For me, the Peak District is characterised by its thousands of miles of dry stone walls which vary in colour depending on whether they’re in an area of brown gritstone (sandstone) or light grey limestone – the limestone is my favourite for walling but the gritstones make wonderful millstones which are still used decoratively around the region. Whenever I visited I marvel at the number of man hours that have gone into building and maintaining these walls, not to mention the sweat, blood and sore muscles. It’s as much about the social history as it is about the aesthetics.

When I picture the Peak District it’s usually of stark, open, rugged moorland, but much of the area is rolling hills of lush pasture in small fields, dotted with farmsteads, livestock and woodland, and garlanded with wobbly roads, tracks and footpaths.

We visited this area at the weekend for a bike ride with friends along the Tissington Trail which follows the old railway line running north from Ashbourne to Hurdlow. It’s a lovely route – very quiet, great views and a few good stopping off points. My advice is to start at the Ashbourne end (car park at Mapleton Lane) as it’s uphill from here, not much of a gradient but it’s definitely easier to do the return journey downhill.