Camping in Macclesfield Forest

·

Mere miles from bustling Macclesfield town yet with a surprising level of wild serenity, Macclesfield Forest is a small area of conifer forest in an enviable location on the Peak District National Park’s western edge. It constitutes part of the loneliest tract of land in Cheshire, including the county’s highest points, Shining Tor and Shutlingsloe, the latter being walkable from the forest. Meanwhile, the 190-mile Peak District Boundary Walk, bisecting the forest, is the area’s big hike, and there’s great nearby cycling too. Camp west in the gateway village of Sutton Lane Ends or south of Shutlingsloe at Wildboarclough.

94% (1.3K) 2,545 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Macclesfield Forest

White Peak Camping

1. White Peak Camping

99%
(500)
Buxton, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Camping on a Peak District farm near the Monsal Trail
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Camping at The Hollies

2. Camping at The Hollies

95%
(241)
Buxton, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Back-to-basics camping at the foot of the Roaches in the Peak District National Park
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Burrs Manor Wild Camping

3. Burrs Manor Wild Camping

86%
(172)
Buxton, England · 30 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Nearly wild camping in the Peak District National Park, near Buxton
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Crowdecote Campsite

4. Crowdecote Campsite

Buxton, England · 1 unit
A small Adult Only Campsite with 5 Hardstanding Winter Pitches ​The Site offers pitches with or without Electric Hookups ​The Toilet Block has both Male and Female sections, each consisting of 2 Toilets, 2 Washbasins and 1 Shower (Free-to-use) ​The pub is a 200m walk from the Site entrance ​Firepits are permitted provided they are raised off the ground sufficiently to protect the grass. The site is Dog friendly.
Electrical hookup
Pets
Intake Farm

5. Intake Farm

98%
(65)
Alton, England · 7 units · Tents, Glamping
Quirky glamping and nearly wild camping on a farm in Staffordshire
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Damside Campsite

6. Damside Campsite

97%
(17)
England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Well-maintained and peaceful wild camping site in the Peak District Buxton 15 minutes’ drive; Chatsworth House half an hour Dogs welcome; 10 minutes’ walk from a pub; nearby playground Just how remote would you like your holiday accommodation to be? If the answer is fair to middling, Damside Campsite might just be the place for you: this pop-up spot is surrounded by the glorious wilderness of Peak District National Park. Doesn’t get much more blissfully peaceful than that – except for the occasional lowing cow, all is stillness here. Having said that, don’t worry: you won’t have to scramble across hills and dales for a pint: a traditional pub serving real ales and home-cooked food is right in the village of Peak Forest, a 20-minute walk away. Both the site and the pub welcome dogs, though it might be wise to keep them on a lead when walking past the farm animals. This is wild camping; facilities might not be abundant (there are no showers), but they are well maintained and include a portable toilet and a washing-up area. There is also fresh running water, and you’re welcome to start a campfire or a barbecue. You can grab essentials in the village shop, or head to Chapel-en-le-Frith (10 minutes) or Buxton (15 minutes). If you’re here with the kids, the flat, grassy field where you’ll set up your tent makes for an excellent play area on which to run around, kick a ball or fly a kite. A nearby playground has swings, slides, a small adventure course and a multisport pitch. Walking paths start from right outside the farm, or you can drive to hiking areas like Chee Dale Stepping Stones (10 minutes), a dramatic gorge on the River Wye.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Stretton House Campsite

7. Stretton House Campsite

91%
(17)
England · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes
If you like the sound of having farm shops and ice cream farms nearby, as well as access to lots of walking and cycling trails, Stretton House Campsite should be a fine pick for you. It has a strict no noise policy after 10pm, meaning that you should get a peaceful night's sleep too. This site is in the grounds of the 400-year-old Stretton House surrounded by the Cheshire countryside with handy transport links nearby and outdoor activities in no short supply… that includes things like alpaca walking, golf or Manley Mere’s watersports haven (a 20-minute drive away for the latter). You’ll have your pick of two fields, both with car parking by the pitch free of charge and dogs allowed. The facilities include separate male and female toilet blocks, pay per use shower block, mobile phone charging facilities, free wifi and chemical toilet disposal and a drinking water standpipe. You’ll have permission to start up a barbecue or firepit too (subject to the correct safety measures). When you’re ready to get going, the friendly owners will be willing to help out however they can and suggest possible days out, which may include fishing or walking at Pickmere Lake (10 minutes’ drive), visiting an ice cream farm (within 10 minutes’ drive of the site) or going to the local golf course (five minutes’ drive). For food, there’s a farm shop just two minutes’ walk away from the site where you’ll be able to get your hands on local produce. Pubs aren’t far away either – there is one pub five minutes' walk away, and another 15 minutes' walk away. Festival goers are very welcome, and the Creamfields Festival site is five minutes’ drive away. Please respect the quiet hours (no noise is permitted after 10pm) and environment, as the owners' home is on the grounds (and stick to the field's facilities only). No waste accepted onsite. All rubbish must be taken home at the end of your stay.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Sweet Knoll camping

8. Sweet Knoll camping

100%
(9)
Chapel En Le Frith, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Sweet Knoll Farm, with six acres of flat land, is ideal for camping with breathtaking views in the Peak District . It is great for walking, cycling, horse riding and caving. Next to a working farm, it is surrounded by sheep grazing and is next to the Pennine Bridle Way. Castleton a short drive away is famous for its caverns blue john and speedwell. The campsite has toilets and showers,washing up facilities indoor and outdoor.Fresh drinking water and picnic tables.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
fields farm campsite church lane sk

9. fields farm campsite church lane sk

100%
(4)
Buxton · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Small, quiet family-run site in the Peak District National Park A 15-minute drive from Buxton, the Pennine Way and Monsal Trail Pet-friendly pub two minutes’ walk away; barbecues permitted on site Fields Farm Campsite is just the place for a peachy Peak District break. Just outside of a rural village named Peak Forest in the national park, this site is a walkers’ haven, with the Pennine Way and Monsal Trail just 15 minutes’ drive away (along with Buxton, a classic Peak District town with a spa history, meaning you can pamper yourself on this day out). Handily, there are walks direct from the door too. You can get to Eldon Hole in just over 10 minutes and dubbed one of the seven wonders of the Peak District, the pothole is an impressive sight. Peak Forest is just five minutes’ walk away too and here, you’ll be able to sample some homecooked food in a pet-friendly traditional country pub. Adjacent to the owner’s home, the grassy pitches have scenic views of the countryside (a great side dish for breakfast times, that’s for sure). And in the evenings, perhaps a barbecue will be another way to settle into the rural atmosphere. Happily, dogs are permitted here, so you won’t have to leave them behind. As for gathering together snacks, sandwiches and other stuff to keep you going while you’re out and about in the national park’s towns, villages or traffic-free trails, there is a pop up honesty shop in the pub carpark, main food shops are a 10 minutes’ drive away in Chapel-en-le-Frith or Tideswell to help you tick off your shopping list. We are in the middle of peak park great walks we are in a small village next to pub good home cooked food lots of local villages blue john mine chatsworth house stateley home of the duke of devonshire with it fantastic grounds. We are 5 miles from the spar town of buxton a lovely victorian town with lots of things to do. We are 2 minutes walk from local pub with good food and local shop eldon hole, castleton, or just chill out this is a adult site only
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Oakwood Marina

10. Oakwood Marina

93%
(115)
Northwich, England · 26 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Canal-side camping with campfires, set in 30 acres of countryside and with an on-site tea rooms
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Great Haywood Canalside Campsite

11. Great Haywood Canalside Campsite

97%
(59)
Staffordshire, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
The simplest of canalside campsites with narrowboats chugging past and an award-winning farm shop over the road
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow

12. White House Farm Campsite, Wardlow

91%
(100)
Wardlow, England · 61 units · Tents, Motorhomes
What a little Derbyshire gem: back to basics Whitehouse Farm Campsite is a simple site in a most scenic setting five minutes’ drive from the pretty village of Tideswell. The site’s central location in the Peak District National Park means it’s a top spot for those who want to ramble or ride bikes – several circular trails leave from Tideswell and the traffic-free Monsal Trail is a five-minute drive away. And there’s plenty more activity if you require it too, as activity centres nearby can sort you out days of horse riding, abseiling, climbing and caving. All this activity isn’t mandatory, of course – this is an equally fine location for days pottering off to local pubs, pigging out on pudding in Bakewell or taking a leisurely stroll around the Chatsworth Estate, 20 minutes away. And if even that’s too much, you’d be welcome to spend some time loafing about on site: there’s heaps of space here, and as facilities have been kept quite minimal (just showers and toilets) there should be a good serving of peace and quiet to go with it all. Guests are welcome to light up a barbecue or campfire for cookouts and keeping warm; Tideswell’s the place for supermarket supplies, and it’s also handily got a fish and chip shop and a couple of pubs for days when your firelighting skills aren't up to much.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Woodsworth Exploring

13. Woodsworth Exploring

98%
(70)
Ilkley, England · 12 units
Nearly wild woodland camping in West Yorkshire’s Bronte country
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Chrome Hill Campers

14. Chrome Hill Campers

99%
(34)
England · 5 units
Far reaching views from one of the highest touring site in England, overlooking Chrome Hill in the picturesque village of Hollinsclough in Staffordshire The site only accepts campervans and has 5 pitches available. This is a new site and has new toilet and shower facilities, water and waste disposal points and also there is a secure paddock area for children to play.
Pets
Tackeroo Campsite

15. Tackeroo Campsite

96%
(70)
Staffordshire, England · 49 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Basic pitches (without toilet facilities) in Forestry Commission-owned woods beside a renowned mountain biking trail
Pets
Potable water
Picnic table
Millview Glamping, Camping & Events

16. Millview Glamping, Camping & Events

100%
(7)
Nottingham, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Peaceful, off-grid vibes and walks along the Trent Valley Way, yes please… Millview Camping is a completely off-grid site just 20 minutes’ drive from Nottingham city centre and 15 minutes’ walk from the 116-mile Trent Valley Way. With westerly views over the Trent Valley and in the shadows of a ruined 18th-century windmill, this is a peaceful and scenic place to take a break indeed… Well-positioned too, with a generous handful of pubs, restaurants and cafés a scenic 35 minutes’ walk away in Gunthorpe alongside the river Trent. Radcliffe on Trent and Bingham are five minutes’ drive away for any other amenities you might (supermarkets, shops, restaurants, pubs and the likes). And if you’re after even more of a buzz, Nottingham city centre is 25 minutes’ drive away. Even with such good access to so many towns and the big city, the site itself is remote. It has 10 acres of hay meadows and woodlands for guests to explore and, of course, sublime sunsets over the valley. If you prefer to keep your whole stay pretty rural, the Vale of Belvoir and the historic Belvoir Castle are 20 minutes’ drive away from the site. It’s no frills here. The grass and woodland pitches have facilities including water and portaloo access. Dogs are also permitted, as are barbecues.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Brook Farm

17. Brook Farm

93%
(22)
Ashbourne, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Camping in a farmer’s field just south of the Peak District National Park
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Secret Wood Glamping

18. Secret Wood Glamping

95%
(22)
Derbyshire S18 7 Wf, England · 2 units
A private woodland and stream all to yourself, with one spacious bell tent and a hot tub beneath the stars
Pets
Showers
Campfires
The White Lodge

19. The White Lodge

91%
(61)
Cannock Chase, England · 5 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A traditional campsite close to Staffordshire’s canals, river, and stately homes.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Marbury Camp and Lodge

20. Marbury Camp and Lodge

97%
(16)
England · 23 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Small, simple family run camping and glamping site on the Cheshire / Shropshire border with local market towns a stones throw away. Around an hour away from Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Birmingham, but most definitely far enough away for a break from city life. Great pubs within 30 mins walking distance and close to Cycle Routes, Walking Routes, Farm Shop Cafes, Markets, Supermarkets, a Gin Distillery (open to the public), three wedding venues, a kids tree top adventure amusement park, just to name a few. If camping isn’t for you, book one of our 4 glamping pods complete with central heating, a shower/WC, TV and cooking facilities. Small licensed shop on site. For the best rates, call 01948 502250. Hollyhurst Road, Marbury, SY13 4LY Electricity is 5 Euros per night.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Macclesfield Forest camping guide

Where to go

Sutton Lane Ends & Langley

These two villages comprise the main gateway to the forest to the west, and fall under the same overarching parish. Only a few miles from Macclesfield, a balmy, bucolic vibe pervades. There are several atmospheric pubs and the only organised camping site close to the forest. Continuing east from Langley up Clarke Lane, you’ll quickly reach the Macclesfield Forest’s edge.

Trentabank Reservoir

This reservoir is the heart of Macclesfield Forest, home to the Peak District’s largest heronry, a nature reserve, and visitor centre. Birdwatch or spot other creatures including badgers, weasels, and red deer, get refreshments at the Leather’s Smithy pub, or take to the forest walking and cycling trails. A great walk runs through the forest and up to Shutlingsloe summit.

Tegg’s Nose Country Park

On Macclesfield Forest’s north side is this irresistibly pretty country park, occupying the site of a former quarry and the surrounding steep-sided moors. Climbing and abseiling are big here, and the one-hour Rock’s Trail highlights the area’s geology with a visit to Tegg’s Nose summit. There is also the challenging ‘Grit and Gears II’ mountain bike route, a tearoom, and a visitor centre.

Shutlingsloe

Cheshire’s second-highest hill, Shutlingsloe is linked by footpath across the moor near Macclesfield Forest. Views from the 1,670-foot top are superb—over the Peak District and across most of Cheshire—and the summit is also the highest point on the 190-mile Peak District Boundary Walk. England’s last wild boar was supposedly killed nearby—which is one theory behind the etymology of Wildboarclough, the village below the hill where you’ll find camping and a pub.

South West Peak

The South West Peak region of the Peak District National Park rolls away east of Macclesfield Forest, typically the national park’s least-visited region. It’s a zone loosely bounded by Macclesfield, Buxton, Kettleshulme, and Ilam, mixing barren plateau with fetching lower-lying pasture, while deeply scored cloughs divide the two. Long-distance hikes passing through include the Dane Valley Way and Churnet Way. Wildboarclough and the Manifold Valley make beautiful, quiet camping bases.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Macclesfield Forest holidays