BIG Peaky Weekender 2026 (Camping)
144 people attending
26 places left
🏔️ BIG Peaky Weekender: The BIG20 Edition 🏔️
Some events are just instant classics. Born during our 15th Anniversary celebrations, the BIG Peaky Weekender has quickly become a legendary staple of the OutdoorLads calendar. Now, as we hit our BIG20, we’re heading back to the heart of the Peak District for a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going!
⛺ Choose Your Base Camp
We have exclusive use of this fantastic outdoor centre. Whether you’re a hostel regular or a hardcore camper, we’ve got a spot for you:
- Hostel
- Camping
- Teepee Camping Add-on
🥾 Getting Out More
This site is perfectly located for everything we love: walking, cycling, mountain biking, climbing, and paddlesports. Since it joined our calendar five years ago, it’s become a member favorite for its "ace in every way" location.
On Saturday, our Leaders will be out in force. Expect a "Greatest Hits" selection of hikes, rides, and local adventures. On Sunday there will be a small selection of events for before we head back home. We'll list the event pages below when we have them. If you're a Leader and keen to lead something, get in touch!
🍻 The BIG20 Social: Community & Connection
While other BIG events can be quite high energy, BIG Peaky stays true to its roots as a relaxed, social homecoming.
Our legendary bar-in-a-teepee is back for the BIG20! This is about getting out more and catching up with one another. No late-night disco—just a huge, welcoming space to chat, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and maybe get a bit competitive over some board games.
🍔 Fuelling the Anniversary
Look out for meal booking pages in the weeks before the event. You can pre-book Friday and Saturday evening meals, breakfasts, and packed lunches.
Campers are welcome to cater by their tents, but please keep BBQs raised off the grass, and note that Hostel kitchen/dining is reserved for hostel attendees only.
✨ Be Part of the Story
From its birth at our 15th anniversary to this massive 20th celebration, the BIG Peaky Weekender is all about the people. Whether you’ve been with us for twenty years or twenty minutes, you are part of the legend.
Don’t miss out on this chapter of our BIG20 year. Grab your spot now!
Dogs: This event is not suitable for dogs - they are not allowed on site.
Campervans, caravans, motorhomes: Due to the venues restrictions, we are unable to accept campervans, caravans and motorhomes.
Images: Aerial shots kindly supplied by and used with permission from Will Allaway. Other photos taken by and used with permission from OutdoorLads Members and photographer William Hickey.
What to bring
If you haven’t been camping since you were in the Scouts here is what you need. If it’s your first trip you are likely to want to get away with the bare minimum.
- Tents start off relatively cheap but as they say you get what you pay for. These tend to start from £10 upwards (‘festival tents’) that are light and do the job – but only just. You may find that they leak, break or blow away.
- A thin foam ‘carry mat’ is good to sleep on (under £10) and you can use your clothes to make a pillow. Or if you have the room places like Tesco often sell air beds that cost as little as a fiver.
- Don’t forget you will need something to sleep in. You can buy a sleeping bag from as little as a tenner. This will tend to be thin but will do the job at most summer camps. At camps later in the year you will want something warmer though.
- Some places such as Argos/ASDA sell camping sets where you can buy a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and a lamp for approx. £50-£60.
- If you have friends that camp you may find it beneficial to talk to them first and they may even lend you some kit.
- You can easily beg a cup of tea from more seasoned campers on the campsite – but it helps if you have a cup, and don’t forget a plastic glass if you like your wine! If you are coming by car, a folding chair (£10) is great. As you may be sitting outside late into the evening. Some proper warm clothing always comes in handy – even in the summer. Don’t forget a torch, or you may never make it back to your tent. Finally, ear plugs are always a great idea.
Once you have been once or twice you will know what kit you need to be able to cook a full English breakfast and host a party for 8 in your tent. Until then the above basics will see you right.
The above information will help you with the camp its self, depending on the activities you choose to do you may need to bring further kit. However its worth noting that any of the activities where special kit is need it will be provided, in most cases all you will need is walking boots, clothes, and a small back-pack (bring a few changes of clothes and footwear).
Food & drink
If you plan to cook for yourself, those staying in the hostel are welcome to use the self-catering kitchen, but you must clean up after yourselves. If camp cooking outdoors, please ensure stoves and BBQs are kept raised well off the grass (around 1 metre) so as not to damage it. Campfires are not permitted at this campsite.
Tea and coffee will be available free of charge all weekend on a self service basis - please bring your own mug!
The bar will be open from 3pm on Saturday for your use.
For a reasonable cost, you can also book some or all of your meals to avoid the faff of cooking. Details will be made available ion due course, but pre-booking is essential.