Thursday, 18th August 2022
| Walk: | Lin Dale, Dovedale, Milldale, Alstonestonefield, Millway Lane, Milldale, Nabs View, Bostern Grange Farm, Narlow Lane, Hotel, Thorpe Cloud, Hotel | ||
| Start Point: | Peveril of the Peak Hotel | Grid Reference: | SK 158 506 |
| Distance: | 11 miles | Ascent: | 1,632 feet |
| Time: | 4.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Overcast but brightening during the day | ||
| Comments: | With the trees in full leaf it was more difficult to see the rock formations than when we were last here in 2013. From Milldale a short detour into Alsonefield gave us the opportunity to explore the church where the oldest headstone is dated 3 April 1518, in memory of Anne Green and the oldest known person buried here is Margaret Barclay, who died in 1731 aged 107! | ||
Mimulus, spotted in a boggy section near the hotel
Marie checks out the stepping stones . . .
which cross the River Dove . . .
and need some concentration
to get to the other side
Approaching the footbridge in Dovedale . . .
Lovers Leap lies on one side . . .
and Ilam Rock, standing 25m high, on the other . . .
providing a good spot for our first break
Further along we find the Doveholes, two large caves next to one another. . .
which have been used by people for millennia from living in, to shelter and burials
At St Peter's Church, Alstonefield . . .
a memorial stone to Ann Green, who died 11 April 1518 . . .
is believed to be the oldest legible gravestone in England . . .
The church is a Grade I listed Anglican Church . . .
with the oldest parts being dated in the 12th century . . .
and has been extended and refurbished with 1870 being the most recent work
The lime kiln provides shelter for our last stop
On our first walk from the hotel Thorpe Cloud shouts out to be climbed
Having returned to the hotel after our last walk, Dovedale and Alstonefield, it was now or never!
Our walk leader, Chris, kindly accompanied us to the top (and back)