Shepherd's huts near Buxton

Almost entirely surrounded by the Peak District National Park boundary and on the dividing line between the Dark Peak and White Peak areas, Buxton is an ideal base for campers. The town offers hikers, bikers, and campers easy access to some of the most scenic spots in the area, where there are numerous walking and cycling trails, as well as opportunities for rock climbing and abseiling. Meanwhile, Buxton itself is famous for its thermal waters and spas, Victorian and Georgian architecture, and the Poole’s Cavern caves. A few campsites and caravan parks dot the town with many more to found in the Peak District.

Despite being in the very middle of a landlocked county, Buxton’s fortunes are very much built on water. There is, of course, the branded spring water that bubbles up and gets bottled here, but that’s only part of the story of this spa town. The Romans, the Georgians, and the hotel builders of today have all tried to make the most of Buxton’s thermal waters. For visitors, this means elegant Georgian buildings that are well worth a look around. Base yourself at a Buxton campsite or in the countryside around it, and you can explore both town and countryside.

Simply wandering around Buxton’s elegant streets is enough to fill an afternoon when you’re camping in this part of the Peak District. The Georgian Crescent, the Edwardian Opera House, the Pavilion Gardens—you might just feel like you’re on the set of a period drama. Plus, there are plenty of tea rooms for Derbyshire cream tea. For a slice of Bakewell pudding though, you’ll want to head 20 minutes down the road to Bakewell itself—arrive under your own steam by cycling on the Monsal Trail to really feel like you’ve earned it. This traffic-free route follows a former railway line that once linked Buxton with Bakewell and is suitable for horse riders, runners, and wheelchair users too. From there, it’s just a further 10 minutes (by car) to reach Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and a magnificent stately home.