A truly romantic hill top setting, straight out of a Jane Austen novel. For those who are less romantically inclined, how about climbing a nearby 25 metre high gritstone cliff?

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North Lees

UK England East Midlands Derbyshire Hathersage

A truly romantic woodland setting, straight out of a Jane Austen novel. For those who are less romantically inclined, how about climbing a nearby 25 metre high gritstone cliff?

Shielded within a grove of oak and beechlined woodland, lies the North Lees Peak District National Park campsite. An idyllic sounding setting in its own right, but add to that the looming slopes of Northern England’s largest cliff above the distant treeline and the site’s babbling brook and what you get is just about as near a state of natural perfection as you’re likely to find.

The site itself is pretty no frills. There’s no play area for the kids, but they’ll find natural entertainment enough frolicking within the plentiful woodlands; home to Pied flycatchers, bats and a blanket of bluebells in spring. Set across four fields, North Lees feels deceptively smaller than its actual size, with the trees and dry-stone walls acting to shield each field from the other. The whole site sits on a gentle slope as the ground around begins its ascent up to the moor’s peak at Stanage Edge.

At North Lees you’re deep in the heart of the setting for Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. So, whilst you’re here, why not recreate the iconic shot from the 2005 film version and stand atop The Edge, looking out over the swathes of Derbyshire? You can walk up the slopes to Stanage Edge easily from a track at the back of the site. ‘The Edge’ stretches for six miles with its cliff of gritstone reaching a height of 25 metres in some places. The tall face of the cliff is a Mecca for climbers, ascending the boulder-strewn ridge-line that juts out of the ground.

The site’s proximity to Stanage means it’s a regular hang-out for the climbing conscious, but, no fear, there’s no ‘us and them’ atmosphere. Everyone’s content just to kick back and soak up some of Mother Nature’s ambience. Ascending The Edge needn’t be done at the end of a rope, though. You can wander on up and find your own route to take in the expansive views. From up here you’ll wonder at the patchwork quilt of colours, from verdant green to carpets of rich purple heather in late summer and autumn, home to red grouse.

The Peak District draws in 13 million day-visitors a year and given the landscape and its historical houses it’s no surprise. But at North Lees you could feel like you’re amongst the only few people in the park, protected behind the walls of this secluded woodland.

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Facilities

There are on-site recycling facilities, hot showers, with male and female toilet blocks, a washing-up area, a drying room and disabled facilities. No campfires or BBQ's, (please cook on a gas camping stove). We have parking for up to 40 vehicles only, please note that once our grass pitches which include one car are no longer available it means we have no more car parking space and you will have to arrive on site on foot or by bike. Pods sleep up to 5 people, with lighting, heating, a charging point, a double glazed window, lockable french doors and a covered veranda area, but with the exception of the Easy Access pod Dreamboat (where there is a single bed and an additional mattress) are not furnished.

Suitable For

Tents, groups, dogs (on leads) - yes. No Unsupervised under 18's - and No Caravans. Only very limited space for small (VW size) campervans with no electric hook-up. Large group bookings please contact site directly - Duke of Edinburgh are available by contacting the campsite directly.

Nearby

Take a gliding lesson or a trial glide with the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club (01298 871270) at Camphill. Or head to Hathersage and splash around in the large heated outdoor pool (01433 650 843). Situated just north of Hathersage, Stanage Edge is a popular place for rock climbers and walkers with sweeping views of the Dark Peak moorlands and the Hope Valley. The surrounding area is a stronghold for Ring ouzels and the moorland is protected internationally, owing to the presence of threatened upland birds including the Merlin and the Golden plover. The gritstone edge spans approximately 4 miles and was recently featured in the film Pride & Prejudice. North Lees is a cyclists dream of a campsite: there are plenty of accessible on/off-road routes from Sheffield, including exciting mountain bike descent of Stanage Edge. For the latest events in the area click here. All campers receive a 10% discount on National Park Authority cycle hire.

Food & Drink

The Scotsmans Pack (01433 650 253) has a new selection of micro-brew ales every month, with local fish and meat on its menu. The tucked-away Little John Inn (01433 650 225) down the road in Hathersage also offers local micro-brew ales and decent pub fare in its wood-panelled interior.

Open

Late March–end of October for turn-up and pitch camping (booking is advised at busy times). Over the winter months (November–March), the site is open but booking is essential for Sunday–Thursday nights. Turn-up and pitch on Friday and Saturday nights only. Bookings recommended for the camping pods at all times.

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The Owner Says

North Lees Campsite is located in a sheltered valley, 1.5 miles north of Hathersage and is within a short walking distance of Stanage Edge. The campsite is an ideal base for those seeking quiet recreation in beautiful surroundings and for visitors wishing to explore the wider Peak District. The nearby woodlands, farmland and moorland are managed for conservation and form part of the historic Stanage-North Lees estate. The site is approximately a 20 minute walk from Hathersage which is well served by both trains and buses making it easy to for you to access our site without your car, something that we strongly encourage!

Social Distancing Measures

Our site is already spacious, natural, and 'pitch free' as we allow our guests to choose their own location upon arrival. We have always had a lot of space between tents and we will ask all guests to ensure they pitch at least 2 metres away from others when they choose their pitch. To help facilitate social distancing we have also reduced our site capacity to 80 people. We will limit the amount of guests accessing our washroom facilities at any one time and ask those waiting to queue outside and maintain social distancing. We will be increasing the amount of daily deep cleans of the toilets and showers and providing soap, as always, to enable people to regularly clean their hands. All camping pods will be thoroughly cleaned between guests.

Accommodation

Up to 60 tents across 3 gently sloping fields and 7 wooden camping pods including 1 suitable for wheelchairs. Car parking spaces are separate from the camping area.

"Nightrider" camping pod

Pod Sleeps 4

A standard sized pod situated on a wooded bank at the fringe of the campsite suitable for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small children, approximate floor space is 2.5m x 2.2m. Inside there is a small heater, two LED lights and a carpet covered floor. Outside there is a covered decking area for cooking and relaxing. Dogs are not allowed in this pod.

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"Quietus" camping pod

Pod Sleeps 4

A standard sized pod situated on a wooded bank at the fringe of the campsite suitable for up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small children, approximate floor space is 2.5m x 2.2m.

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"Beanpod" family camping pod

Pod Sleeps 5

Family-sized pod surrounded by trees providing sleeping space for up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children, floor space aprox. 3.5m x 2.3m. It has a covered deck area in the front for relaxing and cooking. There are no beds or furniture – just a carpet-covered floor, two LED lights and a small heater.Please note dogs are not allowed in this pod.

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"Lookout" family camping pod

Pod Sleeps 5

Family-sized pod overlooking the camping field providing sleeping space for up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children, floor space approx. 3.5m x 2.3m. It has a covered deck area in the front for relaxing and cooking. There are no beds – just a carpet-covered floor, two LED lights and a small heater. Please note dogs are not allowed in this pod.

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"Duo" camping pod

Pod Sleeps 4

Standard-sized pod surrounded by trees and overlooking stream covered banks, providing sleeping space for up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small children, approximate floor space is 2.5m x 2.2m. There is a covered deck area in the front for relaxing and cooking. It has LED lights and a small heater. Please note dogs are not allowed in this pod.

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"Twin Cam" dog friendly camping pod

Pod Sleeps 4

Standard-sized pod overlooking stream and bluebell covered banks providing sleeping space for up to 2 adults and 2 small children (or dogs!), approximate floor space is 2.5m x 2.2m. There is a covered deck area in the front for relaxing and cooking.There are no beds or furniture – just a carpet-covered floor, two LED lights and a small heater.

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"Dreamboat" easy access and dog friendly pod

Pod Sleeps 4

Easy access camping pod equipped with height adjustable single bed with mattress. This pod is located close to our easy access washroom and the amenities of our campsite building, floor space is aprox. 3.5m x 2.3m Dogs are welcome in Dreamboat.

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Location

Contact North Lees, Birley Lane, Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 1DY

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Getting There

Take the A6187 eastbound toward Hathersage. After about 2 miles, turn left up Jagger Lane and then left up Coggers Lane. Watch out for the Birley Lane turn-off about 2 miles on your right. The site is about 1 mile on the left. Please do not try using a SatNav. Get the train or bus to Hathersage and it’s approximately a 30-minute walk up to the campsite. Call in advance for detailed directions.