If you’ve never visited before, you might be wondering where the most suitable spot is to base your trip – after all, the Peak District covers 555 square miles!
This guide to the best Peak District campsites will help you find something suitable for your group so that you have a pleasant stay.
Before We Start
The Peak District is one of the UK’s finest National Parks.
Situated mostly in Derbyshire at the southern edge of the Pennines, it extends into South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire.
The park is divided into two specific areas:
- the Dark Peak
- and the White Peak
The former is dominated by moorland and gritstone while the latter has gorges, valleys, and limestone.
There simply is no better way to enjoy this wonderful place than by camping.
Peak District Camping
If you’re used to areas like the Lake District or Snowdonia, you might be surprised to find that the Peak District doesn’t have that many peaks at all!
One of the most popular – and the highest – is Kinder Scout at 636 meters.
Up here, you can take in impressive views of moorland, streams, and a waterfall.
What to Expect? It doesn’t matter where you camp in the Peaks, you’re guaranteed to experience scenery that takes your breath away.
There are ample opportunities for observing wildlife, hiking, and feasting on some good-quality pub grub!
The nine best campsites in the Peak District
Without further ado, here are our favorite nine best Peak District campsites.
1. Upper Hurst Farm (Hulme End, nr Hartington)
Upper Hurst Farm is one of the best camping grounds in the whole of the Peak District.
It’s surrounded by wonderful scenery and hills and is a family-run site.
Each of its pitches offers a 360° panoramic view of the countryside and the whole of the site is run to be environmentally friendly.
If you’re traveling with children, they will simply love the resident Shetland ponies, peacocks, alpacas, chickens, and owls.
You can even buy eggs that have been laid here.
There are 15 camping pitches, 25 “super” camping pitches, a shower and toilet block, a wet room, laundry, and kitchen facilities.
The shower and toilet block even has underfloor heating. For the children, they’ve mown a field as a play space too.
2. Hayfield Camping Club Site
This camping ground is located in the foothills of the Dark Peak close to Hayfield village.
It is a family-friendly site that’s an ideal base for hikers and walkers.
This is a suitable location for anyone wanting to tackle Kinder Scout but is also great for walking more sedate walks.
At Hayfield – You’re also very close to Castleton and Bakewell and all that they have to offer.
Why not visit Peveril Castle in Castleton or eat some Bakewell pudding in Bakewell?
There’s also the Monsal Trail close by as well as Go Ape! in Buxton.
In terms of facilities, this campsite offers:
- showers
- toilets
- an outdoor play area
- chemical disposal facilities
- a small shop
- and a washroom
You can also park right next to your pitch.
3. Peak Pods
If you don’t fancy a night under canvas, the Peak District has plenty of glamping options available and many are available all year round.
Peak Pods is an excellent example and is tucked away next to Alport, a quaint village on the River Lathkill.
Each pod has an ensuite shower, double bed, toilet, and kitchen.
Despite having the luxury of comfort, you still reap the benefits of a camping experience and can have your own campfire in front of your pod.
There’s also a barbecue with each pod and outdoor furniture too.
If you choose to visit in the wintertime, you won’t be cold thanks to the gas central heating!
4. Golden Valley Park
Golden Valley is a caravan and camping park that is ideal for families.
There are five play areas in total, four outdoors and one indoors.
As well as this, the site offers Segway activities, train rides and log cart rides. There’s even an ice cream van that comes to visit.
The site is set in woodland and has 150 touring and camping pitches (with/without electrical hook-up).
As it’s a woodland location, the pitches aren’t completely flat.
Besides the beautiful location, you’ve also got:
- two shower and toilet blocks
- a jacuzzi
- a café
- a bar
- laundry facilities
- and a fishing pond
5. Dale Farm
For those of you looking for a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle, Dale Farm is ideally situated on the hills of Longstone Edge.
It’s a rural and small site that’s right in the heart of the Peak District and close to Bakewell.
It’s a great base for cyclists, walkers, and anyone who loves a quiet life.
Dale Farm also offers glamping options with its furnished and cozy bell tents that sleep up to four people.
The onsite farm shop has even won awards for its baked goods too!
Here, you’d be close to the Monsal Trail, Monsal Head, and Chatsworth House.
6. Longnor Wood
Longnor Wood campsite is a holiday park that’s surrounded by farmland and woodland.
If you’re an adult-only party and want some quiet time away from the kids, this is your ideal destination.
Longnor Wood is a peaceful, adult-only touring park that’s an ideal base for exploring the Peak District’s villages and attractions.
Onsite, there’s a putting green, a boules court, a dog wash and a shop.
Even Better – For anyone wanting a glamping experience, Longnor Wood has ensuite pods equipped with a double bed, underfloor heating, and a flat-screen TV.
For even more luxury, there are holiday lodges with hot tubs and sun decks.
The village of Longnor is just over a mile away and has pubs, shops, and a chip shop.
7. Middlehills Farm
This is an immaculate, well-established family campsite right in the heart of the national park.
It’s an ideal spot for sitting around a campfire in a tranquil environment.
The pitches are spacious and the whole site is contained with 40 acres of farmland.
There’s also a children’s play area too.
This working family farm is resident to ponies and pigs and is close to Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath for a fun day out.
8. Lathkill Dale
Situated close to the Height of Abraham, Chatsworth House, Alton Towers, Buxton, Bakewell, Ashbourne, and Haddon Hall, Lathkill campground is a smaller, quieter site that’s ideal for families.
The pitches come with a choice of electrical hook-up and are secluded with great views. Torches are needed here as this is a Dark Skies camping site.
There are showers, toilets, washing up facilities, fridge freezers, and a microwave.
Don’t Worry! For those who like to stay in touch with the outside world, the site has good 4G reception and Wi-Fi is also available.
9. Beech Croft Farm
Last but not least is Beech Croft Farm.
This is a family-run site situated between Bakewell and Buxton, meaning it’s an ideal location for Peak District exploration.
The site is in a small hamlet comprising of ten houses and some farms.
It’s close to the village of Taddington where there are two pubs, the Queens Arms and the Church Inn.
The site has a children’s play area, a dog exercise field, and a toilet and shower block.
It has won many awards, including:
- the 2021 TripAdvisor Travellers’ choice award
- the AA Campsite Gold Award
- and the most improved campsite of the year 2020
Final thoughts on camping in the Peak District
Camping is a great way to explore all of what the Peak District has to offer.
There are some amazing locations to pitch your tent (or partake in glamping!) and you have so many choices.
Whether you prefer adults-only, Dark Skies, glamping, or a family-friendly farm, we’ve covered it all in our best Peak District campsites guide.
All that’s left for you to do is plan your trip!
Happy camping!
