are basic. There is no where to wash pots properly so we did that in the van and there is only one bathroom making the mornings a little busy. I think if I could make one criticism/recommendation it would be for some investment to make the toilet and shower a little nicer. That's a common theme on the reviews although I do think some reviews are unnecessarily harsh. I'd compare the facilities to a workplace shower/changing room. Nothing special, could be cleaner but they didn't smell and the toilet was not dirty and I had a decent enough shower with my flipflops on which as someone who was germ phobic long before covid came is something I would probably do anywhere else we stayed.
There was no view immediately from the van as others have said but to be honest I can't believe that's even a feature of reviews. You're right next to a lovely field with horses in and the beautiful peak district on the doorstep. Seriously I think some reviewers need to get a grip.
All in all we had a lovely stay and we would book again. At the end of the day it's a CL site at £15 a night. I think some reviewers have been expecting the Ritz and that's just not what you get with CL sites - even we know that and we're new to it all. The site is peaceful and located in easy reach of Linacre reservoirs with lots to do in the area. If you want a busy site with shops and loads of entertainment go somewhere else. Thanks Ingrid for everything and we hope to be back soon.
Not the best
Picture of site is a bit misleading, photo has been taken from a favourable angle; as shown in the photo the site is a small strip of grass, with minimal space between pitches. The hardstanding is either in front of a stone barn or stone wall. Unless you are sited on the end (first pitch) there are no views.
Agree with other reviews, it is a tight entrance, however, if you give it a wide berth it is manageable. If your vehicle is quite wide I would check with owners first before booking. On reaching top of drive way, the first thing you come across is old farm machinery which obviously has not been used in a long time, did not get the impression during our 2 night stay that it was a working farm. The site is also used for storage of caravans. I would not choose this site if you are looking for a somewhere to sit and relax, not that type of site. We were just outside the site next to stone wall and were lucky to have a nice view, however, not the best site and would not return. Our electric hook up was dangling from the telegraph pole, not exactly ideal or totally safe. The Elsan point is disgusting, dirty and not a pleasant experience, the worse we have come across. Did not use the toilet, however, did have one shower which was adequate. Ignore price of £8, charge is now £15 per night.
We only chose this site as visiting relatives in Chesterfield and was within walking distance of Linacre Reservoir. Had tried other sites within our price range, however, they were fully booked.
Value For Money
Yes the main entrance and entrance to where caravans are pitched are ‘tight’ but we were warned about this in booking so we’ll have prepared.
The pitches for the caravans are a little close together but we had ample room when we visited. Ingrid the owner likes to keep the grass areas to one end solely for small caravans and not motorhomes as it can get boggy and difficult for the motorhomes.
Yes there are things that could be done to improve this site, there are some amazing views from the fields but these are not used for the vans. It is a shame but it wouldn’t put us off using this site again as £12 a night is good value for money. It was quiet, we had water and electricity, didn’t use on site loo or shower used ours in van. We had amazing weather and met nice people. Owner Ingrid me a really really nice and friendly.
Good no frills location for the Peak District
Basic grass pitch on a quiet site behind a barn. EHU, Stand pie and chemical waste point. Not much more you need from a CL site. Owners never troubled us and we had to knock on door to pay when leaving. Great location for Bakewell, Eyam and Chesterfield.
Disappointing
Having read previous reviews and looked at the photos we were looking forward to 5 days away in our caravan. The entrance was very difficult to negotiate from Chesterfield. The marked pitches were close together and, apart from the first grass pitch there were NO views, as suggested in the photos, some of which were taken from the owner's garden. The narrow strip of grass was very wet and, as others have mentioned, we had to park our car close to the barn. As this was our only view we were not impressed. The overhanging trees meant that the heavy rain we experienced was deafening on our roof and several twigs fell on the roof which, hopefully have not dented it. We were worried about the floor of the washroom/toilet collapsing as it was very spongy. One of the worst cls we have experienced in 35 years of owning a caravan.
Baillie Alex
Reviewed on 03/10/2019 12:12
Not as expected.
As previously stated very tight turn between stone pillars to access site. If you have a larger van you will need a mover to site your van as the pitches are very restricted. The pitches are under oak trees which ensures a steady bombardment of acorns at this time of year plus drips after rainfall. We were told to not park next to the van as the grass was too wet! Once sited the outlook is onto a long stone wall of a barn and not the great views that the photos promise. Toilet/shower was very tired with a broken toilet seat and a very spongy floor that feels unsafe. The shower gave lots of hot water but the flooring under the lino, around the toilet, looked very wet after use. The vans were sited close to each other which meant that we were woken each morning by the couple in the van next to us getting up at 6am and putting their bedding away! The site is relatively cheap, but again not the £6 on the advert. We also will not return.
not particularly motorhome friendly
Very tight turn in when arriving from Chesterfield, but had been well warned by the owner when booking so not a problem. Met by the owner who had told us on our telephone booking that he was full, but could squeeze our motorhome on the hardstanding, then move it the next day. We were very surprised on arrival to find only 2 caravans on the grass pitches and asked if we could pitch on the grass (he was obviously not full); attitude changed and he impatiently insisted we park our motorhome on the hardstanding, but could sit out on the grass if we wanted. The hardstanding was just wide enough to squeeze our van conversion hard up against the barn wall with our side door on the driveway. Nowhere to let our little dog sit out, or us, unless we walked over to the 'prohibited for motorhomes' grass pitches. Cars driving past inches from out heads (from residents of the property and various lived in caravans on the farm, and their visitors) until gone 11pm and noise from one of the caravans (admittedly not the owner's fault) meant this was not as peaceful as hoped. Access to footpaths, a country park with lakes and nearby Chesterfield are excellent. A second motorhome arrived and reversed onto the grass. the owner came out shouting that they could 'not park there', and told them in no uncertain terms to park on the hardstanding too. We felt most unwelcome and 'second rate' to caravaners. The price was not £6 for us (as advertised - unit and all occupants). This site cost us £11 per night, with no explanation as to why the price was almost double the advertised rate. We shall not return.
tribbyandbike
Reviewed on 06/09/2019 20:07
A Good little Site.
I’m at Offley Place at the moment ,the sun is out ,chickens and ducks wandering around and it’s very tranquil.
As others have said , everything you need is here , the owners are all nice people and will help in anyway they can , even John is very helpful but may appear at first to be a bit grumpy and brash , this is all a joke .
The facilites are adequate and could do with updating ,but at £11 a night for a 8m motorhome electric inc is a very reasonable price, we have paid much more for sites worse than this .
I have spoken to all the people here at the moment and they are all happy with what is provided and the attitude of the owners and all said they would not hesitate to come back again .
If you want a site with lots of rules , impeccable showers and toilets , a warden watching every move , that cost £30 a night , then this little gem is not for you ... we will be booking again in the near future .
Handy and picturesque base for visits to the area
I'd like to reinforce the comments of the previous reviewer, peatman 5145. John is a character and wanders about from time to time making visitors welcome in his own unique way. John loves a bit of craic and a good laugh, but he does present the façade of a curmudgeon - and he ACTS the part very well. Don't let any comments about John put you off a visit, accept his leg pull and pull his leg back - you'll get on like a house on fire! There are some stunning views from this CL - even the view of the barn wall was fascinating; that wall is a tapestry of developments and alterations of the activities of this working farm over centuries. We were entertained - but NOT disturbed at all - by the flock of cockerels and chickens in addition to a group of running ducks.
The shower and toilet in the barn isn't 'luxurious'; words like 'rustic', 'adequate' and 'in need of refurbishment' are more appropriate. But they are clean - and they work well. If you have on board facilities, they're barely needed anyway. Don't be put off by anything here.
I'd advise approaching from the west by driving up the A619 to the cross roads near Wadshelf, turning north at that cross roads onto Top Lane, and then right near the mast onto the road heading east past the Fox and Goose, past Wigley School and then you'll get a right turn by the bus stop into the gates for Offley Place - as mentioned elsewhere it's a tight turn between the gate posts and easier as a right turn than a left turn. The road from the east from Chesterfield through Old Brampton is a bit narrow, has a few tight bends and is a bit of a race track for some locals.
The acid test is "Would we return?". Yes - unhesitatingly.
Thank you - and John, you'll still be here next week! Of that I've no doubt.
TOF
Reviewed on 19/08/2019 20:38
Peace and quiet
Made the booking direct with site owner after reading the reviews on here and everyone is right! What a wonderful chap he is. 90 plus years old, seen everything (and he has) done everything and is enjoying his twilight years to the full.
He admits to being a bit grumpy at times and knows he has gone 'too far' a couple of times and this still plays on his mind. He is a delightful chap.
The site is easy to find, needs a good swing in if coming from Chesterfield as there are two tall gate pillars. The site is at the end of a longish drive, a grass area and hard standings up by the house/barn complea and a field further down the track. It had been raining heavily so it was suggested we moor up in front of the house. Nothing was too much trouble, everything explained and we were left to it. Facilities are a little tired but we are fully equiped in the van so no problem for us.
Sadly the rain returned so it was a day of reading and snoozing.
If you were on of the ones that got upset give him another try. You must have caught him on a bad day.
peatman
Reviewed on 15/08/2019 17:46