Traditional Tent Camping

For many of us, pitching a tent is still what proper camping is all about.

There's something wonderfully simple about arriving with everything you need in the car, putting up your temporary home and spending a few days living predominantly outdoors.

Comfort and Equipment

Tent camping requires the most preparation.

You'll generally need to bring your own tent, sleeping bags, beds or sleeping mats, camping chairs, cooking equipment and everything else you need to make yourself comfortable.

How basic you make it is entirely up to you.

Some campers can fit everything into two backpacks. Others arrive with an enormous tent, inflatable sofa, fridge, fairy lights and enough equipment to establish a small village.

We're not judging either approach.

A good campsite makes tent camping considerably more comfortable, so look for quality showers and toilets, electric hook-up if you need it, washing-up facilities and somewhere to buy essentials.

Cost

Tent camping is usually one of the most affordable ways to stay in the Peak District, particularly if you already own your equipment.

The initial cost of buying a good tent, sleeping bags and camping equipment can add up, but once you have everything, you can use it for years.

It's therefore a particularly good option for families and anyone hoping to take several camping holidays each year.

Who It Suits

Tent camping is ideal if you:

• Love being outdoors
• Don't mind unpredictable weather
• Already own camping equipment
• Want a relatively affordable holiday
• Enjoy the traditional camping experience
• Are travelling with children who love an adventure

At Hartington Hills, we have electric tent pitches for guests who want the traditional camping experience with excellent facilities close by.

You can find out more on our Touring & Camping page.

Touring Caravans and Motorhomes

If you love the freedom of camping but appreciate having your own bed, kitchen and somewhere dry to retreat when the Peak District weather misbehaves, touring may be for you.

Fully-Serviced Pitches

The type of pitch you choose can make a considerable difference to your touring holiday.

A basic pitch may simply provide somewhere to park and an electric connection, while fully serviced pitches can include electricity, fresh water and grey waste drainage directly at your pitch so you can plumb yourself in.

At Hartington Hills, our super pitches have 16A electric hook-up, an individual water tap and grey waste drainage. That means less carrying water around the campsite and more time enjoying your holiday.

On-Board Facilities

One of the biggest advantages of caravans and motorhomes is having your own facilities.

Depending on your vehicle, you might have a kitchen, heating, toilet, shower, fridge and comfortable beds all within a few feet of one another.

It gives you much of the freedom associated with camping while providing extra protection from the weather.

And when it's raining at breakfast time, making a cup of coffee without leaving your pyjamas suddenly feels extremely luxurious.

Even if you have excellent on-board facilities, choosing a campsite with high-quality washrooms, laundry facilities and other amenities can make a longer stay much more enjoyable.

Take a look at our Facilities to see what's available at Hartington Hills.

Who Touring Suits

Touring is a brilliant choice for:

• Couples taking regular short breaks
• Families wanting more comfort than a tent
• Dog owners
• People planning longer stays
• Anyone who enjoys travelling between different destinations
• Campers who don't want the weather to dictate their holiday

Of course, you'll need to own, hire or borrow the caravan, campervan or motorhome in the first place, so it's not necessarily the cheapest option for someone trying camping for the first time, but totally worth it!

Camping Pods and Glamping

This is where the lines between camping and holiday accommodation start to become slightly blurred.

And that's part of the appeal.

What Camping Pods Usually Include

Camping pods are generally small, permanent wooden structures offering a step up from sleeping in a tent.

Exactly what's included varies enormously.

A basic camping pod might simply provide a dry, secure space with beds and electricity, leaving you to use the campsite's shared bathrooms and cooking facilities.

At the other end of the scale, luxury pods can include en-suite bathrooms, kitchens, heating, proper beds and even private hot tubs.

Never assume that "camping pod" means a particular level of facilities. Check exactly what's included before booking, particularly bedding, cooking equipment and bathroom facilities.

Hartington Hills doesn't currently offer camping pods, but we do offer other forms of glamping for visitors looking for that combination of nature and comfort.

Yurts and Alternative Glamping Accommodation

Glamping has grown far beyond the humble camping pod.

Across the UK you'll now find yurts, safari tents, shepherd's huts, treehouses, converted vehicles and all sorts of wonderfully creative places to spend the night.

The idea behind them is essentially the same: enjoying the experience of being close to nature without bringing all the equipment associated with traditional camping.

At Hartington Hills, Gaia's Hideaway is our luxury glamping yurt.

Rather than sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag, you'll find a king-sized bed, private toilet and shower, kitchenette, log burner, Wi-Fi, robes and towels, and your own Hydropool hot tub.

In other words, it's camping's rather glamorous cousin.

You can explore all our Glamping options before deciding whether it's your style of camping.

Comfort and Weather Protection

This is where glamping really comes into its own.

You can still wake up surrounded by countryside, sit outside beneath the stars and enjoy that wonderful feeling of escaping everyday life.

But if the rain arrives, you have somewhere warm and comfortable to retreat to.

You also don't have to spend the first hour of your holiday putting up a tent—or the final morning attempting to squeeze a wet one back into a bag apparently designed for a tent half its size.

For first-time campers, couples and anyone visiting during cooler weather, that extra comfort can be very appealing.

Holiday Cottages on Campsites

At the most comfortable end of the camping spectrum is the holiday cottage.

Technically, you're not camping at all.

But staying in a cottage on a campsite can give you many of the things people love about camping, such as the countryside setting, outdoor atmosphere and access to walking routes, but with all the comforts of home.

Space and Privacy

Holiday cottages generally provide more privacy than other types of campsite accommodation.

You'll have your own kitchen, bathroom and living space, and you can shut the door at the end of the day and properly relax.

This makes cottages particularly appealing for romantic breaks, longer holidays and anyone who likes the idea of camping considerably more than they like sleeping outdoors.

At Hartington Hills, our Holiday Cottages are designed for two adults looking for a peaceful Peak District escape.

Gaia Lodge offers a private hot tub and log burner, while The Loft provides a cosy countryside retreat with underfloor heating, a log burner and fully equipped kitchen.

Year-Round Suitability

Cottages are also much less dependent on the seasons.

A tent holiday during warm summer weather can be glorious.

The same trip in November may require a slightly stronger sense of adventure.

A cottage allows you to enjoy the Peak District throughout the year. Head out for a crisp winter walk, spend the afternoon exploring and return to a warm space and glowing log burner.

For many visitors, autumn and winter are actually some of the loveliest times to visit.

Access to Campsite Facilities

Staying in accommodation located on a campsite can give you an interesting combination of independence and convenience.

You have your own private space while still being close to on-site facilities and people who can help if you need anything.

At Hartington Hills, our touring, camping, glamping and cottage guests all enjoy the same peaceful countryside setting between Hartington and Hulme End.

Which Type of Stay Should You Choose?

Still undecided?

Think less about which accommodation sounds best and more about what you want your actual holiday to look like.

Families

Traditional tent camping can be brilliant for families.

Children often love the adventure of sleeping outdoors, making friends around the campsite and having space to explore.

It's also one of the more affordable options, particularly once you've invested in your camping equipment.

Touring caravans and motorhomes offer families more home comforts and can be particularly useful with younger children.

Camping pods and glamping can provide a happy middle ground for families who want the outdoor experience without bringing an entire car full of camping equipment.

Just check occupancy limits before booking, as many glamping units—including those at Hartington Hills—are designed specifically for couples.

Couples

Couples probably have the widest choice.

A small tent and a weekend of walking can make for a wonderfully simple and affordable escape.

Caravans and motorhomes give you the freedom to take regular breaks throughout the year.

And if the holiday is about switching off, celebrating something special or simply treating yourselves, glamping or a cottage offers much more comfort and privacy.

Gaia's Hideaway and our cottages at Hartington Hills are all designed for two adults, making them particularly suited to couples looking for a peaceful Peak District escape.

Dog Owners

Your dog doesn't necessarily narrow your choices as much as you might think.

Many campsites welcome dogs on touring and tent pitches, while an increasing number of glamping properties and cottages are dog friendly too.

Check the individual accommodation rules, any additional charges and whether there's somewhere convenient to walk your dog from the site.

At Hartington Hills, we're dog friendly across our camping and touring site, while our glamping and cottage accommodation includes dog-friendly options too.

Available Options at Hartington Hills

We don't have camping pods at Hartington Hills—and we'd rather be clear about that.

What we do have is a choice of ways to experience our little corner of the Peak District.

If you love traditional camping, bring your tent and stay on one of our electric pitches.

If you're arriving with a caravan or motorhome, our fully serviced super pitches provide 16A electricity, your own water tap and grey waste drainage.

If you'd rather arrive with little more than an overnight bag, Gaia's Hideaway offers a completely different kind of outdoor escape, with a proper bed, kitchenette, private facilities, log burner and hot tub.

And if your perfect Peak District holiday involves walking all day before closing the door on the weather and curling up beside the fire, one of our Holiday Cottages may be the answer.

Different accommodation, different experiences—but the same beautiful Peak District setting.

So, before you Book Now, ask yourself one simple question:

What do you want your holiday to feel like?

If the answer is adventurous, pack the tent.

If it's freedom, bring the caravan or motorhome.

If it's nature without sacrificing comfort, choose glamping.

And if it's complete relaxation, make yourself at home in a cottage.

Whichever you choose, the hills will still be waiting outside.