The estate, covering nearly 2429ha (5685 acres) of unenclosed common moorland and almost surrounding the village of Marsden, takes in the northern part of the Peak District National Park, with valleys, reservoirs, peaks and crags, as well as archaeological remains dating from pre-Roman times to the great engineering structures of the canal and railway ages. The landscape supports large numbers of moorland birds such as the golden plover, red grouse, curlew and diminutive twite. The estate is a designated SSSI and forms part of an international Special Area of Conservation. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been restored and a visitor centre (not NT) is open at Tunnel End, Marsden. At the estate office is the ‘Welcome to Marsden’ exhibition, giving a good insight into the area.