Camping in Longnor

Longnor sits in some of the finest walking country in the Peak District, on the high ground between the River Dove and the River Manifold, and its surroundings are well suited to campers who want quiet, hilly terrain rather than crowds. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not legal without the landowner's permission, so pitch at a proper site rather than on open land, however tempting the views. Fortunately Longnor is well served: Longnor Wood Holiday Park, just outside the village, is an adults-only site set among mature trees with tent and touring pitches, hardstanding for campervans and a range of glamping pods and hot-tub lodges for those who want the scenery without the canvas.

The terrain around Longnor is steep in places, particularly where paths drop into the Manifold and Dove valleys, so those with tents and heavier kit should expect some climbing on approach walks. The reward is limestone dale scenery that ranks among the best in the White Peak, along with genuinely dark, quiet skies at night, a rarity this close to the Buxton and Leek road network. Late spring to early autumn is the most reliable season, when the ground is drier and the days long enough for proper exploring, though this is high, exposed country and even summer evenings can turn cool, so pack accordingly.

For those who prefer a roof but still want to be close to nature, the glamping pods and lodges at Longnor Wood offer a comfortable middle ground, while pitching a tent here still gives easy access to the village's market square, its Victorian market hall and cafes, and the footpaths leading out towards Hartington, Wetton and the wider Peak District National Park.