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Peak Countryside Bringing you information on Peak District Holiday Accommodation , Peak District Holiday Cottages, Campsites and Caravan sites in the Peak District, Pubs In The Peak District, Peak District B&B , Peak District Hotels , Tourist Attractions or Town & Village Business of any kind in the Peak District and Derbyshire.
The Peak Countryside - A Joy Forever
`A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever' - and the Peak District countryside has been attracting visitors ever since our Neolithic ancestors made tracks north from the Trent Basin over five thousand years ago, gradually populating the hills, dales and high moors of this ancient and exceptionally beautiful landscape.
The Celts, Romans, Saxons, Danes,Vikings and Normans all followed in succession, attracted mainly by the areas rich wealth of mineral deposits. The Peak countryside was plundered, cleared and settled by succeeding waves of invaders, each of whom left a rich cultural heritage in the marks of their passing which both shaped and formed the wonderfully diverse landscape of the Peak District that we see and enjoy today.
The countryside is in fact, a veritable microcosm of England's green and very pleasant land, and as former Poet Laureate, the late John Betjamin said, "There is every kind of scenery in Derbyshire - except the sea". From the lush pastoral meadows and gently rolling hills of Ashbourne at the southern gateway of the White Peak, to the high windswept peat bogs and grouse moors of Kinder Scout in the bleak and mountainous `Curlew Country' of the Dark Peak, the sheer beauty and diverse nature of the landscape is breathtaking - which is one reason why this increasingly popular region of England continues to attract more visitors annually that any other region of comparable size.
Much of it is covered by 542 square miles of scenically diverse landscape in the Peak District National Park, which has a multitude of contrasting moods contained within the framework of its boundaries, and the rock beneath the surface is entirely responsible.
The higher and wilder Dark Peak to the north consists mainly of gritstone and shale, with high, heather covered moorland cut by small streams, with areas of high marshland and peat bogs - and a series of spectacular gritstone `edges' to the east of the Derwent Valley. The spectacular man-made lakes of the Ladybower, Howden & Derwent reservoirs form a mini Lake District in the north west of the area, with conifer plantations covering the surrounding slopes. This is ideal walking and climbing country.
The central area is mainly carboniferous limestone, which forms a dome approximately ten miles across. This is known as the White Peak; bounded in the west by the River Dove and in the east by the Derwent, it covers an area of about 180 square miles and is dissected by a series of stunningly picturesque dales, deeply cut by water erosion and populated by hill farms and small ancient villages. Ash, Rowan, Birch, Elder and Hawthorn predominate, along with an abundance of rare plants like orchids and mountain pansies, and unique metalophytes, like lead-wort.
Other reasons for the Peaks popularity are numerous, and include a plethora of unique attractions like underground caverns and show-caves and fascinating places to visit - from historic stately homes with beautifully landscaped grounds like Chatsworth, Haddon, Hardwick, Kedleston, and Calke Abbey, to modern centres of national importance like the National Stone Centre near Wirksworth and the National Tramway Village and Museum at Crich.
For two thousand years the countryside of the Peak has been shaped by farming, mining and quarrying; the White Peak in particular is dotted with old lead-mine spoilheaps, now the habitat of rare wildflowers - and the derelict and skeletal remains of tumbled coes dot the landscape around villages like Youlgreave, Bonsall, Winster and Elton.
But until the advent of the Industrial Revolution, which brought turnpike roads, canals, and eventually railways into the area, the ruggedly handsome and occasionally beautiful interior remained relatively isolated and unspoilt - and virtually inaccessible to visitors. Now, along with the lead miners and the coal miners, the mills and factories are gone, and many of the large farms have either disappeared or turned over to tourism and the Peak District countryside, much of which has been shaped largely by the influence of man over the last two thousand years, has become noted for the natural glory of it's diverse and spectacularly beautiful landscape, which will remain a `joy forever' - and the main reason for its popularity!
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30th July
4 star rated Sheldon Barn is offering a week from Friday 13th August, including a fully cooked breakfast, delivered to your door. For more information give us a call on 01629 813067/07976 965092... |
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30th July
Eastview Cottage, Eyam Sleeps 5, Available 4 nights commencing Monday throughout August ; 2nd / 9th / 16th /and 23rd. Two people 280 parties of 4 and 5 350. Contact Andrew on 07900 192838 or ... |
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30th July
When the sun is shining, the sights, sounds and smells of outdoor dining on a balmy English summer evening are pretty hard to beat. For a limited time, multi award-winning East Lodge hotel and restaur... |
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27th July
Set in stunning countryside, Meadow Suite offers a unique bed and breakfast experience for two people. The suite has four ground floor rooms with an added feature of having a well equipped kitchen. Y... |
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26th July
Get up close to a range of owls, falcons, hawks as well as the awesome Golden Eagle, Cuddles. Flying displays will take place at 1pm and again at 3pm enabling visitors to see these beautiful birds in ... |
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26th July
Gingerbread Cottage, Bakewell - late availability for w/c 7 August and 14 August. Delightful 4* cottage in the heart of Bakewell, sleeps 4 people. 540 per week. Short breaks available. ... |
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26th July
Peaceful edge of village location, sleeps 5, ideal base for exploring the Peak District. Reduced rates throughout September for smaller groups: 4 people - 10% discount; 3 people - 15% discount; 2 peop... |
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23rd July
See one of our fantastic reviews from a group of 20 University friends who rented all 3 properties for exclusive use. [li... |
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22nd July
Toad Cottage 17th Century Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom cottage lots of character is available from 3.00pm on Tuesday 17th August until 10.00am on Friday 20th August now only 230.00 was 295.00. If you a... |
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22nd July
The Lodge @ Dale End House - Sleeps 2, is now unexpectedly available from Friday 23rd until Tuesday 27th July 2010. Found on a quiet lane between Elton and Youlgreave, the Lodge enjoys unspoilt count... |
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20th July
Located in the beautiful village of Winster where you can discover little lanes and alleyways on leisurely walks. The accommodation provides two double rooms with kingsize beds and one twin bedded ro... |
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20th July
FRI 30TH JULY - FRI 6TH AUGUST 20% OFF!! 3 nights (Fri - Mon) 4 nights (Mon - Fri) or go wild and stay for the 7 nights!! Luxurious accommodation for 2 in quiet village location 10 mins drive fro... |
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20th July
Albertine Barn (sleeps 8)- Fri. 20th August 2010 - 7 nights 1060 Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights 1060 Maigold Cottage (sleeps 4) - Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights 496 [link=http://www.pe... |
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20th July
It's lights, camera and action as multi award-winning Peak District hotel and restaurant East Lodge launches its all new Exclusively Yours wedding DVD. ... |
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15th July
AVAILABILITY Fri 23rd JULY (first week school holidays) - NOW 600. HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN CENTRE OF BAKEWELL. Beautifully furnished cottage for up to 6 adults right in the centre of Bakewell with court... |
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15th July
A small taste of heaven in the popular village of Castleton is opening for business on Saturday. The Food Angel Coffee Shop offers freshly made sandwiches, fresh paninis, jacket potatoes, Salad boxes... |
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15th July
Fed up of going away with the family and going to bed with the children. Brand new family Suite comprising of separate double and bunk bed room with private bathroom. All self contained. Call for fu... |
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14th July
A wonderfully romantic cottage for two (ETB 5 star grading). Fantastic location (Manifold Valley and Dovedale), stunning views and great walking straight from the door! 25% late availability dis... |
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13th July
Matchcroft Well equipped barn conversion in an ideal location for the Hope Valley ; Friday and Saturday 2 people 140 , 4 people 200. Eastview , Eyam sleeps 5 , 2 people 140, 4 people 200. See ww... |
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13th July
Shamble Cottage, Ashford in the Water. Four star rated, Grade 2 listed ex stocking mill reduced 33% for 2 people staying 7 days to 400. If required for 4 people cost is 450. Contact Andrew on 07900 ... |
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