New footpath offers pinnacle views
5 March 2010
New breathtaking views across the White and Dark Peak can now be enjoyed by walkers visiting Stoney Middleton, near Bakewell, following the creation of a new footpath that has been funded by Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship scheme.
The 1.4 kilometre public path allows for circular walks from the village of Stoney Middleton, over the rocky outcrops known as The Oarystones. At the highest point of the route, both the limestone plateau of the White Peak and gritstone edges of the Dark Peak are clearly visible.
The footpath, which runs through Highfields Farm will take visitors past wildflower rich pastures, hay meadows, lead mining remains and dewponds. Highfields Farm is managed under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS) to maintain the environmental value of the land and to encourage visitor access to the area. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for flower rich limestone grassland.
Ben Rodgers, Land Management & Conservation Advisor, commented: “The path provides better access to the local Right of Way network whilst allowing visitors to soak up the amazing views.”
Stoney Middleton is a village of pleasing contrasts set on the north eastern fringes of the White Peak where Brown Hares are commonly seen and Skylarks can often be heard singing overhead in the summer months. Please see http://cwr.naturalengland.org.uk should you wish to visit the area.
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Notes to editors:
For further information, please email Charlene Kumar, Natural England Communications Advisor, or call 0300 060 2828. Read our press releases.
Highfields Farm has signed up to the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement, part of the Environmental Stewardship scheme, which is open to all farmers, land managers and tenants in England. It provides environmental and historical benefits and is a key part of the Government and EU funded Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 and is administered by Natural England on behalf of Defra.
HLS is designed to provide farmers with the opportunity to work with experienced advisors to develop a comprehensive agreement that achieves a wide range of environmental benefits through more detailed management over a longer period of time.
There are over 4,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSIs) in England, covering around 7% of the country's land area. Over half of these sites, by area, are internationally important for their wildlife, and designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or Ramsar sites. Many SSSIs are also National Nature Reserves (NNRs) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).
Natural England works with over 26,000 separate owners and land managers, who work very hard to conserve these important sites. Maintaining goodwill and building upon the enthusiasm, knowledge and interest of owners is vital to successfully manage these nationally important sites.
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
