Coming up in the Peak District

Here’s a summary of events and activities coming up over the next couple of months.  For events marked B booking is required – call 01433 670368 or email peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk with booking enquiries.

Halloween Family Trails     

Longshaw

Until 4 Nov, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Ilam Park

Until 4 Nov, 11am - 4pm

Pick up a trail sheet from the shop and spot the spooky signs as you find your way around the haunted grounds of Ilam Park and Longshaw. 50p/ trail

Drop in Conservation Day - Rhododendron Clearing

Longshaw

Sat 3 & Wed 14 Nov, 10am – 3pm

Meet at the Visitor Centre at 10am, or follow the signs from the Visitor Centre to the site throughout the day. Wear outdoor clothing and stout boots and bring gardening gloves if you have them, and a packed lunch if you like.

Science in the Park

Sat 3 Nov: Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate, S11 7TZ – 10.30am - 4pm

Sat 10 Nov: Bakewell Town Hall, DE45 1BT - 10.30am - 4pm

Science is happening all across the Peak District National Park so come and take a scientific adventure at two FREE family events. Fun, hands on activities for children and adults alike, (outside if the weather is good), or quiz the experts on their field of expertise.  Free refreshments.

Displays include:

Uncovering 2,000 year old skeletons

Radio monitoring Northern Hairy Wood Ants

Conserving rare crayfish and adders

Monitoring the landslide on Mam Tor (The shivering Mountain)

Tackling climate change and Moorland restoration

Take part in:

Bug Hunting

The Hairy Wood Ant Trail

Some social or scientific investigations

Orienteering - Come and Try It

Ilam Park

Sat 10 Nov, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Orienteering is an adventure sport for the whole family using a detailed map to navigate a course. Come and try it, with Derwent Valley Orienteers. Adult £3, child £1.50

Remembering the War Years

Longshaw Estate

Wed 21 Nov, 2pm - 4pm

Longshaw Lodge was home to many wounded soldiers during the First World War. Our local history expert shares her research and the memorabilia from this time, followed by a delicious cream tea. £7 B

Christmas Wreath-making Workshop

Ilam Park

Sat 17 Nov, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Make a wreath with our expert. Some equipment provided, but please bring your own secateurs and any special decorations/ foliage. £20 B

Christmas Tree Sales at Longshaw

Sat 24 Nov - Fri 21 Dec,

Daily, 10am - 4pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work.  Sustainably sourced British trees of different sizes and non-needle drop varieties.

Late Night Christmas Tree Sales

Wed 12 Dec, open until 8pm – Christmas crafts from 4pm – 6pm, & carol singing at 6pm, and refreshments on sale in the Moorland Discovery Centre.

Christmas Tree Sales at Ilam Park

Weekends of 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16 December. 

10am – 4pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work.  Sustainably sourced British trees of different sizes and non-needle drop varieties.

Ilam Christmas Festival

Ilam Park

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, 11am - 4.30pm

Meet Santa and his helpers and join in the festivities at Ilam this Christmas.

Festive music, food, fun activities for all the family and a chance to do some Christmas shopping. Buy your sustainably sourced Christmas tree from us and support our work in the Peak District. Delicious teas in the Manifold Tea-room. £2 activities

Magical Christmas Crafts Weekend

Longshaw Estate

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Dec, 10am - 4pm

Get into the festive spirit at the Moorland Discovery Centre, with fun and simple natural & recycled decorations to make. Christmas shopping, festive music and meals in the tea-room. £2 activities.

Christmas Tree Sales

Castleton

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, 11am - 3pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work in the Peak District.

Walking routes are available from Ilam Park and Longshaw shops during opening times, and geocaching trails are available all year round.  For more information about our places, visit:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw/

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-peak/

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dark-peak/

Great British Walking Festival

I’ve been doing a lot of walking on Kinder Scout recently. When I’m not volunteering for the National Trust I work as a Conservation Works Officer for the Moors for the Future Partnership. They, as well as the National Trust, carry out restoration work on the blanket bogs and heather moorlands of the Peak District.

Some of the footpaths on Kinder Scout have been badly eroded leading walkers to veer off the path, damaging the nearby vegetation and widening the muddy scars still further. Lately we’ve been busy repairing the footpaths on Trust land on the hill and it’s my job to liaise with the contractors and check their work. The work near Grindslow Knoll has now been completed, which will help walkers cross difficult patches while preserving the adjacent vegetation.

We’re just starting work at Crowden Tower, Ringing Roger and The Nab and I’m really looking forward to re-visiting these sites and observing the progress made. Come and see for yourself (but please be careful while the works are in progress – the staff on site will guide you past any difficulties).

Starting from Edale, you could follow this fine National Trust walk which will take you up the valley and back along the high edges past  Crowden Tower:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/local-to-you/midlands/view-page/item536605/

Alternatively, Moors for the Future offer an excellent audio trail which takes you from Edale to The Nab:

http://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/visiting-moors/audio-trails/edale-struggle-access

Listening to this as you walk along the new footpath will help you to appreciate just how lucky we walkers are today!

Steve Maynard

For more information on the National Trust's Walks: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/activities/walking/