1 / 8

Hayfield (Ready Camp)

High Peak, Derbyshire, England
1 acre hosted by Ready C.
A prime spot for walkers in the Dark Peak area and at the foot of Kinder Scout
The Peak District may be known as one of England’s most beautiful rambling landscapes, a vast natural playground for the fifteen million who live within an hour of its boundaries, but it’s all thanks to the people of Hayfield. You don’t have to strap on your best walking shoes to wander the easy half-mile up to Bowden Bridge car park. It was here, in April 1932, that a group of walkers took to the Kinder Scout plateau in a mass trespass that paved the way for future generations. It still took more than half a century for ramblers to gain rights to all access land, but they sparked a campaign for the peaks, ensuring its future as a national park and giving it a reputation as the home of rambling in England.

Today, down the road from where the trespassers assembled, Hayfield Campsite is a fitting ode to their travails. It is a site perfect for modern day walkers, with that simple camping charm but handy new features like a drying-room for airing out your post-mountain wares. The site is long and narrow, running parallel to a tiny river fed by the Kinder Reservoir further up the hill.

The real treats, though, are the handy and brand new Ready Camp safari tents. These tents come fully furnished with the likes of double beds, dining room furniture, a deep, comfortable sofa and a kitchenette that includes a working fridge and running water. There’s plenty of storage and all the utensils are there so you can come straight in with a bag of spuds and a slab of local lamb, getting straight to work whipping up a storm. The tents offer a new sparkle to this well-established campsite, which has been run here by the Camping and Caravanning Club for decades.

The main local walking route skirts the base of the hill opposite the campsite, round to Little Hayfield, from where there is an excellent climb up to Lantern Pike. The panoramic view from the summit reveals no fewer than seven different counties. When you stumble back down into the village be sure to stop in the aptly named Lantern Pike Inn – a top cubby hole for post-climbing beer. Another, longer nearby route is to retrace the footsteps of those who have gone before, heading past the memorial plaque and up what is now the ‘Trespass Trail’. 

If you continue south west on the Kinder Scout plateau you can join the Pennine Way and head to its very first marker in Edale (opposite another excellent pub). The route is one of the best known in the whole of the Peak District and the plateau has rightfully earned the landscape fame for its untainted beauty. On the way back down, remember to doth your walkers cap to the mass trespassers of 1932, then slip off the walking boots and slink into the Ready Camp safari tents of 2015 – times have certainly changed but the inspiring landscape is just the same as it ever was.

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
More camping spots nearby
Location
High Peak, 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 Ready C.Joined in March 2016
From the host
Your time spent…where it matters Time away with family & friends is great, but let’s be honest - it can sometimes be hectic to even think about! Ready Camp takes away some of the stresses and hassles of camping - having a pre-erected, canvas-wrapped haven with real beds, a kitchen and dining area. There’s no need to fill the car rammed to the rafters with an endless supply of ‘just in cases’. We give you back the time to do the fun things together with your friends and family. Pack your bedding & a sense of adventure Walk into a comfortable haven with cosy furnishings and oodles of little luxuries.  With two bedrooms, an open plan living/dining area where you can wine and dine to your hearts content or put your feet up on the comfy settee after a long day’s adventure. The Kitchen area includes a fridge, microwave and hob, along with basic cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. (We’ve even supplied the corkscrew!) When it comes to light’s out…we’ve even included a torch for those midnight toilet trips, or just to make funny shadows on the tent!
Nearby attractions
Walking and mountain biking are undoubtedly the key attractions around here – be sure to take in Lantern Pike, the Kinder Scout plateau, sections of the Pennine Way and dramatic Kinder Downfall. Beyond the footpaths, the Chestnut Centre Conservation Park (01298 814099) is just south of the campsite, home to otters, squirrels and a wealth of birdlife including several majestic owls. Nearby Castleton (01433 620679) is home to a series of caverns including the Blue John Cavern (01433 620638) famous for its minerals, fossils, stalagmites and stalactites. For something a little different, try easing the pace on the local waterways. Ruth and Mark at Wandering Duck (07584 122614) will take you out on their canal boat with anything from a whole day tour to a 3-day trip from their Derbyshire base, exploring the canal network between the Peak District, Cheshire and Manchester.
Food and drink

The campsite has a small onsite shop selling some essentials, but head into Hayfield for anything more substantial. The brand new Roundhouse (01663 742527) is a quirky café-bistro with great food, while the George Hotel (01663 743 691) is the oldest pub in the place, established in 1575. In the nearby hamlet of Little Hayfield the Lantern Pike Inn (01663 747590) is also excellent.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Cool Camping is now Hipcamp, your best resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover & reserve tent camping, caravan parks, cabins, treehouses, & glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.