Peak District
The Peak District is located in central England at the southern end of the long mountain range known as the Pennines. It’s only 30 kilometres west of Manchester and 240 kilometres north-west of London. Despite its name, the Peak District lacks sharp peaks; on the whole, it comprises scenic rounded hills and elevated plateaus.
The Peak District National Park became Britain’s first National Park in 1951 in recognition of its outstanding, varied landscape. The Park covers 1,440 square kilometres (555 square miles) and offers walkers an extensive network of magnificent walking trails.
This wonderful hiking area is divided into two main regions - the White Peak and the Dark Peak. The White Peak lies in the southern Peak District and is renowned for its deep, moss-encrusted, limestone gorges; rugged valleys and verdant farmland. The largely uninhabited Dark Peak is found in the northern Peak District and is characterised by dramatic gritstone ridges and stark moorland plateaus.
The Peak District is brimful of natural highlights, including:
One of the best known mountains in England, Kinder Scout - famous for the 1932 Mass Trespass that led to the precious “rights to roam”. The windswept plateau of Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Park (636m/2087ft).
Lud’s Church in the White Peak area known as Black Forest is a mysterious emerald green moss-covered gorge linked to the legends of King Arthur.
The valley of Dovedale is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful valleys and wooded ravines in the Peak District renowned for its iconic limestone formations and the famed stepping stones across the River Dove.
The limestone caves at Castleton with their unusual semi-precious mineral, Blue John.
There are several stately homes and National Trust properties in the Peak District, most notably - Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. These two properties are quite different, but they each have a stunning setting and they’ve each been used for period-style films and television shows.
Amongst the local food offerings, Bakewell Pudding is a popular and delicious almond dessert well worth sampling after a day of walking.
The Peak District offers many day and multi-day walks and there are a number of tour operators offering a variety of walking trips.
However, there are innumerable shorter multi-day walks and the walking tour operators in the area have crafted many different walking itineraries. We can help you choose a walk and an operator that best suits your needs.
One of the best multi-day walks in the Peak District is the Pennine Way South.
The Pennine Way South is just one of the Peak District walks we can tell you about, and help you to plan and complete.