Dovedale in PeakDistrict - Anyone been?

Atomic_guy

hi, I am planing to go there with kids. I have never been there before,
wondering where to park and what the charges are for car parking etc
and what to take with us to spend the whole day there?

Any details and information would be appreciated.

zzzLazyDaisy

It is a while since I've been, but I remember it as a pretty place with a pleasant tarmaced walk along the stream and if you want something a bit more natural and green, you can cross the bridge to the other side.

There are some stepping stones across the stream further on which can lead to a lot of (wet!) fun for older children, so a sunny day and a change of clothes are a good idea. There is nowhere to buy food unless you go to the pub (expensive) or into Ashbourne, so a picnic and drinks are also a good idea. There is usually an icecream van there on a nice day.

Enjoy your day out!

Daisy

BattleToy

Hi, Atomic_guy,

We were there this afternoon and enjoyed the walk to the top of the hill very much. There is still the same as what zzzLazyDaisy described. The car park is opposite to the hill and it costs GBP1.50 for whole day. I am sure you and your family would definitely enjoy spending a day there.

Atomic_guy

Thank you for the info. Where can I find the map of the walking route?

Barneysmom

You'll love it, I think there's a tea/burger wagon there too.

JCS1

Atomic_guy wrote: »

Thank you for the info. Where can I find the map of the walking route?

Not a map, but written details here:

http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/outdoors/walk40.php

Edit - found a map: http://peakdistrict.nationaltrust.org.uk/dovedale-walk

Atomic_guy

Thanks a lot. How long is the round trip from the Dovedale Car park?

bugbyte_2

My favorite walk!

we usually start at Milldale - a little village 3 miles up stream (opposite end of the walk to the car park mentioned) and walk down the river to the stepping stones. If you only go from the car park to the stepping stones you miss all of the scenic bits! You really do have to walk the entire gorge to appreciate it, as the middle bit - the caves, lions head, etc. is the best bit. Most people only walk from the car park to lovers leap (the little hill) then go back again.

To answer your question, a round trip is approx. 5 1/2 miles on a flattish track but there are some tricky bits not suitable for buggies etc. Its not actually a round trip - you walk down the valley then back again so you can turn around when you want to.

alex-the-greek

Hi atomicguy,

We are heading over to Dovedale today, but we're a little unsure of the location of that car park you mentioned, if you have a minute spare could you possibly post a Google maps location for it on here?

We would really appreciate it as we have no idea where we're going and then we could follow our clever smartphone and not get ripped off by expensive parking, or even worth... we could get lost! :rotfl:

Thanks!