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A relaxing stroll with much to ponder - take your time - you may just miss something special. |
LATHKILL DALE
Contact:
English Nature Peak District and Derbyshire Office, Endcliffe, Deepdale Business Park, Ashford Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1GT
Telephone 01629 816640
Amenities:
Parking and toilets.
Opening and Closing Times:
Access to area open at all times.
Area Description:
This extensive area is a limestone valley in the White Peak area of the Derbyshire Dales National Park and is best known for its stunning scenery and botanical diversity. The mosaic of habitats includes a meandering river, mossy banks, open grasslands and precipitous woodland.
Best times to visit:
Each season has its own appeal but spring and summer are essential to catch up with the best of the areas wildlife.
Key Flora:
Where can one start? The botanical range here is massive with numerous speciality species awaiting the eager eye of the flower hunter. Globeflower, Water Avens, Common Rock Rose, Bloody Cranes-Bill, various Orchids, Goldilocks Buttercup, Marjoram, Lords and Ladies and so much more is on offer making this one mighty blooming hotspot. Of course with so many flowers there is going to be a wealth of micro fungi and that is very much the case. A specialist area but very worthwhile indeed. Macro fungi are equally abundant as are the lichens, mosses and liverworts.
Key Fauna:
Insect life abounds with the Lepidoptera front well represented. Dark Green Fritillary, Brown Argus and the Cistus Forester Moth are particularly noteworthy.
Water Vole, Brown and Rainbow Trout, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wiilow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Grey Wagtails, Little Grebes, nesting Dippers and a whole load more keep the general naturalist busy with the chance of a Slow Worm a nice added extra.
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A relaxing stroll with much to ponder - take your time - you may just miss something special. |
Best times to visit:
The summer months are a veritable must with the butterfly and moth magic a fantastic experience (provided the weather is fine).
Key Flora:
It goes without saying that the botanical front is interesting with the whole set up geared towards attracting butterflies and moths. The open grassy areas are at their finest in the summer months and time needs to be spent appreciating the blooms in all their glory. The fungal population will get better as time goes on and as trees mature the symbiotic relationships will only increase - a place for the mycologist to keep an eye on.
