Monopoly comes to the Peak District

A Peak District version of one of the world’s most famous board game has just been announced.

The unique edition is being voted for by the public, who have invited to vote for landmarks to feature on the brand-new official Monopoly: Peak District Edition game.

The announcement of the new game was made across the Peaks last Friday at various venues by Mr Monopoly, including at the market in Glossop town centre.

 Over the last decade, the Peak District has become one of the most fashionable ‘go-to’ destinations for Britons. Now the popular destination – which encompasses FIVE counties – is being immortalised with its very own official Monopoly board.  

 Landing the honour of getting its very own bespoke version of the world’s most popular family board game, The Peak District beat four other leading world natural beauty destinations including Norway’s Fjords and Germany’s Black Forest.

 Winning Moves UK, an official monopoly maker, is producing the brand-new Monolopy: Peak District Edition board game, under licence from Hasbro, a leading toy and game company. Winning Moves UK produces Monopoly editions for popular destinations all over the world, including Palm Beach, Dubai and The Hamptons.

 “A huge congratulations to the Peak District for getting to land its very own official monopoly board,” says John Keen-Tomlinson, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK. “We are being wonderfully spoilt with choices putting this special edition MONOPOLY board game together. Thank you to everyone who has made suggestions.”

 In selecting the Peak District, Mr Keen-Tomlinson – who is in the region to announce today’s news - shared that the Winning Moves UK selection panel considered a variety of factors including: ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ ; ‘World Profile’ ;  ‘Sense of Community’ and ‘Heritage.’

 “The Peak District fits the bill perfectly for us,” added Mr Keen-Tomlinson.

 In this new game, 30+ Peak District landmarks and favourites – like the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth House and The Heights of Abraham – will be showcased on the board, replacing the likes of ‘Mayfair’ and ‘Park Lane’ from the classic Monolopyoriginal.

 The tokens are being customised too, with the original Monopoly counters like the Scottie dog and boot getting the boot. In their place a miniature Bakewell tart looks a shoo in, with a pair of walking boots likely to feature instead of the old boot. Also popular choices so far with the public: An umbrella, a rucksack and a slab of dry-stone walling.

 The property sets are being themed in genres, from tourism to heritage, hotels to business, entertainment to shopping - and more. The four trains stations from the classic London Monopoly original will take on a ‘travel’ theme. A miniature railway in Buxton has been heavily tipped to feature.

 The Chance and Community Chest cards are being customised as well. For example, in the original game there is a Community Chest card that says, ‘You have won second prize in a beauty contest.’ For this edition, players could be rewarded with monolopy money for “the most outlandish walking outfit” .. or penalised by being sent ‘Back 3 Spaces’ for dropping litter in the Peak District National Park. “Everything is up for grabs,” added Mr Keen-Tomlinson.

Suggestions can be made by via email to: peakdistrict@winningmoves.co.uk. Nominations will be accepted for consideration until 23.59pm on 27th June 2024.