Ten National Parks were set-up by an Act of Parliament (1949). (See Fig.1)
The Act also created National Park Authorities, whose task it was to look after the Parks.
a) Protect and Enhance the landscape; b) Help the public to relax, and encourage them to participate in outdoor recreational activities.
To these can be added another duty: c) To protect the social and economical well-being of people who lived and/or work in the National Park.
In 1951 the Peak National Park, covering 542 square miles and part of 6 counties became Britons first National Park. It's twin aims are the conservation of the landscape and the provision of facilities for visitors, whilst making sure that the interests of local people are not forgotten. There are nine other National Parks in Britain, all "extensive areas of beautiful and relatively wild country".
The National Parks, which cover nearly 10% of the two Countries (England & Wales) were chosen because of their great natural beauty and scenic attraction. The act also created National Park Authorities whose task it was to look after the Parks.
THE PEAK DISTRICT
The Peak District National Park lies mainly in Derbyshire, although it is shared with six other counties (which are local), in the North Midlands. It covers 1,460 Sq.Km of mostly high open moorland. The population is steady at around 40-45,000. The only town of any size is bakewell (population around 45,000), but several important roads cross the park carrying traffic jams from Derbyshire to Sheffield to Manchester.
People settled in the Peak District as long ago as the Iron Age and the embarkments of their "Mamtor" Hillfort still ring the "Shivering Mountain". The name of the area comes from an Old English word meaning "Knoll" or "Hill", but there are no sharply pointed Peaks.
In Saxon times Peaklands were called "Pecsaetan" or "Dwellers of the Peak". Mamtor is at the edge of "The Dark Peak", which is the name given to the millstones grit moors of the North, East and West of the National Park. The central and Southern areas of the Park are known as the "White Peak" because of their light coloured limestone. Here steep-sided dales split a gently-rolling plateau.
This is crossed by miles of dry stone walls, giving evidence of the 18th Century Enclosures. Many hill tops are called "Lows"- another Old English word meaning "Burial Mound" or "Tumulus". These usually mark the site of a Prehistoric burial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NATIONAL PARK AND THE NATURE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE
Some steep climbs and some muddy sections, but mostly easy walking on-way marked paths with good surface.
Dovedale lies to the North-West of Ashbourne. The walk begins at a well sign- posted Car Park North-East of the Izaak Walton Hotel, off minor roads, 1 mile east of Ilam.
Dovedale is a classic limestone gorge with outstanding scenery, mixed ash woodlands, Herb-rich grassland and a crystal-clear river.
WHY DOVEDALE IS SO POPULAR
There are three main reasons why Dovedale is so popular:-
a) Nearby Sites b) Main Traffic Routes c) Situation
NEARBY SITES
Ilam Country Park and The Manifold Valley (See Fig.1.5 In Visual Data), Wolfscote Dale and Biggin Dale- also worth exploring they are said to be quieter than Dovedale.
MAIN TRAFFIC ROUTES
Dovedale is centred in one of the main traffic routes like:- A6 from Matlock, A628 to Glossop and other trunk roads. The principal roads are the A54, A53, A515 etc. (See Fig.2)
SITUATION
The Peak District is so popular because of where it is situated. The Peak District is situated to the North-West by the third largest City in England, MANCHESTER, and to the South by West Midland Conurbation's of which Birmingham is the Second Largest. It is a big city because it is largely populated so people going or coming for Manchester will see the signs for Dovedale and pay a visit. It is also near other Cities and Towns like:-
Sheffield Macclesfield Matlock Leeds Yorkshire Ashbourne