The Anxious Book Worm

Campsite Review: Buxton Club Campsite 🚐

Location Details

Site Name: Buxton Club Campsite
Location: Derbyshire, SK17 6UJ

Overview

⭐ Overall Rating: 9.5/10

WOW.

That’s probably the easiest way to start this review.

Buxton Club Campsite is set inside an old quarry and it is absolutely beautiful.

The pitches are tucked around the site with plenty of space between them, surrounded by rock, trees and greenery, making the whole place feel really secluded.

But before we’d even chosen our pitch, this campsite had already won us over…

THE CHECK-IN.

No queue.

No waiting around.

No complicated instructions.

You arrive, choose your pitch and then simply send a text to let them know which one you’ve picked.

Done.

Honestly, after accidentally booking campsites in Southampton and selecting the wrong pitch on previous trips, perhaps removing me from the administrative process altogether is for the best.

First Impressions

The smooth check-in immediately impressed us.

It was just so easy.

The most stressful part was choosing which pitch we wanted because there were so many lovely ones.

Eventually we picked ours and absolutely loved it.

It felt private, peaceful and surrounded by nature.

Exactly what we wanted.

There was just something about being tucked inside an old quarry that made the whole site feel completely different to anywhere else we’d stayed.

Another campsite added to the “yes, we’d definitely come back here” list before we’d even unpacked.

Pitch & Setup

Right.

OPERATION AUTUMN CAMPERVAN WAS A GO.

After Moorhampton taught us that our summer setup and British autumn weather were not going to be friends, we’d completely reconsidered how we wanted to use the van.

This setup was like a military operation.

Side panels.

Storage boxes.

Carpet.

Tables.

Cooking equipment.

Everything coming out in a very specific order.

And…

We bloody did it.

It still took us around an hour to get everything exactly how we wanted it, but once it was finished?

Everything had a place.

Nothing rolling around the floor.

Nothing constantly needing to be moved.

And I genuinely think the next time we do it we’ll be much quicker.

Taking it all down, however…

Different story.

The rain appeared from absolutely nowhere.

Of course it did.

And the boot pole we’d ordered hadn’t arrived in time.

So there we were.

One person holding the boot open.

In the rain.

While the other frantically packed everything underneath it.

Very glamorous.

Very Instagram-worthy.

Very Vanlife.

We also had a full wrestling match with the wind-out awning because the legs apparently decided they no longer wanted to return to their home.

In our defence, we were rushing.

We needed to be home for a baby shower at 12:30, so suddenly our peaceful campervan weekend turned into:

PACK EVERYTHING. GET THE AWNING IN. GO GO GO.

Lesson learnt.

Facilities

Oh. My. Goodness.

THE BEST FACILITIES WE’VE HAD YET.

And considering how highly we rated Wyatts Covert, that’s saying something.

They looked like they’d recently been refurbished because everything felt brand new.

Spotlessly clean.

Loads of toilets.

Loads of showers.

Modern.

Fresh.

Honestly, I couldn’t fault them.

And there were so many showers that surely…

Surely…

Ben couldn’t find anything wrong with them.

At this point I’ve stopped asking.

I’m protecting my peace.

There were also plenty of opportunities for little walks around the campsite itself, which we really liked.

Location & Things To Do

If you like walking, this is a brilliant location.

We decided to walk from the campsite into Buxton.

Now when I say walk…

Do not interpret that as a gentle little wander down the road.

It took us around an hour and fifteen minutes and definitely wasn’t the easiest route.

But it was beautiful.

We saw horses.

Sheep.

Gorgeous countryside.

And an old tower building that you could actually climb to the top of.

We also had a slight incident where one of the horses decided Ben’s food looked considerably better than whatever it was supposed to be eating.

Ben survived.

His lunch nearly didn’t.

It was one of those walks where you’re slightly questioning your life choices halfway through but, once you’ve finished it, you’re really glad you did it.

Food & Coffee Nearby ☕

Buxton itself is only around a ten-minute drive from the campsite, or you can do what we did and earn your coffee by walking there.

There are loads of shops, cafés and places to eat once you’re in town.

But we didn’t really have a huge agenda this weekend.

We just mooched.

Found coffee.

Wandered around.

Took our time.

And enjoyed that slower pace we’ve started craving more and more when we’re away.

No rushing around ticking things off a list.

Just seeing where the day took us.

What We Loved ❤️

Our new setup.

Without question.

After all the lists, Amazon deliveries, DIY ideas and conversations that began with…

“Do you know what we need?”

…I think we’ve finally created something that really works for us.

It gives us shelter from the wind and rain.

It keeps us warm and dry.

But we still feel like we’re outside.

We put our little lights up.

Got the rugby on.

Wrapped ourselves in blankets.

Sat back.

And just chilled.

There was something really lovely about being cosy while surrounded by the quarry and countryside outside.

No rushing.

No noise.

No plans.

Just stillness.

That’s the bit of campervan life I’m falling in love with.

What We’d Change 🛠️

Surprisingly…

Not a lot.

I know.

Who even are we?

There are definitely still a few tweaks to make.

I want to go through everything currently living in the van and ask:

Did we actually use this?

Because somehow, despite Operation Streamline The Campervan, we still managed to bring too much stuff.

I’m starting to think we may just be those people.

So before the next trip I’ll go through the cupboards and storage boxes again and work out what actually deserves permanent campervan residency.

Anything we didn’t touch?

Evicted.

The biggest improvement, though, isn’t actually something we need to buy.

It’s giving ourselves more time.

Would We Stay Again?

Absolutely.

The setting alone makes this campsite worth returning to.

Add in the fantastic facilities, walking routes, easy access to Buxton and how peaceful the whole place felt…

It’s an easy yes from us.

I’d actually love to come back when we have absolutely nowhere else to be and spend a little longer exploring.

Final Thoughts

Our biggest lesson from Buxton?

Don’t book a relaxing campervan weekend and then give yourself somewhere you absolutely have to be early on Sunday morning.

Nothing destroys your new-found slow-living personality quite like wrestling an awning into submission while repeatedly checking the time.

Next time…

No rushing.

The rain is always going to happen.

Especially when you’re campervanning in Britain.

We can’t control that.

But we can make life easier for ourselves.

The boot pole has now arrived.

Our autumn setup works.

Everything is slowly finding its proper place.

And every trip makes us a little quicker and a little more confident.

We started this journey trying to create the perfect campervan setup.

I’m starting to realise there probably isn’t one.

It changes with the seasons.

It changes depending on whether we’re away for one night or three.

It changes depending on the weather.

And knowing us…

It’ll probably change because I’ve had another idea at 11pm and ordered something from Amazon.

But that’s actually the fun part.

We’re learning.

We’re adapting.

And we’re slowly figuring out exactly what our version of vanlife looks like.

For now?

It’s fairy lights, blankets, rugby, coffee, countryside and trying desperately not to dismantle an awning in a torrential downpour.

And honestly…

I wouldn’t change it. 🚐🤍