A few more photos than usual - well, it was an away day.
We met at Alstonefield car park next to the loos, always useful.
The weather was, without a doubt, for the time of the year, FANTASTIC.
Sorry, lunch is in Milldale, only another half an hour.
On the way out of Alstonefield keeping the church on our right.
Out into the Derbyshire/Staffordshire countryside.
Down the steep lane leading to Milldale.
Photographers tend to bring up the rear in this kind of country.
As you can see, fabulous countryside.
Entering the village of Milldale and spotting Polly's Cafe where we knew we could get a good cuppa.
Waiting for coffee and postcards. The smell of hot sausage rolls and pasties was tempting but we'd brought our packed lunches with us.
We found a place to sit down by the river for lunch. We were quickly joined by what seemed to be all the ducks in Derbyshire.
Well, although there were shouts of oos and ouches when on the receiving end of misguided pecks from our feathered friends everyone saw the funny side of the situation regardless of the ducks harrassing us for a crust or two.
Sadly, one of the ducks was injured by a car travelling too fast we thought. We were assured that one of the locals would be along soon to check on the duck. On looking around we saw several injured ducks, casualties no doubt of the increased traffic due to the local road works diversion.
After lunch we had a bit of banter on who gave the most bread away.
All refreshed and leaving the ducks behind us we crossed Viators Bridge. Dovedale awaited us.
For info:
The Dove Valley has been inhabited since the Ice Age, about 14,000 years ago, when hunters used the caves for shelter. Reynard's cave was used by early farmers to bury their dead and at a later date during the Roman occupation of the country, the caves provided shelter for shepherds tending their flocks.
Fly fishing is very popular on the river Dove.
As you walk down Dovedale the crusty parts start to show if you look up.
The river Dove meanders by your side keeping pace with walkers taking in the beauty of Dovedale.
Pickering Tor stands erect in front and Ilam Rock to the right waiting for the adventurous.
Standing on the bridge, a shaft of colour hits us as if to announce that a show is to begin.
Poised to take stunning shots of the audience and the participants.
Then they appeared, armed with ropes and pitons.
We watched for a while and couldn't decide if they were brave or a little bit crazy.
But, we had a walk to complete, so off we went.
Along the banks of the river we found fallen tree trunks with coins embedded in them. It's a strange custom and we wondered why.
There were caves in the cliff sides.
This big one is Reynards cave.
Walkways are constructed where the paths have been worn away.
They is always somebody playing about.
The remains of an old pump house.
The nature of Dovedale means you do have to go up and down now and again.
A little breathless, we reached Lovers Leap.
And down we go.
Back on the flat we picked up pace on the way to the crossing point on the river, Stepping Stones.
At the Stepping Stones we decided that a photo call was necessary.
Careful now.
The man with the camera on the other side.
After the Stepping Stones we set off towards the end of Dovedale and then to pick up the path to Ilam Hall and Country Park.
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| Just hanging about |
We found the visitor centre and car park where you could get another cuppa if needed although we didn't here stay long as we were keen to get to the National Trust Visitor Centre at Ilam Hall.
20p well spent?
A duck sign. We can vouch for the fact that there are quite a lot about. Again they seem to have right of way especially when it comes to crossing the path.
Leaving the Dove and turning right towards Ilam and more breathtaking country side.
Cows appeared in the fields leaving their mark.
Sheep had to share fields whereas in the hills they had it all to themselves.
Feeding time.
Passing through the cow pastures(!) and just before Ilam village we discovered we'd 'lost' one of our walkers. We were unable to make contact by phone so one of us climbed back to the top of the hill to see if he could spot him but, no luck, and after much deliberation we decided to continue on to the country park and rethink the problem.
For info:
Flanked by the river Manifold, Hinckley woods and the rounded hills of Thorpe Cloud, Ilam Park is an enchanting oasis of tranquillity. Remove yourself from the rugged landscape of the countryside as you are immersed in the formal grandeur of the manicured landscape.
Ilam Park, at the southern end of the Manifold valley, consists of Ilam Hall (Youth Hostel) and remnants of its gardens, ancient semi-natural woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and open parkland with well preserved 'ridge and furrow' from medieval agriculture. There are large areas of grassland around the visitors' car park and the Hall where visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful setting. A small garden has been created on the site of the old Italian Garden situated below the stableblock.
Reaching the village of Ilam and the memorial in the centre.
Taking the path down to the church and the tea rooms.
Guess what - here was our 'lost' walker! Luckily, two of our friends who weren't walking that day had spotted him in the car park and picked him up. Phew!
For info:
Ilam village in the Peak district, pronounched `eye-lamb`, is situated next to the river Manifold, only a mile away from the beautiful Dovedale. Ilam has a spacious, attractive appearance, with its swiss chalet style housing. Ilam's appearance is mainly due to the efforts of a local industrialist Jesse Watts Russell, who had rebuilt the village and hall in the 19th century.
A Tudor mansion once stood on the site of Ilam hall, the home of the Port family. It was sold to David Watts Pike in 1809 and remodelled by Jesse Watts Russel in 1821, the architect being one John Shaw. In 1875 Jesse Watts Russell died, and the house passed to thr Hanbury family, who sold it in 1927 to a restaurateur. He went bankrupt and sold the building to a demolition contractor, who promply moved in and took down two thirds of the building.
Ilam hall and popular country park belong to the national trust now and the hall and grounds are used as a youth hostel, tearooms, shop, information centre, car park and toilets. Whats left of the hall is still an imposing and stately structure, and in the gardens and parkland there is much to see.
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| Ilam church |
The church is always well worth a visit.
A modern heirloom - absolutely fascinating.
The Stepping Stones pub at Ashbourne. Eighteen of us had dinner and we all enjoyed it. The staff were brilliant, thank you - great way to end an excellent day out.
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| Every picture tells a story!
Thank you all for a great day out.
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