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.
🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp!
Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.
From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.
Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚
#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂
From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.
It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.
Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬
📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography
#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks
Autumn is a chance to give nature a helping hand. 🍂
From leaving fallen leaves to providing food for birds, small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways to help nature this season.
#NatureRecovery #Autumn #NationalParks
An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅
Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.
While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.
Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.
#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK
They’re more than just pretty places. 🌳
Our National Parks are home to some incredible trees, from ancient giants to England’s tallest tree.
Swipe through for a few #WildFacts about the trees growing across our 15 National Parks.
#NationalParksUK #Trees #Woodland
National Parks are places where animals make their homes, people catch up over coffee, and we pause to marvel at the dark skies above.
Places to connect, discover and look a little closer.
We’d love to see your images of autumn in action in a National Park. Tag us or use the hashtag #AutumnInAction 🧡
#NationalParks #Autumn
What if Middle-earth’s Rangers had more in common with National Park Rangers than we might think?
Of course, our National Park Rangers have a little less to worry about than Aragorn and his fellow Rangers.
But they do both know their landscapes well, protect the places they love and guide others to find their way.
Across the UK’s 15 National Parks, our Rangers are taking action every day. They may not be defending the Shire from the forces of darkness, but they certainly do an incredibly important job. 💚
#MiddleEarth #Rangers #NationalParksUK
15 National Parks. One shared challenge. Our climate is changing, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfire across our landscapes.
That’s why we’ve committed to taking action through our new Wildfire Management Position Statement. Together, the National Parks will work to support nature recovery to help manage wildfire risk, plan for and strengthen wildfire response and coordination, improve risk management and preparedness, and share clear, consistent public messaging.
But we can’t do it alone.
Communities, organisations, land managers and visitors all have a role to play in reducing wildfire risk. By working together, we can help protect our National Parks and prepare for a future where hotter, drier weather may increase the risk of wildfire.
Read the full statement by clicking on the link in our bio 🔗
Photos:
Slide 1 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Ed Smith. Slide 2 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 3 - View across Loch Morlich during Glenmore wildfire, July 2026, © Brenna Jessie. Slide 4 - Fighting the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith. Slide 5 - View from the cab of a tractor aiding in fighting the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park, CPNA. Slide 5 - Firefighting vehicles at the Glenmore wildfire, © Malcolm Smith.
#Wildfires #NationalParksUK
