Camping in Chesterfield

Camping around Chesterfield means trading the town's Georgian streets for the gentler countryside of the Derbyshire coalfield and, a little further west, the fringes of the Peak District National Park. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not legally permitted without the landowner's permission, so pitching up on open moorland or in a farmer's field without asking first is best avoided; instead, the area has a good spread of licensed campsites, caravan parks and glamping sites happy to welcome tents, campervans and motorhomes. Many of these sites sit in villages just outside Chesterfield itself, such as Ashover, Wingerworth and the countryside around Bolsover, giving easy access to the town's Crooked Spire and market as well as to Hardwick Hall and the Peak District beyond. Terrain here is generally gentler than deeper into the Peak District, rolling farmland and wooded valleys rather than exposed moor, which makes it a comfortable option for first-time campers or families, while still being within easy striking distance of the more dramatic scenery around Chatsworth and the Derbyshire Dales. The camping season runs broadly from Easter through to late September, with the driest and warmest weather typically arriving in July and August, though many local sites now stay open into autumn for visitors chasing the changing colours of the nearby woodland and hills. Spring and early summer bring their own rewards, with long daylight hours for exploring the Chesterfield Canal towpath or Queen's Park before pitching camp for the evening. For those who would rather skip the tent pegs altogether, glamping has taken hold across the area, with pods, shepherd's huts and safari tents offering a more comfortable night's stay while keeping the same rural, on-the-doorstep-of-the-Peaks appeal. Whichever way you choose to stay, booking ahead is sensible during school holidays and the height of summer, when sites within easy reach of both Chesterfield and the national park fill up quickly.