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Two of the UK’s most breathtaking national parks and their specialities
In celebration of UK National Parks turning 75, here are two of the most breathtaking bunch.
Peak District
Two words: hiker’s heaven. This 1438 square kilometres of awe-inspiring English countryside is wedged between Manchester and Sheffield. It reaches into the five counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
The rolling hills are home to some of the country’s most breathtaking walks, whether they be long, short, in caves or next to waterfalls.
A popular hotspot in the district for walkers and families is Dovedale, and for good reason. Drawcards include a variety of hiking paths with views of Thorpe Cloud and the area’s outstanding natural landscape, an abundance of picnic areas and the iconic Stepping Stones across the River Dove — a quintessential photography opportunity for any visitor.
As a Peak District native born in Derbyshire and a third-generation Dovedale-lover, I can attest to the captivating allure of this transcendent location. The stepping stones give Dovedale a fairytale flair and are a great source of entertainment for children and adults alike.
I have walked the paths of Dovedale throughout many different stages of my life, from when I was learning to walk, splashing in muddy puddles, to chasing cousins along the river, spotting sheep and skimming stones. The tranquil location remains the epicentre of my life, and it never changes, all thanks to the preservation efforts established in the landmark National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.
Scenic walks in the Peak District
IIam Park to Dovedale Stepping Stones (2.4km, 40 minutes, moderate)Kinder Scout circular walk (12km, 4.5-5.5 hours, challenging)Mam Tor circular walk (10.4km, 2 hours, moderate)Edale circular walk (5.44km, 1.5-2 hours, moderate)Kedleston (5.2km, 90 minutes, moderate)Calke Abbey to Staunton Harold (2,72km, 35 minutes, easy)Derwent Valley and reservoir walk (7.36km, 2 hours 25 minutes, moderate)
One cannot discuss the Lake District without mentioning its crown jewel: the inextricable ties with some of history’s most celebrated and influential writers. The national park possesses a unique literary charm, drawing poets and authors from all corners of the world.
The area is aptly named after the magnificent lakes, tarns and small reservoirs that reside there including Windermere, Ullswater, Grasmere and Brothers Water.
It is colloquially referred to as The Lakes and has been home to renowned English authors such as William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin.
The national park is a fascinating area of England not only for travellers, bookworms and history aficionados, but contemporary artists too.
In 2019, pop star Taylor Swift ditched the spotlight for Cumbria and spent time at the the largest lake in England, Windermere.
The Grammy award-winning musician later released a song dedicated to the national park, titled the lakes and it featured on her record-breaking Folklore album, exploring themes of escapism and the desire to disconnect from the world.
The park is 2362 square kilometres in size, and approximately 28,500 hectares of it is woodland, and it’s home to a remarkable 16,510 archaeological sites and monuments.
Literary destinations located in the Lake District
Grasmere: Dove Cottage, home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth, and the Wordsworth MuseumHawkshead: Beatrix Potter GalleryJerwood Centre: Home to more than 64,000 items including paintings, manuscripts, books and more related to the British Romanticism movement. Almost 90 percent of Wordsworth’s manuscripts are stored here.Greta Hall, Keswick: The former home of so-called Lake Poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey.Brantwood, Coniston Water: The former home of Victorian writer John Ruskin, which is open to the public as a museum showcasing his life and work.Hill Top, Near Sawrey: A National Trust time capsule of Beatrix Potter’s life.
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