{"id":38507,"date":"2020-08-09T17:23:37","date_gmt":"2020-08-09T16:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/?p=38507"},"modified":"2020-08-09T17:28:34","modified_gmt":"2020-08-09T16:28:34","slug":"uppertown-farm-camping-carsington-water-derbyshire-dales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/uppertown-farm-camping-carsington-water-derbyshire-dales\/","title":{"rendered":"Uppertown Farm Camping, by Carsington Water in the Derbyshire Dales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Zagan the motorhome’s just moved pitches, to a beautifully flat spot at the top of ‘the sloping field’ as the farmer who owns Uppertown Farm campsite accurately describes it (N53.061579, W1.648662<\/a>)! We’ve a wonderful view of the grass-backed stone dam holding back Carsington Water as it strains to rush off down the valley, and being level after a few days on a wonk has improved the view even more. The dales around us are flush with green, the trees fat with summer leaves and the fields are being lazily grazed by roving sheep and cows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Motorhomes
The ‘Sloping Field’ at Uppertown Farm Campsite, Carsington Waters, Derbyshire Dales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s Sunday now, our third day here, and we’re heading off tomorrow. The blazing sunshine of the past couple of days has receded and the Factor 50’s been put away. We’re on Uppertown Farm campsite<\/a>, just a short walk from the Severn Trent visitor’s centre at the water’s edge. There are no facilities here other than an Elsan point and fresh water, no shower block or bins even. That keeps the price of a pitch low, a mere \u00a38.50 a night even in August, and the pitches were full on Sat and Sun (there’s plenty of space Sunday evening though). Despite us all being 7m or so apart, there are still around 30 or 40 campervans, caravans, tents (with loo tents) and motorhomes on the site’s two main fields, plus a similar number of caravans on the rally field opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cooking on a ‘wonk’ using a piece of wood to level off the gas hob (don’t try this at home folks)!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We know this place, as we’ve been here a few times before<\/a>. It’s an easy (pretty wide roads, no wing mirror risks!) 40 minute drive from home, but it could be a world away. At home we live in a small part of the house which is half buried in the earth due to the slope our street rests on. It’s a haven for a few weeks or even months at a time, but it was no view other than of a concrete yard and high walls, and it feels like the lock-down’s taken a slow toll on our mental health as a result. Feeling grass under our toes, the wind flowing over our skin and being able to take in expansive views of countryside, like we had in Edale<\/a>, is again a relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here on the campsite there’s been a single group of people sat together enjoying a BBQ and drinks while the rest of us sat besides our vans, conversation stilted by the fact we’re all nervous of being approached. Maybe that’s no different to normal, I’m not sure I can remember! At the visitor’s centre there are a few large families sat picnicking in groups, and the path over the dam is pretty busy with people, but other than that everyone’s spread out. On the 7 mile-ish walk\/run\/cycle path around the lake 2m distancing is difficult in places, but few folks are worrying too about it much, some stepping aside with lots of ‘thank yous’ and smiles being shared. We’re all outdoors, and no-one is wearing a mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"On
On the one hand: 50% off, go out and eat out to help out! On the other: no group gatherings allowed! Conflicting messages seem to have become the norm in the new norm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In terms of things to do here, the main attractions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n