February camping? My mates thought I was crazy. But there's something magical about the Peak District in winter—fewer people, crisp air, stunning landscapes dusted with frost. Plus, it's just 90 minutes from Birmingham.
The Bulk Problem
Winter camping gear is BULKY. Thick sleeping bags, insulated mats, winter clothing layers, extra blankets, hot water bottles—it all adds up. My Golf's boot? Laughably inadequate.
The 380L roof box I rented solved this instantly. All the bulky-but-light winter gear went up top. Boot stayed free for the heavy stuff like stove, food, and water.
What Went in the Roof Box
- 4-season sleeping bags (HUGE when rolled)
- Insulated sleeping mats
- All our winter clothing
- Extra fleece blankets
- Spare dry clothing (essential!)
- 4-person winter tent
The Weekend
Friday Night: Arrived at Edale campsite around 7 PM. Temperature already dropping to 2°C. Set up camp by headtorch—having everything accessible in the roof box made this so much easier.
Saturday: Hiked Mam Tor in perfect winter conditions. Views were incredible—could see for miles in the clear winter air. Evening: cooked hearty stew, stargazed (Peak District dark skies are amazing), then retreated to very warm sleeping bags.
Sunday: Woke to frost on the tent. Made coffee, packed up, and drove to Bakewell for a proper breakfast and famous pudding.
Lessons Learned
- Temperature changes: Items in roof box get cold! Pack morning clothes in car
- Condensation: Wipe down inside of box if camping in cold/damp conditions
- Access: Put morning essentials in car, not box (nobody wants to climb on car roof at 6 AM in freezing temps)
- Weight: Winter gear is bulky but not heavy—perfect for roof boxes
Would I Recommend Winter Camping?
If you're properly prepared, absolutely. The solitude, beauty, and sense of adventure are unmatched. And a roof box is genuinely essential—you can't do winter camping without the extra storage for all that gear.
Already planning next winter trip to Snowdonia. Anyone got experience with winter camping in Wales?
