Upper Hulme Live Cam

Few areas in Britain can compare with the Peak District for variety when it comes to plants, birds and animals and many of the habitats and species are of international importance. Because the Peak District stands at a climatic crossroads, where the highlands meet the lowlands, northern and southern species can both be found at the limits of their distribution.

As many as 50 species of plants per square metre have been counted growing in some of the Derbyshire dales, including the rare Jacob's Ladder. On old lead rakes (disused workings) uncommon species such as Alpine Pennycress and the Mountain Pansy can be seen.

The wild and remote bogs of the Dark Peak present a contrasting picture with their clumps of cotton grass and featherbed mosses. Equally glorious are the heather moors which, at the end of summer, paint the landscape with vast swathes of purple colour.

Traditional haymeadows have sadly disappeared from most of Britain but here you can still enjoy their fragrance and beauty, rich with flowers like Field Scabious, Lady's Bedstraw, Ox-eye Daisy, Hay Rattle and Common Knapweed.

Woodlands create a special landscape and they are important wildlife habitats. Pockets of native oak can still be found in the less accessible cloughs of the Dark Peak and on the north facing slopes of some of the dales the remains of ancient ash woodlands can also be found.

The area is rich in birds, animals, insect and amphibians. Amongst the most charming is the orange bellied greater crested newt whose numbers are declining because of loss of habitat.

The Peak District is also one of the most important places in Europe for moorland birds, such as Curlew, Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl and Merlin.

Animals such as the fox, badger and weasel can also be found and on the High Peak moors in winter, the mountain hare can be seen in its distinctive white coat.

However many people and organisations, like the Peak District National Park Authority, are working hard to conserve and enhance the area's special natural qualities. You too can help by being a green tourist, treating the countryside and its wildlife with respect and making sure you leave everything as you found it.

The Peak District offers the keen time traveller thousands of years of history from the pre-historic right through to the living legends of today. Stone circles, burial mounds, hill forts, Roman remains, Saxon churches, medieval castles and evidence from the industrial revolution can all be found in abundance.

The towns, villages and historic homes, parks and gardens have much to offer and the area is rich in custom and legends, kept alive by local people. Throughout the summer there are many well dressing festivals and numerous other fairs, events and happenings such as the football match played through the streets of Ashbourne, the Garland Ceremony at Castleton and the Longnor races.

A visit to the Peak District offers much more than just a trip to some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. There are hundreds of places to visit and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do.

From vast underground caverns to spectacular stately homes, from thrill-filled theme parks to animal and wildlife attractions, from transport museums to craft workshops and water mills - whatever your age or your interest there's always something new and exciting waiting to be discovered.

Throughout the year there's a full programme of events and happenings reflecting local traditions and a community way of life that, elsewhere, has all but disappeared.

Wherever you go you will be guaranteed a warm and genuine welcome, so come along and enjoy the unique well dressing ceremonies, the country fairs and traditional markets, the shows, the galas and the sheep dog trials. And, if your taste is a little more sophisticated, there are arts and music festivals and theatre and music at the world famous Buxton Opera House.

A holiday in the Peak District gives you the chance to get out in the countryside and do something different - whether it be walking, riding or something a little more adventurous such as caving or climbing. There are gentler pursuits as well - sketching, painting, bird watching or learning about the countryside and its history. The Peak District is the perfect place for an activity holiday. Here you will find a brief guide to what's on offer and a list of activity providers. Holidays can be based on a single or mix of activities and facilities are often available on an hourly or daily basis.

There really is something for everyone when it comes to walking in the Peak District - whether you prefer strolling with the family along a traffic-free trail or meeting the bog-trotting challenge of a hike through the Dark Peak.

Most routes are well signposted or way-marked but you should always have a good map or guidebook and take stout footwear and waterproof clothing in case of a change in the weather. The area has over 1,600 miles of public footpaths, rights of ways and on the moors there are more that 80 square miles where you can roam at will thanks to access agreements with landowners. ( See any good map for details.) Access for All gives information about easy routes for people who are less mobile.

There is also a programme of guided walks led by the National Park Rangers. Wherever you walk, please respect the countryside. Fragile habitats are the home to rare plants and wildlife and local people are dependent on the land for their living. So, please take care and keep dogs on a lead.

Horse riding has a long tradition in the Peak District and many of the routes followed by today's pony trekkers are ancient packhorse trails. So a holiday on horseback can also be a trip back in time.

Many trekking and riding centres specialise in weekend breaks but they also offer a day's trekking as part of a normal holiday. And of course, all provide equipment and training. All you have to do is rein in, sit back and enjoy the experience.

More and more visitors are enjoying the Peak District by bike. For beginners or families there are wonderful rides through beautiful countryside on a network of old railway trails. These offer safe, traffic-free cycling with easy gradients and no sharp turns.

For more advanced cyclists there is plenty of challenging riding with a wide choice of routes, many of which are covered by leaflets or guidebooks available from Information Centres. You don't need to own a bike to enjoy cycling in the Peak District. Numerous centres offer cycle hires at reasonable rates. Some of the centres also offer cycling facilities for disabled people.

A polite reminder. There are places where you are not allowed to cycle - for example on footpaths - and cyclist are asked to take walkers into consideration and remember that they can easily damage fragile countryside if they stray off the paths.

The Peak District is a Mecca for rock climbers and cavers. Whether your ambition is to go up in the world, or disappear underground, there are opportunities for everyone from the complete novice to the experienced practitioner. If you are a beginner, just taking up these sports, many activity centres offer short courses with expert tuition. It is vital to start with experienced tutors because, although accidents are rare, these are not activities where you can afford to take risks.

It may well be that your interests are not confined to just one activity. If so, that's no problem in the Peak District. There are a host of activity centres which cater just for your kind of holiday. you can follow a day's rock climbing in expert hands on a convenient crag with a day spent caving, exploring the underground wonders of the Peak. Then you can try your hand at orienteering, once quite accurately described as "cunning running."

For the less energetic holidaymaker, there is an equally-wide varied choice of activity-based holidays including courses on natural histroy and appreciation of the Peak's unique historic heritage.

One sport that has literally taken off in the past few years has been hang-gliding. Floating like a bird, above the glorious Peak District has to be experienced to be believed, and there are several schools which will provide beginners with a chance to take to the air under expert tuition.

Parascending and gliding are also available and again there are schools and clubs who will be happy to give training for novices. The final way to get up, up and away is by hot air balloon and there are many recognised companies offering rides subject to the right weather conditions.

Canoeing, sailing, water skiing, kayaking and windsurfing can all be enjoyed in the Peak District. Canoeing takes place on the River Derwent at Matlock and Matlock Bath and larger reservoirs, such as Carsington, between Ashbourne and Wirksworth, Errwood in the Goyt Valley and Torside in Longdendale, all have thriving sailing clubs.

Sailing and canoeing are available on an hourly or daily basis and expert tuition is available. Rudyard Lake, in Staffordshire also offers these facilities.

Kayaking is offered by a number of activity centres and you can water ski at Bottoms Reservoir in Longdendale. Wind-surfing is available at Errwood, Bottoms and Carsington Reservoirs.

A holiday in the Peak District gives you the chance to get out in the countryside and do something different - whether it be walking, riding or something a little more adventurous such as caving or climbing.

There are gentler pursuits as well - sketching, painting, bird watching or learning about the countryside and its history. The Peak District is the perfect place for an activity holiday. Here you will find a brief guide to what's on offer and a list of activity providers. Holidays can be based on a single or mix of activities and facilities are often available on an hourly or daily basis.

Give the Peak District - and yourself - a break. Leave the car at home and try travelling a different way.

Walk - use the 1,600 miles of rights of way in the Peak District - many cross the National Park boundary and you can stroll right in.

Cycle - use the trails and bridleways for safe travelling for you and your family… and try our cycle hire.

Bus Coach and Rail - use public transport and relax, taking in the breathtaking views without the strain of driving or worry of where to park.

Many people and organisations, like the Peak District National Park Authority, are working hard to conserve and enhance the area's special natural qualities. You too can help by being a green tourist, treating the countryside and its wildlife with respect and making sure you leave everything as you found it.