Derbyshire Dales NNR
Encyclopedia
The Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve is a series of unconnected limestone dales in the Peak District National Park. It is managed by Natural England
and has a permanent staff of wardens who carry out conservation works and ensure the dales are usable for recreation.
The dales are:
They are all in the White Peak
National Character Area, of which dales are an integral part. The dales are a mixture of grassland
, woodland
and scrub; some also have streams (generally winterbourne
s). They are a haven for biodiversity
and many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lie partly or wholly within the reserve boundaries. There are a number of Biodiversity Action Plan
species and habitats present.
Regular spottings of dipper
s are made along the River Lathkill, and many other species are present. Raven
s and buzzard
s are regularly seen. The Monyash
end of Lathkill Dale is well known for the Jacob's Ladder plant (Polemonium
), which is common in gardens but the wild form is rare. There are also a number of orchid species found in all the dales.
The sites are also a good place to study geology, with many fossil
s within the limestone. There are also a number of historical sites. Lathkill Dale has many industrial workings (now abandoned and derelict), and there are many interpretation boards in the dale explaining the history.
Lathkill Dale is most easily accessible and most frequently visited of the dales, and has a good path for a large section of the dale, whereas other dales are completely inaccessible to less mobile people, as paths are steep and rocky for large sections (particularly Monk's Dale).
Natural England
Natural England is the non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved...
and has a permanent staff of wardens who carry out conservation works and ensure the dales are usable for recreation.
The dales are:
- Lathkill Dale (53.1886°N 1.7257°W)
- Cressbrook Dale (53.2617°N 1.7438°W)
- Monk's Dale (53.2662°N 1.7997°W)
- Long Dale (53.1388°N 1.7164°W)
- Hay Dale (53.2890°N 1.8203°W)
They are all in the White Peak
White Peak
The White Peak is the lower, southern part of the Peak District in England. In contrast to the Dark Peak, the underlying limestone is not capped by impervious millstone grit, so caves and dry river valleys are common features of the area...
National Character Area, of which dales are an integral part. The dales are a mixture of grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
, woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
and scrub; some also have streams (generally winterbourne
Winterbourne (stream)
A winterbourne is a stream or river that is dry through the summer months. A winterbourne is sometimes simply called a bourne, from the Anglo-Saxon for a stream flowing from a spring, although this term can also be used for all-year water courses....
s). They are a haven for biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lie partly or wholly within the reserve boundaries. There are a number of Biodiversity Action Plan
Biodiversity Action Plan
A Biodiversity Action Plan is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity...
species and habitats present.
Regular spottings of dipper
Dipper
Dippers are members of the genus Cinclus in the bird family Cinclidae, named for their bobbing or dipping movements. They are unique among passerines for their ability to dive and swim underwater.-Description:...
s are made along the River Lathkill, and many other species are present. Raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
s and buzzard
Buzzard
A buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.-Old World:In the Old World Buzzard can mean:* One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings....
s are regularly seen. The Monyash
Monyash
Monyash is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District about five miles west of Bakewell.Monyash lies at an elevation of 300m above sea level, and has a population of about 280 people. The village is located in a shallow hollow in the limestone plateau at the head of Lathkill Dale, which starts just...
end of Lathkill Dale is well known for the Jacob's Ladder plant (Polemonium
Polemonium
Polemonium, commonly called Jacob's ladder, is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Polemoniaceae, native to cool temperate to arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and also in the southern Andes in South America...
), which is common in gardens but the wild form is rare. There are also a number of orchid species found in all the dales.
The sites are also a good place to study geology, with many fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s within the limestone. There are also a number of historical sites. Lathkill Dale has many industrial workings (now abandoned and derelict), and there are many interpretation boards in the dale explaining the history.
Lathkill Dale is most easily accessible and most frequently visited of the dales, and has a good path for a large section of the dale, whereas other dales are completely inaccessible to less mobile people, as paths are steep and rocky for large sections (particularly Monk's Dale).