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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What is a National Park?A National Park is a large area of beautiful countryside, which is specially protected so that it remains beautiful and can be enjoyed both now and in the future. The Peak District National Park is 555 square miles (1438 square kilometres) in size and covers parts of the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
For more information on National Parks download our factsheet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What time does the Park open and how much does it cost to come in?National Parks are not like theme parks or the parks found in towns and cities. National Parks typically cover large areas of land - the Peak District National Park is 555 square miles (1438 square kilometres). Although there is a National Park boundary, which can be seen on most maps, there are not gates or fences. The most visible sign of entering a National Park is usually a roadside symbol. In the Peak District this is the traditional millstone as seen here.
For more information on millstones go to the time section.
For more information on National Parks download our factsheet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Who runs a National Park?In Britain, each National Park is run by a public sector authority, funded by the Government and taxpayers. The Peak District National Park Authority is not quite the same as a local authority for a number of reasons:
The 1995 Environment Act stated that a National Park Authority's purpose is to:
The National Park Authority must also foster the economic and social well-being of the local communities. For more information on the Peak District National Park Authority go to www.peakdistrict.gov.uk - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What is the history of National Parks?When America was settled in the early 1800s, people recognised that some areas of land were very beautiful and worthy of protection. As a result, the first National Park, Yellowstone, was designated in 1872. Others soon followed. These early National Parks were large, uninhabited areas of natural beauty, owned and protected by the American Government. In the late 1800s a number of conservation societies had formed in Britain, such as the National Trust, RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England); their purpose being to look after our heritage. However, there were still no British National Parks. It was not until the 1940s that the National Parks of England and Wales were eventually designated. A number of Government reports were put forward to argue the case for National Parks as spaces that would allow people in the towns and cities to enjoy the open countryside and fresh air. Consequently, the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was passed, which resulted in the Peak District being given the status of the first National Park on April 17th 1951. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How many National Parks in Britain are there today?Today there are 11 (nearly 12!) National Parks in England & Wales:
Recently legislation has been passed to establish National Parks in Scotland. The Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs were designated in 2002. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What is so special about the Peak District?
There are, of course, lots of special places. We think places are special when they give us pleasure through our senses, experiences and memories. Each person has their own opinion. Here are some suggestions as to why people think that the Peak District National Park is so special:
If you have visited the Peak District, you may agree with some or all of these, or you may have your own opinion as to why the area is special. We want to know what you think - email us with your own suggestions at: information.losehill@peakdistrict.gov.uk Click these links to find out more about the geology and wildlife that create this special place; discover how people have changed the Peak District over time; and meet people who live, work and visit the National Park. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How did the 'Peak District' get its name?A question rife with controversy! Some would say that the name is a completely modern invention and the phrase 'Peak District' is 20th century. However, the area was occupied in the 7th century AD by an Anglo-Saxon tribe called the Peacsaetna - meaning 'dwellers of the peak'. This is thought to be the earliest known naming of the area as the Peak or Peaks. In 1636 Thomas Hobbes wrote the first guide to the region - called ‘The Seven Wonders of the Peak’. So 'Peak District' is a formalisation of 'Peak'. |
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