Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve

Tucked under Manchester, the Peak District is one of England's prettiest parts whatever the weather or time of year. Here you will find the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve, its five limestone valleys filled with wildlife.

Springtime visitors can take in the blooms of early purple orchids and cowslips, just two of the 45 species of plants you'll find on the grasslands.

Not surprisingly, the area plays host to a diverse insect population: 20 species of butterfly live here, including the endangered northern brown argus butterfly and shimmering, metallic-green cistus forester day-flying moth. The Dales woodland reveals more natural treats.

Among the birds look out for the redstart, easily identifiable by its orange-red tail; and the lively white-chested dipper, which bobs and dashes its way along streams searching for the shallows.