Peak District Friday June 2010

Friday 4th June - Dovedale
Pathfinder White Peak Guidebook - Walk 24
8 Miles - Ilam & Dovedale

We drove straight to Dovedale in the South Peak District on a Hot and Sunny Friday morning, arriving at a busy crowded car park mid-day.

Parking was cheap at £2 all day, and we were directed to the overflow car park on a grass verge.

Switched the Satmap on to begin the walk, and set off away from the crowded car park back towards Ilam village.

Within minutes of setting off, the Satmap showed a very low battery. Realised I had forgotten to put it on charge the night before - a few minutes after this the screen went blank, and that was that, no route logging for this walk then. The route is shown above, taken after the walk and after a recharge.

The first part of the walk took us across open fields back towards the village of Ilam.
The view back from where we started (and apparently where most were heading) was Thorpe Cloud, the flat topped looking hill shown below. Perhaps a hill to tackle on another occassion.


Ilam village was the creation of one man (Wealthy industralist Jesse Watts Russell), who remodelled his own estate and resiting the village. Ilam hall was built in the 1820`s in a Gothic style, and 30 years later Russell relocared the village, building in a Alpine style that is unique to the peak. The style can be seen below.

We continued through thje village turning right and followed the signs leading to Ilam park estate and headed for the church, and then the terraced garden.

Having brought a packed lunch with us we ate that in the shade in the arches below the garden seen above, and then saw a sign for the cafe and Ice Cream!

Then came the 2nd error of the day (The 1st being the Satmap battery charging tragedy!)

NO MONEY!! - Wallet,mistakenly, and very foolishly left in the car (or at least where I hoped it perhaps was left), therefore no ice cream. So we pressed on through the terraced garden to a gate in the corner and down to a track which followed the river Manifold for a short while.

We followed this track for a mile or so, after which it opened out into view across the valley.

The day was hot and sunny, and it began to feel a little exposed as we began to climb uphill through open countryside.

Once the going evened out some, we crossed several stiles and the way ahead was via more open fields. The first of which saw a field full of cows, all closely grazing near to the access path through the field. Based upon past experiences where cows are concerned (Nearer Home in Lincolnshire they appear to be more "savage") it was decided I would "test the water" and cross the field first alone to check the reaction of our bovine friends to a red rucksacked hiker invading their space. Our concerns were unfounded, and having indicated little reaction to my presence, I gestured to Sue to cross after me, and we both made it across without incident.

We headed across further fields and stiles, feeling a little bit cooler after the uphill trudge in the hot sun. Was still a rather hot day though, and regular water stops were made.

We came out onto a lane into the village of Stanshope, then followed a track right through to Milldale. Here, it got a little busier again, and after crossing a stone bridge (Viators Bridge) and a National Trust Information barn, we arrived at the banks of the Rive Dove.

The walk then followed the river bank back to Dovedale along busier and more define tourist pathways, and in some sections boardwalks.

Despite the crowds, the walk was very pleasant at this stage passing through steep sided gorges either side of the river, with plenty of crags and caves along the way to hold our interest.

This pleasant easy going section went on for around 3 miles, before arriving at Dovedale itself and the famous stepping stones across the River Dove.
Unfortunatley no picture, as the crowds here would do it no justice at all, with people picnicking, playing ball games and even setting up BBQ`s. There was a queue to cross via the stepping stones so we did not bother and cross at the bridge further down the bank.

Much quieter section of the river Dove shown above.

Despite the crowds at the start and particularly the last mile at the end, this was an enjoyable walk on a hot and sunny day (perhaps a little too hot for an 8 mile walk, still should not grumble!).

The Ice creams available from the stand at the Dovedale car park are particularly recommended, and were welcome in the hot sun.

The walk completed, we reflected whilst we enjoyed the Ice Cream, and then drove off to our accomodation at Spring Cottage B&B in Longnor.

Our Walk Score: 7/10