Fishing     There is a wide variety of fishing available in rivers, ponds and reservoirs throughout the Peak District. River fishing The Peak District’s rivers are renowned for their quality and are among the best in Britain. Excellent river fishing is available on various rivers throughout the Peak District including the Wye, Derwent, and Dove known for their rainbow trout, wild brown trout and grayling. Coarse fishing Rudyard, Ladybower and Carsington Reservoirs make good fisheries with day tickets readily available. Fly fishing The southern part of the Peak District National Park is known as the Derbyshire Dales. This is a limestone area and as such its main rivers – the Derbyshire Wye, Derwent and Dove – are fly rich waters delivering superb fly fishing. The Derbyshire Wye contains a particularly large head of fish. As well as Brown Trout and Grayling it is unique in the UK in having a large population of natural-breeding wild Rainbow Trout. The River Derwent flows down past Chatsworth House to join the River Wye at Rowsley. In Derbyshire there are also some excellent stillwater Trout fly fisheries such as Carsington Water (between Ashbourne and Matlock), Yeaveley Estate lakes (near Ashbourne).

 

 

 

 

Bird watching    The diversity of habitats in this region make it an excellent and very rewarding place for bird-watching. The Derwent Valley. Around this area between March and June it is possible to see Red-breasted Merganser, Common Sandpiper and Dipper on the reservoirs and river, whilst Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Winchat and Stonechat occur on the moorland. Red Grouse, Raven, Merlin and Peregrine are present throughout the year and sometimes Crossbill occur in late summer. Windy Corner. This is a great spot for observing birds of prey gliding on thermals, including Goshawk and Peregrine, between mid February and May. Mornings are best at this vantage point where you can park and scan the wooded valley and surrounding moorland.Beyond here, at the northern end of Howden Reservoir, the road ends at Kings Tree and a footpath continues up the valley running parallel to the River Derwent. This area offers good views of Dipper, Red-breasted Merganser and wagtails as the river weaves its way through the woodland before opening out onto rough grassland and heather moorland. Chatsworth Park. The River Derwent provides habitat for Sand Martin, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goosander and Common Sandpiper. Large flocks of Siskin and Redpoll can sometimes be seen feeding on alder trees along the riverbanks during winter. Throughout the year species present include Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Dipper. The woodland holds Nuthatch, Tree Creeper and sometimes Hawfinch.

 

 

 

 

                                 There are some many beautiful sleepy villages to wander around, places were time seems to have stood still- here are a small selection. Ashord- in-the Water Little over a mile to the north west of the famous town of Bakewell, Ashford is situated on the River Wye (straddled by the celebrated medieval Sheepwash Bridge). Beeley Formerly part of the Chatsworth Estate, Beeley is a well-preserved peak district village whose houses are almost all built from the local sandstone. Its listed buildings include Beeley Old Hall and the Church of St. Anne’s. Edale Popular with walkers as it marks the southernmost starting point of the Pennine Way, Edale’s resident population is little over 300. Hartington Prehistoric earthworks and the nearby Neolithic stone circle of Arbor Low prove that this visibly old village has a history that far predates the splendid cottages and houses on its streets. Its central features are the quintessentially English village green and duck pond.

 

 

 

 

Golf      Cavendish Golf Club, Buxton. Opened in 1925, was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, and unlike many early courses has not been altered in response to today’s pressures. At 5721 yds off the medal tees, the course remains shorter than many, yet still fulfils MacKenzie's belief that length has nothing to do with the quality of a hole. Matlock Golf Club Established in 1906 on the undulating moorland above the town of Matlock, the eastern gateway to the Peak District National Park, our Club offers a challenging 18-hole par 70 course of just over 5,800 yards (yellow tees) with spectacular views across the Derwent Valley and unrivalled practice facilities, including a 10 bay covered and floodlit driving range. Kedleston Golf Club  The feature holes are the 527 yard par 5 5th and the 151 yard par 3 7th holes.The 5th green is protected to the left by a large copper beech tree, with the lake behind. A Robert Adam designed bridge provides a backdrop.The 7th again features the lake, which guards the front of the green.The course is open to non-members and societies are welcome Monday to Friday (handicap certificates are required).