The Peak District

The Peak National Park is Britain's first, and most popular national park. Although commonly referred to as the Derbyshire Peak District, this is hardly accurate - although three-quarters of the Park lies within Derbyshire, its boundaries include no less than six counties.

The Peak District's 555 square miles are the last unspoilt landscapes of the south Pennines, surrounded by the industrial areas of the East and West Midlands, Sheffield and Manchester.

The gritstone moors and cliffs of the Dark Peak in the north are a stark contrast to the lovely limestone dales of the White Peak in the centre and south of the Park. Kinder Scout is the Park’s summit at 2,088 ft rising above Edale and marking the start of the famous Pennine Way.

The gentle shale valleys lay host to stately homes such as Chatsworth and Haddon and graceful parklands alongside the Derwent and Wye rivers. Bakewell, the 1000- year-old 'capital' of the Peak and home of the sacred Bakewell Pudding, is also located in this area.

Established over 40 years ago, Peak National Park aims to protect and enhance the precious landscape, providing quiet, open-air recreational opportunities for its visitors.

Today the park hosts 22 million visitors annually, making it the most heavily used national park in Britain. In fact, of all the world's national parks, only Japan's Mount Fuji attracts more visitors. It can be difficult to maintain the balance between the conflicting aims of conservation and recreation.

Quite apart from visitors to the park, 38,000 people live and work within the Park's boundaries, and their needs and wishes must always be considered when planning decisions are taken.

The Peak has been awarded for its numerous initiatives such as traffic management, footpath restoration and visitor facilities, including the Council of Europe's prestigious Nature Conservation Diploma, awarded to the Peak continuously since 1966.

Popular long-distance walks in the region include the Tissington, High Peak and Monsal Trails. In addition there are countless walking and riding routes converted from former railway lines, making it the ideal destination for any walking club weekend.