This is an archived website, available until June 2027. We hope it will inspire people to continue to care for and protect the South West Peak area and other landscapes. Although the South West Peak Landscape Partnership ended in June 2022, the area is within the Peak District National Park. Enquiries can be made to customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk
The 5-year South West Peak Landscape Partnership, 2017-2022, was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Geology and Water
Rocks
The geology of the South West Peak comprises strongly folded Millstone Grit with the dipping beds of gritstone creating defined rocky ridges and slopes such as the well-known ridge of the Roaches in Staffordshire. The great folds in the rocks have left exposed coal measures in some areas, notably in the Goyt Valley and basins such as Goldsitch Moss.
Soils
Much of the highest land in the South West Peak is covered by deposits of blanket peat, lending a smooth rounded appearance to the landscape. Elsewhere the soils are generally acidic and wet, hence the predominant agricultural land classifications of grade 4 and 5 (poor and very poor, respectively).
Water
With rainfall of over 140cm a year, Axe Edge is one of the major watersheds of England. It is the source of five rivers ; the Dove, Manifold, Goyt, Dane and Wye. The rivers and their fast flowing tributaries have cut steep sided rocky cloughs (valleys) through the upland landscape which broaden into wide river valleys in the lowlands. Many of these streams and rivers supply reservoirs that in turn provide drinking water to Stockport, Leek, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield. So when you turn on the tap enjoy a pure, clean taste of the South West Peak!
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