peak district local history, customs, wildlife, transport

The plantlife of the Peak is rich and varied. This because of its central location in the British Isles and its underlying geology. The climate of the high gritstone moorlands of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow make this an attractive area for plants that are adapted to the harsher conditions of Scotland and the Northern Pennines. On the other hand this southern tip of the Pennines is the first significant high ground encountered moving north from the southern counties. Many plants find the hills of the Peak inhospitable and reach the northernmost limit of their distribution here. So the Peak can be looked upon as a meeting point of northern and southern species.

Geology is also important. The gritstone moorlands of the High Peak provide a home for relatively few species because of their inhospitable climate. One of the gems of these moors is Cloudberry, a plant related to Blackberry. It can be found in a few places covering the bleak summits with its large white flowers in early June. These are followed by bright orange fruits which were once collected and sold in nearby villages and towns. Nowadays they provide a delicacy for the Red Grouse.

The limestone dales provide some of the richest habitats in Britain. The mixture of woodlands and open grassland are home to a large number of species, some of which are very rare. The dales offer a refuge for plants which have been unable to resist man’s activities in other parts of the country. Daleside woodlands are mainly Ash trees with shrubs such as Hazel growing beneath them along with many smaller shrubs. It is in areas such as these that the nationally rare shrub called Mezereon grows together with Yellow Star of Bethlehem and another strange woodland plant, Herb Paris. All three are indicative of ancient woodland which has remained undisturbed for many centuries.

The influence of man in Neolithic and Bronze Age times resulted in the creation of grasslands on the sides of the dales. In more recent times sheep grazing has kept these hillsides clear of scrub and provided a suitable habitat for the many wild flowers which put on such a colourful display in the summer months. Here are a few of them: Bloody Cranesbill, Burnt Tip Orchid, Globe Flower, Horseshoe Vetch, Jacobs Ladder and Stemless Thistle.

Not all of man’s activities have been harmful. Without the disturbance caused by centuries of lead mining we may not have had a suitable place for at least two species, Mountain Pansy and Spring Sandwort. Mountain Pansy is usually found on areas of old lead mine spoil and Spring Sandwort is so confined to the disturbed ground of lead mines that it is known locally as Leadwort.

Want to know more?
Wild flowers and other plants of the Peak District. Anderson, P.
1981
Wild flowers in the Peak National Park. Anthony, S.
1980