Appendix: Special Qualities
The combination of contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology across the Peak District National Park creates its famous beautiful views.
The area’s geology is often revealed in spectacular ways. Visitors stumble upon stunning panoramas when landscapes suddenly change, like the hairpin bends at Crowdecote with their unexpected view across the ‘dragon’s back’ of Chrome and Parkhouse Hill. Others explore the ‘shivering mountain’ of Mam Tor, following the dramatically collapsed road. Those walking the Manifold Valley in the summer see the river ‘vanish’ at Wetton Mill, running through caves and underground passages before reappearing at Ilam Park.
Many of the contrasting landscapes that give the Peak District National Park its well-known views have been produced by the interaction between people and nature over thousands of years, giving different areas their own individual character and sense of place.
The Dark Peak’s Millstone Grit horseshoe has scattered rock outcrops and deep cloughs across a moorland landscape, its elevation giving panoramic views that contrast the wilderness of the moors with the neighbouring cities. Walk on Holme Moss and enjoy uninterrupted moorland views across miles of blanket bog, heather and peat and out over the neighbouring cities. Experience the unique position of the Peak District National Park, with beautiful views surrounded by urban life.
Views across the White Peak’s rolling limestone plateau reveal a farmed landscape enclosed by dry stone walls and interspersed with deeply dissected wooded dales and grasslands. These views are accessible and intimate. Visit Monsal Head to take in spectacular views across the green valley, where the historic railway viaduct spans the gorge. The viaduct is part of the Monsal recreation trail, giving users a bird’s-eye view of the river and the surrounding pastures.
The South West Peak’s sweeping views reveal iconic ridges and valleys with unusual features like the ‘Winking Man’ rock formation at Ramshaw Rocks. Discover the Upper Dane Valley and pause on Axe Edge to enjoy breath-taking views as far as the eye can see in all directions, with the outlines of instantly-recognisable Peak District hills stretching away to the east in sharp contrast with the flat expanse of the Cheshire plains to the west. Beautiful views created by contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology.
As one of the UK’s most accessible national parks, the Peak District National Park enables millions of people to enjoy distinctive habitats and a wealth of wildlife.
From the atmospheric dark moors and bogs of Bleaklow to the leafy woodlands, sparkling rivers and dramatic limestone cliffs of Dovedale, the Peak District National Park’s wildlife and habitats are internationally important and valued by millions of people. They differ from the surrounding lowlands and densely populated towns and cities, being created by the interaction between centuries of land management and the area’s distinctive climate, steep slopes and dramatic topography.
The diverse mosaic of habitats support a rich range of wildlife; from Jacob’s ladder to lapwing, from dipper to mountain hare. Many are locally, nationally and even globally rare. Wildlife is an integral part of the Peak District experience for residents and visitors, young and old, the expert and the curious.
Lying at the southern tip of the Pennines, the Peak District National Park is at a crossroads, where the uplands of the north-west meet the lowlands of the south-east. With many species at the edge of their ranges, the mix of species is unique. The bilberry bumblebee, once widespread across the north and west of England, is still found on the bilberry moorlands of the Dark and South West Peak. The iconic ‘mountain blackbird’, or ring ouzel, is thriving in the Peak District, its most south-easterly breeding area. The rare leek-coloured hawkweed, previously thought to be globally extinct, has been rediscovered.
Visit the Dark Peak and explore iconic expanses of blanket bog, moorland and heathland, interspersed with flushes and springs. Fringed by upland oak woodlands and grasslands rich in colourful waxcap fungi, these uplands are bisected by the streams and rivers that feed the many local reservoirs. Stop to watch rare upland birds like golden plover through binoculars or lie back to see a sea of fluffy white cotton grass bobbing in the breeze against a bright blue sky.
A trip to the White Peak reveals precious and vulnerable ash woodlands, ponds and clear-flowing streams, limestone heath, lead mine remains and species-rich grasslands. Walk through the steep-sided valley of Lathkill Dale during spring and be surrounded by flower-rich grassland and the instantly recognisable song of the skylark. Picnic at Cheedale and be transfixed by the rhythmic bobbing of a dipper or hear the familiar plop of a water vole launching itself into the river.
Explore the South West Peak and find habitats similar to the Dark Peak, but in a much more intimate mosaic. Smaller blocks of moorland fringed with rush pastures, hedges, rivers and farmland. Listen out for the ‘go back, go back’ cry of a red grouse or the burbling song of a curlew. Look closely and spot an elusive camouflage-striped snipe emerging from the bog or a short-eared owl swooping over the moors
The Peak District National Park is an accessible backdoor wilderness allowing millions of people to find a welcome sense of tranquillity.
For generations, people have escaped from towns and cities to visit the Peak District National Park and enjoy its tranquillity. Being immersed in tranquil, undeveloped places allows people to step outside their busy lives and be refreshed. It improves mental and physical wellbeing and is one of the most sought-after qualities of the countryside.
As modern life offers fewer opportunities for tranquillity, the Peak District National Park’s tranquil places are all the more important. They offer a powerful sense of timelessness and escape, with the relative peace and quiet in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the surrounding cities. This contrast is why the Peak District National Park is so special. It retains its distinctly tranquil and undeveloped character, despite being one of the most popular, accessible and well-known areas in England. And its close proximity to the cities means many millions of people are able to benefit from its relative tranquillity.
This tranquillity is experienced in many ways. For some, it is about quiet appreciation of natural wonders. Standing on the summit of Black Hill as the sun sets provides a rare opportunity to find solace in an open landscape away from the distractions of modern living. Being surrounded by the sounds of bubbling water, rustling leaves and evocative bird song on a quiet day at Padley Gorge can bring peace to a busy mind. Stepping into the cool, atmospheric confines of Lud’s Church on a hot summer’s day can be a profound experience. Watching the dark night skies at Minninglow is a world away from the bright lights of nearby urban neighbourhoods, inspiring people to marvel at our place in the universe, just as our ancestors have for thousands of years.
For others it is about the relative tranquillity of the Peak District National Park’s villages and town. These can be a world away from inner-city life, with many people finding serenity in the narrow streets, characterful buildings and small shops. This glimpse into a rural way of life feels, for many, like stepping into another time.
People visiting, working and living in the Peak District National Park today are immersed in a lived-in landscape that has been shaped by people for thousands of years. Here, human activity can be traced back for more than 300,000 years, with caves revealing the tools used and animals hunted by our Palaeolithic ancestors. With one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments in the country, explorers can glimpse the lives of past communities, their lost traditions and ancient beliefs displayed through stone circles, burial mounds and hillforts.
Some of the diverse cultural heritage is prominent within the landscape, from the Bronze Age Nine Ladies stone circle to the eleventh century Peveril Castle and the great estate houses of Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Lyme Park in their iconic parkland settings. Generations of farmers have created a rich tapestry of surviving farmsteads, unique field patterns and historic dry stone walls that criss-cross the landscape. Past industry has left quarries, mills, weirs, railways and limekilns, many of which can be explored today. Approach the dark silhouette of Magpie Mine, visible on the skyline, and discover the remains of a lead mine that has stood here for over 300 years.
Trade and transport routes, vital to people and industry throughout the years, have also left their marks on the landscape. Waymarked turnpike roads, packhorse routes and saltways are still visible. The historic green lanes now used for recreation were once main travelling routes. Cycle the Tissington Trail and follow a Victorian railway route that transported Peak District minerals and produce from farms, cottage industries and mills to the rest of the nation. Travel the long, straight road between Ashbourne and Buxton and marvel that this was a route used by Roman legionaries. Walk ancient tracks like the Long Causeway and trace the footsteps of medieval ancestors.
The landscape itself bears witness to these past lives, having been transformed by people. The Peak District National Park’s famous grassy dales and open moorland have been largely created by people and their industry; moulded by over 10,000 years of woodland clearance and thousands of years of agricultural development. Subsequent industries supporting generations of local people have further shaped the landscape, leaving distinctive imprints in managed woodlands, mine shafts, meadows, quarry faces and lead rakes. Many of these have become unique habitats.
This transformation continues today with valuable woodland, grassland and moorland habitats being restored through landscape-scale projects.
Generations of life are reflected in the diversity of the Peak District National Park’s buildings, whether agricultural or industrial, religious or social, domestic or educational. Together, these create the characteristic settlements typical of the area, with manor houses, churches, schools, farmhouses, inns, shops and industrial buildings of all sizes, from large mills and factories to small smithies and workshops. The settlements range from loose, linear communities of farmsteads and paddocks to nineteenth century planned estate villages. They have a rich history, with many mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The settlements and communities have evolved alongside industry. The area has been farmed for thousands of years and many farmsteads have medieval origins, with some dating back to former royal and private forests. Industries have shaped the character of settlements through weavers’ cottages, terraced workers’ houses, mills, smithies and workshops. Large landowning families have also given some communities their iconic character, such as the Chatsworth Estate and Edensor village.
Today’s surviving historic places are a rare connection to a unique past; painting a picture of people’s lives in the Peak District National Park. These traditional settlements built by communities to meet local needs create the unique character of the place, with their distinctive grouping and use of locally available stone – limestone in the White Peak and gritstone in the Dark Peak. Walk through scattered medieval farmsteads in Abney or discover ancient villages of labourer’s cottages like Bradwell and feel connected to the lives of those who lived and worked here in the past. Explore Bakewell with its Anglo-Saxon church founded in 920 and famous five arched bridge from 1200 and marvel at the ingenuity of our ancestors.
These distinctive historic places have a sense of community with local people feeling pride in the area and connected to its history. Today’s communities are involved in everything from conservation projects and producing future village plans to providing community transport. Community initiatives like Bamford’s community-owned Anglers Rest and the community-led Calver Weir Restoration Project show how local communities continue to shape the area.
Many cultural traditions continue today, with crowds of local people and visitors attending events like Tissington well-dressing, Edale fell race, Castleton Garland Day and Winster Pancake Run. Such traditions link together local communities, past and present. Many stories and products are associated with Peak District National Park settlements. Visit Eyam to learn how seventeenth century locals isolated themselves to stop the bubonic plague spreading. Go sightseeing in Castleton and explore its caves, including the Blue John and Treak Cliff caverns where the famous Blue John gemstone is found. Try a Bakewell pudding, which local legend attributes to an inexperienced cook’s attempt at a jam tart.
The Peak District National Park is bordered on all sides by major towns and cities. It is within an hour’s travel for around 16 million people, providing a rural oasis in stark contrast to its urban neighbours.
Although today many visitors take public access to the moors and hills of the Peak District National Park for granted, prior to 1949 the majority had no public access. People were passionate about exploring Kinder Scout and the moors in the north and east of the Peak District, so it became the stage for annual protests such as the mass ramblers’ demonstrations at Winnats Pass and Cave Dale from 1928 and the famous Kinder Mass Trespass in 1932. These protests and demonstrations lead ultimately to the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act which established national parks as places of escape and enjoyment, with the Peak District National Park being the original on April 17th 1951.
Today it provides a vital space that nurtures physical and mental wellbeing. Escape the daily routine and find activities to suit all ages and abilities, with a third of the Peak District National Park being open access land, over 1,300 miles of rights of way and a network of accessible routes or ‘miles without stiles’. Plan scenic family bike rides away from the traffic on old railway routes. Reflect on the day’s experiences while relaxing in picturesque villages, country cafes and traditional public houses. Walk in one of the UK’s best-loved, most accessible places, where networks of walking routes have been developed over generations by some of the oldest rambling groups in the country. Accept a challenge by walking the hugely popular Pennine Way, which begins in Edale.
People looking for outside adventure are spoilt for choice. Enjoy a night sleeping under the stars at one of the many campsites. Satisfy that inner adrenaline junkie by paragliding above breath-taking landscapes, climbing world famous crags, scrambling over boulders or potholing through subterranean limestone labyrinths. Be immersed in the landscape while horse-riding or mountain biking along ancient bridleways.
The Peak District National Park is somewhere for visitors to discover more about wildlife, geology, history and rural life through exploration, visitor centres, school trips, volunteering and guided walks. It is an unrivalled setting to escape the pressures of everyday life and recharge drained batteries, motivating people to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle
It is clear that people who visit, live or work in the Peak District National Park directly benefit from it. Yet many of its benefits go beyond its boundary to positively impact the UK and the rest of the world, including people who may never visit the area or may be unaware of its existence.
Protecting national park landscapes on a large scale enhances natural resources and allows vital benefits such as flood prevention, clean water provision and food production to function more naturally. Scale enhances the benefits that can be provided by an area, enabling them to flow beyond its boundaries. Such public benefits originate in the landscape, but many have been shaped by people through industry, land management and farming.
The Peak District National Park is a refuge for many species that used to be widespread, like the small heath butterfly, water vole, curlew and a range of hay meadow plants. Climate change will make this role ever more important. Increasing temperatures, changing habitats and unpredictable weather will force wildlife to move in search of suitable homes. Protected areas like the Peak District National Park where wildlife can thrive are vital to sustaining resilient habitats, particularly as they may then repopulate other areas in the future.
Being surrounded by major cities and towns areas makes the Peak District National Park’s protected space of even greater significance as a breathing lung and green oasis for the millions of people who live in close proximity. The landscape character flows beyond the Peak District National Park’s boundary, creating a valued setting and positively impacting the surrounding areas. Turn on a tap in Sheffield and drink water that originated in the Peak District National Park’s hills and was filtered by its uplands. Take a deep breath in Buxton and breathe clean air produced by the Peak District National Park’s vegetation. Live downstream and benefit from a reduced risk of flooding due to the Peak District National Park’s upstream habitats, which store and slow the flow of water.
These positive impacts also flow beyond the UK. Climate change is predicted to affect the everyday lives of billions of people, but by absorbing and storing millions of tonnes of carbon, especially in the peat on our moorlands, the Peak District National Park’s habitats can help to lessen these future impacts by increasing climate change resilience. As part of a global network of protected landscapes, the Peak District National Park plays a crucial role in protecting the vital ecosystems that will sustain life into the future. By contributing to visions of sustainable biodiversity and social and economic wellbeing at local, regional, national and international levels, the Peak District National Park provides benefits that extend well beyond its boundary to the whole planet.