The park
There’s a Tolkeinesque landscape divide here. The northerly Dark Peak is wilder, famed for its wild and exposed tracts of moorland top. Further south in the White Peak, gently rolling limestone plateaus are dissected by dales and colourful hay meadows.
The landed gentry of the Peak District built some of the most resplendent historic houses and stately homes in the country here. Chatsworth House has been handed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family and is open to visitors.
Tight-knot communities thrive in the National Park, honouring distinctive customs. Well dressing – originally a pagan ceremonial pledge of flowers, seeds, twigs, nots and berries to the water gods – is now a summer tradition in dozens of villages.
Heathrow 3 hours
Manchester 1 hour
Hull 2 hours
Created in 1951
The first National Park in the UK
The English National Parks Experience Collection Brochure
This guide provides you with a source of information on the wide range of contractable experiences available in nine of England’s National Parks.
The Peak District National Park Overview
