Matlock Farm Park in Derbyshire has submitted a planning application to Derbyshire Dales District Council to develop a new camping and glamping site adjacent to its existing farm and animal attraction.
The proposed development would include 18 glamping pods, either large safari-style tents or geodesic domes, and 38 traditional tent pitches, divided between 20 adult-only pitches and 18 family pitches. The plan also includes a shower and toilet block, a children’s play area, and a courtyard seating space.
The farm park, located on Jaggers Lane just north of Matlock, proposes to build the new site to the west of its current operations, with a woodland strip separating the two areas.
Access to the camping area would be via Farley Lane. To reduce the visual impact of the site, the proposal includes the construction of an earth bund along the Farley Lane boundary.
According to the Derbyshire Times, the site has previously hosted short-term, temporary camping under permitted development rights.
In the summer of 2022, Matlock Farm Park operated a “pop-up” wild camping experience between August 4 and September 2, aimed at a wide range of visitors.
The farm’s proposal states that the new development would create six new jobs—four full-time and two part-time—and is intended to support the long-term sustainability of the farm attraction.
“The land is currently owned by Matlock Farm Park and is used for animal grazing,” the application states. “It has also been used as a ‘pop-up’ campsite since 2022 under permitted development rights.”
The proposal outlines how the expansion aligns with the park’s educational mission and tourism offering.
“Currently, Matlock Farm Park is the only tourist attraction within the Derbyshire Dales.”
”The farm park has the facilities to cater not only for family visitors but for a variety of groups that visit for educational trips, such as Scout and Girl Guide groups, disadvantaged children, and school visits that link the farm park to the key stage 1 and key stage 2 national curriculums about food and where it comes from.”
“Spending longer at the farm park will mean further expenditure by visitors and revenue provided on site,” the application notes.
“The proposed campsite would be an important addition to the farm park’s long-term sustainability and the surrounding areas, producing a positive economic benefit to the wider district.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, this development underscores how existing rural attractions can diversify their business models through on-site accommodation.
By integrating camping and glamping, farm-based experiences can extend guest stays, increase per-visitor revenue, and add resilience to tourism-based income streams.
The council’s decision on the application is pending. If approved, the site could expand Derbyshire’s glamping and camping inventory while supporting a hybrid tourism-education model already in demand.