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North Lees

Hope Valley, Derbyshire, England
1 acre hosted by Campsite L.
A simple site beneath Stanage Edge, ideal for hikers, bikers and rock climbers, with three tiny camping meadows and a clutch of glamping pods

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.

Activities
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Forest
Mountainous
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Location
Hope Valley, Derbyshire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Campsite L.Joined in June 2016
From the host
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!
Nearby attractions

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 and 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.

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