Unique woodland accommodation in Derbyshire – welcoming individuals, families, and groups.
Hidden in the heart of ancient Shining Cliff Woods, our 20-bed hostel offers a rare chance to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re a solo traveller seeking peace and quiet, a family looking for outdoor adventure, or a group planning a retreat, training event, or celebration — Shining Cliff Hostel provides a simple, welcoming space surrounded by birdsong, crags, and forest trails.
About Shining Cliff Hostel
Since opening in 1947 as a YHA hostel, Shining Cliff has been part of Derbyshire’s rich outdoor heritage. Now run by Shining Cliff Centre CIC, we continue that tradition — offering affordable, self-catering accommodation that supports wellbeing through connection with nature.
Nestled at the base of the dramatic Shining Cliff crags, the hostel is accessed only on foot via a beautiful half-mile woodland trail. Wheelbarrows are provided at the car park for your belongings — adding to the sense of adventure and peace when you arrive.
Bedrooms & Facilities
Our hostel sleeps up to 20 guests across five bedrooms, with a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, with open-plan dining area and lounge.
Outside, the Gathering Circle nestles beneath the cliffs — complete with millstone seating and a BBQ, perfect for group meals or evening gatherings.
Facilities include 3 bathrooms with hot showers and modern composting toilets, and heating throughout.
Individual rooms or the whole hostel can be booked — offering flexibility for all kinds of stays.
Sole Use & Individual Bookings
Whether you’re booking a solo escape, a family weekend, or a retreat for up to 20 people, you can choose from:
- Individual bedroom bookings – available midweek Sunday-Thursday and occasional weekends
- Sole-use hire – ideal for group events, training, and celebrations
We also offer hostel weekday day hire (10am–4pm) — great for schools, team-building days, and workshops.
The Beech Hut & Gathering Circle.
Tucked within the woodland, our simple Beech Hut and Gathering Circle provide an inspiring outdoor base for your own activities.
Available to hire for just £25 per day (10am–4pm), it’s perfect for school days, family picnics, or community sessions — complete with seating, BBQ area, mud kitchen, and composting toilet.
Woodland Connections: Wellbeing in Nature
We work collaboratively as Woodland Connections, offering nature-based wellbeing sessions for all ages, inspired by the Five Steps to Wellbeing.
Our sessions include forest bathing, creative workshops, and community woodland days — many supported by National Lottery funding to ensure they remain affordable to everyone.
Learning Outside the Classroom
We’re proud to hold Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation, providing safe, enriching experiences for school and youth groups.
Our woodland setting encourages curiosity, teamwork, and outdoor learning — perfect for day visits or residential stays.
Explore the Area
Step straight from the door into 400 acres of ancient woodland, with crags, streams, and Mermaids Pool to discover.
Beyond the woods, visit White Peak Distillery, the WireWorks Project gallery, or explore the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site via the Midshires Way and local train links to Belper, Cromford, and Matlock.
Ready to Experience Shining Cliff?
Book your woodland stay and enjoy peace, adventure, and reconnection in one of Derbyshire’s most magical hidden places.
Check Availability & Book Now →
Meet the Team…
Kate Tuck
I took over the lease of this iconic, independent hostel in 2019, and created my own company, Shining Cliff Centre CIC to run the hostel and woodland sessions to promote wellbeing.
I have a background in outdoor field studies and nursing; the hostel was a completely new step for me and I am passionate that as many people as possible are able to come and experience Shining Cliff hostel and the woodland!
I completed my Forest School Level 3 training in 2021 and Forest Bathing Guide training in 2023 to help me achieve my goal of providing sessions in the woodland that helps people connect with nature and support our wellbeing.
Kyla Sharpe
Kyla keeps the hostel and Woodland Hut looking super smart, she does a superb job of keeping the hostel clean and helping to maintain the hostel both inside and outside and works with Bonnie to run woodland sessions. Shining Cliff woods is definitely her ‘happy place’ and she spends a lot of time in Shining Cliff with her family.
Kyla also has her own business, BeeMagick, making products using beeswax and natural materials and is completing her Forest School Level 3 training in 2025.
Bonnie McNabb
Kate works in collaboration with Bonnie, from All About the Calm, to provide woodland sessions for all ages and we have a website, Woodland Connections at Shining Cliff, which gives more information on what we offer.
Bonnie has been working with children in schools for over 15 years. She is a licensed Relax Kids coach, a level 3 Forest School practitioner and a Forest Bathing Guide, as well as being trained in story massage and mindfulness. She has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with philosophy and thoroughly enjoys helping people of all ages gain confidence and build resilience through a variety of fun and engaging methods.
Bonnie can be booked to run sessions in schools and you are welcome to contact her to discuss this.
The woods are her happy place and she is so pleased to be running these woodland sessions with Kate & Kyla.
