Peak Experience

 

Use our accessible guide to the geology of the Peak District to explore millions of years of history in beautiful settings.  Caves and crags, mountains and valleys, industrial history and SSSIs – the Peak District has it all.  So whether climbing or caving, minerals, or simply admiring great views turns you on, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy in the Peaks.

 

A picture of Fluorite crystals

The Peak District wears many faces. Experience its geological diversity in the six areas we’ve chosen to show how our land was formed – and how that affects the ways we live now.

 

A picture of Castleton, Hope and Edale

Drystone walls and stone-built villages characterize the Peak District National Park. Look out for different colours and textures of stone. See how walls follow the contours of the land and houses cluster in flat valley bottoms or cling lonely to steep hillsides. You will discover ghostly abandoned millstone works, mining remains and the hollows and mounds of ancient quarrying and agricultural field clearance.

 

A picture of Deep blue fluorite crystals

 

Even animals and plants depend on the rocks for life. Geology decides whether the land is wet or dry, windy or sheltered, fertile or sparse, woods, grass or heather moorlands. So no geology, no Park!

 

A picture of Ammonites

 

The rough gritstones of the Dark Peak surround on three sides the limestone White Peak.  Once a tropical sea, with magnificent coral reefs and red-hot lava flows, the White Peak still hides its depths.  Visit the show caves at Castleton, and leave the miles of intricate underground networks to experienced cavers.  Explore the dramatic peaty high moorlands of the Dark Peak and classic dales woodlands and farm country of the White.  

 

A picture of the dark peak    A picture of the white peak

 

Please treat our land with respect. It has taken millions of years to form and is home to rare and shy creatures. Follow the rights of way, and enjoy your visit!

 

 

 

 

Ordnance Survey (Explorer™)            The Peak District

OL1            Dark Peak Area

                                                            OL24            White Peak Area

 

British Geological Survey              SK 06            The Roaches & Upper Dove Valley

SK 16            Monyash

SK 18            Castleton

 

Sheet 99   Chapel en le Frith

Sheet 124  Ashbourne

 

 

Customer Service Centre

Romsey Road

Southampton

SO16 4GU

Tel. 08456 05 05 05

 

 

Keyworth

Nottingham

NG12 5GG

Tel. 0115 936 3241

 

 

Burlington House

Piccadilly

London

W1J 0DU

Tel. 0207 734 5398

 

 

PO Box 77

Benfleet

Essex

SS7 5EX

Tel. 07041 492 049

 

 

Porter Lane

Wirksworth

Derbyshire

DE4 4LS

Tel. 01629 824 833

 

 

 

 

English Nature (Natural England)

‘Endcliffe’, Deepdale Business Park
Ashford Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1GT
Tel. 01629 816640

 

 

 

 

c/o Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

The Wolseley Centre

Wolseley Bridge

Stafford

ST17 0WT

Tel. 01889 880100

 

 

UKRIGS  (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites)

National Stone Centre

Porter Lane

Wirksworth

Derbyshire

DE4 4LS

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