Derbyshire, Peak, E mids resources

Derbyshire, the Peak District and the east midlands

In 1951 the Peak District was designated as Britain's first National Park. In the south are the gently rolling hills of the limestone White Peak, while to the north, west and east are the wild, heather-clad moorlands of the Dark Peak, famed for its peat bogs, where the moisture in the peat is trapped by underlying millstone grit.

The main centres for the White Peak area are Dovedale and Lathkill Dale, although there are numerous other dales, all providing good, well-drained paths. The Dark Peak is divided into four distinct areas – the western area is an area of broad upland moorland; the northern area is probably the wildest area, with panoramic views, but really wet, unmanageable peat bogs; the most popular area is the Edale valley, which can become choked with walkers and traffic at busy times; while the eastern area offers good moorland walking and great, broad views.

The midlands of England offer the walker gentler landscapes, with historic interest, tranquil river valleys, canal-side walking or the chance to get up onto the Malvern Hills, with far-reaching views across to the Black Mountains of Wales and surrounding areas of Worcestershire. Here you can take in walks with broad views, and yet be within an hour’s journey time from Birmingham or Coventry.