Peak District, National Trust

A 'pop of colour': Nature edition. Wildflowers and the pollinators they attract are adding a splash of colour across the places in our care in the Peak District. We’ve spotted striking purple orchids, the pretty blue petals of speedwell, bright yellow cowslip amongst the grass and orange marsh marigolds near the river. There are carpets of white wild garlic flowers and the delicate cuckoo flower can be seen in some places too. If you look closely on the photo of the cuckoo flower, you’ll find the tiny egg of an orange tip butterfly. The striking patterns and colours of adult orange tip butterflies were spotted pausing to enjoy the pollen on some bluebells. Thanks to rangers and volunteers in the Peak District team for sharing these photos. Credit: National Trust

Calling all nature lovers, artists & explorers this half term! 🌿✨ With just one week to go until the school holidays begin, here are a few ideas of how to keep the family entertained, especially if a nature-filled arty adventure is what you’re looking for! Our popular Nature Journals are back, ready for you to capture your discoveries as you explore, spotting wildlife and discovering “nature stations” along the way. Pick up a journal for £3 in our second-hand bookshop at Ilam Park and in the Welcome Building at Longshaw. 🌿 There are drop-in crafts at the second-hand bookshop at Ilam Park and a play area in the old walled garden. Other exciting events coming up this half term: 🚶‍♀️ Thursday 28 May: Family Guided Walk at Ilam Park. Discover geology, archaeology & landscape secrets. Follow the link in our bio to book your place. 🦋 Friday 29th May: Meet the Moths. Ilam Park. Drop in and get up close to these incredible creatures! Learn fascinating facts & enjoy creative activities 🚶‍♀️ Friday 29 May: Morning Wildlife Walk at Longshaw Discover Longshaw's spring wildlife and spectacular views on a friendly guided walk.Book your place on the 'events at Longshaw' link in our bio. Images: 1) A child looking through binoculars with an adult stood behind them looking in the same direction and smiling. Credit:National Trust/Rebecca Hughes 2) A group of children playing around a large tree trunk Credit: National Trust/Chris Lacey 3) A child touching a tree trunk and holding a magnifying glass in his other hand Credit: National Trust/John Millar 4) A child playing in the trees Credit: National Trust/James Dobson

Magical moths come in a range of fascinating shapes and sizes, colours and patterns, which often makes them masters of disguise. They’re also important pollinators for lots of plants and a tasty food source for all kinds of other creatures, like birds and bats. This May Half Term, there’s a chance to learn more about marvellous moths and get up close to some of the species that live around Ilam Park. Drop in to the free ‘Meet the Moths’ event on 29 May between 10.30am and 2.30pm. You’ll also be able to get creative at the mothy drawing station. 🔗Find out more here on the 'events at Ilam Park' page on nationaltrust.org.uk or follow the link in our bio. Images: 1) An emperor moth - Credit: National Trust/Rob Coleman 2) A brimstone moth - Credit: National Trust/Rob Coleman 3) A male heath moth - Credit: Kev Dunnington 4) A poplar hawk moth - Credit: Ellie Smith

And then there were chicks. Here’s the highlights of a morning of *cracking* nest activity from the live stream cameras at Longshaw where 6 blue tit chicks have now hatched. Mum and dad are working hard to feed the hungry new arrivals. Watch to keep up to date with the all the latest nest action on National Trust’s You Tube Channel. Follow the link in our bio.

Bag two of the Peak District's most-loved Ethels and explore some spectacular archaeological sites at Lords Seat and Mam Tor Hillfort on a 6.5 mile guided walk from Edale. 🗓 22 May 2026 🕙 10am -2.30pm 🎟 £5/adult - £2.50/child Click the link in our bio to find out more and book your place. Image: An aerial view of the path along Mam Tor and looking out across Rushup Edge . Credit: National Trust/Paul Harris #guidedwalks #peakdistrictwalks #peakdistrict

At the start of Mental Health Awareness Week here’s a moment of peace and tranquillity from the riverbank to enjoy. When you see scenes like this where the brightly coloured marsh marigolds are blowing in the breeze and you can hear the river flowing by as the light shimmers on the surface, it’s easy to see why spending time noticing nature can benefit your mental and physical wellbeing.

Springtime woodland wonders. Brilliant bluebells in full bloom and Tolkienesque trees about to burst into leaf. It’s easy to see why landscapes like these inspire tales of fantasy and magic. Images with thanks to Chris, our lead ranger at Longshaw 1) A path running through a carpet of bluebells in a woodland. 2) Bluebells covering a woodland floor with a sea of blue. 3) A large old and wizened oak tree growing in woodland with a thick trunk and twisted branches. The tree is just coming into leaf so bare dark branches are visible.

Meet your latest obsession. Coming to you from the Longshaw Estate, Derbyshire we've TWO nest box cams. Over the weeks ahead we'll be watching the blue tits and pied flycatchers as they build their nest and expand their families. Follow the link in our bio to watch live. With thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies, for supporting this project through their Digital Accelerator, allowing us to improve our technology infrastructure so we can help you connect with the UK's nature and heritage. [ Video description: A dual camera view into two nest boxes. They show a blue tit in the top box and a pied flycatcher in the bottom. Each have made a nest out of leaves and grass. The pied flycatcher is actively building the nest whereas the bluetit is nestled comfortably in theirs. Text over reads, Meet the nest box neighbours. Blue tit and Pied Flycatcher. They're nesting on the Longshaw Estate, Derbyshire. You can watch them on our livestream, join in the chat, and let us know what you spot as and when it happens. Warning: They'll become your newest obsession over the coming weeks. (Sorry, not sorry) ]

📚Discover the White Peak’s literary secrets. Explore the landscapes that inspired Jane Austen, Conan-Doyle, Bronte and more. Join our guided walk from National Trust Ilam Park and uncover the connections between these iconic authors and the Peak District. 🔗Tap the link in the bio to book tickets or visit NationalTrust.org.uk/Ilam and to the the ‘Events Guide’ page 📍Ilam Park, DE6 2AZ #peakdistrict #nationaltrust #ntmidlands #whitepeak #peakdistrictwalks

Walk with us this May! 🥾🥾 Here’s a run down of all the guided walks on offer across the places in our care in the Peak District during National Walking Month. They are a great way to explore a new area with a knowledgeable guide, or to learn more about the wildlife or interesting landscape features you spot along the way. #NationalWalkingMonth #WalksinthePeakDistrict #PeakDistrictwalks #walks #peakdistrict @ntmidlands

We are incredibly grateful to every person who has spent many hours in exceedingly difficult and dangerous conditions supporting efforts to get the fire on moorland near the Snake Pass under control this weekend. The scenes of devastation and damage are clear from the images that are emerging from those who were on scene. When you see pictures like these, shared by our ranger team, you might be able to imagine the levels of exhaustion and the emotional impact the people involved are experiencing as they battle to preserve a place they work hard to care for. The impact on wildlife is hard to hear about second hand, but to witness it in the process of fighting a fire must be heart breaking. We continue to work with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and members of the Peak District Fire Operations Group as this is still a live incident. Now the fire is under control our efforts are focussed on dealing with hotspots. UPDATE 5/5/26: We’re pleased to report Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has now handed over to our team. We will continue to monitor the site today looking for and dealing with any remaining hot spots.

Our team of rangers, along with other members of the Fire Operation Group, continue to support Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service on the site of the moorland fire near Snake Pass today. The fire and rescue service declared the fire was under control last night, but work will continue in the area to tackle hot spots throughout the day. Our continued thanks go to all involved.