Peak District National Park

The Peak District National Park is a large upland area located in central and northern England. It lies mostly in the county of Derbyshire, extending its reach into parts of the surrounding counties. Much of the area is above 300 m (984 ft), with the highest point on Kinder Scout, a moorland plateau at 636 m (2,087 ft).

The Peak District National Park is the fifth largest national park in the UK, covering 1,437 km2 (555 sq mi) of breath-taking countryside. Its designation as a national park in 1951 made it the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Geography

The park consists of the White Peak to the south and the Dark Peak to the north. The White Peak derives its name from the geology of the land which is predominantly limestone and is an area of deep dales and lush fields. The Dark Peak is a higher area of wild moorland and its geology is millstone grit.

History

The area has a long history and the park is home to some of the finest ancient monuments in the country. Arbor Low, known as the Stone Henge of the north, is a particular site of interest with its mysterious stone and ring ditches. The Peak District is also the site of the largest Bronze-age Burial ground in Europe.

Activities

The Peak District National Park’s close proximity to several major cities makes it easily accessible by road and rail. This has contributed to its enormous popularity and the Park Authority estimates that approximately 10 million people visit the area annually. There are 2,897 km (1,800 mi) of footpaths and trails as well as much other open-access land and 93 km (58 mi) of cycle trails. The area is popular for many outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, pot-holing, caving, paragliding, camping and especially climbing.