Ein idyllisches Tal mit dramatischen Kalkstein-Felsformationen und den berühmten Trittsteinen über den River Dove, ein beliebtes Ziel für Wanderer.
Places in Dovedale
Dovedale is an approximately five-kilometre limestone gorge in the southern Peak District, where the River Dove forms the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The limestone is a fossilised Carboniferous coral reef, from which water and frost have sculpted caves, arches, and freestanding rock pinnacles. The path from the Stepping Stones to Milldale is largely flat and well-maintained, making Dovedale one of England's most popular valleys, attracting around a million visitors annually. Seek peace? Visit early or choose the parallel Manifold Valley. Parking at the valley entrance and in Ilam fills up by mid-morning on weekends.
Sehenswürdigkeiten
Discover the most important sights and attractions
1Well Dressing in Tissington
The Well Dressing is a custom found almost exclusively in the Peak District: wells and springs are adorned with large-scale pictures made entirely of natural materials. Flower petals, seeds, bark, and moss are pressed piece by piece into a wooden board coated with moist clay, creating a mosaic. It lasts for about a week.Tissington, four kilometers east of Dovedale, is considered the origin of the tradition and decorates six wells, including Hall Well, Town Well, and Children's Well. The ceremony takes place every year on Ascension Day. Its origin is disputed: one explanation points to gratitude for springs that did not dry up during the Plague of 1348. The village is located on the Tissington Trail, a disused railway line that is now a cycle and footpath.
Thorpe Cloud is the conical hill that guards the entrance to Dovedale. At 287 metres, it is modest, yet appears more striking than many taller mountains because it rises freely from the valley. It consists of a fossilised coral reef that formed approximately 350 million years ago in a tropical shallow sea.The ascent from the Stepping Stones takes about 25 minutes and is short but steep, and rocky in its upper section. At the summit, views open up into the Dove Gorge and over the hills of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The name Cloud does not derive from atmospheric clouds, but from the Old English clud for rock.
Ilam Park is located in the Manifold Valley directly west of Dovedale and is owned by the National Trust. The landscaped park surrounds Ilam Hall, a 19th-century manor house, of which only one wing remains after partial demolition in the 1930s; it now serves as a youth hostel.The park offers the most convenient access to Dovedale: from the car park, a path across country tracks leads to the Stepping Stones in a good 20 minutes, avoiding the crowds at the main car park. In Ilam village, there are Swiss-style houses built by the industrialist Jesse Watts-Russell. The Manifold disappears upstream into the limestone during dry spells and reappears in the park.
Die Stepping Stones sind das bekannteste Motiv des Peak District: eine Reihe flacher Kalksteinplatten, über die der Fluss Dove trockenen Fußes gequert wird. Gesetzt wurden sie in den 1890er Jahren, als der viktorianische Ausflugsverkehr nach Dovedale einsetzte.Vom Parkplatz am Talende sind es rund zehn Minuten flussaufwärts. Die Steine sind bei Nässe glatt, nach starkem Regen stehen sie teils unter Wasser. Dahinter steigt der Weg über die Lover's Leap-Treppe an und führt an den Kalksteinnadeln der Twelve Apostles und dem natürlichen Torbogen der Reynard's Cave vorbei. Bis Milldale sind es gut vier Kilometer, der Rückweg führt denselben Weg zurück.
Milldale marks the upper end of Dovedale Gorge, a good four kilometres upstream from the Stepping Stones. The hamlet consists of a few stone houses and a kiosk; it's barely accessible by car.Spanning the River Dove is Viator's Bridge, a narrow packhorse bridge with no handrail. It owes its name to Izaak Walton's 1653 book The Compleat Angler, in which a character named Viator complains about the bridge's narrowness. Walton and his co-author Charles Cotton fished in the Dove, and the valley has since been considered a cradle of fly-fishing. The small exhibition Polly's Cottage shows what life was like here around 1900.
In Dovedale you'll find local restaurants, cafés and markets with regional specialities. Taste your way through the dishes typical of the region.
Culture & History
Dovedale is shaped by its history, local traditions and the everyday life of its people. Architecture, customs and regional character define the place.
Excursions & Activities
Recommended activities
Around Dovedale there are rewarding day trips and activities – from sights and nature to the surrounding area.
Accommodations in Dovedale
Accommodation
Places to stay
In and around Dovedale there are places to stay across different categories and price ranges – from simple to comfortable.
These places are nearby — perfect for additional days or a day trip.
White Peak
The southern and central region is known for its gentle limestone valleys, picturesque villages, and green meadows, inviting leisurely walks.
Bakewell
Bakewell, a historic market town in the heart of the Peak District, is picturesquely situated on the River Wye. Here you'll find traditional architecture, a medieval bridge, and the imposing All Saints Church. The town is globally renowned as the birthplace of the Bakewell Pudding, a local specialty whose origins date back to the 19th century. Every Monday, a traditional market enlivens the streets, offering local products and handicrafts, continuing the town's long market history. Visit the Bakewell Old House Museum to learn more about local history, or stroll along the river and soak up the rural atmosphere. A practical tip: To avoid the crowds and explore the surroundings peacefully, a visit outside peak season or on a weekday without a market is recommended.
Buxton
Buxton, a historic spa town in Derbyshire, is renowned for its thermal springs and impressive architecture. The Buxton Crescent, a masterpiece of Georgian architecture, attests to its rich spa heritage and now houses a luxurious hotel and thermal spa. You'll also find the imposing Devonshire Dome here, once stables, now part of the university, as well as the picturesque Pavilion Gardens with their Victorian greenhouses and the Buxton Opera House. At St Ann's Well, you can taste the famous spring water that has attracted visitors for centuries. The town also serves as an ideal gateway to the Peak District National Park, inviting you to hikes and explorations, such as the nearby Pooles Cavern. For a relaxed atmosphere, a visit in spring or autumn is recommended, to experience the town and the surrounding nature without the largest crowds.
Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park, Britain's first national park, is a breathtaking landscape of contrasting moors, valleys, and imposing limestone formations.It invites you to explore the wild beauty of nature and offers countless opportunities for adventure and relaxation in its unique hilly landscape.
Castleton
Castleton, nestled in the heart of the Peak District National Park, combines picturesque village charm and geological wonders. Here you'll find the famous show caves Blue John Cavern and Speedwell Cavern, offering insights into the karst landscape. Above the village are the imposing ruins of Peveril Castle, a Norman fortress offering sweeping views over the Hope Valley. The region is also known for the rare mineral Blue John, mined in local caves and crafted into jewellery. For hiking enthusiasts, the nearby Mam Tor offers spectacular panoramas. To avoid large crowds, visit during the week or in the off-season. Plan at least half a day to explore the caves and castle at your leisure.
