Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve

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.

Lathkill Dale

The dales are:

• Lathkill Dale (53°11′19″N 1°43′33″W / 53.1886°N 1.7257°W / 53.1886; -1.7257 (Lathkill Dale))
• Cressbrook Dale (53°15′42″N 1°44′38″W / 53.2617°N 1.7438°W / 53.2617; -1.7438 (Cressbrook Dale))
• Monk's Dale (53°15′58″N 1°47′59″W / 53.2662°N 1.7997°W / 53.2662; -1.7997 (Monk's Dale))
• Long Dale (53°08′20″N 1°42′59″W / 53.1388°N 1.7164°W / 53.1388; -1.7164 (Long Dale))
• Hay Dale (53°17′20″N 1°49′13″W / 53.2890°N 1.8203°W / 53.2890; -1.8203 (Hay Dale))

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 winterbournes). 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 dippers are made along the River Lathkill, and many other species are present. Ravens and buzzards 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 fossils 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).

External links

• Natural England website
• Natural England page on White Peak
• Natural England page on Derbyshire Dales