Camping in Hope

Hope Valley is prime Peak District camping country, and the village itself has long been home to a well-established campsite right in the heart of the settlement, within easy walking distance of the pubs, shops and the railway station – handy if you're arriving without a car. Pitches typically sit in a level field with views up towards Lose Hill and Win Hill, and it's the kind of straightforward, no-frills site that suits walkers and cavers wanting an early start on the surrounding hills rather than a resort-style stay.

As with anywhere in England, wild camping on open land around Hope is not legal without the landowner's permission – unlike Scotland, there is no general right to camp on unenclosed moorland here, and rangers do patrol popular spots such as the Great Ridge and Kinder Scout plateau. Stick to the village campsite or one of the other established sites dotted around the wider Hope Valley and Edale, several of which allow campfires and have good facilities for washing muddy boots after a day on Win Hill or the Great Ridge.

The terrain around Hope is a mix of gentle valley pasture and steep, exposed gritstone and limestone hillside, so exposure and weather can change quickly even in summer – conditions on Win Hill's summit or up towards Kinder Scout can be markedly harsher than in the sheltered village below. Late spring through early autumn is the most comfortable window for camping, with drier ground and longer daylight for reaching pitches after a walk; winter camping is possible on the valley-floor sites but demands proper cold-weather kit. For those who'd rather skip the tent altogether, a handful of nearby glamping operators offer pods, yurts and shepherd's huts with valley views, giving a softer way to enjoy the same scenery without pitching your own canvas.