Nearby attractions include:
For walkers rambles along the beautiful River Dove, (home of the rare British white breasted dipper), and many other unknown trails, start from our front door, over hills, dales and moorland.
For the shopper, the historic market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne provide a rich variety of local antiques and local produce.
Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and many other English stately homes are within an hour’s drive.
For those seeking fun and entertainment, Britain’s largest theme park, Alton Towers, is only twenty minutes away.
Nearby attractions include:
For walkers rambles along the beautiful River Dove, (home of the rare British white breasted dipper), and many other unknown trails, start from our front door, over hills, dales and moorland.
For the shopper, the historic market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne provide a rich variety of local antiques and local produce.
Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and many other English stately homes are within an hour’s drive.
For those seeking fun and entertainment, Britain’s largest theme park, Alton Towers, is only twenty minutes away.
Dovedale National Nature Reserve
Walkable from Stanshope Hall, Dovedale was created a National Nature Reserve in 2006.
It has long been appreciated for its stunning scenery and wildlife, and the names of the crags, such as Lion Head Rock, Ilam Rock and Tissington Spires, originated with Victorian tourists, as did the famous Stepping Stones.
It’s one of the best examples of an active ravine in the country, carved out of the limestone by the River Dove after the last Ice Age. Large areas of flower-rich grassland including the purple orchid and rare Jacob’s ladder are among its floral highlights.
The steep woodlands are dominated by ash, with less common species such as field maple, yew and rock whitebeam. Dovedale is of special ecological interest for its plant life, particularly those calcareous ash woods, which are considered among the best in England. Other unusual plants include Solomon’s seal, lily of the valley, herb Paris and small and large-leaved limes.
Birds found here include grey heron, dipper and occasionally kingfisher. You can spot 350-million-year-old fossils at places like Lover’s Leap and explore the caves at Reynard’s Cave and Dole Holes.