Derbyshire Tourist Dove Dale Walk


Up-dated September 2000 - Now has pictures, more detail, and the correct lefts and rights - thanks to Kitty!

This is a circular walk of 7 miles. It should take around 3-4 hours but that depends on how fast you walk. If you walk faster than 2 miles per hour you might as well go to the gym and use a walking machine. The idea is to see things! Link to Walking in Derbyshire Advice.

I like to start Ilam, near Ashbourne. You can park for free in the village if it is not too busy, otherwise there is a large car park at the base of Thorpe Cloud (£1.50 rip off) and another at Ilam Hall (pay and display - free to NT members). You can also do this walk from the (free) car park in Milldale (starting half way round). You will need to carry a penny for your toll across a private garden. The concept is to walk from Ilam around Dove Dale to the west and descend into it at Milldale then to walk down to the stepping stones at Thorpe Cloud.

Village Cross (sorry no time to delete the phone line):

In Ilam then, with your back to the ornate village cross, walk from the village up by the church (signed to the left of the drive to the hall) and across the front of Ilam Hall. Climb the steps onto the terrace. At the side of the terrace, away from the hall, you will find a path down to the river and around the back of the hall. ( In fact you are in Ilam Country Park - take time to explore the gardens at the side of the hall ). Follow the river up-stream, keeping to the eastern (right) bank. The track leads up to a small private garden which you must cross and pay your toll.

View from Ilam Hall tea rooms:

Opposite this river lodge take the minor road which winds up the side of the hill to your right, signed Casterne. This road winds steeply up the hillside to pass to the right of an impressive looking house and stable block (Castern Hall?).

Castern(e) Hall:

The road then descends behind the outbuildings to wind up to a farm. Leave the track to your left just before Padock House to climb to a style.

Leave track here:

Turn right, cross a style onto the track. Cross the farm track and take the consessionary path to re-join a route that would have taken you straight through the farmyard. (The public footpath goes though the farmyard but is best avoided due to mud, dogs, moving machinery etc.) Follow the path up the (fairly) dry valley, over stiles, to a crossing of paths. Carry straight on to a minor road and turn left.

Field paths - view of Stanshope:

The road leads you down into Stanshope village. Just before you reach the T-junction at Stanshope Hall (B&B), take the track to your right. As the track crests a rise and turns right take the footpath to Milldale on your left (style and gate).

Path to Milldale:

Descend into Milldale, turning right at the road. (the Milldale car park is to your left 200m). Here you will find a small shop for ice-cream or other goodies, there are toilets near the bridge. A seat is provided for the watching of ducks on the mill race. After a rest at the bridge make you way down-stream. You are now in Dovedale. There is lots to see in the dale, caves, rock spires and wildlife.

Dove Dale:

You can follow the left bank all the way (2 1/2 miles) to Thorpe Cloud, the sudden sentry hill where the river Dove turns sharp right. Anyone with more energy than sense can now run to the top of Thorpe Cloud while others have a rest. Cross here by the stepping stones. (If the water is over the stones, or if you are nervous of falling in - you can continue on the left bank to a bridge before the car park.)

Stepping Stones:

After metalled road takes you to the main car park for Dove Dale. Opposite the car park main entrance (in the overflow car park) find a path leading obliquely though a hedge of trees to a style and into a field.

Path from car park:

The path crosses fields behind the Izaak Walton Hotel to the village of Ilam. Turn right when you return to the road.


Map:

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