The best Peak District campsites for peak bagging by Anna Paxton

There’s something about the smell of the evening air, wondering what’s rustling (or munching) in the night, and the sound of a tent zip first thing in the morning. If you really want to immerse yourself in the outdoors, camping is the way to go and there’s nothing like a long walk for a good night’s sleep!

The great news is, there’s an abundance of camping in the Peak District with facilities to suit your style, ranging from glamping right through to wild camping. I’ve pulled together a list of the best Peak District campsites for completing the routes in Peak District Peak Bagging. Most are located on or close to routes in the book, or a short drive away, and all are suitable for tent camping. With a selection of sites right across the Peak District, wherever you decide set up camp, you’ll never be too far from ticking off your next Ethel or trig.

Overlooking the Hope Valley from Eyam Moor. © Anna Paxton.

Dark Peak 

The Dark Peak is divided into three chapters in Peak District Peak Bagging. For routes in Dark Peak North, base yourself at Well I Hole Farm camping and caravan site (https://www.welliholefarm.co.uk/), where routes Above Dove Stone reservoir and Wessenden Moor are both within striking distance. Alternatively, if you’ve got no time for faff and want to step straight from your tent onto the route, Crowden camping and caravanning is about as close as you can get to the Pennine Way (https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/glossop/crowden/crowden-camping-and-caravanning-club-site/) and the start of the Above Crowden route. To complete the northern ticklist, Thurlmore Farm campsite (https://www.thurlmoor.site/) offers back-to-basics tent camping alongside pitches for caravans, and is a short drive to the start of routes Dead Edge End and Howden Edge.

I might be biased, but Dark Peak Central and Dark Peak South include some of the best walking in the Peak District, and the campsites don’t disappoint either. There are several in Edale and you can’t really go wrong, but Newfold Farm (https://newfoldfarmedale.com/) is steps away from the start of the Pennine Way, which is also the start of the Southern Kinder Plateau route, and opposite a very decent local pub when you reach the end, The Old Nags Head. 

From its position on a working farm with views of Bamford Edge, Win Hill and Shatton Edge, Heatherhill Farm campsite (https://www.heatherhillfarmcampsite.co.uk/) is a perfect base for routes Grousing About Bamford, and Shatton Moor. In Dark Peak south, mingle with the climbers and other outdoor adventurers at Stanage North Lees campsite (https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/camping/camping-northlees). Situated in a quiet spot by woods 1.5 miles north of Hathersage, it’s close to routes Stanage and Burbage, Above Grindleford, and Eastern Moors. There are enough cafes, pubs and outdoors shops in Hathersage to keep walkers entertained for rest days and down time too.  

Nelson’s Monument, Birchen Edge. © Anna Paxton.

White Peak

Incorporating parts of the stunning Derbyshire Dales, the White Peak is also very well equipped when it comes to campsites, often based on farms that sell their own produce. On the border of the Dark and White Peak, Sweet Knoll Farm (https://sweetknollfarm.co.uk/) offers accommodation for all tastes, from tent camping, glamping, or even a cottage in the peaceful Perry Dale. It’s right on The Great Ridge route, and not far from Chinley Churn. White House Farm campsite (https://www.whitehousefarmcampsitewardlowpeakdistrict.com/) at Wardlow is two miles from the iconic viaduct and Monsal Head, and the start of the Tideswell route. It’s also a perfect base to explore local sights at Thornbridge Hall, Chatsworth House and the buzzing market town of Bakewell. 

Perhaps you’d prefer all the facilities on hand, in which case you’d feel right at home at Barn Farm in Birchover (https://www.barnfarmcamping.com/), on the Bakewell Pudding route, or Trail View at Tissington (https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/campsites-in-derbyshire-and-the-peak-district/buxton/trail-view-campsite), which is close to theMinninglow Hill route. With large shower blocks and handy farm shops, both are ideal for camping with a family. Or, if you actually want to get away from it all and would like a child-free camp, Crowdecote Campsite (https://www.crowdecotecampsite.co.uk/) is adult only and in prime position for routes in the Dove Valley, Highs and Lows and The Dragon’s Back, as well as a highly-rated local pub The Pack Horse Inn. 

Enjoying the view from the trig and Ethel at Revidge. © Anna Paxton.

South West Peak

If you’re exploring the South West Peak, Combs Valley campsite (https://combsvalleycampsite.co.uk/) by Whaley Bridge is a short drive away from routes Buxton and Combs Moss, The Tors, and Sponds Hill. It’s open all year round, so hardier walkers can take advantage of a winter weather window and bag some peaks. Berry Bank Farm campsite (https://www.berrybankfarm.co.uk/) is on the Three Shires route, at the bottom of Wildboardclough, and a short drive to routes at The Roaches and Lud’s Church, and The Tors. 

You’re going to be hungry (and thirsty) after a good walk, and all but the most remote routes in Peak Bagging Peak District are close to excellent pubs. When you’re sleeping under the stars, it’s even more important to pick a campsite with a soft seat and warm welcome not too far away. If sampling the local produce is a priority, you might want to head to Bank House Farm at Hartington (https://bankhousefarmcamping.co.uk/), ideally located for the Hartington Loop and a number of pubs and farm shops in the village.

Lady’s Cross on White Edge Moor. © Anna Paxton.

Dark Peak 

Well I Hole Farm camping and caravan site
Routes: Above Dove Stone reservoir, Wessenden Moor 
https://www.welliholefarm.co.uk/ 

Crowden Camping and Caravanning Club site, Crowden
Routes: Above Crowden 
https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/glossop/crowden/crowden-camping-and-caravanning-club-site/ 

Thurlmore Farm campsite
Routes: A short drive to the start of Dead Edge End and Howden Edge
https://www.thurlmoor.site/ 

Newfold Farm, Edale
Routes: Southern Kinder Plateau
https://newfoldfarmedale.com/ 

Heatherhill Farm campsite, Bamford
Routes: Grousing About Bamford, Shatton Moor
https://www.heatherhillfarmcampsite.co.uk/ 

North Lees campsite, Hathersage
Routes: Stanage and Burbage, Above Grindleford, Eastern Moors
https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/camping/camping-northlees 

Litton Edge. © Anna Paxton.

White Peak

Sweet Knoll Farm campsite, Perry Dale
Routes: The Great Ridge, Chinley Churn
https://sweetknollfarm.co.uk/ 

White House Farm campsite, Wardlow
Routes: Tideswell
https://www.whitehousefarmcampsitewardlowpeakdistrict.com/ 

Barn Farm camping, Birchover
Routes: Bakewell Pudding
https://www.barnfarmcamping.com/ 

Trail View campsite, Tissington trail
Routes: Minninglow Hill
https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/campsites-in-derbyshire-and-the-peak-district/buxton/trail-view-campsite 

Crowdecote Campsite, Dove Valley (adult only)
Routes: Highs and Lows, The Dragon’s Back
https://www.crowdecotecampsite.co.uk/ 

Taking in the panoramic view from Shutlingsloe. © Anna Paxton.

South West Peak

Combs Valley campsite, Whaley Bridge
Routes: A short drive to Buxton and Combs Moss, The Tors, Sponds Hill
https://combsvalleycampsite.co.uk/ 

Berry Bank Farm campsite, Widlboarclough
Routes: Three Shires, a short drive to The Roaches and Lud’s Church, and The Tors
https://www.berrybankfarm.co.uk/ 

Bank House Farm camping, Hartington
Routes: Hartington Loop, a short drive to Thorpe Cloud
https://bankhousefarmcamping.co.uk/