Camping with the kids – Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park

Choosing a good campsite can make a camping trip, so when I had a few friends recommend a site not that far away, I wanted to see what it was all about.  Here is what I thought: Camping with the kids – Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park.

Over the past 2 weeks, we have made two trips to Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park. First time to see how Ro would like camping, and second because J really wanted longer time camping. This gave us more time to look around the site, and try out some of the facilities, including the on site food shack Kampers Kitchen.

Finding the campsite and setting up:

The campsite is off the A6024 and is very well signposted, which for someone who is navigationally challenged (even with a sat nav) made for a non stressful drive. When you turn off and drive down to the parking area, the first 200m or so is not great and quite bumpy. That being said, towing a folding camper we got down just fine. We were staying in the bottom field, and thanks to the photos when you book your pitch, this was easy to find.

You park in a parking area and walk around a lovely pond to the shop and reception to book in. You get your pitch number, tent tag, car tag and site information. The shop is also licenced and has a variety of food, drink and supplies which is reasonably priced. They had beer and wine for sale which Dave found quite to his liking! They also sell gas, including campingaz 907 refills.

Our first trip, we set up in lovely sunshine, second time in pouring rain – thanks british summertime. Both times alongside the river. The site drains really well, even with heavy rain all day.

Bottom Field Facilities:

In the bottom field, it has electric hook up points around the edge, and non electric pitches in the middle. I really enjoyed being alongside the Holme river, as it made for a lovely sound and  beautiful view while I was cooking meals. The field had a lovely warm and very clean toilet and shower block, and also offers a couple of family bathrooms you can book to use ( we didn’t though). They were cleaned frequently and have a code to get in. There is also an Elsan point next to the block at the far end.

The play area sits between washing up facilities and toilet block, which I found a great design. As when you do the washing up, you can let your kids play in the play area, which makes for happier kids.  The wood chips on the play area flooring are topped up often. J even helped the staff spread some of them and really enjoyed doing it.

If any problems are noticed with the play area, they are fixed quickly. We noticed part of the net damaged which looked to me that it had been cut. This was raised with the staff, which are friendly and approachable. When we returned 4 days later, it was one of the first things I checked before letting J play. It had been fixed.

The field is quite big, so kids can run, play ball games and just burn off their energy while you sit and having a cuppa(or wine). The field is also frequented by the ducks from the pond, which amused both J and Ro. The shop sells 50p bags of duck food which kept J entertained feeding them.

Other Site facilities:

Just down from the toilet and shower block in the bottom field is a little catering shack called Kampers Kitchen. It is a recent addition and is a brilliant idea and can honestly say the food is delicious. ( I had to try it out even though we had our own food to do a complete review ;). )

There is a second toilet and shower block, including laundry facilities by the shop.  This is near the hard standing and pondside pitches.  These are a little dated, but still as warm and clean just like the bottom field block.

Bordering one side of the campsite is lovely woodland, with a nature trail. You can get a nature discovery booklet for the kids from the shop to go exploring.

You can also do a spot of fishing in the mill-pond, and if you choose the pond side pitches can fish from your pitch.

There is also some scheduled activities, unfortunately for us they were on after we were leaving, but things like archery and den building. Notices of when they are on are posted in the toilet blocks.

River Holme:

Being pitched next to a river, would normally worry me with the kids, but the banks have good coverage of foliage, this proved to help the river not be an enticing water element. J didn’t venture that way at all. Although there is patches of hogs weed by the river, there is clear signage where to avoid.

Walking out between 2 of the camping fields, there is a lovely short walk to a bridge where J really enjoyed playing pooh sticks.

Things close by:

On the map given at check in, there is a few close by pubs which serve food within walking distance. There is also a place to enjoy a Craft beer, and a Vineyard not to far away.

Holmefirth is quite close,and if you need somewhere to stock up on food, there is a Lidl a few mins drive away.

Our new family getaway:

I am glad I booked at this site, it is well run and managed. As a family we have agreed this will be our new weekend getaway. The staff are very friendly and always do their up-most to help you out. (Even offering to source some tools if we needed it when we had an issue with our quickstop corner steady!)

Anyone wanting a relaxing, fun time camping with the kids, try a stay at the Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park.