Crowden is a Camping & Caravanning Club site near Glossop, Derbyshire.
We've visited once, in August 2011.
We've overlooked visiting this site over the years. It looked a bit "rustic" in the C&CC book, and being Derbyshire I was always a bit mindful of narrow winding access roads. However we passed the site on the way back from Norfolk and realised it was reasonably easy to get to, so booked to try it out.
 Although very close to the main Woodhead pass, there must be something about the accoustics that keeps the place quiet. I could see HGVs on the road no more than 100 yards away, but didn't hear them. Loudest noise is the consant baa-ing from nearby sheep.
 There's a mixture of grass and hardstandings (mesh type with grass growing through, so they blend in), with hookups if required. The toilet facilities are a little tired, but operational. We didn't use them, but my guess is two shower cubicles between the whole site isn't adequate when it's full. But if the blocks were poshed-up, this place would lose a lot of it's charm.
 Activities? Well you can walk, walk or walk. If you're feeling energetic, up the hill to admire the view (see picture of site from above). Less energetic, down to the reservoir. Be sure to take the skin-so-soft as there's plenty of midges and they're biters.
As mentioned, access to the site is pretty good. There's a short stretch of single track road at the entrance, but nothing too bad. The gate in is pretty narrow and has scars from those who misjudged, but really you'd have to be careless to manage that. Main access issue is the notorious run through Mottram and Tintwiste at the end of the M67 - get that bypass built now!
There's a small shop on site selling tinned stuff...really aimed at the backpackers. Otherwise, it's a 5 mile drive down to Tintwistle to get a paper.
Would we go back? Yes.
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SITES WE'VE VISITED NEARBY: Losehill (27 miles) |