Peak District
Quick facts
- European Diploma of Protected Areas (code UK940004)
- Since Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 CET 1966
- Country: United Kingdom
- Administrative region: Not available
- Surface area: 1404 km2 (140400.00 ha)
- Marine area: Not available
Source and more information: Council of Europe
Description
Site contact authorities
| Manager | Christopher Harrison National Park Officer and head of the paid service |
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| Information | Peak District National Park Authority Aldern House, Baslow Road Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1AE United Kingdom |
| Official contact international | |
| Official contact national | |
| Official contact regional | |
| Official contact local |
Description
| General character of the site | The Peak Park is the first designated national park in the United Kingdom. It is situated in northern England, between Sheffield and Manchester, in an upland area. It comprises two distinct parts: the White Peak, a high limestone plateau with its characteristic deep dales and stone walls, and the Dark Peak with its gritstone moors. The area's cultural and archeological heritage is outstanding. |
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| Quality | The National Park is of high landscape quality, with one third of its area protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest the majority of which are also Natura 2000 sites), about 265 Ancient Monuments over 2000 listed buildings and over 70 Village Conservation Areas. |
| Vulnerability | Heavy freight across the Park and road traffic, quarries generated by visitors and from quarry activities cause damage and pollution. Economic pressure pose a threat to the traditional farmed landscape. Soil erosion is caused by pressure of public use and acid rain. Fires on the high Moorland threaten vegetation and affect habitat. |
| Designation | |
| Owner | Ownership is in private hands, apart from the specific purposes related to statuory agencies. The Water companies own nearly 14% of the area, National Trust 11% and other Agencies less than 1% each. The major private estates own a total of 6%. There are over 2500 farm holdings and 3800 local residents. The National Park Authority owns 5% of the area which includes over 20 farm holdings, 60 km of Trails with Cycle Hire Centres, picnic sites, car parks and toilets and Information Centres strategically placed across the Park. The National Park Authority manages 200 km² of land for public access on foot. There are over 3000 km of footpaths for recreational use. |
| Documentation | -Council of Europe (1966), The Peak District National Park United Kingdom, Strasbourg-Peak District National Park Management Plan-Peak District National Park Structure and Local Plans |
| Habitat types | |
| Flora | |
| Fauna | |
| Potential vegetation | |
| Geomorphology | In addition to the geological sites of Special Scientific Interest, there are over 160 Regionally important Geographic or Geomorphological Sites. |
| Educational interest | The educational Interest in the Peak District National Park ranges from prehistorical to the present day in archaeological and cultural heritage, to ecological and landscape study, and outdoor recreation: the area of the National Park receives over 22 million day visits every year.The National Park Authority is active in Communication strategy and in its own education and training of children and young peaople within the Park and of visitors and professional people in Guided Walks and Programmes at the National Park Study Centre. |
| Cultural heritage | The region has a long cultural history and numerous monuments including disused lead-mines, Neolithic stone circles, a Norman castle and unspoilt villages in the local style and several large areas with fine country houses. The customs and traditions of the area continue with village well dressings and other ancient customs. |
| Justification | |
| Methodology | |
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| Management plan | |
| URL official | http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.com/ |
| URL interesting | http://www.peakdistrict.org/ |
