Natural England

50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent

• Transitional zone between the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park and the industrialised urban areas of the Coal Measures.

• Broadly similar elevational range of 100 metres - 300 metres including numerous outlying ridges separated by impressive, sometimes gorge-like, river valleys.

• Derwent Valley tends to dominate the area and be the focus for strategic communication routes.

• Stock rearing and rough grazing on improved grassland with arable concentrated on the valley sides towards the south of the area.

• Minor rivers and brooks in the north of the area flow eastwards towards large urban areas and are dammed to create small reservoirs.

• Woodland cover includes deciduous woodland along valley slopes, isolated copses on higher ground (historically providing charcoal for local industries) and some large blocks of conifer plantation.

• 18th and 19th century stone- and brick-built industrial buildings along valley bottoms, together with historic association with Sir Richard Arkwright which provides important heritage connections.

• Major quarrying activity, for both gritstone and limestone, forms large scars on the landscape.

• Extensive urban fringe areas, particularly around Chesterfield, with golf courses and horsiculture. 
Hedgerow field boundaries at lower altitudes remain largely intact and are replaced by stone walls above 200 metres.

• Small market towns and villages tend to be nestled in valley bottoms and are characterised by sturdy stone cottages and fine church buildings with dispersed farmsteads in outlying enclosed land. 

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.