The Best Summer Holiday Clubs In The Peak District (Including Last-Minute Spaces)
- Jen Bell I Editor I Good Life List Peak District
- Jul 11
- 13 min read
Summer holidays are brilliant, aren't they... right up until you realise there are still another 5.5 weeks to fill...
Whether you're juggling work, looking for a couple of days to keep the children entertained or simply trying to break up the endless chorus of "I'm booored", a good holiday club can be an absolute lifesaver. The good news? There are still plenty of brilliant options across the Peak District and surrounding area, from forest school adventures and outdoor sports camps to creative workshops, football coaching and gymnastics.
We've rounded up some of our favourites - even better, they all still had availability at the time of writing. If you've left it a little later than planned, you're not alone.
What To Pack For A Holiday Club
For Kids That Want A Bit Of Everything
TrYumph Holiday Camps
Pilsley & Baslow
If we had to pick one holiday club that sums up a Peak District summer, it would probably be TrYumph. These wonderful camps are run by Joe Greaves, a highly experienced coach who we once watched coax a 5-year-old out of a car after a 20 minute standoff with his mum (and no, we don't know what kind of witchcraft he employed).
TrYumph has become a firm favourite with local families thanks to its unique, inclusive approach. Yes, there are plenty of sports, but children can also spend their days crafting, baking, exploring outdoors and making the most of Derbyshire's countryside. It feels more like an adventure than childcare. There is something for everyone.
This summer they've expanded into two separate camps, meaning children can choose the experience that suits them best.
The Multi-Activity Camp at Pilsley CofE Primary is designed for children aged 3-13 and mixes sports, crafts, baking and outdoor adventures throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the brand-new Sports Academy at Baslow Sports Field is aimed at 7-16-year-olds who want to focus on developing their sporting skills with specialist coaches.
Even better, the two venues are only a couple of minutes apart, making life much easier for families with children of different ages.
Good to know
• Ages 3-13 (Pilsley) and 7-16 (Baslow)
• Outdoor activities, crafts, baking and specialist sports
• Full-day sessions
• Still had spaces available when we checked
Peak Power Sports Camps
Chapel-en-le-Frith
If your child has more energy than you know what to do with, Peak Power Sports could be your summer holiday hero.
Running throughout the school holidays at Chapel Leisure Centre, these action-packed camps are about much more than football. Alongside multi-sports, children can get involved in dance sessions, Nerf battles, team challenges, arts and crafts, board games and, when the Derbyshire weather behaves itself, water fights outside. There's a good mix of energetic activities and quieter moments, making it a great choice for children with different interests rather than those who only want to play one sport all day.
Children are grouped by age where possible, and the experienced, DBS-checked coaching team focuses on helping them build confidence, stay active and make new friends in a fun, inclusive environment. Camps run throughout the summer holidays, with optional early drop-off and later collection available for working parents.
Families eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme can also apply for funded places, making it an excellent option if you're looking for affordable childcare over the summer.
Good to know
• Ages 4-13
• Football, multi-sports, dance, Nerf battles, arts & crafts, team challenges and water fights
• Indoor and outdoor activities
• Runs throughout the summer holidays (late July to early September)
• Early drop-off from 8am and late pick-up available
• HAF-funded places available for eligible families
Active Dales Holiday Club
Bakewell Recreation Ground
Looking for a fun, active day without travelling too far? Active Dales Holiday Club packs plenty into a single session.
Held at Bakewell Recreation Ground throughout August, these outdoor holiday clubs are run by Derbyshire Dales District Council and give children the chance to try a wide range of sports and games in one day. Rather than focusing on just one activity, children can have a go at everything from tennis, football and hockey to athletics, cricket, dodgeball and arts and crafts, making it a great choice for youngsters who like to mix things up.
The sessions take place outdoors at the recreation ground's pavilion and tennis courts, so children can make the most of the summer while staying active and making new friends. Places are limited, and HAF-funded places are also available for eligible families.
Good to know
• Ages 6-11
• Thursdays: 6th, 13th and 20th August
• Bakewell Recreation Ground
• Multi-sports, arts & crafts and team games
• Outdoor sessions (dress for the weather)
• HAF eligible
• Limited places available
Community Development Chesterfield Holiday Clubs
Chesterfield, Duckmanton & Poolsbrook
This one sits just beyond the Peak District, but it is absolutely worth knowing about if the activities appeal or you have left things a little late and are struggling to find spaces elsewhere.
Community Development Chesterfield is a registered charity running a huge mix of child-only summer sessions across Chesterfield, Duckmanton and Poolsbrook. The funded HAF places disappeared quickly, as they often do, but CDC has opened additional paid places and kept the prices as low as possible so more families can still take part. At the time of writing, there was good availability across many of the dates.
The programme is one of the most varied in this guide. Children can book everything from animal encounters, baking and pottery painting to survival challenges, camping, drama, Olympics days, crafts, movie nights and seaside trips. There are also FunFest sessions with inflatables, games, music, sport and water play, plus team missions and themed “Passport to Adventure” days. Every booked place includes a healthy meal.
The sessions are designed to be inclusive, with support available for children with a wide range of additional needs. Ages vary by activity, but most are open to children between four and 16, making this a particularly useful option for families with older children as well as primary-school ages. Book here for Duckbrook Summer Club (Poolsbrook and Duckmanton) and here for The RAY Summer Club (Chesterfield).
Good to know
• Paid, non-HAF places with prices kept as low as possible
• Good availability across many summer dates
• Activities run from 27th July to 28th August
• Locations include Chesterfield, Duckmanton and Poolsbrook
• Ages 4-16, depending on the activity
• Animal encounters, crafts, baking, sport, survival skills, camping, performing arts and trips
• A healthy meal is included
• SEND-friendly universal provision with additional support available
• Child-only sessions run by a registered charity
For Outdoors Kids
White Hall Outdoor Centre
Buxton
If your child would choose climbing a rock face over sitting in front of a screen, White Hall is hard to beat. Set in a spectacular corner of the Peak District National Park, White Hall has been introducing children to outdoor adventure since 1951 and was Britain's first Local Education Authority Outdoor Centre. Their popular summer holiday activity days are designed for 6-14 year olds and give children the chance to try activities they probably won't find anywhere else.
Depending on the day, that could mean scaling climbing walls, paddling across the water, squeezing through caves, soaring along a zip wire, scrambling through streams or learning new outdoor skills with experienced instructors. Parents can book anything from a single day to a full week, making it a great option whether you need childcare or simply want to give adventurous children an unforgettable day out.
White Hall also runs family activity days and dedicated SEND family sessions during the summer holidays, so there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Good to know
• Ages 6-14
• One-day or multi-day activity courses
• Family Activity Days available
• Dedicated SEND Family Activity Days
• Around £49.90 per child for activity days
• Based in the Peak District near Buxton
Grow House Forest School
St Anselm's School, Bakewell
If your ideal summer holiday involves muddy wellies rather than tablets, Grow House Forest School is well worth a look.
Run by qualified teacher and Forest School Practitioner Emma, who has more than 28 years' experience working with children, these full-day sessions are all about giving children the freedom to explore, create and build confidence outdoors. Days evolve around the children's interests, so no two are exactly the same, but you can expect den building, bushcraft, campfire cooking, fire-lighting, nature art, foraging, group games and plenty of time exploring the beautiful grounds of St Anselm's School in Bakewell.
Your children are likely to come home smelling faintly of campfire smoke, proudly carrying something they've made and full of stories about the day's adventures.
The summer camp runs over two weeks from 24th-28th August and 31st August-4th September, with a few places still available at the time of writing.
Good to know
• Ages 5-12
• £45 per day (sibling discounts available)
• 9.30am-4.30pm
• Early drop-off and late pick-up available
• Based at St Anselm's School, Bakewell
• A few spaces were still available when we checked
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Young Adventurers Holiday Club
Baslow Edge Nursery, Baslow
If your children are happiest climbing logs, making mud pies and spending as much time outside as possible, Young Adventurers is a lovely option.
Running throughout August at Baslow Edge Nursery, the holiday club is built around outdoor play, with plenty of Forest School-inspired activities alongside games, crafts and free play. It's one of the few clubs in the area welcoming children from 12 months right through to eight years old, making it particularly useful for families with younger siblings.
Sessions run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the summer holidays, with both full and half-day options available. Email manager@baslowedgenursery.co.uk to book.
Good to know
• Ages 12 months-8 years
• Forest School and outdoor play
• Full and half-day sessions
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout August
• Sibling discounts available
For Football Kids
Bakewell Town FC Summer Football Camp
Bakewell
Few people have introduced more local children to football than Dave Cottrell, and this year's summer camp continues that tradition.
Held during the first week of the school holidays, the camp focuses on much more than football skills. Mornings are spent developing passing, dribbling, shooting, control and goalkeeping in a fun, supportive environment, while older children enjoy afternoon tournament sessions where teamwork and match play take centre stage.
The coaching team puts just as much emphasis on kindness, resilience, empathy and teamwork as they do football, creating a welcoming environment for children of all abilities. There are dedicated girls-only sessions alongside mixed groups, and all coaches are FA qualified with safeguarding and first aid training.
Good to know
• Monday 27th-Friday 31st July
• Ages 5-15
• Mixed and girls-only sessions available
• Morning coaching and afternoon tournament camps
• FA-qualified coaches
• Early registration recommended. Spaces still available at the time of writing.
Buxton FC Community Summer Camps
Silverlands Stadium, Buxton
If football is life in your house, this is one for the shortlist. Held at Buxton FC's Silverlands Stadium, these popular community camps welcome children aged 5-12 of all abilities, whether they're taking their first kickabout or already dreaming of Wembley. Days are packed with coaching sessions, small-sided matches, skills challenges and games, giving children plenty of time on the ball while making new friends over the summer.
The camps run across multiple weeks of the school holidays, making them a handy option for working parents as well as young football fans keen to sharpen their skills. At the time of writing, there were still a handful of places available, but they usually fill quickly once the holidays get underway.
Good to know
• Ages 5-12
• Suitable for all abilities
• Coaching, matches, skills challenges and games
• Runs across several weeks during the summer holidays
• Final few spaces available at the time of writing
For Creative Kids
Kids Arts Academy
Sheffield (Ranmoor, Fulwood & Sharrow)
Not every child wants to spend the holidays charging around a football pitch. If yours is happiest with a paintbrush, mixing cake batter or making something they can proudly bring home, Kids Arts Academy is one of the best creative holiday clubs around.
Running from three Ofsted-registered venues across Sheffield, the holiday clubs have been inspiring young artists, bakers and animators for more than 15 years. Children can choose full or half-day sessions in art, cooking or animation, with every day bringing a completely different theme and project.
One week they could be building pirate puppets, sculpting mythical creatures from clay, making dragon puppets or creating enchanted castles. The next they might be decorating space-themed pencil cases, modelling astronauts in Fimo, painting underwater kingdoms or baking homemade pizzas, flapjacks, traybakes and Bakewell puddings. There's even a magical "School for Witches and Wizards" week where children make spell books, phoenixes and owl puppets.
The teaching team is another reason we'd recommend it. The sessions are led by practising artists, qualified teachers, illustrators, animators and experienced primary school educators who know how to nurture creativity while making the days fun and relaxed. Every activity is designed from scratch, so children are always learning new skills rather than repeating the same crafts each holiday.
Good to know
• Ages 4-14
• Art, cooking and animation sessions
• Full or half-day bookings available
• Open Monday-Friday throughout the school holidays
• Three Sheffield venues (Ranmoor, Notre Dame High School and Valentine Workshop)
• Early drop-off and late collection available
• Ofsted registered
• Childcare vouchers accepted
Summer Art & Activity Camp
Brookside Primary School, High Lane
Perfect for children who like a bit of everything, this creative holiday camp combines art projects with outdoor adventures.
Each day includes arts and crafts, Forest School activities, outdoor games and LEGO challenges, giving children plenty of opportunities to create, explore and make new friends. The emphasis is on imagination, confidence and fun, with experienced DBS-checked staff creating a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where children can try something new.
The camp is based at Brookside Primary School on the western edge of the Peak District, making it a handy option for families near Whaley Bridge, New Mills and Chapel-en-le-Frith.
Good to know
• Ages 5-13
• Arts & crafts, Forest School, LEGO and outdoor games
• 10am-3pm
• Early drop-off and late pick-up available
• Sibling discounts
• Fully DBS-checked and first aid trained staff
• Limited spaces were still available on selected August dates when we checked
For Gymnastics Kids
Vortex Gymnastics
Buxton
For children who are always cartwheeling around the living room or bouncing off the furniture, Vortex Gymnastics' summer camps are a brilliant way to channel that energy.
Running throughout July and August, the camps are designed for children of all abilities, so there's no need to have previous gymnastics experience. Rather than focusing on competitions, the emphasis is on building confidence, learning new skills and having fun alongside children of a similar age. Expect plenty of gymnastics, obstacle courses, games and team challenges, all designed to keep children active without them even realising they're exercising.
Along the way they'll improve balance, coordination, flexibility and strength while making new friends and spending a day away from screens. More experienced gymnasts can also take part in intermediate and advanced camps, giving regular members the chance to continue developing over the holidays.
Good to know
• Runs throughout July and August
• Monday-Friday
• 9.30am-2pm
• Suitable for a range of abilities
• Intermediate and advanced camps also available for existing members
For Circus Kids
Greentop Circus Centre
Sheffield
If you've been to the Chatsworth Family Festival, you will have come across the wonderful people at Greentop, as they always have a space dedicated to introducing circus skills to the kids. It's the main reason many families choose to visit each year.
If your child is forever climbing the furniture, hanging upside down or putting on shows in the living room, Greentop could be their dream summer holiday club.
Running throughout the summer holidays, the Summer of Circus programme introduces children aged 4-16 to everything from aerial hoop, trapeze and silks to juggling, acrobatics and performance skills. Sessions are suitable for complete beginners as well as children with circus experience, with one-day and two-day holiday clubs alongside specialist workshops and a week-long performance project.
One of the highlights has to be Show in a Week, where children spend five days creating and rehearsing their own circus production before performing it for family and friends. There are also Circus Minis sessions for younger children, science-meets-circus workshops, aerial taster sessions and inclusive Spectrum sessions.
Good to know
• Ages 4-16 (depending on session)
• Aerial hoop, trapeze, silks, juggling and acrobatics
• One-day, two-day and week-long options
• Early bird and sibling discounts available
• Suitable for beginners
For Cricket Kids
Darley Dale Cricket Club Summer Camp
Darley Dale Cricket Club
If your child has been glued to the cricket this summer, this could be just the thing.
Darley Dale Cricket Club is running a four-day summer camp for children in school years 3-6, combining batting, bowling and fielding coaching with fun games, skill challenges and plenty of match play. Led by experienced coaches, it's aimed at children who want to improve their game in a relaxed, friendly environment, whether they're already playing regularly or simply fancy giving cricket a go. The club itself has one of the strongest junior sections in the area, with more than 100 young players involved throughout the season and excellent practice facilities.
Good to know
• Monday 27th-Thursday 30th July
• 9.30am-3.30pm
• School Years 3-6
• £20 per day or £70 for all four days
• Batting, bowling, fielding, games, competitions and match play
Looking For Free Holiday Activities?
Eligible Derbyshire families can book free HAF-funded holiday clubs through the It's About Me Derbyshire programme, with activities including sport, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts and meals included.
What To Pack For A Holiday Club
Sending your child off for their first day? Most clubs ask children to bring similar essentials, although it's always worth checking individual booking information.
Our holiday club checklist:
A lightweight backpack
Packed lunch and healthy snacks (where required)
Comfortable trainers
Spare clothes (especially for Forest School and outdoor clubs)
Name labels for bags and clothing
Spare socks and pants (you'll thank us later)
Planning A Family Day Out Instead?
Not every day needs a holiday club. If you're looking for ideas to keep the children entertained together, don't miss our guides to:
Have we missed one?
We're keeping this guide updated throughout the summer.
If your child has been to a holiday club they're begging to go back to, or you're running one with availability still remaining, send us a message at hello@thegoodlifelist.co.uk and we'll take a look.
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