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Dovedale

Dovedale, Ashbourne: Hours, Address, Dovedale Reviews: 4.5/5

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Dovedale

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See all things to do
Dovedale
4.5
1,773
#1 of 14 things to do in Ashbourne
National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations • Valleys
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09:00 - 19:30
Monday
09:00 - 19:30
Tuesday
09:00 - 19:30
Wednesday
09:00 - 19:30
Thursday
09:00 - 19:30
Friday
09:00 - 19:30
Saturday
09:00 - 19:30
Sunday
09:00 - 19:30
About
The National Trust is a registered charity. With your help, we protect some of the most important spaces and places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Dovedale is a National Nature Reserve that is owned and cared for by the National Trust, with important woodlands, wildflower meadows and impressive limestone rock features throughout the valley. Dovedale and Ilam Park car parks are free to National Trust members and non-members will need to pay £3.50 for up to 4 hours and £5 for all day. Please park safely and responsibly and there is no overnight parking allowed. There are toilets beside the Dovedale car park and these are owned and maintained by the Peak District National Park Authority. There is a charge of 20p to use these toilets. BBQs/campfires/camping are not allowed as they are a severe risk to the health and safety of wildlife and other people. Please respect and protect Dovedale and leave no trace of your visit by taking all of your litter home with you. Thank you.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
17 within 5 kms
Haddon Restaurant
53
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • International • European • British
The Dovedale Bar
38
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Pub
The Izaak Walton Hotel
30
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Pub
The Old Dog
531
1.5 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Herbert's Fine English Tearooms
352
2.6 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
Coach and Horses Inn
525
2.8 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Pub
Coach & Horses
111
2.8 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Pub
Bassettwood Farm Tea Room and B&B
37
2.6 km€ • British • Vegetarian Friendly
The Okeover Arms
609
3.6 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Pub
Pollys
86
3.6 km€ • British • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
20 within 10 kms
Dovedale Stepping Stones
279
37 mScenic Walking Areas
Thorpe Cloud
41
91 mLookouts
Wolfscote Dale
8
73 mScenic Walking Areas
Ilam Park
480
2.1 kmParks
Tissington Trail
466
2.6 kmBiking Trails
Tissington Hall
144
2.6 kmHistoric Sites
Thor's Cave
160
Caverns & Caves
Peak Pilgrimage
25
1.9 kmHiking Trails
Church of the Holy Cross
23
2.1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Carsington Water
1,494
Bodies of Water
See all
Popular mentions
4.5
1,773 reviews
Excellent
1,244
Very good
406
Average
75
Poor
24
Terrible
24
Gurj S
Walsall, UK335 contributions
simply stunning
Apr 2022
a party of 6 decided to go to Dovedale on Sunday 24th April at a whim, and what a great decision. Had such a lovely day, walking across the peaks and valleys, enjoyed a coffee from the little shop in the village and then had an epic journey back to the car park. One of those places that never gets boring, every visit becomes its own adventure.

Very important to have the right footwear and it can get slippery.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
morfias
Telford, UK6 contributions
God’s Country
Apr 2022 • Couples
Top 5 of my trips. Amazing views. Rolling countryside. Sheep and lambs running past in fields. Sleepy picturesque landscapes.
Definitely go back to spending more time.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zibby K
Jersey, UK71 contributions
Lovely spot
Mar 2022 • Couples
Nice walk and area is beautiful. We went on Monday when visiting family in Mcr. Sunday gets very busy in all beauty spots in Peak District when sun is out. Take a change as you have to pay coins for car park and toilet.
Stepping stones were flooded that day, it was worth to visit anyways.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lottie
Essex, UK23 contributions
Busy but Beautiful
Apr 2022 • Solo
Its a lovely location but the stepping stones are particually busy however as you continue the walk to Mildale (if you do this) it thins out. Its beautiful, like with many areas of the Peaks, so worth a visit if yoir in the area.
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tim J
Banbury, UK214 contributions
Beauty
Mar 2022
Dovedale exemplifies natural beauty; the hills, the animals, the river. We had an amazing time here and it exceeded our expectations. Can't wait to return!
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Local Person
Ashbourne, UK32 contributions
Beautiful Nature Reserve
Mar 2022 • Solo
A beautiful National Nature Reserve. The valley is full of wildlife, fossils, gorgeous views and is looked after by the National Trust.
The National Trust also run the car park and can only take COINS at their machine.

They charge £4.50 for 4 hours and £6 all day, with members parking free if they scan their cards at the car park machine.

Dogs have to be on leads along the whole of the route and BBQs are not allowed.

Absolutely stunning place, would visit again.
Written 21 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AMW1970
Heaton, UK533 contributions
Probably my favoured direction to walk in Dovedale
Mar 2022
After a great recommendation from someone who had once been a local we walked the Dovedale route from Milldale - there is a smallish car park here just above the lovely hamlet.
This walk takes you about 3 miles to Dovedale car park and is just as easy/accessible as coming up river.
I think this is a quieter and probably better route. Al the same accessibility challenges are here including at Lovers Leap but most of the path was dry, smooth and clear.
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
michael g
1 contribution
car parking
Jan 2022
Always enjoyable, but my reason for leaving a review is , the parking is CASH only because of lack of telephone signal, so take £3 50 in cash to pay to park
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AMW1970
Heaton, UK533 contributions
Such a beautiful peaceful place
Nov 2021 • Family
During our recent stay at the excellent nearby Sandybrook Holiday park we visited twice. The first was a walk from Ilam Park, the second was a walk from the Dovedale Carpark.
Visiting during the week when it’s out of season means you aren’t swamped with crowds. (As ever nice places spoiled by their own beauty drawing in too many people etc.)
The river is great and it is worth crossing the steeping stones and then following further over the step bits to a tranquil area with a clear running river and few people. Plenty of birds from ducks to dippers to see.
We will visit Agassi soon as possible.
Written 25 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dgraham76
Hyde, UK1,260 contributions
A nice hike from dovedale to thors cave
Sep 2021 • Friends
Came here for a lovely hike with friends and can tell its popular with some great views.
Also walked to milldale, dovedale caves and this cave, well worth a visit and nice areas for photos and a picnic
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dovedale
Dovedale is open:
  • Sun - Sat 09:00 - 19:30