Annual Weekend Cycle Camping Adventure with the Kids: Exploring the Five Pits Trail and Silverhill Trail

The time had come for our annual cycle camping trip. We have been going on this annual trip ever since my daughter was able to sit in a bike seat. Over the past decade, every year we have been away for a weekend of cycle camping. Most recently, we have visited various locations in the Peak District, but this time, we decided to return to an old favorite: the campsite at Silverhill. With our spot booked at the campsite and gear packed, we set off on our adventure.

We have found that Derbyshire is an incredible place to cycle with kids, with lots of traffic-free cycling options. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed after-school nighttime rides from Bakewell to Buxton on the Monsal Trail with our torches, explored the High Peak Trail from Middleton Top, circled Carsington Reservoir, and traversed the upper Derwent Valley around the reservoirs, as well as spending time on the Tissington Trail. One lesser-known gem is the Five Pits Trail, which holds a special place in our family’s cycling memories and is easily accessible from Chesterfield railway station.

Back in 2017 my son embarked on this route for the first time on his Cnoc 16 single-speed Isla bike, while my daughter rode along on a tagalong. This year, both kids rode their excellent 27.5-inch Isla bikes, and the tagalong had been modified into a trailer. I will always be grateful to Isla for bikes that are so suitable for getting out on adventures with the kids; mine have been instrumental on so many adventures, and plenty of them with me running alongside. This time, as we began our journey, summer still felt a bit absent, and the cool air made us shiver until we hit a solid climb that warmed us up.

The early section of the trail is a delight, featuring ponds and abundant nature. The Five Pits Trail itself traces its origins to a network of collieries that once dominated the landscape of North East Derbyshire. Named after the five primary coal mines it once connected—Grassmoor, Williamthorpe, Holmewood, Pilsley, and Tibshelf—the trail offers a journey through Derbyshire’s coal mining past. As we pedaled along, it was fascinating to think about how this route had transformed from an industrial railway into a peaceful cycling path.

The trail soon opens into beautiful fields and countryside, with plenty of benches along the way for rest breaks. When the Five Pits Trail ended, we seamlessly transitioned to the Silverhill Trail, passing old railway signals frozen in time and ancient bridges towering above the disused railway line. A highlight along this section for me is the long-abandoned Teversal station, with a short section of the platform still intact. This part of our journey took us past the site of the former Silverhill Colliery, which began operations in 1878 and played a crucial role in the local economy until it ceased operations in 1992. On my map, it is still marked as an industrial site, although now it is a lovely country park.

Here, we continued into the former colliery site, which has since been transformed into Silverhill Wood. As we arrived at our campsite, just as the rain began to fall, we hurriedly pitched our tent. With a break in the rain, the kids explored the nearby play park while I cooked dinner. In normal style, we had a number of different courses, and this time there was the addition of instant mashed potatoes, which was a hit.

After a night of heavy rain, we woke to a drier day. We took our time in the morning, then packed up and headed to Hardwick Hall for a hot drink by the lakes in the lower car park. Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan masterpiece built by Bess of Hardwick, is a great place to spend a day, although this time our ride continued through charming country lanes, reconnecting us with the Five Pits Trail. Although the trail was busier than the previous day, the ride was just as enjoyable.

This trip reminded us that Derbyshire offers more than the stunning Peak District National Park. Getting a chance to explore lesser-known trails, immerse ourselves in history, and enjoy quality family time was invaluable. The Silverhill Trail, like the Five Pits Trail, is steeped in history, having transformed from a hub of industrial activity to a serene natural retreat.

Returning home from our adventure, there was just enough time to clean the bikes, help my daughter with her algebra homework, and get the washing done. Here’s hoping for more summer-like weather and looking forward to our next adventure.