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DESIGN OF ITEMS THAT GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PEAK NATIONAL PARK
A number of points need to be considered in the design of information material.
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National Park sign
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Tourist Signs take the form of information signs for campsites; plaques on places of interest, usually in villages (eg Little John’s grave); directions to visitor facilities (eg Visitor Centres); bye-law notices such as Boundary of Open Country. They must be sited to be visible without intruding on the landscape. They also need a unified style that can be easily identified and differentiated from normal street signs. The National park authority signs for car parks and buildings have a uniform colour (left) and are of a "slat" type design for ease of replacement.
Leaflets and brochures distribute information outside the National Park. They need to give a representative and attractive picture of the Park with useful information. The format needs to be easy to handle and to sent through the post.
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A Visitor Centre is both a part of the buildings of the Park and also provides information. There are main visitor centres at Bakewell, Castleton, Edale, Fairholmes (Upper Derwent), part-time centres at Hartington, Langsett and Longdendale and a mobile centre which visits different villages. There are also information agencies in a number of village shops. The centres have over 300,000 visitors each year.
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Bakewell Information Centre
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Information Boards must be visible and weatherproof, but not intrusive. They must follow a unified style, present information in a clear and readable style and use illustrations and symbols as well as lettering. They should be in a safe place for visitors to stop and read. Consideration must be given to the needs of wheelchair users and children.
| Creation of a Conservation Area in a village means that a design for the area as a whole can be planned. Creation of a Conservation Area in a village means that a design for the area as a whole can be planned. In Tideswell the needs of residents for car parking have been accommodated within the design scheme. |
These facilities must provide for the needs of millions of visitors every year (always considering the needs of disabled people), while remaining in harmony with the landscape of countryside or village. Some examples are ......
A new Car Park must be sited inconspicuously, but where it will reduce unsightly roadside parking in village or countryside and, preferably well related to access areas and paths.Toilet Blocks can often be provided in villages, built in keeping with local style, but must be sited carefully in the countryside if they are not to intrude on the landscape and if water and sewage services are to be provided.
Most picnics take place near the car, so Picnic Areas need to be sited near car parks. They must be designed to blend into the landscape and use naturally occurring materials.
Litter causes a problem in both villages and countryside and there is a policy of asking visitors to “Take Your Litter Home” and “Leave Nothing But Footprints”. This requires the design of eye-catching signs that do not themselves spoil the landscape, as well as some litter binds in larger car parks where they will be regularly emptied. These must also conform to design guidelines on colour and materials.
