Peak District National Park
A land of two halves
Immerse yourself in exploring famous hills, dramatic rock edges beside wild moorlands and tranquil dales all in one day.
At more than 550 squares miles and the UK’s original national park, the Peak District provides a taste of the outdoors to millions. Considered by many as the spiritual home of the free access to the countryside we all enjoy today, the Peak District continues to provide a warm welcome to those seeking some of their first inspirational connections with nature.
Key activities
Be a trail blazer , Activity
With over 35 miles of traffic-free level, easy access and all-user trails, let us take you into the heart of the national park.
On your bike , Activity
With your own wheels or from several bike hire centres amongst stunning scenery, there’s no better way to explore.
It’s a cave, man , Activity
Get a different perspective on the Peak District by heading below the famous summits to discover a whole new underground world.
Special qualities
10 reasons to visit the Peak District
The ‘Mass Trespass’ took place within what is now the Peak District’s boundary, a group of working-class pioneers paving the way for the countryside access we all enjoy today.
Our boundary takes in the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, South & West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
We have over 1,600 miles of rights of way to explore across the ‘White Peak’ and ‘Dark Peak’ areas of the national park.
Kids (and adults too!) love travelling through the myriad tunnels of the Monsal Trail, a reminder of former days of steam running through our valleys.
Our resident wildlife includes bold and bugling red deer in the autumn, white mountain hares in winter, and the rare and enigmatic ‘mountain blackbird’ (the ring ouzel) on our rocky edges.
History abounds within our built heritage from inspiration for Charlotte Bronte at our North Lees Hall, to the iconic towers of the Derwent Dam flown over by the 617 ‘Dambusters’ squadrons on their training missions.
The Pennine Way – which stretches along the UK’s spine to Scotland, starts in the Peak District in Edale, at the Nags Head pub.
Our network of level and surfaced former railway line trails extends to more than 30 miles, allowing everyone to get into the heart of the Peak District, including with our own range of mobility hire equipment.
If adrenaline is your go-to day out, then expect world-class rock climbing and bouldering, plus cycle routes that have helped get some of our top Olympians games-ready.
Get a taste of Peak District living with craft ales brewed right alongside our rivers, puddings that have been to outer space, or fire your creativity with the annual well dressing festivals.
A place for pioneers
As the UK’s original national park, our past stretches back almost a century – far beyond our nearly 70 years since designation.
Our uplands played host to the ‘mass trespass’ events of the 1930s, whose pioneering spirit would go on to set the foundations for our protected landscapes and the public access we all enjoy today. Through devastating wild fires, history-making changes to our transport network that saw bustling steam railways fall silent, to war time secrecy as home to the Dambusters training sorties, the Peak District has often been at the heart of change in our culture and communities. Fast forward generations and today we welcome visitors from all corners of the globe and all walks of life. Our all-access trails bring a nationally-renowned outdoors experience to thousands – wherever you set your limits – and our climbing and cycling offer is good enough for our finest medal-winning athletes. With over 38,000 residents, community spirit remains at our heart – whether you want a taste of the Peak District, are ready to immerse yourself in our annual festivals or want to explore your creativity there’s always something around the corner. If you’re ready to re-connect with nature, then the Peak District is ready with a warm welcome.
Getting there
Trains from nearby cities of Sheffield and Manchester run into the heart of the Hope Valley (for Castleton, caves and the Pennine Way) and to Buxton just outside the national park boundary, but close to many popular areas. Buses travel into and throughout the Peak District from other nearby towns and cities including Nottingham and Derby, Macclesfield and Chesterfield. The Hope Valley Explorer is a seasonal bus service run in partnership with the National Park Authority, and usually operates from Easter and throughout the summer holidays (sorry, no service currently due to Covid-19 restrictions).
Getting there alternatives
As well as the above rail and bus services, international airports at East Midlands and Manchester are less than an hour’s travel to the national park, with locations such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Doncaster Robin Hood airports just a little further.
Has the rain reached you yet? 🌧️
A change in the weather is making its way across our National Parks. And with it comes a different rhythm to the landscape - changing how our surroundings look, sound and feel.
The sound of rain. The smell of wet earth. The air feeling fresher. Wildlife finding shelter.
What do you notice most when the rain arrives?
#RainyDay #BritishWeather #NationalParksUK
They may look like windmills, but in The Broads National Park, they are actually windpumps.
Rather than grinding flour, they were built to pump water from the marshes, helping to drain the land for agriculture and grazing.
Today, these distinctive structures are part of what makes the Broads landscape so recognisable.
And while this is a story from the Broads, it’s one that can be found across all 15 of our National Parks - landscapes shaped by people finding ways to adapt to live and work within their landscape. Something which still remains the case today.
Did you know that one of these mills is said to be haunted? Comment down below which one you think it is 👇
In photograph order:
📍1. St Benets Mill
📍2. Horsey Mill
📍3. Turf Fen Mill
📍4. Thurne Mill
📍5. Bograve Mill
#NorfolkBroads #NationalPark #Windpumps
✨🌙 Look up!
With a partial solar eclipse taking place tonight across the UK, we’re reminded about how important it is for our dark skies to be protected. Our National Parks are home to some of the best places in the UK to enjoy them, due to low levels of light pollution.
These incredible photos capture another recent celestial phenomenon that has been on display for stargazers and is peaking tonight - the Perseid meteor shower.
The sightings were captured in @northyorkmoors - home to one of the UK’s largest areas of protected dark sky.
🌟Tag us in your eclipse photos across our National Parks. Just be sure to follow safe viewing and photography guidance while you snap!
📷 1. Perseid meteor shower at Skelton Tower by Richard Horsman.
📷 2. Milky Way and Perseid meteor shower at Sutton Bank by Russ Norman.
📍North York Moors National Park #DarkSkies #SolarEclipse #Perseid #MeteorShower
Just goats being goats. 🐐
These incredible animals call the Valley of Rocks in @exmoornp home - scaling walls and cliffs, grazing on the rich meadows and, occasionally, blocking the roads!
They’re a wonderful reminder of why our National Parks are so important, providing a home for such a diverse range of wildlife.
Have you ever spotted one?
📷 Exmoor National Park
#ValleyOfRocks #Exmoor #Goats #NationalPark
Look out for us at the cinema. 🎬🌳
Our latest Wild Spaces episode, screening before selected films, takes you to Northumberland National Park. Their team, alongside farmers, landowners and volunteers, is working together to create healthier, more resilient landscapes through woodland creation and hedgerow planting.
It’s a story of partnership, long-term thinking, and the small actions that can have a lasting impact.
Find out more about the project and watch the episode via the link in our bio. 🔗
@northumberlandnationalpark
#WildSpaces #Northumberland #TreePlanting
💭You might have heard of peatland, but what exactly is it and why does it matter so much?
Peatlands are our natural climate allies. They store vast amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and preserve thousands of years of archaeological and cultural history.
Some of the UK`s most important peatlands are found within our National Parks, making them critical places for tackling the climate and nature crises.
Across the UK`s National Parks, peatland restoration projects are helping damaged peatlands recover, benefiting both nature and people.
📍Dartmoor National Park
#NationalParks #Peatlands #NatureRecovery
Our National Parks tell the stories of the people and places that came before us.
A new Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in the National Parks of England, Scotland and Wales has launched.
Bringing together the 15 National Parks and heritage partners, the statement sets out a shared commitment to protecting the historic places and features that help shape our landscapes.
From ancient monuments and archaeological sites to historic buildings and traces of past generations, our National Parks are home to thousands of years of history.
Together, we’re working to care for these special places so their stories can continue to be discovered, valued and enjoyed for generations to come.
Read the full statement via the link in our bio 🔗
#NationalParks #UKHistory #Heritage
Hello, August. 💚
Some habits we’re holding on to this month, for our National Parks and for ourselves.
Little changes can have a lasting impact when it comes to caring for our 15 special places.
What will you be taking into August?
#UKNationalParks #UKOutdoors
