Hill Farm’s How, Why, What and Who. The FAQ’s
- Hill Farm
- Sep 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 5, 2024
The first place you want to come to for all your burning Glamping, Camping and Caravanning FAQ's at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping.
“Do we allow dogs? Can I light a fire? The last place I checked into closed at 8 pm and I couldn’t get in - what is your policy?”
All valid and important questions when you are trying to find a campsite that is the ying to your yang.
Because we all know how painful it is to camp where people don’t get you.
At Hill Farm Caravan and Camping site, we know how we operate and what we offer doesn’t tickle everyone’s fancy. But that’s fine with us!
If you want fun, friendly, relaxed as we can be, with helping hands (all round) and belly laughs along the way... Then Hill Farm is your place and people.
We love festivals, rallies, family fun and all-around good people vibes.
Dogs are welcome, cats too. We’ve even welcomed a ferret through our gates.
Our policy is “feel free to ask us for anything,” but the answer won’t always be “yes”. 🤪😜
So dive on in, our FAQs await and if there is something you’d like to know that’s not here, drop us a line either by email hillfarm.caravanandcamping@gmail.com or by phone call 07889985328 and we’ll answer you as soon as possible.
Find your way around quickly with our Table of Contents:
FAQ’s about making your booking at Hill Farm Caravan and Campsite
What is your cancellation policy?
Once paid in full, your booking is non-refundable. If you cancel prior to the final payment date, only your initial booking fee will be retained.
How do we pay you?
We take bookings and payments over the phone or online through our website booking system. We use a booking platform called gemapark.co.uk, so don’t be alarmed if you see this in your URL bar.
I’ve paid my deposit, when do I have to pay the final balance?
If you booked with us online, then your booking is secured once you’ve paid your deposit. The remaining balance will come out of your account automatically prior to arrival. If you booked over the phone, then the final balance is due on arrival at Hill Farm.
How do I pay my final balance?
If you booked to stay with us over the phone, then you will pay the balance on arrival. If you booked through our online booking system, then your balance will automatically be deducted from your account prior to arrival.
How can we contact you if we have questions regarding our upcoming stay?
The site phone and I are glued together. I always have it to hand, if you have any questions you can’t find the answer to on our website, then either give me a call on 07889985328 or email hillfarm.caravanandcamping@gmail.com. Plus, you’ll be helping us out, letting us know what’s missing on our FAQs.
Are children permitted?
Of course! Hill Farm is a family-friendly site, we even have areas that can be booked out by big family groups. You are guaranteed to be together and have your own space to run wild and free in our fantastic setting. 🤘☀️
Is your site pet-friendly?
Yes, we love pets! On-site you’ll often see a cute pup or two on our social feeds, although we do ask that they stay on leads, to be respectful to everyone on site. Hill Farm is surrounded by incredible countryside and walks to enjoy together.
How many dogs do you allow?
We allow a maximum of two dogs per pitch and they are free of charge.
Is your site accessibility friendly?
Yes! We want to be as accessible as possible for all to come and enjoy the beauty and fun that Hill Farm has to offer! We have a disabled wetroom onsite, the whole site is grass, so please note the impact of the weather. Please drop us a call to discuss your specific needs, we aim to be as accommodating as we can manage!
We are planning a trip with a large group 10+ people will we be okay to turn up?
No, please book in advance if you have a large group. Our campsite is often booked up and we would hate to dissapoint.
FAQ’s about the facilities at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping site
Do all your Pods have hot tubs?
Yes! They each have a wood-fired hot tub right outside.
I’m camping, what do I need to bring with me?
You need to bring your own everything, except for toilets and showers! We accept one tent and car per pitch. Bringing a gazebo is £5 extra, it must be securely fastened/pegged and 3 metres from the nearest tent.
I’m glamping in a belle tent, what do I need to bring with me?
Don’t forget your swimmers if you’ve booked a deluxe belle with a tub! Each tent has comfortable double and single beds with mattresses (bed linen not provided), sleeping 4 people (6 in Plus Belle tents). Lighting, electricity, fridge freezer, kettle and a heater for chilly nights are included. Outside each lotus belle tent are a BBQ, picnic bench and a parasol. You need to bring your own bed linen, pillows (the one thing people always forget, along with a sharp knife and the cheese grater), crockery, plates, gas cooker, pans, pots etc (or just use the BBQ provided).
I’m glamping in a pod, what do I need to bring with me?
We provide single beds with mattresses, lighting, 4 double sockets and USB charging points for all your kids' tech needs! A heater to keep the insulated pod cosy on cooler nights and a kitchenette complete with fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle and sink.
You will need to bring everything else to make your glamping holiday perfect! Including your own bed linen (pillows, duvet/sleeping bags), additional camp bed/air bed, towels, tea towels, crockery and cutlery. Small camp beds for children are available upon request.
All our pods have 2 person hot tubs, so don’t forget your swimsuits!
I’m touring/campervanning. What do I need to bring with me?
It’s easier if we tell you what we provide. If you’ve booked a hookup, then we provide a standard hookup point, with enough voltage to run a ninja woodfire. We do allow awnings and gazebos, we charge an additional £5 for these extras. You have access to a shared shower and toilet block in the middle of the site. Everything else you will need to bring with you.
Water points and chemical waste disposal are also onsite. ELSAM (chemical waste) point and water points are both in the middle of the field opposite the hardstanding pitches.
What’s included as part of my stay via your onsite facilities?
Each of our units provides different facilities such as BBQ, picnic bench, and hot tub. Please search our FAQ’s on what to bring to find a list of what we provide. The whole site has access to the toilet, shower facilities, water, washing-up facilities and chemical waste disposal.
Are there bathroom facilities onsite?
Yes, we have a central toilet and shower block. It is cleaned regularly and we take great care to make sure that it is a pleasant facility for you to use.
Are there laundry facilities onsite? (or is there a coin operated laundrette nearby?)
There are no laundry facilities onsite at Hill Farm, we recommend a local laundrette 15 minutes away called Littleover Laundrette DE23 6FQ there are also two Revolution 24/7 Laundrettes within 15 minutes of the site.
Is smoking permitted on the property?
Yes, smoking is permitted. Please smoke outside of the buildings, pods and tents.
Is there a map of your campsite/caravan park we can access?
There is an aerial view of the site in our campsite gallery. Please do call if you have specific questions about our family field and how to book.
Is WiFi available?
There is good 4G mobile signal onsite and in the area. But we think you should sling your phone into the backseat of your car and embrace the footloose and fancy-free camping life for a change. 😜
What is phone reception like on your property?
There is good phone reception across Hill Farm caravan and camping site and in the area generally. The joy of being 10 minutes from Derby, but feeling like you are in the middle of nowhere! But…check our answer on Wifi FAQ’s - if you haven’t already.
Are your hot tubs wood-fired or electric?
Our hot tubs are wood-fired. We supply all the wood needed to fire your hot tub for the duration of your stay. More wood is available on request.
FAQs about what happens when you check into Hill Farm
What time is check-in?
Check in is 3pm. 🚌🏕 😍✨
What happens if I arrive after hours?
If you arrive after hours, drive onto site and give me a call. I’ll be out in a jiffy to welcome you and give you a hand getting to your site.
Is early check-in available?
No, early check-in is not possible. We work hard to maintain high standards of cleanliness and site standards. We need the down-time allocated on changeovers to ensure this.
When will my pitch or plot be ready?
Check-in is 3pm - 8pm, if you are going to arrive after 8pm, please let us know as soon as possible on 07889985328.
I'm using a SatNav - what address should I put in?
Hill Farm’s postcode takes you straight to the gate, pop DE73 7HZ into your SatNav and you will arrive at our entrance.
Upon arrival, where should we go?
When you arrive at Hill Farm, you will find an information board which tells you exactly what to do. If Tara isn’t around, then give her a call on 07889985328.
Do the gates to the caravan park or campsite have hours of operation (i.e. do they close and open at certain points?).
We don’t close our gates, you are free to come and go as you please. We ask that the site has a quiet time from 10.30 pm - morning and that a 5mph speed limit is kept on-site at all times.
Are there quiet times for your campsite or caravan park?
Yes, we are a family-friendly campsite and caravan park, we ask for quiet from 10.30pm till morning.
Hill Farm Caravan and Camping - Plots and Pitches FAQ’s
How widely spaced out are your pitches?
We pride ourselves on a spacious and well-set-out campsite. You have ample space between pitches and plenty of space in front of you. Please take a look at this aerial view photo in our camping gallery to clearly see how Hill Farm is set out.
What sort of power options are available for caravans/general electronics?
We provide standard electrical hookup sockets for caravans, campers and tourers. You will need to bring your own cable.
Our caravan has a flat tyre/needs last-minute servicing – are there options available nearby for us to do that?
We have a local caravan repair business we recommend. Their business cards are on the notice board on site.
Can we have awnings?
Awnings are permitted, we charge £5 per night for a gazebo or awning.
What voltage is your hook up?
16 amps
Questions about Hill Farm Caravan and Campsite’s Amenities
Where is the nearest grocery store?
We are spoilt! Even though we feel like we are in the middle of nowhere, with beautiful countryside all around us… ASDA is only 7 minutes away - DE24 3DS. You can pick up essentials 1.5 miles away at the nearest Texaco, which is also the closest place for fuel: Swarkestone, Derby DE73 7JB.
Where is the nearest fuel station?
Texaco, is closest place for fuel: Swarkestone, Derby DE73 7JB and ASDA is only 7 minutes away - DE24 3DS
Where are the nearest pubs? Which do you recommend?
We have three local pubs within a few miles of the campsite, The Brookfeild, The Crewe and Harpur and the Ragley Boat Stop. We recommend each pub to different groups of campers - so read our blog post here to find out which pub we’d recommend for you…
Do you provide groceries onsite?
No, we don’t have any groceries onsite. We do, however, have an ice-cream van that stops by regularly over the spring/summer months. Our nearest shop is ASDA, only 7 minutes away - DE24 3DS.
You can also order takeaway and grocery deliveries to site - please make sure you are already on site to receive them.
(Menus are on the notice boards, ASDA and Sainsbury’s deliver to us).
Do you provide equipment rentals (eg. kayaks, bikes)?
No, but biking or paddling along the canal or trent river is beautiful. If you’d like to hire a canoe then head to Trent Adventures. Or if a bike is what you want, then we recommend E-bike Escapes, who will drop and collect the bikes here at Hill Farm.
Do you have a local shop where we can purchase ice, firewood and propane?
The nearest little essentials shop is Texaco in Swarkstone, or ASDA. Texaco is 1.5 miles away in Swarkestone, Derby DE73 7JB and ASDA is only 7 minutes away - DE24 3DS.
What sort of kids activities are available? (i.e. sidewalk chalk, nature learning experiences, etc.)
We haven’t yet added kids activities to the list of things we offer, but a nature trail or scavenger hunt sounds like an adventure! You can find free downloadable sheets here at Buggy and Buddy.com.
You can head to Fun Valley soft play (yes there is easy parking and a play area for under 4s) or paint a pot at Markeaton Park (read our blog about it here) if you are going stir-crazy and need to get off-site.
Or
Hire bikes and canoes if you have teenagers to entertain, head to Trent Adventures. Or if a bike is what you want, then we recommend E-bike escapes, who will drop and collect the bikes here at Hill Farm.
Are BBQs permitted? Do you have BBQs readily available?
We believe camping and BBQs are inseparable. BBQs are permitted onsite, we just ask that you ensure it is raised off the ground (ask us if you need bricks) and to look after yourselves and others when using them.
Do you accept Ninja wood fires?
Yes, our hook-up is 16 amps. So can support a Ninja wood fire. Make sure you check this whenever you go camping, as some sites run on a lower voltage.
Do you allow day visitors?
Not without prior arrangement, we ask that you let us know who is onsite for safety reasons.
Do you have fire pits? Do you allow open fires?
We do not allow open fires, we do accept firepits, as long as they are raised up above the ground. Please ask us if you need fire bricks.
No fires, BBQs or cooking are permitted inside tents or under awnings, please be responsible onsite and look after yourselves and others.
Do you supply wood, or can I buy it from you?
We sell charcoal for BBQs and wood for fire pits. Both are permitted on-site as long as they are off the ground. Ask us if you need bricks.
Where is the nearest ATM?
The nearest ATM is at ASDA, DE24 3DS, which is just 7 minutes away.
Is your water safe to drink?
Yes, the water onsite is safe to drink, our water point in is the middle of the field opposite the hardstanding.
Do you allow generators to be used on site?
No, we do not allow generators. Our campsite feels lovely and natural, a generator disturbs the peace for everyone! We have hook up, please arrange this with us instead!
Can I swim nearby?
Within walking distance of Hill Farm Camping and Caravanning is The Paddocks Pool. An indoor private heated pool for up to 6 people with parking and changing facilities on site.
The pool is heated to a warm and comfortable 28/29 degrees Celsius and £22 for an hour.
To book - get in touch with Claire via email: claire.flinn@hotmail.co.uk or phone: 07825 985909
Or check our blog for wild swimming recommendations.
Download 101 FAQ’s
I’m staying for Download, do you close the gate?
No, we don’t close the gate. If you arrive late from Download, that’s fine by us. Have a read of our Download 101 page here.
I’m staying for Download, can I come and go?
Over Download weekend, our whole site is booked out by people going to the festival. We are really relaxed with your timings, the most important thing is you get to make the most of Download. Check out local taxis, buses and more information on our Download 101 page here.
I’m staying for Download, can I check in early?
Yes, for Download weekend, we permit early check-in. Have a read of our Download 101 page here.
Any other questions, please drop them in the comments or call/email...
See you in at Hill Farm!
Tara & Ollie
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