Peak District
The Peak District National Park, covering 555 square miles, was
designated in 1951, making it the first of its kind in the UK.
It is claimed to be the world’s second most popular national
park.
The Peak District is conventionally split into two distinct
areas.
The northern Dark Peak supports nationally important breeding
populations of Golden Plover, Dunlin, Merlin and Short-eared Owl
and has feeding and breeding areas for Lapwing, Curlew and
Twite.
The southern White Peak has important habitats of ancient
woodlands, grasslands and limestone rivers, which are home to
White-clawed Crayfish.
The Peak District has over 2,500 square kilometres of Public
Rights of Way, including the Sandstone and Gritstone Trails, whilst
the Cheshire Cycleway totals 176 miles.