The Derwent Valley

This Living Landscape has outstanding ancient woodlands and parklands with more than 1,200 veteran trees, such as Shining Cliff Woods, Crich Chase, Lea Wood and Bow Wood. These woodlands support spectacular displays of wild flowers including bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemone, while lesser spotted woodpeckers and pied flycatchers are among the birds that breed in the ancient woodland and parkland.

The River Derwent rises in the moorlands and is initially dammed to form the Howden, Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs. The river is considered by the Environment Agency to be of good quality from its source to the confluence of the River Amber. Among the wildlife along the river are mayflies, caddisflies, otters and - in the northern stretches - water voles. In Derby City, native white-clawed crayfish can still be found on the Markeaton Brook, while birds of the river include mute swans, little grebes and kingfishers.