Special Qualities define what is distinctive and significant about the Peak District compared with other parts of the country. Understanding these qualities helps us to plan effectively and manage the national park in order to protect them.
Special Qualities of the Peak District National Park include:
- Natural beauty, natural heritage, landscape character and landscapes.
- Sense of wildness and remoteness.
- Clean air, earth and water.
- Importance of wildlife and the area’s unique biodiversity.
- Thousands of years of human influence which can be traced through the landscape.
- Distinctive character of hamlets, villages and towns.
- Trees, woodlands, hedgerows, stone walls, field barns and other landscape features.
- Significant geological features.
- Wealth of historic buildings, parks and gardens.
- Opportunities to experience tranquillity and quiet enjoyment.
- Easy access for visitors and surrounding urban areas.
- Opportunities to experience dark night skies.
- Vibrancy and a sense of community.
- Cultural heritage of history, archaeology, customs, traditions, legends, arts, and literary associations.
- Opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure.
- Environmentally friendly methods of farming and working the land.
- Craft and cottage industries.
- Opportunities to improve physical and emotional well-being.
- Special values attached to the national park by surrounding urban communities.
- The flow of landscape character across and beyond the national park boundary.
