Chatsworth Caravan Park Reopens Under Chatsworth Escapes

A well known touring park in the Peak District is about to start a new chapter. Chatsworth Caravan Park, which sits in a corner of the Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire, is due to reopen on 1 November 2026 under Chatsworth Escapes, the part of the Chatsworth Trust that already runs holiday cottages on the estate.

Until this autumn the site was part of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) network. According to Practical Caravan, the Club closed its operations there on 20 September 2026, and work on reservations has been under way since then ahead of the reopening.

For anyone who follows how holiday and touring parks change hands, it is a useful example of a landowner taking a site back into its own management rather than a park being sold to a large group.

What is changing at Chatsworth

The Chatsworth Escapes website now describes the site as Chatsworth Caravan Park, formerly Chatsworth Park Caravan and Motorhome Club, and says it was acquired in 2026 by Chatsworth Escapes. The park sits within the old walled garden at Chatsworth, inside the Peak District National Park, near Baslow and Bakewell.

The key details published by Chatsworth Escapes and reported by Practical Caravan are:

• Reopening date: 1 November 2026 (the operator’s site lists open dates from November 2026 onwards)
• Pitches: 120 hardstanding pitches in total, including 26 super pitches
• Outfit length: a maximum of 8.5m. Practical Caravan reports that, partly because of the long single track entrance, motorhome bookings are limited to vehicles under 8.5m long
• Tents: the operator says it is unable to accept tents
• Arrival time: the earliest arrival is 1pm

Perks for guests

One of the more interesting parts of the change is how closely the park is now tied to the estate itself. Practical Caravan notes that Chatsworth House is about a ten minute walk across the estate from the back of the park.

Under the new management, guests can buy multi-entry tickets to the house and gardens at a special rate. Practical Caravan reports that these tickets do not cover events such as the International Horse Trials and the Country Fair. The Chatsworth Escapes website adds that tickets over the Christmas period (between 7 November and 3 January) are single entry only, and that multi-entry tickets are not provided when Chatsworth is closed from January to March.

The operator also says guests have access through the old garden wall to the 1,000 acre plus parkland around the house, and can pay a small fee to use the Chatsworth Health and Fitness Club’s pool, gym and golf course.

Club members who would rather stay within the CAMC network in the area still have an option. Practical Caravan points to the Club’s Lickpenny Matlock site, about 14 miles away.

Why operator changes matter to owners

Chatsworth is a touring park, so there are no privately owned static caravans on pitches there. Even so, the story reflects a wider pattern across the leisure park sector: sites change operator, rebrand, or move from one model to another, and the people using them have to adjust to new rules, new booking systems and sometimes new priorities.

We have covered a different kind of change before, when a large operator bought an existing park. You can read about that in our post on Haven buying Seal Bay Resort in Selsey. Chatsworth is a contrast, because here the landowner is running the site itself rather than a park group adding to its portfolio.

If you own a static caravan or lodge on a holiday park and hear that the park is changing hands, a few calm, practical steps can help:

• Read your licence agreement again. Check what it says about the term, the age of the holiday home, pitch fees and any rules on selling.
• Ask the new operator in writing whether site fees, opening seasons or the sale process will change.
• Keep records of letters, emails and any revised park rules, so you can refer back to them later.
• Take your time. A change of operator does not automatically mean you need to sell, and many owners carry on happily under new management.

A sign of confidence in touring

Taking a 120 pitch site back in house and opening it year round from November suggests the Chatsworth estate sees real demand for touring holidays in the Peak District, including over the winter. Practical Caravan highlights that the park could appeal to people who enjoy winter caravanning, and the Christmas ticket arrangements show the operator expects visitors during the festive season.

For caravanners, the main practical points are simple: book through Chatsworth Escapes rather than the Club from November, check your outfit is within the 8.5m limit, and plan to arrive after 1pm.

Thinking about selling your static caravan?

Whether your park is changing hands or you are simply ready for a change, we are happy to talk it through with no pressure. Static Caravan Buyer buys static caravans and lodges from holiday parks across the UK. We aim to contact you within 24 hours of an enquiry and to make an offer within 48 hours of that contact. Payment is made on collection day before the caravan is loaded.

Call us free on 0800 644 5000 or visit Static Caravan Buyer to find out more.