Castleton and The Peak District National Park.
GCSE Geography Coursework
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Castleton
Introduction
Castleton is a small village founded in 1198 and is the only place in the world where the semi-precious stone, Blue John, is found. The Garland Ceremony takes place each year on the 29th May and dates back to an ancient green man ceremony. One of the highlights of the year are the Castleton Christmas Festivities when the village is full with lights, shops and people and famous show caverns are open till late. Castleton is located within The Peak District National Park and is located around 20 miles away from Sheffield.
The Peak District National Park
The Peak National Park became the first British National Park in 1951. Covering nearly 1438 square kilometres (555 square miles) it contains beautiful and often wild countryside from the high (636m) moor lands in the north, to the green farmland in the south. The majority of the National Park is in private ownership and most of it is farmed. The earliest travellers to the Peak District did not appreciate the natural landscape of mountain and moor land. Travelling in 1725, Daniel Defoe described the moors above Chatsworth as "a waste and a howling wilderness". Gradually the taste for wild scenery grew. Ruskin enjoyed the "clefts, glens and dingles of the Peakland dales" just as modern visitors do. The Peak District National Park is now one of the most visited areas in the world. There are up to 30 million visits to the Peak District National Park each year - only Mount Fuji National Park in Japan has more visits!
Hypothesis Testing
H0 (Null hypothesis) = There is no land use pattern evident in Castleton
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = There is a land use pattern evident in Castleton
As a result of my research, I accept the alternative hypothesis and I reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that there is a land use pattern in Castleton.
Method
The method we used for this hypothesis was to conduct a 'Land use survey' when we were in Castleton. This survey allowed us to approximate the use of land and buildings in Castleton. To do this we used a basic map of Castleton, which had nearly all the buildings and land in and around the nearby surroundings of Castleton. We then used a code system to classify each building and/or piece of land. This was then transferred onto a larger map using a colour coding system to classify the following groups:
* Land in use but with no buildings (green)
* Residential (red)
* Industrial (grey)
* Entertainment (yellow)
* Commercial (blue)
* Public buildings (purple)
Using this method, we were able to determine where tourist-orientated shops were located, where residential houses were located etc.
Results
We found that tourist-orientated buildings were located in the CBD (central business district) of Castleton. Residential areas were found surrounding the CBD. Local shops were found between the CBD and the residential areas. Public buildings (such as schools, churches etc.) were located throughout Castleton.
Evaluation
This method was successful but was not 100% accurate as we only estimated what type of building/land each area was, we might not have been correct. We may have also read the map incorrectly, which would cause inaccuracy. The only fully successful method we could have used would have been to call at each area and ask the occupant, but this would have been time-consuming to do.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Tourism has a negative impact on the environment
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Tourism has no negative impacts on the environment
As a result of my research I accept the both the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis. My conclusion is that tourism has both positive and negative impacts on Castleton.
Method
In order to discover whether tourism has a negative and/or positive impact on Castleton we conducted a survey to find effects of tourism. These could include:
* Noise
* Litter
* Vandalism
* Traffic congestion
* Sign posts to show tourist orientated sites
* Large car parks
* Footpath erosion
We recorded this information in a table and then analysed the results in order to conclude.
Results
We discovered that tourism has both a positive and negative effect on Castleton. Our survey showed that tourism brings money into Castleton through the car park charges, money through tourist shops, tourist attractions and money spent at cafes etc. The negative effects of tourism in Castleton are that more traffic comes through the village. This creates both air and noise pollution as well as a higher risk of accidents, as the roads are only small and narrow and not designed for high levels of traffic.
Conclusion
This was a good method to conduct as it allowed an easy analysis of the effects of tourism. The method could be improved by asking locals what effects tourism has on them, but once again, time prevented this.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Tourists do not create and employment opportunities for local people
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Tourists create employment opportunities for local people
As a result of my research I accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that tourists create employment opportunities for local people.
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Conclusion
This was a good method to conduct as it allowed an easy analysis of the effects of tourism. The method could be improved by asking locals what effects tourism has on them, but once again, time prevented this.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Tourists do not create and employment opportunities for local people
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Tourists create employment opportunities for local people
As a result of my research I accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that tourists create employment opportunities for local people.
Method
In order to discover whether tourists create employment opportunities for local people we used the land survey results to show us if any hotels, B+B's, shops etc. were in Castleton. This would give us evidence to show that tourists do create employment opportunities for local people.
Results
We discovered evidence to show us that tourists do create employment opportunities for local people. This was in the form of tourist-orientated shops that would otherwise not exist if it were not for tourists visiting Castleton. There were also many hotels and B+B's which suggested the same conclusion.
Conclusion
This method was very successful in showing us whether tourists create employment opportunities for locals in Castleton. The method could be improved by conducting a job survey of people in Castleton, but this would be time-consuming and some people may not wish to provide this information.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Tourism is not encouraged in Castleton
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Tourism is encouraged in Castleton
As a result of my research I accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that tourism is encouraged in Castleton.
Method
In order to discover whether tourism is encouraged in Castleton we used the same method as in the previous hypothesis as well as searching for advertising of Castleton.
Results
We discovered that tourism is encouraged in Castleton as shown by the tourist-orientated shops, cafes, hotels and B+B's. The local tourist attractions such as Peak Cavern also supported our conclusion.
Conclusion
This method was successful in determining whether tourism is encouraged in Castleton. The method could have been improved by asking local people whether they think tourism is encouraged in Castleton, but this would have been time-consuming.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Buildings in Castleton will be constructed using similar materials
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Buildings in Castleton will not be constructed using similar materials
As a result of my research I accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. My conclusion is that buildings in Castleton will be constructed using similar materials.
Method
In order to discover whether buildings in Castleton were constructed of similar materials we observed each building while conducting our land use survey. This provided us with enough information to determine whether buildings were constructed of similar materials or not.
Results
We found that buildings in Castleton are constructed with similar materials; we think this is in order to keep the village's rustic charm and to keep it as a traditional village rather than modernising.
Conclusion
This method was successful in telling us whether buildings in Castleton are constructed using similar materials. The method could have been improved by checking every building in Castleton, but this would have been time-consuming.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Changes in land use and building use have not taken place as a result of tourism
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Changes in land use and building use have taken place as a result of tourism
As a result of my research I accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that changes in land use and building use have taken place as a result of tourism.
Method
In order to discover whether land and/or building use change has occurred in Castleton as a result of tourism we evaluated whether there would be any use in each building if tourists did not come. From this, we could decide if some buildings were there just for tourist purposes. This then showed us if changes in land and/or building use had occurred.
Results
We discovered that there has been a land and/or building use change as a result of tourism in Castleton. The car park is there purely for tourism purposes as there would be no need for it otherwise. Peak Cavern used to be a string-making factory before a tourist attraction, which shows an obvious land use change. Many of the shops and also the tourist information shop show a building use change, as there would be no need for them if it were not for tourists.
Conclusion
The method we used was very successful in determining whether or not land and/or building use in Castleton has changed as a result of tourism. The method could not really be improved as this gave more than adequate results.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = Visitors to Castleton do not travel long distances to get there
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = Visitors to Castleton do travel long distances to get there
As a result of my research I accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. My conclusion is that visitors to Castleton do travel long distances to get there.
Method
In order to discover whether visitors travel a long distance to get to Castleton we conducted a visitor survey by recording vehicle number plates found in the car park and then using these to work out where these cars came from.
Results
We discovered that the vehicles came from all over Britain, including Scotland. The majority of vehicles were cars but there were some 4-wheel drives as well as a people carrier.
Conclusion
This method is not reliable as the cars may have been purchased in these places, but the owners could live in an entirely different area. The only reliable method that could be used would be to ask each visitor individually, but this would be time-consuming and also an interference with the visitors.
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H0 (Null hypothesis) = There are plenty of natural features which encourage tourists to visit Castleton
H1 (Alternative hypothesis) = There are no natural features which encourage tourists to visit Castleton
As a result of my research I accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. My conclusion is that there are plenty of natural features, which encourage tourists to visit Castleton.
Method
We evaluated the area in Castleton and the surrounding area to find any natural features that may have been of interest to tourists. Some of these features were already dedicated tourist attractions, such as Peak Cavern.
Results
We discovered that there are many natural features in Castleton that would encourage people to visit Castleton such as caves, mountains, cliffs etc.
Conclusion
This was an effective method as to finding out whether there were plenty of natural features that encourage tourists to visit Castleton.
Impact of Tourism
As shown in the above hypothesis we conducted a survey to discover the impact of tourism on Castleton. The types of things we were looking for were:
* Noise
* Litter
* Vandalism
* Traffic congestion
* Signposts to show tourist-orientated sites
* Large car parks
* Footpath erosion
This section shows visible signs of tourism on the land use survey using grid reference figures in the table below:
Grid Square
Impact of Tourism
50 830
Car Park (large)
51 829
Tourist Shops
49 826
Peak Cavern (tourist attraction)
50 829
Signposts & Traffic Congestion
50 826
Castle (tourist attraction)
We then analysed these effects of tourism and decided whether they had positive or negative impacts on Castleton. We put the results into a table.
Positive Impact
Negative Impact
Tourist shops
Car Park
Peak Cavern
Traffic Congestion
Castle
Signposts
From this table we concluded that there were both positive and negative impacts on Castleton as a result of tourism. Therefore, we accepted both hypotheses.
Sphere of Influence (Visitor Survey)
We conducted a survey in order to discover how far people travelled to visit Castleton. A rural settlement such as Castleton usually has a very small sphere of influence. However, with Castleton being a honeypot site we decided to investigate its sphere of influence.
In order to discover where people came from we first collected the number plate details of all the vehicles in the main car park of Castleton, we then looked at the last two letters of the vehicles number plate. For example, if the number plate is P257 ACX then it was registered in Huddersfield when it was new.
The following table shows our results:
Number Plate
Type of vehicle
Where comes from
H321 MOE
CAR
BIRMINGHAM
T240 OKU
CAR
SHEFFIELD
N680 CUA
CAR
LEEDS
W618 FHL
4WD
SHEFFIELD
R270 UHE
CAR
SHEFFIELD
L337 PNU
4WD
NOTTINGHAM
S909 CRC
CAR
NOTTINGHAM
PE1717
VINTAGE
N/A
25-FD-GK
CAR
N/A
J79 0PG
CAR
GUILDFORD
R152 FBA
CAR
MANCHESTER
M693 YMA
PEOPLECARRIER
LONDON NE
R858 DFM
CAR
CHESTER
W312 SGH
CAR
LONDON SW
V593 TVY
CAR
LONDON CENTRAL
N37 BKU
CAR
SHEFFIELD
P571 SUG
CAR
LEEDS
R935 EUA
CAR
LEEDS
T832 AMW
CAR
SWINDON
S923 CBF
CAR
STOKE-ON-TRENT
M949 TWU
CAR
LEEDS
H477 DWD
CAR
DUDLEY
After analysis, this showed that,
* 1 car came from Birmingham
* 4 cars came from Sheffield
* 4 cars came from Leeds
* 2 cars came from Nottingham
* 1 car came from Guildford
* 1 car came from Manchester
* 1 car came from NE London
* 1 car came from Central London
* 1 car came from SW London
* 1 car came from Swindon
* 1 car came from Stoke-On-Trent
* 1 car came from Dudley
* 1 car came from Chester
* 2 cars were unable to be traced due to private plates or foreign vehicles
This shows that the majority of cars were from Sheffield and Leeds, the two closest cities to Castleton.
However, this was not necessarily an accurate survey as someone else may have bought the vehicles or the owners may have moved from their original location. Therefore, the cars could be from more local areas or from further away. This could only be discovered of we interviewed every single visitor to Castleton, which would have been time-consuming and an annoyance to tourists.
Environmental Survey
While we were in Castleton, we conducted an Environmental Survey to suggest why Castleton might be a honeypot site. To do this we sat near the roundabout in the centre of Castleton, which allows access to the car park. The survey was conducted over 10 minutes. Then the average was plotted.
Our results are shown in the table below.
Castleton
2
3
4
5
Quiet
?
Noisy
Litter free
?
Lots of litter
Low level of air pollution
?
High air pollution
Picturesque scenery
?
Plain/ugly scenery
No vandalism
?
Lots of vandalism
Well maintained buildings
?
Poorly maintained buildings
Brickwork of buildings similar
?
Brickwork of buildings different
Smaller, quaint housing
?
Larger, modern housing
We then conducted the same survey back in our hometown, Mirfield, which is a town lying between Dewsbury and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.
Our results are shown in the table below:
Mirfield
2
3
4
5
Quiet
?
Noisy
Litter free
?
Lots of litter
Low level of air pollution
?
High air pollution
Picturesque scenery
?
Plain/ugly scenery
No vandalism
?
Lots of vandalism
Well maintained buildings
?
Poorly maintained buildings
Brickwork of buildings similar
?
Brickwork of buildings different
Smaller, quaint housing
?
Larger, modern housing
After comparing the two you can see that Castleton is generally a nicer place then Mirfield as it is quieter, there is virtually no litter, there is very little air pollution, the scenery is fantastic, there is virtually no vandalism, the buildings are very well maintained, the houses are smaller and they are constructed using similar materials.
Mirfield is in many cases the complete opposite to this; however, it is a commuter village, not a honeypot site such as Castleton.
Peak Cavern
Peak Cavern is a show cave located in Castleton village. It was previously used as a rope-making factory, the only one of its kind in Europe. Nowadays, tourists can go underground and have a taste of caving with guided tours providing a safe journey into the beginning of the cave. The cliff covering the entrance to the cave is the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles.
Peak Cavern is advertised on the Internet at it's website address (www.peakcavern.co.uk) and has also gained some popularity with the recent name change back to it's original, The Devil's Arse, which was changed to Peak Cavern shortly before Queen Victoria visited the cave as it was widely thought that the name 'Devil's Arse' may offend the queen.
The name 'Devil's Arse' comes from the noise created when water rushes between caves which sounds similar to flatulence noises, and as the cave goes so far into the Earth, it received it's nickname. Hence, 'The Devil's Arse'.
Peak Cavern is the major tourist attraction in Castleton and is popular with both young and old alike. The recent press coverage has also provided extra tourists to Castleton, therefore the cave works to encourage people to visit Castleton as well as the caves.
There are also several caves nearby, but Peak Cavern is the only one found within Castleton and is probably the most popular.
Limitations and Further Study
During our fieldtrip we found that some of the methods we used were a little inaccurate and ineffective. This could have been solved but would have required more time. Such as for the Sphere of Influence survey. If we were to ask individual visitors about where they came from, it would a provide a much more accurate and detailed study of how far people travel to Castleton and why. This would have required a lot of time however and may have annoyed some of the visitors, so we saw it best not to ask.
I would have also conducted several environmental studies in different spots around Castleton, maybe even at different times of the week, this would obviously require much more time but would provide a more detailed survey.
If the same study was conducted during the summer period or on a bank holiday when there are likely to be many more tourists in the area this would also provide a much more in-depth study, but this was impossible to do due to time constraints.
Conclusion
After collecting and analysing the data found on our fieldtrip to Castleton, I have come to the conclusion that tourism does have a large influence on Castleton.
This is backed up by the fact that the majority of buildings in Castleton's CBD are tourist-orientated shops, such as jewellery shops and gift shops. The local tourist information office speaks for itself in what it does, and is obviously there just for the purpose of providing tourists with information.
The large car/coach park found just outside the CBD at the south of Castleton is also a factor in the impact of tourism upon Castleton as this shows the expected amount of visitors, and allows space for them all. The cafes and shops are next to the car park, where as the majority of residential home and shops are located well away from this area towards the north of Castleton.
Peak Cavern provides an excellent influx of tourists into Castleton and without it I doubt Castleton would be as popular as it is. The nearby mountains and excellent countryside features allow for superb walks and climbing opportunities, which also contributes for a large number of tourists, especially around the South Yorkshire area as Castleton is within easy reach.
Programs such as 'Peak Practice' also encourage tourists to visit Castleton as it is one of the first honeypot sites reached when entering the Peak District National Park from the north or east. People want to see the scenery for themselves so they come to Castleton to go for walks etc. This also keeps the shops and cafes in business as the tourists will want to go for refreshments and gifts.
Without tourism, Castleton would be a much poorer place, so tourism brings mostly good impacts on Castleton. As with all tourist-orientated sites, some negative factors arise such as increased traffic, litter, congestion and vandalism. The positive factors far outweigh the negative ones however and this makes Castleton a benefit of tourism and will do for many years to come.
GCSE Geography Coursework
Luke Hopwood The Mirfield Free Grammar
Candidate Number: 7484
