Campsites near Derby
Camp close to major Midlands cities and the Peak District National Park.
Popular camping styles for Derby
Campsites near Derby guide
Overview
The historic East Midlands city of Derby is near other major cities—Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester—and some of England’s most beautiful landscapes in the Peak District National Park. As it’s a medium-sized city, most camping options are in Derby’s hinterland, in semi-rural areas where campers can pitch a tent or park their caravan in peace. Partly because of the climate, many caravan parks offer accommodation in more permanent structures, such as cabins and glamping pods. Campers who enjoy hiking and wilder natural experiences can head north to the Peak District, which mostly falls within Derbyshire.
Where to go
Peak District National Park
In a largely flat country, the Peak District stands apart as an attractive natural playground of high moorland plateaus, steep limestone valleys, and cliffy outcrops. Campers staying in Derby city can visit the national park on day trips for hiking or biking adventures, bring a tent for camping, or stay in a glamping pod at a campsite within the Peak District National Park. Wild camping isn’t automatically allowed in the park—to do so, you must get permission from individual landowners, but there are also a variety of privately run campsites around the park.
Nottingham
Just half-an-hour’s drive east of Derby, the larger city of Nottingham is perhaps best known for its place in the Robin Hood legend, so visitors can experience Sherwood Forest and other Robin Hood-themed attractions. It’s easy to visit on a day trip while camping in Derby, or find a campsite or caravan park on the edge of Nottingham city, some of which are located on farmland.
Cannock Chase
Less than an hour’s drive southwest of Derby, this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been nicknamed the jewel of the West Midlands. Here, you can walk, cycle, or ride horses in the Cannock Chase woodlands and forests, alongside canals and rivers, and learn about the history of this area that was the hunting forest of William the Conqueror almost 1,000 years ago. Campers can stay at caravan parks within the area, around Stafford, or around Derby and visit on a day trip.
When to go
Spring and summer are the best times to visit Derby, as the days are longest and the weather is most pleasant for Peak District camping and outdoor activities. Winters are cold, with occasional snow at city level and more frequent snow in the Peak District. Some campsites and caravan parks close for the winter season.
