Peak District - Diverse, Stunning Accessible (Peak District)

Member Name: ariom

Product:	Peak District
Date:	11/09/08 (142 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful scenery, transport links, variety of activities

Disadvantages: cold in winter (though, even then the snow is stunning!)

I am lucky enough to live part way up a hill on the edge of the Peak District national park. You'd think this would mean I wouldn't have to walk any further than my window to see the beauty of this fantastic area. However, the landscape contains so many diverse features that the views from Chinley Churn provide a mere glimpse of what the park has to offer.

The area is divided roughly into two areas - White Peak, where the ground is more chalky, and Dark Peak over the peat moors. These two types of landscapes then contain difference within them with the Dark Peak offering areas coated with purple heather, grassland moors and peat bogs at this time of year.

For walkers, there are a range of difficulties of walk, ranging from the lowland Sett Valley trail, the Pennine Way (accessed easily from Snake Pass without climbing), through Mam Tor (with steps for an easy climb) to challenging routes up and ontop of Kinder (including to the beautiful upfalls where water is blown back up the hill as it crosses the top of the waterfall. History buffs will enjoy seeking out the many aircraft remains from the second world war. Climbers can get thir thrills at Pym's Chair on the White Peak or Stanage Edge on the Dark Peak. Castleton offers many caverns with guided tours, including one with an underground journey by boat. Mountain bikers will enjoy a plethora of bridleway trails and roadies are often seen out taking in the views and climbs on the A624 and A6187. Those enjoying watersports will find somewhere to enjoy their hobby on one of the Peak's many reservoirs. There is plentiful accomodation, from basic campsites in Edale to posh hotels on the edge of Buxton.

One of the criteria for British national parks is that it is accessible and close to centres of population - the Peak District certainly meets this, nestled between Manchester and Sheffield within easy reach of Leeds and Birmingham. There is a train service out to Glossop for Bleaklow and through the Hope Valley from Manchester, and there are many buses from Sheffield out into the Peak.

Summary: Easy to get to, easier to enjoy