Important notice: This is an archived version of the Peak District National Park Authority's website. It was last updated on 2 August 2011. The current version can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk. This old version of the website will remain available until all content and functionality has been transferred across to the new website, after which it will be switched off.

Fly fishing in a Peak District river

Looking After

How we work to look after the National Park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.

National Parks Week July 25-31, 2011

‘National Parks – Good for you!’ is the promise for National Parks Week 2011 which runs from Monday July 25 to Sunday July 31.

Dedicated to raising awareness of Britain’s National Parks, the week of events celebrates the beauty, diversity and wide range of opportunities national parks offer for recreation and enjoyment.

In the Peak District National Park there’s a variety of activities to choose from, and most are free, so whether you’re barmy about boggarts, crazy about conservation or wild about wildlife there’s something for you.

For details of events being held all over the country - visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk

White and Dark Peak Wildlife Walk, Saturday July 23 – 5 mile undulating walk looking at wildlife on limestone and gritstone. Can be very wet underfoot so bring suitable footwear and clothes. Meet at Hulme End car park, SK17 0EX. Grid reference SK 102 593, postcode. 10am to 4.30pm. No need to book.

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award residential course, Saturday July 23 to Thursday July 28 – Duke of Edinburgh residential conservation project towards the Gold Duke of Edinburgh scheme award. Only open to people aged 18 and over, doing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Meet at Brunts Barn, Grindleford, grid reference: SK 246 789. Cost £140. Booking essential, contact Karen Harrison on 01629 816290 or karen.harrison@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Bakewell and the Old Saxon Portway, Sunday July 24 – 7 mile exploration of the countryside around Bakewell looking at some of the early buildings in Bakewell, routeways and guide stoops. Meet at Bakewell Visitor Centre, Old Market Hall, Bridge Street, Bakewell DE45 1DS. Grid reference SK218 685.  10.30am to 4pm. No need to book.

Wonderful Woods and Wild Boggarts, Sunday July 24 – Celebrate National Parks Week and International Year of the Forest with activities to find out more about the trees of the Peak District and the mischievous creatures that live in them. Join the Peak District National Park Authority for a day of discovery, crafts and family fun. Drop in any time between 10am and 3pm at Longdendale Environmental Centre, United Utilities Bottoms Office, Tintwistle, near Glossop, SK13 1HS. £3 per child , all children much be accompanied by an adult. No need to book.

Earth Explorers Wanted! Tuesday July 26 – A fun filled 3 mile easy walk to discover a beautiful Dale, with lots of family activities for children aged 5 to 11. Meet by the playground in the centre of Middleton by Youlgreave, DE45 1LS. Grid reference SK195632. 10.30am to 3.30pm. Booking essential on 01298 84992 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Boggarts, Art and Ponds, Wednesday July 27 – Celebrate National Parks Week and International Year of the Forest with activities to find out more about thewoods of the Peak District and the mischievous creatures that live in them. Enjoy a day of discovery, arts and crafts and family fun. Drop in at any time between 10am and 3pm at Langsett Barn, Langsett, Stocksbridge, S36 4GY. £3 per child, all children much be accompanied by an adult. No need to book.  

Bees & Trees Activity Day, Wednesday 27th July - Join the National Park Rangers in our family activities and games.  Come and find out how important bees are and look for bees in our bee meadow.  Follow the tree trail and learn about our veteran tree.  Help us create a wildlife collage in the visitor centre.  Children to be accompanied by an adult please.  11:00am— 3:30pm at the Moorland Visitor Centre, Edale, Hope Valley, S33 7ZA.  Tel: 01433 670207 or edale@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Lost Villages Walk, Thursday July 28 – 7 mile walk to discover the story of Ashopton and Derwent Villages and the building of the dams. The walk has one steep climb but is on good paths. Suitable for older children and adults. Meet at Heatherdene car-park, Ladybower Dam, S33 0AZ. Grid reference SK202859. 10am to 4pm. Booking essential on 01433 659986 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Conservation projects for volunteers, Friday July 29 – Join the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers for the day to carry out improvements in the national park countryside. The activities and location will be decided nearer the day but examples of the type of projects volunteers work on can be seen at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ppcv. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor conservation activities. Bring a flask and sandwiches. Under 18s have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Booking essential as the group is limited to 15 people. Contact: Dave Cramp, Conservation Volunteers Officer on 01433 631433 or dave.cramp@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Navigation for Beginners, Saturday July 30 – Learn basic map and compass skills on an easy three mile walk over fields. Suitable for families. Fun quiz with prizes and tea and cake to finish. Bring a White Peak OS 1:25000 map and compass. Some ascents and stiles on walk. Park at the farm. Meet at Marsh Farm ranger centre opposite Tittesworth Reservoir, ST13 8SW. Grid Reference SJ995605. 10am to 4.30pm. Booking essential on 01538 300135 or 07968 557712 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Macclesfield Forest Trail Walk and Quiz, Saturday July 30 – An introduction to the forest via a short walk to celebrate the ‘International Year of the Forest’. Meet at Trentabank car park, SK11 0NE. Grid reference SJ961712. 11am to 3pm. Booking essential on 01260 253832 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Canal Boats and Tractors, Saturday July 30 – A 7 mile walk around Saddleworth looking at the landscape and history on paths and tracks. Meet at Greenfield Railway Station OL3 7JZ. Grid reference SD991046. 10.30am to 4.30pm. No need to book.

Conservation projects for volunteers, Saturday 30 July – Join the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers for the day to carry out improvements in the national park countryside. The activities and location will be decided nearer the day but examples of the type of projects volunteers work on can be seen at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ppcv. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor conservation activities. Bring a flask and sandwiches. Under 18s have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Booking essential as the group is limited to 15 people. Contact: Dave Cramp, Conservation Volunteers Officer on 01433 631433 or dave.cramp@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award residential course, Saturday July 30 to Thursday August 4 – Duke of Edinburgh residential conservation project towards the Gold Duke of Edinburgh scheme award. Only open to people aged 18 and over, doing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Meet at Brunts Barn, Grindleford, grid reference: SK 246 789. Cost £140. Booking essential, contact Karen Harrison on 01629 816290 or karen.harrison@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Afternoon Walk in the Goyt Valley, Sunday July 31 – A 3 mile walk in the Goyt on surfaced roads and woodland paths with two ascents. Suitable for accompanied children aged 7 and over. Meet at Street car park, grid reference SK013 756. 1.30pm to 4pm. No need to book.

Working Forests of the Upper Derwent, Sunday July 31 – A 7 mile walk through the woodlands looking at how they have been managed over the years and learning about trees. Meet at Fairholmes Ranger Centre, near Upper Derwent Visitor Centre, S33 0AQ. Grid reference SK173 893. 10.30am to 4pm. Booking essential on 01433 659986 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

South Head Circular Walk, Sunday July 31 – A 5 mile moderate walk around the foothills of Kinder Scout, with some slopes but fantastic views. Meet at Bowden Bridge car park, east of Hayfield, SK22 2LE. Grid reference 404 800. 1pm to 4.30pm. Booking essential on 01663 747786 or rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

White Peak Landscape, Life and Industry, Sunday July 31 – A 5½ mile walk through dales, limestone plateau, woodland and river bank looking at landscape, history and the lives and work of communities past and present. Meet at White Lodge car park on A6 west of Ashford, grid reference, SK170 706. Wear suitable footwear there are some steep ascents/descents, rough ground and slippery paths when wet. 11am to 4.30pm. No need to book.

Brilliant Bogs and Boggarts! Sunday July 31 – Celebrate International Bog Day and National Parks Week with activities to find out more about the bogs of the Peak District and the mischievous creatures that live in them. A day of discovery, crafts and family fun at the Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate, S11 7TZ. Drop in between 10am to 3pm. £3 per child. No need to book.