Setting up an off roading site

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum, I'm new to the site!

I'm lucky enough to own some land in derbyshire and have been considering (for some time) setting up an off roading site there. In the 70s we had a landrover trial in part of the woodland and so it seems sensible to set something up.

I've got a few ideas, ranging from your typical off road centre type arrangement with a compact purpose built site, to more of a green laning type course using the existing access roads, and adding to it.

I'm interested to know if anyone has had any experience in doing this before, and if its something that people actually go to.

I would be interested in going to a pay and play site in Derbyshire but the few that I have been to there were too many vehicles on site and people not following g the rules on parts around descent only paths so it didn't feel the safest to me so stopped going. Don't have any experience in setting one up but at a guess your liability insurance would be a big expense and also basic facilities like toilets etc.

yes yes and yes! It's worth it. People will come, many of the people on here go to pay and play days!

You probably want to put a post in the intro's section saying hello or you will get pelters from lots of other people.

Thanks for the replys. I'm considering two different sides to the business, which would be a pay and play site, and the other being a turn up and hire a vehicle and instructor for an hour. These seem to be quite popular for groups and parties etc.

I think the best course of action will be to contact a local club and see if they'd be interested in having a play on the land and work out some interesting routes. From there it could then be expanded, and if a suitable business plan is put together, have hardcore down on the tracks to prevent them from getting too worn and rutted.

CharlieV8 said:

Thanks for the reply's. I'm considering two different sides to the business, which would be a pay and play site, and the other being a turn up and hire a vehicle and instructor for an hour. These seem to be quite popular for groups and parties etc.

I think the best course of action will be to contact a local club and see if they'd be interested in having a play on the land and work out some interesting routes. From there it could then be expanded, and if a suitable business plan is put together, have hardcore down on the tracks to prevent them from getting too worn and rutted.

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I used to work a castle Combe doing similar with the focus 1.8 zetec - scooby sti - formula fords. Instructed in the 2 cars then let out in a single seater! Very big business. You will want to have a cafe put on site that doesn't over charge and keep a couple of marshals about to keep ****ers under control

Of the sites that people have been to, how much earth moving has been required to create the course?

I'm assuming that it really depends on the lay of the land with some using the existing terrain and others having purpose built sections.

Do current sites have multiple routes with different difficulty levels?

the best idea would be to get yourself down to a landy club propose your idea then go to a pay and play with said club so you know what you are looking at creating as regards to earth moving and toilets having a on site pressure washer and a good burger van also involve the club and let them be the marshalls in return for discount pay and play and you will be going in the right direction but involve your local landy users in the area as it will be those people turning up to use your facility so they know what they want ask them

Had you thought about teaching people basic recovery techniques as well? When I was in the Army (many moons ago) we used to set up Recovery Camps. We'd set up out on the local training area and then sections from the unit would come out for the day and we would send them into places they were guaranteed to get bogged and show them how to recover themselves. It's amazing what you can do with a Tirfor and a spade .

Ground anchors, winching angles, safe winching practises, we used to cover the lot.

This wasn't just an excuse for us to have a week long barbecue, honest :beer2:

A few of us from here could come and play for the day or weekend if we can camp

Packwood is one of the best sites iv been to
The more of a challenge the better

Yeah I'm sure we can arrange a few of us to come along and help you out! I need very little excuse to take mine off road!

Honest mum coming down this really challenging lane will miss out the traffic

CharlieV8 said:

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum, I'm new to the site!

I'm lucky enough to own some land in derbyshire and have been considering (for some time) setting up an off roading site there. In the 70s we had a landrover trial in part of the woodland and so it seems sensible to set something up.

I've got a few ideas, ranging from your typical off road centre type arrangement with a compact purpose built site, to more of a green laning type course using the existing access roads, and adding to it.

I'm interested to know if anyone has had any experience in doing this before, and if its something that people actually go to.

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Sound's like a cracking idea

I'd love to open one round here.............










When I win the lottery

:welcome2:

Talk to the guys here from 1st Overland. Funkykipper, Deasy amongst others

Don't derbyshire hate 4x4's and off roading ??

What do the other land owners around you think of your ideas ??
If they don't like it you may never get open few sites have started but soon got closed

You'll need planning permission - which part of Derbyshire are you in? I grew up in Derbyshire and lived there up until about 2 months ago, have done a lot of laning around the area and some P&P sites. If you're in a conservation area you may struggle with the planning.

a lot of P&P sites are open plan rather than specific routes you follow, if you have routes you'll get congestion...

I'm sure you could easily get some people a long to look thorugh it with you, I'm happy to volunteer my services as have others above.

Doing the hire a vehicle thing will work well too - stag parties and work team building trips love that kind of thing - if you're going down that route look at things like blind driving, opposite steering (left goes right, right goes left type thing) and similar fun alternatives - they are always popular. (then there are all the other similar things, quads, archery, grass track karts, etc)

Most P&P sites only open up once or twice a month at weekends, so, if you want it to be a business you'll need the other stuff to make it pay

Get in contact with Buxton and district Landrover club ( which I'm a part of) I'm sure they'd be more than happy to have another offroad venue

Maybe we all better come and test it for you . . .

Thanks for all the information. The biggest hurdle is likely to be planning permission, but usually if you can demonstrate a very strong case and business proposal it can go in your favour. Luckily it would be based in an area well out of view of any residents, with the nearest properties a few miles away. There is plenty of private woodland around as well to hide it/absorb sound. It'd be based near carsington reservoir, between ashbourne and matlock.

I'm also looking into rage buggies, quad bikes, a safari track, baja rides, childrens karts and off roading, and some non motorised activities such as BMX, air rifles, archery, mountain biking, and possibly caly pigeon shooting. It all depends on the set up costs and investment required. As with anything, marketing and advertising to get people through the door will be essential if it ever gets set up.

Interestingly, it appears that the land is outside of any conservation area as it's far enough away from the neighbouring villages.

Is that outside the national park boundary?