ABOUT THE AREA
Explore The PeaksWhy not wander around the local area & discover the beautiful countryside & the great outdoors!
The Area
Situated in the breathtaking White Peak, Milldale provides a perfect base for exploring the Peak District.
Bankside Cottage is a short stroll form the River Dove. Milldale is one of the most picturesque villages in the Peak District and very popular among walkers from all over Britain exploring the Dove Valley, with its fascinating rock formations and famous stepping stones in Dovedale.
From the doorstep……
EXPLORING THE AREA ON FOOT
Walking
Alstonefield
Situated on the borders of Derbyshire and Staffordshire in the White Peak. Its location between the valleys of the Dove and Manifold Rivers makes it one of the finest places for walking as it is surrounded by a network of paths and trails ideal for walkers and cyclists.
Beresford Dale
A beautiful part of the Dove Valley with walks along the river, passing through Wolfscote Dale beautiful woodland and where wildflowers grow in profusion. Famous for Charles Cotton and Izzak Walton love of the Peak District and the famous fisherman’s bible, ‘The Compleat Angler’, written in 1653. The River Dove is still a famous fishing river and is a magnet for anglers.
Hartington
A pretty village with country pubs and tearooms surround the duck pond and green. Popular stop for walkers located on the central section of the Dove.
The Village Stores is home to a general grocery and deli purveying fresh, seasonal and local produce. Fresh sandwiches and coffee can be enjoyed on the terrace outside.
Once famous for its Blue Stilton production, the Hartington Creamery has revived the stilton manufacture and introduced new Peakland varieties in recent years.
Hartington Cheese Shop: www.hartingtoncheesehop.co.uk
Hartington Creamery: www.hartingtoncreamery.co.uk
Ashbourne
Ashbourne is known as ‘The Gateway to the Peak’, and famed for its beautiful architecture and traditional outdoor cobbled market, which dates back to 1257 and takes place twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The town has heaps to offer for shopping with plenty of independent boutiques and antique shops to meander around and explore. M&S Food, Sainsbury’s and Cooperative Food all have stores located here for groceries.
Ashbourne is also home to several annual events: The Ashbourne Festival in June; Ashbourne Highland Gathering in July; and Ashbourne Country and Agricultural Show in August.
Late night shopping in December also makes for a vibrant town.
Dovedale & Thorpe Cloud
‘Dovedale’ the name given to this section of the Dove Valley situated between Milldale and Thorpe Cloud and sits on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
Owned by the National Trust, Dovedale is one of the prettiest and most popular dales. Located just over three miles from Milldale along the crystal clear river and
past the caves, to the famous stepping-stones where you can look up on to Thorpe Cloud, an isolated limestone hill. Climb to the top for a fantastic panoramic view of the Peak District.
A twenty-five minute walk from the Dovedale stepping-stones takes you to the village of Ilam, full of beautiful Alpine-style cottages and home to Ilam Hall – a 17th Century gothic manor in National Trust parkland. The stunning Italianate gardens and parkland surrounding the hall are wonderful for walkers and families to explore. The Hall is also home to the Manifold Tea Room, which serves delicious refreshments to enjoy whilst taking in the beautiful views. There is a shop, information centre and a variety of activities, from Nordic Walker taster sessions to Hunting for Hedgehog Clues Trail, throughout the year.
For more information – www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Fishing in Dovedale – permits can be purchased from the Izaak Walton Hotel (01335 350981)
Fly Fishing lessons and Day Tickets options are available.
For more information –
www.peaksflyfishing.com
Find Out More
For more information on walks in the Peak District take a look at these websites:
Lets Go Peak District
Visit Peak District – 10 Great Walks
EXPLORING THE AREA ON TWO WHEELS
Cycling
Tissington Trail
The Tissington Trail runs 13 miles south from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne crossing paths with the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay.
There are a number of access points with parking along the route:
• Parsley Hay – Visitor centre, cycle hire
• Hartington
• Alsop – 1.2 miles from Milldale
• Tissington
• Thorpe
• Ashbourne – Visitor Centre, cycle hire
Well worth a stop off at Tissington Hall, a 17th century home of the Fitzherbert family in Tissington, near Ashbourne. Full of history and wonderful furniture, paintings and a superb porcelain collection. Herberts Tearoom is very popular and serves breakfast, light lunches and delicious cream teas.
The village also offers some idyllic picnic spots, an old-fashioned sweet shop, antique shop, a great local butchers and farm shop.
Traditional Well dressing is well worth a visit between the months of May & September.
Cycle Hire
eBike Escapes – https://ebike-escapes.co.uk
Parsley Hay cycle hire – 01298 84493
Ashbourne cycle hire – 01335 353156
For more information, visit – www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
Trails Map: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail, popular for both walkers and cyclists, runs 17 miles from Downlow near Buxton to High Peak Junction in Cromford, traversing with the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay. The trail is relatively flat, however, there are some steeper inclines from High Peak junction to just beyond Middleton Top at Hopton.
There are a number of access points with parking:
• Hurdlow
• Parsley Hay – Visitor Centre, cycle hire
• Friden
• Minninglow
• Middleton Top – Visitor Centre, cycle hire
• Black rocks
• High Peak Junction – Visitor Centre
• Cromford Wharf
Stop off at Cromford Wharf, the historic terminus of the canal, built at the end of the 18th century. Many of the old canal buildings are still standing and is an interesting step back in time.
Wheatcrofts, Wharf cafe sits on the water’s edge provides fresh food. There is also a picnic area for a well earned rest on fine days.
The Royal Oak at Hurdlow a country pub serving excellent hearty pub food (01298 83288).
Both the Tissington and High Peaks Trials follow the routes of the former railway lines of the High Peak Railway: traffic free walking and cycling through stunning White Peak countryside and villages. A firm favourite of leisure cyclists of all abilities. The trial is also suitable for wheelchair users; the mud free surface is relatively flat and level, with easy access at a number of points on the way.
GREAT EATING PLACES
Dining Out
Here are just a handful of places to eat.
Country Pubs
The George, Alstonefield
Tel: 01335 310205
Coach & Horses, Fenny Bentley
Tel: 01335 350246
The Old Dog, Thorpe
Tel: 01334 350990
Staffordshire Knot, Sheen
Tel: 01298 84329
The Devonshire Arms, Hartington
Tel: 01298 84232
The Royal Oak, Hurdlow
Tel: 01298 83288
The Packhorse, Crowdecote
Tel: 01298 83618
The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
Tel: 01335 324275
The Watts Russell Arms ‘Gastropub’, Hopedale
Tel: 01335 310126
The Jug and Glass Inn, Hartington
Tel: 01298 84848
Manifold Inn ‘Gastropub’, Hartington
Tel: 01298 84537
Restaurants
Piedaniels Restaurant, Bakewell
Tel: 01629 812687
The Lighthouse Restaurant, Boylestone
Tel: 01335 330658
The Peacock Hotel, Rowsley
Tel: 01629 733518
The Charles Cotton Hotel
Tel: 01298 84229
The Lighthouse Restaurant, Boyestone
Tel: 01335 330658
A variety of takeaways are also available in the nearby towns of Ashbourne and Leek. And, on Fridays, a takeaway Fish and Chip van is based in Hartington.
Cafes & Tea Rooms
Herbert’s Fine English Tea Rooms
Tel: 01335 350501
The Old School Tea Room, Wetton
Tel: 07801 683546
Jack Rabbits Ashbourne
Tel: 01335 342285
Wetton Mill Tea Room, Manifold Valley
Tel: 01298 84838
The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe, Winkhill
Tel: 01538 308505
Pollys, Milldale
Tel: 01335 310486
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Places To Visit
Historic Houses
ILAM HALL
4.3 miles – 12 mins
CHATSWORTH HOUSE AND GARDENS
16.2 miles – 32 mins – via A515
www.chatsworth.org
HADDON HALL
14.5 miles – 35 mins – via A515
BOLSOVER CASTLE
28.3 miles – 58 mins – via B5057
www.english-heritage.org.uk
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
KEDLESTON HALL
17.1 miles – 35 mins – via A515
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Family Fun
ALTON TOWERS
19 miles – 30 mins – via A515 AND A52
www.altontowers.com
Attractions
CARSINGTON WATER
13.6 miles – 28 mins – via A515
www.carsingtonwater.com
LADY BOWER RESERVIOR
26.9 mi – 47 mins – via A515
www.letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk
HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM
15.8 miles – 30 mins – via A5012
www.heightsofabraham.com
CASTLETON CAVES
26 miles – 44 mins – via A515
www.visitpeakdistrict.com
CRICH TRAMWAY MUSEUM
18.8 miles – 34 mins – via A5012
www.tramway.co.uk
PEAK DISTRICT WELL DRESSINGS
May – September in various villages
www.welldressing.com
STILL LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION
More Local Information
For further information on the Peak District and days out, take a look at the following websites:
Want To Come & Stay?
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