The family campsite with a heated outdoor pool 90 minutes from Manchester

With the warmer weather finally upon us, the idea of camping suddenly becomes a bit more appealing.

Whether you're wanting the full camping experience in a tent, or you'd rather take the caravan option, there's a site not too far from Manchester that pulls in families from miles around.

Callow Top is an award-winning caravan and camping site in the Derbyshire Dales and has touring and camping pitches, plus a range of self catering accommodation.

Read more: The park 30 minutes from Manchester with its own free zoo

One of the main draws for those with children is its heated outdoor swimming pool, which opens May to September and guests can use it for free when they wish. There's also a separate paddling pool for little ones and a play area with climbing frames and a slide.

You can fish at the park too - the fishing lake is stocked with rudd, roach, tench, perch, crucian and mirror carp - and there's a wide selection of pegs available, with double pegs suitable for parent and child/disabled fishing.

The fishing lake also has its own bird hide, which is available free of charge to guests who would like to observe the wildlife in the nature reserve. It's also dog-friendly and there's an enclosed field for them to have a run.

But as well as guests loving the park facilities - including the Callow Inn with a large beer garden, Arnold's Games Room with pool and table tennis, and the Callow Top Shop - there's lots to do in the area.

The park itself, listed in Practical Caravan's Top 100 Sites Guide for 2024, is within walking distance of the market town of Ashbourne and within easy reach of Bakewell, Matlock and Buxton.

There are walking routes straight from the site and direct access to the Tissington Trail cycle route.

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