(by 5 people)
THE LUNGS OF INDUSTRIAL BRITAIN
A lens to introduce you to one of the British Isles' most beautiful areas of natural beauty. Close to many indsutrial centres, this area is a breath of fresh air!
From the wilds of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, the peat-bogged haggs and groughs of the Northern moors, to the softer limestone country of the Derbyshire Dales, Manifold Valley and Bakewell, the Peak District offers recreation to a huge population.
Lets explore! Later in this lens you will find maps and guidebooks to purchase if you wish to learn even more!
A breath of fresh air for millions
Escaping the 'dark, satanic mills' for the Peak District
The Peak District, located as it is at the bottom end of Britain's backbone, the Pennines, is surrounded by large cities and conurbations on 3 sides. To the east lies Sheffield, to the South East Nottingham and Derby, to the South West The Potteries and West Midlands, and to the West lie the conurbations which make up Greater manchester.This proximity to millions of industrial workers led to the region becoming the 'lungs' of the industrial heart of England.
These workers, for most of their lives, lived in the cramped, polluted and often insanitary conditions of the inner city communities which sprang up around the factories, mills, steel and ironworks and mines where they toiled to make their meagre living.
To be able to escape to The Peak District on days off and later 'paid holidays' was a boon which blossomed into the 'mass trespass' movement of the twentieth century.
The major landowners, particularly of the grouse moors, were extremely protective of their estates and did not want the 'riff-raff' from the urban sprawls hiking, camping, climbing and generally having a chance to enjoy the open air on their land!
The mass trespasses which eventually led to the Right to Roam, have been well documented, but it was these actions, combined with the realisation that an industiralised country actually needed these 'lungs' or open spaces whcih led to the creation of the first National Park, The Peak District.
Comprising the White Peak and the Dark peak, this park encompasses large tracts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and beyond, protecting some areas of outstanding natural beauty and creating a playgound for the cities which surround it.
The Peak District offers a wealth of history, great country houses, wild open moorland, lakes, hills, villages, towns and is visited by over 20 million people every year.
I hope you will click some of the links and learn more about this, one of my favourite parts of this varied country.
Links
- Mountain Bike Guide
- Information on the book "Mountain Bike Guide to the Peak District and Derbyshire". Includes updates based on readers' experiences, a discussion forum and useful links.
- Peak District Caving
- Detailed information on caving in the Peak District area, including regularly updated news, events. Useful information on local clubs and accommodation.
- Peak District National Park
- The official site of the National Park Authority with information about the park and press releases that the authority have issued.
- Speedwell Cavern
- This flooded former lead mine is now an underground visitor attraction in the heart of the Peak District. Site contains information for tourists on location and admission costs.
- Peak Country Breaks
- A guide to the Peak District with accommodation listings, places to visit and where to eat and drink. The accommodation is grouped by area off a clickable map. Where available links to hotels own web site is given.
- Peak Activities Ltd.
- Training and educational organisation, dedicated to running activities and events around the Peak District.
- peakscan
- Explores the origins of Peak District landscapes.
- Peak District
- A virtual tour of this beautiful National Park including photographs of many of the places and views.
- Peak District Tourist Guide
- Comprehensive guide to tourist attractions and facilities in the Peak District.
- Peak District Walking
- Walks, nature diary and information on the National Park. The twenty or so walks are particularly useful to the visitor, as instructions are given for actually taking each walk.
- Dangerous Site
- Detailed information on rock climbing in the Peak District. Site includes photos and information, links, instructions on how to build a wall, and info on Roche Abbey bouldering and topos.
- Peak District Walks
- Walks in the National Park with routes, maps and photographs. The site is written by an enthusiastic and experienced walker, and is full of walking hints for the visitor.
- p.eak!
- Youth-orientated site featuring environmental news and information.
- Peak Cavern
- The biggest natural cavern in Derbyshire, with the largest entrance to any cave in the British Isles. Site contains information on location and admission prices.
- The Peak District National Park.com
- Directory of walks, accommodation listings, restaurants and outdoor activities.
- Peak District Farm Holidays
- Stay on a farm in the Peak District National Park or surrounding area in farmhouse bed and breakfast or self-catering cottages.
- Peak Cottages
- Self-catering holiday cottage accommodation in the Peak District national park. A wide range of holiday properties for rent in Derbyshire.
- Peak District Cam
- A photographic guide to walking in Derbyshire and the Peak District. A non-live cam site aimed at walkers with families.
- Dark Peak Fieldwork
- Virtual tour through the Dark Peak. Covers the geographical themes of peat formation and erosion, vegetation, geology, water quality and landslides. Research from the School of geography, Manchester University.
- Peak Rail
- Visit the lovingly restored railway line through the Peak District.
- Peak District Holiday Cottages
- Self catering holiday accommodation located in Hope Valley in the heart of the Peak District National Park.
- The Peak Centre at Champion House
- Residential centre for youth groups located in Edale in the Peak District. Offering outdoor activities.
- Peak District National Park Authority
- Ideas and places to visit, information on events, walking and Chatsworth.
Specialist Sites with Peak District Connections
- Peak District Wreck Hunters
- Looking for plane wrecks in the Peak District in and around Derbyshire? Look no further. Reliable GPS coordinates and open discussion from Mick and Sean.
Peak District Books, Maps etc. - ORDER HERE!
Lead Mining in the Peak District
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Favourite Peak District Recipes (Favourite Recipies)
Amazon Price: $1.96 (as of 07/25/2008)
Insight Compact Guide Peak District: Best of Britain (Insight Compact Guide Peak District)
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
Peak District from Above (From Above)
Amazon Price: $5.91 (as of 07/25/2008)
HIDDEN PLACES OF THE PEAK DISTRICT AND DERBYSHIRE (The Hidden Places)
Amazon Price: $12.11 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Peak District (Jarrold Short Walks Guides)
Amazon Price: $11.83 (as of 07/25/2008)
Peak District (Landmark Visitors Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Archaeology Walks in the Peak District
Amazon Price: $15.70 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Peak District (Country)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Town and Village Discovery Trails (Town & Village Discovery Trails)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Peak District (Collins Ramblers' Guides)
Amazon Price: $15.59 (as of 07/25/2008)
Derbyshire and the Peak District (Mountain Bike Guide)
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 07/25/2008)
Mostly Downhill in the Peak District
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Best Walks in the Peak District (Best Walks)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
The Peak District Walking - On the Level
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Pub Walks in the Peak District (Dalesman Public Walks)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
The "Star" Family Walks (Cicerone Guide)
Amazon Price: $11.85 (as of 07/25/2008)
A Howling Wilderness: Prehistory in the Peak District
Amazon Price: $12.47 (as of 07/25/2008)
Landscapes Through Time: Peak District (English Heritage (Paper))
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
One Hundred Walks in the Peak District (One Hundred Walks)
Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 07/25/2008)
A Peakland Christmas
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Peak District
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
British Rail Journeys 2: Peak District
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Walks in the White Peak
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
White Peak Walks
Amazon Price: $19.73 (as of 07/25/2008)
White Peak Way (Walking UK & Ireland)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Pub Walks in the Peak District (Pub Walks)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
The Bogtrotter's Guide
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
DARK PEAK AIRCRAFT WRECKS, VOLUME 1 (Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks)
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
Dark Peak Mountain Biking
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Best Pub Walks in the Dark Peak
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
DARK PEAK AIRCRAFT WRECKS, VOLUME 2 (Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks)
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
Peak District Photos from Flickr
Images taken by visitors to the Peak District
Hope Station
Hope departing
Here's looking at Mo...
Looking back
It did brighten up,...
Light Rain and a Gen...
Lonely
The clouds parted, a...
1-2-3!
Up in the clouds
Dark and Brooding
There was *some* blu...
tree climber
three faces
Reader Feedback
Ask a question or just say hello!
|
Meloramus
Hi Chris, Posted July 17, 2007 |
Very informative. Well done. I have found one site that may be of interest to your readers http://www.peakdistrictview.com
Posted February 19, 2007
I enjoyed your pictures of White Nancy, its a place I have yet to photograph. You may like to include http://www.peakdistrictview.com in your links, its a phenominal site with panoramic images of all over the Peak District
Posted February 15, 2007
ACCOMMODATION
Where to stay in the Peak District
- Derbyshire and Peak District Accommodation
- Derbyshire and the Peak District accommodation - Listing of hotels, guest houses, cottages and self catering accommodation in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Room availability tool available.
IMAGES
PEAK PARK PICS
- Peak District Photographs
- Photographs of the Peak District by Ian Mateer
- Peak District Webcam
- webcam
PLACES TO VISIT
Days Out in The Peak District
- Chatsworth
- Chatsworth, one of Europe's finest estates
- Haddon Hall
- Haddon Hall, home of the Manners family and a star location in some quality TV and Film productions
- Hardwick Hall
- One of Britain's greatest and most complete Elizabethan houses - a magnificent statement of the wealth and authority of its builder, Bess of Hardwick
- Eyam - The Plague Village
- Eyam, beautiful, historic plague village in Derbyshire Peak District, UK - large colour map and CD multi-media for sale.
- Blue John Cavern
- Blue John Cavern and Craft Shop
- Treak Cliff Cavern
- The home of Blue John Stone. Visit Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton Gift Shop and buy Blue John online.
- The Devil's Arse - Peak Cavern, Castleton in Derbyshire
- Unravel the mysteries of the Devil's Arse and step into the unique world of Peak Cavern. Unusual rock formations, the eerie sound of running water and echoes of a bygone age await you.Set in the middle of the picturesque Peak District
- Speedwell Cavern
- Take a boat trip...underground!
- The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
- The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
- Dovedale and the Dove Valley
- Beautiful Dovedale
- Ilam Park and Hall
- Ilam Park in Derbyshire is a beautiful area of open park & woodland that runs along the River Manifold, with spectacular views towards Dovedale.
- Buxton - Spa and Opera Town
- Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, north-west England. Set 1000 feet above sea level in the beautiful Peak District, it has been a popular holiday resort for
centuries. - Ashbourne, Derbyshire - Official Web Site
- Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England
