Appeal for care of the Peak District as spring officially begins

As the UK begins its ‘meteorological spring’ on 1 March, organisations involved in caring for the Peak District are urging everyone to respect and take personal responsibility when enjoying the country’s original national park to help protect the area’s natural beauty.

Some of the Peak District’s most well-known attractions, charities, landowners, the police and the National Park Authority have come together in a collective call to encourage people to visit responsibly.

Ahead of the spring and summer season, they are keen to highlight how people can help care for the place they are visiting by reminding them about things like car parking, BBQs, camping, and visiting with dogs - especially as seasonal laws on Open Access land take effect.

Those involved say that visitors can take a few simple steps help to minimise the impact on this much-loved area that is important for people and nature.

Visitors can also help to reduce the pressures and challenges local communities, emergency services and other public sector organisations, charities and local businesses face during the peak visitor season by following straightforward guidance, advice and relevant laws.

Spring turning point for nature

Early spring in the Peak District is a crucial time for wildlife like nesting birds (often on the ground in upland areas) and for farm animals which may be busy raising their offspring. And so people are urged to enjoy exploring these areas in a way that minimises the risk of disturbance and damage.

For this reason, dogs are legally required to be on a short lead from 1 March on Open Access land, although the National Park Authority and others encourage this close control throughout the year. This is for the safety of both dog and owner, especially in more remote and farmed areas. Open Access land applies to much of the Peak District, including some of the most popular spots.

Early season fire risk

People may not realise that late winter and early spring can also be a period of increased wildfire risk.

Therefore the organisations are urging people not to bring BBQs with them into the Peak District as they pose a huge threat; as do open camp fires, fireworks or items such as ‘Chinese’ lanterns. There was a major fire in 2023 at the Upper Derwent Valley, the blaze took over 10 days to extinguish, taking multiple crews and services away from other operations. The fire was started by an abandoned BBQ and the cost to extinguish was put at £250,000.

Fines of up to £1,000 under Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are also in place in several parts of the National Park.

Litter challenge

Volunteers are some of the many who are often involved with collecting litter and things people leave behind. In several of the Peak District’s most popular areas, rangers and volunteers are spending huge amounts of time dismantling and removing ‘fly camping’ sites, sometimes with large quantities of tents, bedding, seats, BBQs and food waste having to be removed from remote locations or even streams and rivers.

There are currently over 70 official campsites in the Peak District area where people can experience sleeping in the outdoors in places with stunning views and on sites which are a great base to explore the area’s wilder landscapes from.

Wild camping should only be done with landowner permission, and where it is supported, campers must ‘leave no trace’.

Planning ahead on parking

In recent years there has been an increase in disruptive and in many cases illegal parking. This includes on double yellow lines, blocking entrances to homes and businesses and reducing emergency vehicle access on narrow routes. This has a huge impact on and poses a safety risk for people, living, working and visiting the Peak District.

To prevent this, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead by making sure they find out about the rural location they are heading to and how best to visit it safely and responsibly. The top tip is to make sure they have considered the practicalities of visiting before leaving home, such as where to legally park, having a plan B if the place you want to park is full, as well as how to get to the location they want to visit after leaving their car.

The National Park Authority website lists over 80 car parking locations, covering thousands of spaces, from a range of providers.

To minimise the pressure on limited parking spaces and reduce environmental impact, visitors are being asked to try out the range of seasonal bus services in the Peak District for the coming season, with many also linking up to mainline rail routes from Sheffield and Manchester.

Phil Mulligan, Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "Our cherished National Park is place to enjoy and explore at any time, but for our wildlife and farming landscapes spring is when things get serious. That’s why the smallest of positive actions now can make a massive difference.

"It's so simple to do things like ensuring four-legged friends are closely controlled on lead, a BBQ isn’t part of your plans and you’ve taken the time to think ahead about how you’ll travel so your trip can be relaxing, enjoyable and respectful for everyone else."

Craig Best, National Trust General Manager in the Peak District said:

"The Peak District is a wonderful place for people to connect with nature and get active in the outdoors, but it is crucial that everyone plays their part in protecting and respecting this important place for future generations to be able to enjoy it. ‘Leave no trace’ is the key to that and it is a simple thing that everyone can do by taking rubbish home, bringing a picnic not a BBQ and parking responsibly or using public transport."

Co-signed partners:

• Chatsworth Estate
• Derbyshire Dales District Council
• Derbyshire Police
• Eastern Moors Partnership
• High Peak Borough Council
• Moors for the Future Partnership
• National Trust (Peak District)
• Peak District National Park Authority
• (Office of) Police & Crime Commissioner (Derbyshire)
• Severn Trent
• Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
• Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
• Yorkshire Water