Choosing the Right House
Start with how many of you there are. Sleeping arrangements vary a lot, so use the sleeps and bedrooms filters to narrow things down. Look at bathrooms too. Eight adults sharing one is a very different holiday from eight with a bathroom each.
Bringing the dog? Try the dogs filter or our large dog friendly cottages. For bigger parties still, see our big houses to rent.
Where Should You Base Yourselves Near Edale?
Here's the honest bit about location. Edale is tiny and none of our stays are in the village itself. The nearest is just over two miles away and the farthest nearer six, so you'll drive to the trailhead.
- Castleton: the closest base, about seven minutes by car from Edale. See our Castleton group stays.
- Bradwell: a Hope Valley village further east, with a pub near the stays we list.
- Chapel-en-le-Frith and Chinley: west of Edale over the hill, home to some of the biggest houses, at the cost of a longer drive.
- Near Tideswell: a few miles south, handy if you want the White Peak too.
Group Accommodation Edale Side
The area around Edale is a bowl of hills at the head of the valley, inside the National Park with some of the toughest outdoor walking in Derbyshire. Staying a few miles away is a trade worth making. You get a proper kitchen and a living room big enough for everyone, with the Peak District hills close by and guests free to head out whenever they like. See the whole range on our Derbyshire group cottages homepage.
Walking from the Valley
This is where the Pennine Way starts. The National Park calls it Britain's oldest long-distance national trail. Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District, rises above the village. The National Trust has a circular walk if you want a route to follow.
The tops are exposed and the weather turns quickly, so check the mountain forecast and carry a map. The Peak District National Park walking pages have gentler routes for anyone who'd rather stay low. Climbing on the gritstone is popular here too.
Boots come back muddy, so look in the photos for a porch where a whole group's wet kit can go.
Drive Times to Edale
Families and friends often arrive in several cars. Pick your town to see how long it takes, then allow a little extra for the stays a few miles on.
| Setting off from | Drive to Edale (minutes) | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Buxton | 21 | 11.8 |
| Sheffield | 35 | 19.9 |
| Stockport | 38 | 20.7 |
| Chesterfield | 39 | 23.3 |
| Manchester | 53 | 28.8 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 64 | 36.7 |
| Derby | 68 | 48.1 |
| Leeds | 73 | 53.0 |
| Nottingham | 73 | 48.7 |
| Birmingham | 115 | 78.9 |
Coming by train? Edale has its own station, so part of the group can arrive that way. The National Trust's Edale circular walk starts just by it.
Days Out and Booking Ahead
Hathersage is 15 minutes from Edale by car and Bakewell 26, so a long weekend visit fills up fast. Our group accommodation in Hathersage page covers that side of the Hope Valley. Chatsworth House is 34 minutes away.
Fancy a soak after the hills? Try our large cottages with hot tubs.
Pick the time of year first, because big houses need a date that suits everyone. Then ring the pub early for a table. Most of the stays have one nearby, so the first night's dinner needs no cooking. When it comes to group accommodation Edale leans on its neighbours, so book early because the big houses go first in school holidays.
Questions people ask
Are there large cottages in Edale village?
None of our houses are in Edale itself. They sit a few miles away around Castleton, Bradwell and Chapel-en-le-Frith, which keeps the valley within easy reach by car.
How far are the stays from Edale?
The nearest is just over two miles away and the farthest nearer six.
Can we bring a dog?
Plenty of the houses allow them. Use the filter to see which ones do, then check the listing before you book.
Is there a train station in Edale?
Yes, it's on the Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield. The National Trust's Edale circular walk starts just by the station.