Belper Library

Belper Library sits right in the heart of town, a proper focal point if you're spending a few days at one of the nearby caravan parks - The Firs is barely two miles away. It's a functional community space rather than some grand Victorian affair, which means it does what it says on the tin without faffing about. You'll find the usual selection of books, computers if you need internet, and staff who actually know the local area well enough to point you towards decent walks or spots worth visiting.

Who gets the most from it? Rainy afternoon people, mainly. If you've been camped at Poplars Farm or Golden Valley and the weather's turned, it's a solid indoor option that won't cost you anything. Kids might spend thirty minutes browsing, adults hunting for a particular book or needing to sort something online. It's not the sort of place you plan a day around - more the kind of stop you make while in Belper anyway.

The real value lies in what's around it. Belper's a mill town with actual character, and the library sits within walking distance of the riverside and some genuinely interesting industrial heritage if that's your thing. The Derwent Valley Mills heritage area runs through here, and frankly, that's more compelling than the library itself. But if you're staying at Carsington Fields or Riddings Wood and need shelter from the weather, you could do worse. Just phone ahead to check current opening times first - these things change.