Peak District National Park

The Peak District National Park was designated a national park in 1951, making it the UK’s first, but the story of Britain’s national parks started in the 1880s with the first attempt to introduce a freedom to roam.

The Peak District National Park Authority administers the Peak District National Park.

The law requires us to:

• conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
• promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public

If there’s a conflict between these two purposes, conservation takes priority.

In carrying out these aims, we are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the national park.

We are an independent body funded by central government, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Peak District National Park Authority is a public body made up of two groups of people: members and staff. Staff are sometimes called officers. Approximately 280 staff work for the Peak District National Park Authority.

We employ people who are specialists in ecology, archaeology, property, planning and rangers. We also employ specialist support staff who provide the core infrastructure including finance, IT, communications and human resources.

Find out more about working at Peak District National Park Authority here: https://careers.peakdistrict.gov.uk/PeakDistrict/Home