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Organising outdoor events in the Peak District
If you’re planning an outdoor event on National Trust land in the Peak District, please read the guidance below before submitting an application. You’ll find information on gaining landowner permission, maps to help you plan your events, and top tips for submitting your application.
Planning your outdoor event
When planning an outdoor event in the Peak District, it is essential to seek permission from all landowners whose land the event will cross. It is also important to consider the potential impact on other visitors, local communities and the natural environment.
National Trust land in the Peak District
The National Trust cares for approximately 13 per cent of the entire Peak District National Park, spanning some 19,000 hectares.
If your event crosses National Trust land, you’ll need to submit an application form. Please note, you will need to seek individual permissions from each landowners whose land your event crosses.
Looking after the landscape
We support events that promote people’s enjoyment of the Peak District. However, events must be carefully managed to safeguard wildlife, archaeology and our continuing conservation work.
Tips for a successful application
To give your application the highest chance of success, we suggest considering the following guidelines when preparing your event proposal:
- Use our Event Zoning Maps to help you plan your event location (more information below).
- Stay on public rights of way during nesting season (1 Mar to 31 July) and avoid breeding and hibernation sites.
- Avoid areas that may impact archaeological features.
- Avoid sensitive habitats such as blanket bogs and flushes, and moorland restoration areas.
- Avoid busy visitor routes e.g., Mam Tor summit and Jacob’s Ladder steps.
- Keep dogs on short leads at all times.
- Agree parking arrangements to ensure event parking will not disrupt residents, visitors, and obstruct essential gateways. Consider the use of public transport to alleviate congestion.
- Place marshals at key gateways to ensure gates are closed and latches replaced.
Event zone maps
To reduce the potential environmental impact on National Trust land, we’ve developed a set of Event Zone Maps to help you plan your event created in consultation with Natural England.
Each map highlights low impact areas that are good for events, areas where event numbers are limited, areas where we dissuade organised activities, and out of bounds routes.
So we can supply the correct zoning maps to help with your application, please email us providing a detailed description or map of your route
Maps change throughout the seasons, so please let us know if your event is planned during bird breeding season (1 Mar–31 July), the dry season (Aug–Nov) or the wet season (Nov–Mar).
Natural England consent
If an event passes through a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), we may need to apply for consent by Natural England. This particularly applies to events that require structures where the ground may need breaking. We will contact you directly if this is required.
Natural England aim to process consent applications within 28 days, but they may take up to four months. Natural England do offer a Fast Track service for an additional charge.
We strongly advise that you wait for the outcome of the application before advertising or selling tickets to your event. Please download the Natural England Guidance for SSSI Consent guidance for more information.
Submit your application
We encourage applications as early as a year in advance of the event date, or at least six months before ticket sales. Download an application form here and email the completed form to us.
You will also need to send a high-quality map showing National Trust and SSSI area boundaries, the route and markers, out of bounds areas, congregational areas, marshal locations, hydration points, temporary structures and a key.
We will review your application and contact you to inform you of the outcome.
Supporting our work in the Peak District
It costs the National Trust between up to £100 to process each application. While we don’t charge a fee to process your application, we may request a donation if your event is complex or requires Natural England consent. This supports our work as a conservation charity, looking after special places like the Peak District.
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