Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Dovedale

Walk the iconic stepping stones through the Dove Valley and you'll soon realise why this part of the Peak District is so popular for camping.

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93% (753 reviews)

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12 top campsites near Dovedale

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Ravensdale Glamping Retreats

3 units · Glamping1 acre · England
Looking for a unique short break, starting from just two or three days? With your own private hot tub, BBQ and spacious patio? Look no further! Our glamping pods are perfect for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway or families with children who want to experience the great outdoors. Set in grounds of an old dairy farm and overlooking a pond, in beautiful quiet surroundings, our uniquely designed two-roomed pods are luxurious and well-equipped, providing the perfect base for exploring the charming surrounding area. With the beautiful city of York, Castle Howard, and plenty of pubs, eateries, and shopping places just a stone's throw away, there's something for everyone. Celebrate a special occasion in style with our special occasions package. Ravensdale Glamping Retreats is the ideal destination to spend quality time with loved ones. Our glamping pods are dog-friendly, so you don't have to leave your furry friends behind.
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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The scenery of the national park’s White Peak unfurls around you in all its glory. Wagtails and dippers flit across the clear, running water of the River Dove and limestone peeks through the surrounding green hills. The local area has plenty of decent campsites but, as always, only the very best make the cut for the Hipcamp shortlist.

Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Dovedale guide

Overview

Campsites in Dovedale

The southern part of the Peak District is the gentler face of Derbyshire’s national park. While the north, Dark Peak area, is all brooding moorland and towering heights, the White Peak is gently rolling hills and green dales. It’s here that you’ll find the River Dove, the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones and the nearby limestone hill, Thorpe Cloud. You’d be hard-pushed to find anywhere that sounds and looks more idyllic so it’s little surprise that campsites in Dovedale are popular. Like the rest of the Peak District National Park, it’s a great area for walking and wildlife watching. With a gentler terrain than the Dark Peak, it is perhaps a little more family friendly too. There are camping and glamping sites in and around Dovedale for every type of camper from people passing through with a backpack to those on the look-out for luxury.

Things to do in Dovedale

The limestone gorge which the River Dove has hewn through the hills is a great place for walking. There’s a National Trust car park close to the famous stepping stones which makes a good place to head out from if you want to cross the river on them. In the summer there’s also a little stand where you can get information on suggested local walks. A one-hour route through Ilam Park is recommended by the National Trust and if you take on the 287-metre Thorpe Hill, you’ll be rewarded with excellent views. If you prefer getting around on two wheels, there’s plenty of excellent cycling. Serious road cyclists will probably enjoy the undulating terrain but there’s family-friendly cycling too on traffic-free routes including the Tissington Trail, which passes nearby.

Dovedale is just 15 miles from the Peak District’s only town Bakewell where you can try the town’s famous pudding and visit medieval Haddon Hall. It’s just a little further to magnificent Chatsworth House. Despite the proximity, the journey might take a little longer than you’d expect but as the rural scenery it takes you through is almost as nice as the destination, it shouldn’t be too much of a chore. Closer by is the Staffordshire town of Ashbourne, another pretty market town with independent shops which is just outside the national park.

About

The Dovedale Valley is considered a bit of a camping Mecca in England. All around the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park unfurls in all its glory, while, in the valley bottom, the River Dove flows towards National Trust-owned Ilam Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Near Dovedale in England, there are suggested local walks that you can get information on from a little stand in the summer. A one-hour route through Ilam Park is recommended by the National Trust and if you take on the 287-metre Thorpe Hill, you’ll be rewarded with excellent views. If you prefer getting around on two wheels, there’s plenty of excellent cycling. Serious road cyclists will probably enjoy the undulating terrain but there’s family-friendly cycling too on traffic-free routes including the Tissington Trail, which passes nearby.

Dovedale is just 15 miles from the Peak District’s only town Bakewell where you can try the town’s famous pudding and visit medieval Haddon Hall. It’s just a little further to magnificent Chatsworth House. Despite the proximity, the journey might take a little longer than you’d expect but as the rural scenery it takes you through is almost as nice as the destination, it shouldn’t be too much of a chore. Closer by is the Staffordshire town of Ashbourne, another pretty market town with independent shops which is just outside the national park.

The southern part of the Peak District near Dovedale is the gentler face of Derbyshire’s national park. While the north, Dark Peak area, is all brooding moorland and towering heights, the White Peak is gently rolling hills and green dales. It’s here that you’ll find the River Dove, the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones and the nearby limestone hill, Thorpe Cloud. It’s a great area for walking and wildlife watching, and perhaps a little more family friendly too.

Campsites in Dovedale are popular and offer activities such as walking, wildlife watching, and cycling. There are camping and glamping sites in and around Dovedale for every type of camper from people passing through with a backpack to those on the look-out for luxury. You can also explore different options for camping near Dovedale on Hipcamp.

The terrain near Dovedale in the Peak District National Park is gently rolling hills and green dales. It’s a great area for walking and wildlife watching, and perhaps a little more family friendly too.

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