Page 174 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

172 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

1 Ashbourne Street, past the beautiful 1585
Derbyshire; DE6 1EX Grammar School and 1640s alms-
This charming market town is full of houses, leads to the Gothic St Oswald’s
fascinating corners, such as the 15th- Church, with finely sculpted tombs
century half-timbered Ashbourne from the 14th to the 18th centuries in
Gingerbread Shop and the Green Man the Cockayne-Boothby chapel.
& Black’s Head Royal Hotel, whose To explore the stunning countryside,
extraordinary pub sign runs across the get a bike from Ashbourne Cycle Hire
main street. Ashbourne is famed for its and ride along the flat 21-km (13-mile)
yearly Shrovetide Football Match – a Tissington Trail, a disused railway line.
chaotic ancestor of modern soccer, ª Leaving by the A515 north, turn
played all day and with half the village left at the sign for Thorpe, Ilam and
on each side. A walk along Church Dovedale. Park near the obelisk in Ilam.
2 Ilam and Dovedale
Staffordshire; DE6 2AZ
Starting from quaint Ilam, this bracing walk explores Dovedale, a
Above One of several pretty “Swiss winding, hidden gorge of dramatic rock formations and woods by the
chalet-style” houses in Ilam sparkling River Dove. Its beauty has been long celebrated – so it’s
popular – but during the week, it’s still possible to avoid the crowds.
VISITING ASHBOURNE
Parking A three-hour walk At the top, rest and enjoy the views.
Park in the Market Place or nearby
Shawcroft Car Park off Park Road. From the obelisk at Ilam 1, walk up Return to the path and go through a
the road beside the river until you gate and the next field to a large five-
Tourist Information
Ashbourne Visitor Information Centre, pass the last cottage. Go through a bar gate onto a broad track between
Town Hall Yard, DE6 1ES; 01335 343 gate on the left into fields. Climb up stone walls. Outside Ilamtops Farm
666; www.visitpeakdistrict.com to a wider footpath, turn left and at a 3, turn right to walk down to Air
Ashbourne Cycle Hire green footpath sign go right on the Cottage 4. Just before the cottage,
Mapleton Lane, DE6 2AA; 01335 343 156; path for Stanshope. This goes up the follow the sign leading off to the right.
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle side of Bunster Hill 2, the giant peak Stop on the crags nearby to enjoy the
between Ilam and Dovedale. At a dry- full view of Dovedale below.
WHERE TO STAY
stone wall, do not go through the gate Below the cottage, the signed path
ILAM AND DOVEDALE but head up the steep path, with the curves through the woods before it
Hillcrest House moderate wall to the left, to the top of the hill. climbs up again to the small gate into
Charming B&B on the road from Ilam to
Ashbourne, with spacious rooms and
modern comforts. Generous breakfasts. 0 metres 500
Thorpe, DE6 2AW; 01335 350 436; Ilam Rock
www.hillcresthousedovedale.co.uk
0 yards 500
BUXTON
Dovedale Wood
Buxton Hilbre inexpensive
A welcoming three-room B&B known Air Cottage
for its quality organic breakfasts. Reynard’s
8 White Knowle Road, SK17 9NH; 01298 Ilamtops Farm Cave
22358; www.buxtonhilbre.co.uk
Old Hall Hotel moderate
Perhaps the oldest hotel in England, this
now has modern facilities to add to its Lover’s
character. There’s a bar and cosy lounges Leap
;the restaurant uses top local produce. Twelve
The Square, SK17 6BD; 01298 22841; Apostles
www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk Bunster
Hill Stepping
AROUND CASTLETON Stones
Losehill House Hotel & Spa moderate
This hotel is intimate, luxurious and has ILAM
comfortable, light rooms. Hotel is on the Thorpe
A6187, take the Edale Road north, fork- Cloud
ing left down a track and keeping right. Obelisk
Edale Road, Hope, S33 6AF; 01433 621
219; www.losehillhouse.co.uk
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150
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