On the Park

The Prancing Pony Pub offers a relaxed atmosphere in a superb old building, the bar area containing a TV and variety of games such as Pool, Table Top Football, etc. Snacks and/or bar meals are available most evenings. It also hosts a variety of events on specific days, including Halloween fancy dress Parties, New Year's Eve Party, discos and quizzes - to suit all tastes.

The location of the building (some 250 metres from the pitching area, separated by a 60` high embankment) ensures visitors who do not want to join in don`t have to! Birthday parties, rallies and other groups may be catered for by request.

A variety of interest groups organise open days on the park from motor cycle and car enthusiasts, to abseilers and so forth - if you are involved in an organisation looking for a venue - e-mail us!

Walking & Cycling

Rivendale occupies perhaps the best location in The White Peak for cyclists and walkers, being on a ridge dividing Dove Dale, Alsop Dale, Biggin Dale and Eaton Dale, with public footpaths from the park into all of them.

Dovedale is by far the most spectacular of the dales with its spectacular rock formations, narrow gorges, caves and picturesque woodland.

Written about by Byron, Tennyson and other giants of English literature who were inspired by the magnificent scenery, it was popularised by Isaac Walton in "The Compleat Angler" as a notable trout river, which it remains, to this day.

The Tissington trail is named after Tissington village, with its church and stately home, famous for its tradition of Well Dressing. To the north the trail heads toward Buxton, linking with the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay where cycles may be hired (including those adapted for disabled).

The High Peak Trail runs through open country past Wirksworth and Middleton toward Cromford and Matlock.

Other notable routes include the Manifold Way which follows this tributary of the Dove through similarly spectacular limestone scenery down to Ilam Country Park and stately home. This route may be cycled or walked and ends (conveniently) in Waterhouses with a choice of pubs and restaurants.

A short drive (or reasonable cycle) brings guests to Monsal Dale - another former railway line open to cyclists and walkers with amazing views from its towering viaduct, leading to another excellent riverside walk along the Wye as far as Bakewell.

Also in the vicinity are the Limestone Way, Lathkill Dale and the Goyt Valley with various walks and cycle trails - certainly enough to fill several guide books.

Stately Homes

Derbyshire is home to probably the greatest variety and most impressive stately homes in the country. The most notable include Chatsworth - the most visited in the country - magnificent in scale and setting, Kedleston with its Robert Adam interior, Haddon with its construction spanning several generations and styles, Sudbury with its museum of childhood, Hardwick and Calke Abbey further south. However, virtually every local settlement has (or had) a house of some magnificence, although not all are open to the public.

Examples near Rivendale include those at Tissington, (within walking or cycling distance along the trail), Hartington, Eyam, Alsop-en-le-Dale, Ilam etc .

Industrial heritage

Mining for lead, copper and stone dates back to pre-Roman times with mining and quarrying continuing to this day. Hints of the considerable Roman presence remain to this day in the local names such as the "Via Gellia" and the "Via Tor" roads between Newhaven and Wirksworth.

Temple Mine at Matlock, Speedwell Cavern at Edale, Magpie Mine and the engine house at Middleton demonstrate the arduous conditions and machines in use and are open to the public.

The Derwent Valley is famous as the birthplace of mechanised textile manufacture, being recently declared a World Heritage Site with Arkwright's Mill at Cromford the most notable example (now a museum). Various mills, usually with their own factory shops, remain in operation between Matlock and Milford.

Ceramics are also well-represented with Denby Pottery at Denby and Crown Derby at Derby - both of which are open to the public with factory shops.

Derby is also home to Rolls Royce aerospace with the industrial museum in the city centre home to an impressive selection of aero engines.

The National Tram Museum at Crich is a must for Tram enthusiasts with a variety of events staged throughout the year, and the chance to ride or drive a tram.

For the children

The UK's premier theme park - Alton Towers - is about 40 minutes drive from Rivendale with various attractions at Matlock Bath including Gulliver's Kingdom, the Cable Cars and so forth. Chatsworth, Carsington Water and other venues also have elaborate activity play areas, model farms and so on.

Theatre, Cinema and Opera

Buxton is famous for its opera productions and summer arts festival which includes several weeks of various musical styles and other arts.

Neolithic Ruins

The ancient henge at Arbor Low is well worth a visit, not least for the magnificent views. Many other ancient settlements and ruins such as the Nine Ladies are scattered throughout Derbyshire and The Peak District.

Rivendale - The 3R's Club

Bring along two passport photos and £1 - and join the 3R's club - that's Rivendale's Rest & Relaxation club. For this princely sum you get access to the premises except for the pitching area and toilet building.

But why would you want to? Well, apart from being a great place for a relaxing walk and a coffee, a variety of free/cheap events take place every year from vintage car rallies to car boot sales. Those interested in nature will appreciate the diversity of wild flowers, birds, amphibians etc on the park which we are trying to increase - if you have any expertise, bring it with you and we will build hides/plant trees whatever! and.......we will be bringing more activities to the park this season.

Click on the link opposite to see the list of current events at Rivendale

Rivendale Caravan & Leisure Park,
Buxton Road, Alsop-en-le-Dale, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Bookings: 01332 843000 or 01335 310311
e-mail: enquiries@rivendalecaravanpark.co.uk