The Peak District National Park is Britain's oldest National Park. Although most of the Peak District's area falls within the County of Derbyshire, five other counties also fall within the Peak District National Park's boundaries. Living in the North West of England, I have made the odd foray from time to time into the Peak District down the years. However, I only really concentrated such rare forays around the Buxton and High Peak area, due to it's proximity to the North West. That changed in 2010 when my wife and I were travelling back from my brother's wedding in Northampton. We decided on a night's camping on the way home, and had planned to look for a campsite in the Buxton area. It was just after we drove through Ashbourne that we found a campsite by the road with it's own Pub and Microbrewery.
We had such a good time that night in September 2010 that we made arrangements to come back to the same campsite the following spring for a bit of a longer stay, and hopefully some nice country walking. With walking in mind, it was during that longer stay in which I was to discover the River Dove and the treasure that is Dovedale, situated just four and a half miles from Ashbourne. The scenery below does start to set the scene. Although, there is much much more to come!
The main Dovedale Car Park is situated on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire Border between the villages of Thorpe (in Derbyshire) and Ilam (in Staffordshire). Ilam Hall is also nearby. Once the Car is parked and the walk commences, the real beauty of this limestone gorge within the River Dove Valley will soon take your breath away, just like it did mine!
And if that is not enough, how about the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones?
Like many Brits, I would state that I believe the Lake District is England's most beautiful national park. But I do find the Peak District also to be particularly intriguing, and Dovedale is right up there with much of the finest scenery the Lake District has to offer. My travelling experience of the Lakes is greater than my experience so far of the Peak District as a whole. That said, I would be pleasantly surprised if I ever find another Peak District treasure to match Dovedale. About twenty years before the Peak District itself became a National Park in 1951, there were suggestions that Dovedale itself could have become one of Britain's first national parks. Not surprising really.
The walk along the River Dove from the Car Park to the Village of Milldale is about three miles long. The good news for those walkers with an aversion to steep climbs, is that the walk is largely flat. The walk also takes in wildlife and interesting rock formations on route to Milldale.
And so a most pleasant walk will finally conclude in Milldale. The local shop will have a nice selection of sandwiches and other snacks, which can subsequently be enjoyed by the riverside.
Once you have enjoyed that snack, it is time to go again and walk back to the Dovedale Car Park, reliving the wonderful Dovedale experience one more time.
We had such a good time that night in September 2010 that we made arrangements to come back to the same campsite the following spring for a bit of a longer stay, and hopefully some nice country walking. With walking in mind, it was during that longer stay in which I was to discover the River Dove and the treasure that is Dovedale, situated just four and a half miles from Ashbourne. The scenery below does start to set the scene. Although, there is much much more to come!
The main Dovedale Car Park is situated on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire Border between the villages of Thorpe (in Derbyshire) and Ilam (in Staffordshire). Ilam Hall is also nearby. Once the Car is parked and the walk commences, the real beauty of this limestone gorge within the River Dove Valley will soon take your breath away, just like it did mine!
And if that is not enough, how about the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones?
Like many Brits, I would state that I believe the Lake District is England's most beautiful national park. But I do find the Peak District also to be particularly intriguing, and Dovedale is right up there with much of the finest scenery the Lake District has to offer. My travelling experience of the Lakes is greater than my experience so far of the Peak District as a whole. That said, I would be pleasantly surprised if I ever find another Peak District treasure to match Dovedale. About twenty years before the Peak District itself became a National Park in 1951, there were suggestions that Dovedale itself could have become one of Britain's first national parks. Not surprising really.
The walk along the River Dove from the Car Park to the Village of Milldale is about three miles long. The good news for those walkers with an aversion to steep climbs, is that the walk is largely flat. The walk also takes in wildlife and interesting rock formations on route to Milldale.
Once you have enjoyed that snack, it is time to go again and walk back to the Dovedale Car Park, reliving the wonderful Dovedale experience one more time.
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