GCSE Geographical Investigation

Managing Resources

There is a need to manage, preserve and enhance the environment (built and natural) to maintain the tourist trade. This can be achieved in a variety of ways.

The Growth in tourism

There has been a steady but dramatic increase in tourism since the 1920/1930’s. This was due to the increase and availability of cars for the average family. As families began to develop more and more disposable income in which they could use to buy cars etc. With this came family individuality, this meant that family’s who wanted to go out into the countryside didn’t have to wait for a long and uncomfortable bus journey to get into places of natural beauty.

The questions that I will be answering in my essay are as follows:

• Is there a need for conservation and stewardship in the Upper Derwent Valley?
• Is the area managed in order to conserve the environment in the Upper Derwent Valley?
•  Does the Upper Derwnet Valley have some or all the features of a honeypot location?

How will answering these questions help me to investigate my title?

By answering these questions I will gather evidence and information about the Upper Derwent Valley, I will then be able to decide whether there is a need for management or stewardship in certain areas of the Upper Derwent Valley.

Background Information

Over 100 years ago the Derwent Valley in North Derbyshire was identified as having all the necessary attributes for water storage to satisfy the growing needs of the local population and industry in North Derbyshire, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, the valley being deep and long, surrounded by grit stone edges with narrow points for dam building, and having a high rainfall. This valley close to Sheffield is now extremely popular with visitors who come to enjoy the attractive mix of water and woodland within the surrounding moorland. The road winds up the left flank of Lady bower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs for nearly 8 miles to a turnaround at King’s Tree.

The Dambusters

Derwent reservoir was used by the RAF’s Dambusters to practise their low level flying techniques during 1943, in preparation for delivering Barnes Wallis’ famous ‘bouncing bombs’ to German dams. Located in the West Tower of the Derwent Valley Dam is the Derwent Dam (617 Squadron) Museum which houses a collection of memorabilia dedicated to the famous Dams Raid carried out by 617 Dambusters Squadron. It includes photographs and other material covering all aspects of the Dams Raid.