The South Peak Estate is within the White Peak area of Derbyshire.
The property lies on the south-eastern side of a massive outcropping of carboniferous limestone encompassing the southern half of the Peak District. There are some fine examples of rock arches and narrow limestone gorges in the deeply incised dales of the Dove, Manifold and Hamps.
Dovedale is said to be the finest example of a karst landscape in the country. Within the complex and intricate steep sided limestone dales there is a huge reservoir of biological interest covering vast ranges of species and habitat. Outside the dalesides much of the biological interest has been destroyed, the majority of the plateau lands being agriculturally improved.
The landscape is an incredibly dynamic one, the whole area being fashioned by man's involvement and farming practice. This dynamism is clearly seen where over very short periods of time grassland can very quickly be reverted back to woodland by removing grazing.
Located within easy reach of many industrialised cities such as Derby, Leicester and Birmingham the whole area is incredibly popular and is intensively used as a 'green lung' The dramatic landscape attracts people, Dovedale alone receiving an estimated 2 million visitors a year.
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