Limestone dales are beautiful, steep-sided valleys that contain a unique mosaic of cliffs, grasslands, woods and rivers.
Looking across the expanse of
the White Peak limestone plateau,
the dales are often hidden from view. But on reaching the crest
of the dale, they are stunning, as the sunlight and clouds cast shadows
across the opposite dale-side.
Their ever-changing tones and
textures reflect the immense wealth of wildlife found in the dales.
Carpets of wildflowers, relics of ancient ashwood, gentle flowing rivers
and steep inaccessible cliffs all go to make up a Peak District limestone
dale.
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Steep cliffs are ideal for cliff-nesting birds such as ravens
Woodland contains ash and a rich understorey of shrubs and wildflowers
Scree provides a home for rare lichens and insects
Grasslands are a rich variety of wildflowers
Rivers provide food for birds such as the dipper and are home to the white-clawed crayfish
