Shining Cliff Hostel
Shining Cliff Hostel, Jackass Lane, Alderwasley, Derbyshire. DE56 2RE
Call Kate Tuck on 07794 268059
Group accommodation in a peaceful, woodland setting
The entrance porch, with space for hanging coats and boots, leads into the open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area. The well-equipped kitchen has an induction hob, electric oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and water boiler. The dining area comfortably seats 20 people whilst the lounge provides seating and space to relax. 5 bedrooms sleep up to 20 people in bunk beds. All bedding is provided. Three bathrooms each have a shower cubicle and composting toilet.
There is a stunning hostel Meeting Circle area with circular gritstone seating and a barbecue, that nestles against Shining Cliff crags where you can gather together.
It is a ten minute walk, down a woodland footpath, from the hostel parking area. Footpaths lead through the woods to the A6 at Ambergate (20 mins' walk) which has a food shop, pubs, buses and trains to Derby.
There is a separate original 1940s wooden hut, called the Beech Hut, available for day hire. This is a great base for exploring the woodland for the day, with access to drinking water, a composting toilet, and a stunning outdoor Meeting Circle area with larch bench seating, a table created by our wonderful volunteers, a mud kitchen for kids to play with and a barbecue.
Sole use bookings only at the weekend. Individual room bookings are welcome mid-week with shared use of the communal facilities. .
Shining Cliff Hostel is an accredited 'Learning Outside the Classroom' quality badge holder, demonstrating that we have robust policies, procedures and risk assessments in place and provide quality outdoor learning experiences, making us ideal for residential groups looking for a base away from everyday distractions, in a phenomenal woodland setting.
Access is half a mile from the nearest parking area along a woodland footpath. Paths lead through the woods to the A6 at Ambergate (20 mins’ walk) which has a food shop, pub, buses and trains to Derby. The hostel is ideal for a wide range of groups wishing to enjoy time away in a peaceful woodland setting.
The entrance porch, with space for hanging coats and boots, leads into the open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area. The well-equipped kitchen has an induction hob, electric oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and water boiler. The dining area comfortably seats 20 people whilst the lounge provides seating and space to relax. 5 bedrooms sleep up to 20 people in bunk beds. All bedding is provided. Three bathrooms each have a shower cubicle and composting toilet.
There is a stunning hostel Meeting Circle area with circular gritstone seating and a barbecue, that nestles against Shining Cliff crags where you can gather together.
It is a ten minute walk, down a woodland footpath, from the hostel parking area. Footpaths lead through the woods to the A6 at Ambergate (20 mins' walk) which has a food shop, pubs, buses and trains to Derby.
There is a separate original 1940s wooden hut, called the Beech Hut, available for day hire. This is a great base for exploring the woodland for the day, with access to drinking water, a composting toilet, and a stunning outdoor Meeting Circle area with larch bench seating, a table created by our wonderful volunteers, a mud kitchen for kids to play with and a barbecue.
Sole use bookings only at the weekend. Individual room bookings are welcome mid-week with shared use of the communal facilities. .
Shining Cliff Hostel is an accredited 'Learning Outside the Classroom' quality badge holder, demonstrating that we have robust policies, procedures and risk assessments in place and provide quality outdoor learning experiences, making us ideal for residential groups looking for a base away from everyday distractions, in a phenomenal woodland setting.
This accommodation is featured on our map of the Peak District and here is its own website.
Availability
Details
Beds & Rooms:
20: 1x4, 2x6, 2x2Open:
All year.Price per night:
Sole use: £320 Fri/Sat (min 2 nights). £200-280 Sun-Thur. Room bookings: £25 per adult, £15 per child (Sun-Thurs only).Booking:
Book online, by phone or email. Advance bookings only.Directions:
Directions are provided when you book. Sat Navs NOT recommended as they take you to the wrong part of the woodland.Public Transport :
Ambergate rail station (1 mile). Transpeak bus on A6 (1 mile)Walks :
Long Distance Walks The Pennine Bridleway
White Peak Loop
Long Distance WalksDog Friendly Hostels with firepits and campfires University Groups Eco Hostels Individuals welcome Youth Hostels Charitable School Groups Retreats Hammocking IHUK Community Discount for Sustainable Travel
This accommodation is available at the following peak times
Available for Christmas 2025 Available February Half Term 2026 Available Easter 2026 Available Spring Bank Holiday or Half Term 2026Facilities
Map
News & Offers from Shining Cliff Hostel
Book a family craft workshop and hostel stay!
August 5th 2025
🎨 Under the Sea… in the Woods?! 🌊🌳
Did you know that Derbyshire is the furthest county from the sea?
That’s why we’re bringing it to you! Join us for a magical family wire sculpture workshop with artist Lise Bennett — inspired by the wonders of the ocean 💙🧜♀️
🗓️ Thursday 14th August | 🕐 1–4pm
📍 Shining Cliff Hostel
🌿 Make it a Mini Adventure! 🛏️
Why not turn your workshop visit into an overnight woodland escape?
🛏️ Stay at Shining Cliff Hostel and enjoy our Affordable August offer:
✨ Children: £5–£15
✨ Adults: £5–£25 OR 2 hours of volunteering (gardening or painting)
Come for the creativity, stay for the stillness 🌳💚
🌿✨ FREE FAMILY WIRE ART WORKSHOP ✨🌿
🗓️ Thursday 14th August | 🕐 1–4pm | 📍 Shining Cliff Hostel
Join us for a magical afternoon of woodland-inspired creativity with artist Lise Bennett 🎨🧵
Lise has previously led stunning workshops making wire wreaths and delicate wire flower posies — and she’s back with a new family-friendly session full of imagination and nature connection 🌳💫
This creative session is donation-based, thanks to grant funding — so no set cost ❤️
Perfect for children and grown-ups alike 🧒👨👩👧👦
🛏️ Want to stay overnight?
Take advantage of our Affordable August offer — stay at the hostel on a sliding scale:
💷 £5–£25 per person OR
🌱 2 hours of volunteering in our woodland garden (weeding, painting, etc.)
✨ Connect, create, and unwind in the heart of the ancient Shining Cliff woods ✨
📩 Message us to book your space at [email protected]
📸 Spaces are limited — booking is essential!
Take Time Out in a Magical, Woodland Hostel!
April 24th 2025
Immerse yourselves in nature by staying at this unique, off-road hostel set in the heart of an ancient woodland, Shining Cliff woods in Derbyshire, on the doorstep of the stunning Peak District National Park and nestling in the stunning Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.
Shining Cliff hostel can only be accessed by foot!
For those arriving by car, we provide wheelbarrows at the private woodland car park to porter your belongings along the beautiful woodland footpath to the hostel. But you can also arrive by public transport, as we provide walking directions from the train station and bus stops at our nearest village, Ambergate; and we offer a 5% discount for anyone arriving by foot!
The hostel is set in the stunning Shining Cliff Woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with crags of millstone making up the ‘Shining Cliff’ – the hostel nestles up against the base of one of these crags! There are hundreds of acres of woodland with streams and a lake to discover, as well as White Peak Distillery to visit at the foot of the woodland. There are many walking options from the hostel door, with wonderful views of the Derbyshire countryside and several with great cafe options along the way.
If you are looking to venture further afield, then the Peak District is on the doorstep, with so many beautiful places to visit and explore, such as Chatsworth House, Dale and Mam Tor.
The hostel is fully heated, has a very well equipped self-catering kitchen, has 3 bathrooms with showers and sleeps 20 people in 5 bedrooms all with bunk beds. There is a stunning outdoor meeting circle area with barbecue and stone circular seating around a table.
We’ve got these weekends still available to come and stay at this wonderful, woodland hide-away:
*15th-17th August
*29th-31st August
*21st-23rd November
*28th-30th November
*12th-14th December
*20th-21st December
Weekends are sole use only, with a minimum 2 night stay, but you are also welcome to come and stay from Sunday-Thursday and hire your own private bedroom with shared communal facilities for just £25/adult per night and £15/child per night.
Latest Blog about Shining Cliff Hostel
A Weekend in the Woods at Shining Cliff Hostel
March 9th 2013
Rather unseasonable for this year the first Saturday in March was a glorious warm cloud free day. The ancient woodlands where we spent the weekend gloried in the signs of spring already showing a hint of the Bluebells that will cover the understory in six weeks or so.
Read More
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