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Peak District

Peak DistrictGritstone and limestone uplands between Manchester and Sheffield
1,438 sq km/555 sq miles


National Park
East Midlands - Northwest England- West Midlands - Yorkshire

Britain’s first National Park is at the southern end of the Pennines, “the backbone of England”. The Park straddles a number of regions and local authorities: the bulk is in Derbyshire but it extends into northeast Staffordshire, east of Leek, southwest Yorkshire, west of Barnsley and Sheffield; the eastern edge of greater Manchester near Oldham; and northeast Cheshire, east of Macclesfield. This is a very popular walking area, with beautiful landscapes within easy reach of major urban areas, though there are many quiet corners. As the scene of the Kinder Scout mass trespass in 1932, the area played a key role in the history of the movement for better access for walkers.

There are two contrasting landscapes within the Park: the central area, known as the Dark Peak, consists of rugged gritstone uplands, while the White Peak on the periphery offers gentler rolling limestone hills.

Staffordshire

This section, known as the Staffordshire Moorlands, includes both Dark and White Peak landscapes. Sites of interest include:

  • Weags Barn and Castern Wood nature reserves in the Manifold Valley, run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
  • Ilam Park, an area of open parkland on the Manifold managed by the National Trust and centred on a historic house that’s now a youth hostel, has ancient woodlands, a landscaped promenade and excellent views.
  • Dovedale, a sinuous gorge carved by the river Dove through the limestone plateau, marking the boundary of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Much of the Dale is owned by the National Trust: contact Ilam Park or visit the information barn at Milldale for more details.

South Yorkshire

This part of the park, close to Sheffield, includes many areas of open moorland, including several areas owned by the National Trust, and a number of large reservoirs providing water for nearby cities. Principle sites include:

  • Agden, Broomhead and More Hall, Dale Dike, Damflask, Digley, Langsett, Ramsden and Redmires and Rivelin Reservoirs. Suggested walks on land surrounding these reservoirs can be found on the Yorkshire Water website.
  • Howden Moors southwest of Langsett with uplands and patches of ancient woodland incised by steep valleys (National Trust).
  • Hathersage Moor, Houndkirk Moor and Burbage Moor near Hathersage
  • Hingcliff Common and Langsett Moor west of Langsett
  • Marsden Moor estate, 2,492ha (5.685 acres) of SSSI on the northern edge of the Park almost surrounding the village of Marsden (send SAE for walks leaflet - see address below)
  • Royd Wood at Meltham (Woodland Trust) offers gentle walking with good views in a young broadleaved woodland
  • Stanage Edge a stone outcrop north of Hathersage that is a well-known climbing destination; it can be viewed from surrounding footpaths or reached via a rugged path.
  • Wessendon Moor southwest of Meltham

Accessibility

disability logoThere are numerous accessible sites around the Park: details from the National Park Authority (below). A good unofficial guide to accessibility in the Peak District is available on the Picnic Site website (below); the Derbyshire tourism website also has information.

Public transport

In public transport terms, the Peak District is one of the most accessible national parks.

Rail. Matlock, in the south of the Park, has rail connections with Derby on the Midland Main Line. There are various local services in the north and west of the Park: Manchester to Hadfield and Glossop; Manchester and Stockport to New Mills, Buxton; and the Hope Valley Line from New Mills to Sheffield (on the Midland Main Line) via Edale and Hathersage. This line is promoted by the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership (see below) who produce a free leisure guide and a book of walks and lead guided walks along the line. Intercity trains connect Manchester, Macclesfield and Stockport to Birmingham and London via the West Coast Main Line, and a connecting bus from Macclesfield serves Buxton, Bakewell and, in summer, Chesterfield. A preserved railway, Peak Rail, connects Matlock with Darley Dale and Rowsley: see Public transport: East Midlands.

For led walks between stations in the national park, see www.transpeakwalks.co.uk.

Buses. An extensive bus network includes Peak Bus leisure buses on weekends and bank holidays between the end of March and the end of October, linking centres at Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton, New Mills, Glossop and Sheffield with the rest of the Park. A daily limited stop Transpeak service links Nottingham and Derby with Matlock and Buxton via the Park.

Coaches. National Express coaches connect Manchester, Buxton, Macclesfield and Sheffield with London.

Comprehensive timetable books are available complete with details of places of interest and special fares. One volume covers the Peak District and there are separate books for Mid and South Derbyshire and Northeast Derbyshire, plus a free booklet of train times. The Peak District book includes an excellent map showing many places of interest and promoted routes. The books are available at a small charge from enquiry offices, libraries, information centres, Traveline or Derbyshire County Council.

Useful ticket deals include the Derbyshire Wayfarer, buying a full day's travel on buses and trains in Derbyshire and from some neighbouring towns outside the county, from stations, bus offices, TICs most bus drivers or by calling 01629 580000 extension 6738; the Family Freedom Ticket for travel on Sunday and Bank Holiday buses; East Midland Day Rovers valid on all Stagecoach buses in the region (see Public transport: East Midlands); South Yorkshire Peak Explorer, giving one day's travel in South Yorkshire and the northern Peak District (see Public transport: Yorkshire); Manchester's Wayfarer ticket, which is also available into the western Peak District (see Public transport: Northwest England).

Maps

Publications

  • Freedom to Roam guide: Peak District Eastern Moors and the South by Roly Smith, ISBN 0 7112 2498 6. How to order. [2004]
  • Freedom to Roam guide: Peak District Northern and Western Moors by Roly Smith, ISBN 0 7112 2499 4. How to order. [2004]
  • Freedom to Roam guide: The Pennine Divide - walking the moors between Greater Manchester and Yorkshire by Andrew Bibby, ISBN 0 7112 2500 1. How to order. [2004]
  • Walks from the Hope Valley Line. £4 from Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership (below). 8 self-guided linear and circular walks of between 6.5km/4 miles and 16km/10 miles from stations on the line, including waterside walks from New Mills; Mam Tor; Edale; and Hathersage.
  • Walks in the Ancient Peak District by Robert Harris, ISBN 1 85058 822 8. Sigma £8.95.
    25 circular walks 6.5km/4 miles to 14.5km/9 miles including prehistoric sites and monuments. Sketch maps and historical notes, no public transport details. [11/05]
  • Peak District Illustrated Walks by Trevor Yorke, ISBN 1 85306 892 6. Countryside Books £7.99.
    20 circular walks 4km/2.5 miles to 9km/5.5 miles, across the national park, with very attractive sketch maps and line drawings, but nothing for public transport users. [2005]

Paths and routes

Contacts

Regions

Local authorities

Visitor Information

Accommodation