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Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
The White Peak, including Ilam Park, Dovedale, and Hamps and Manifold Valleys
Ilam, Ashbourne, Staffordshire, DE6 2AZ
Important notice
Due to the high levels of rainfall and surface water causing roads around Ilam to become flooded, Ilam cafe, welcome and bookshop will be closing at 2.30pm on Saturday 23rd November to allow our staff, volunteers and visitors to return home safely.
Opening times for 24 November 2024
Asset Opening time Ilam Park Dawn - Dusk Dovedale car park 09:00 - 16:30 Ilam Park tea-room 10:00 - 15:00 Ilam Park Changing Place Open all day Please note: The tearooms will be closed for approximately 2 weeks from 30/9/24 during work to create accessible paths at Ilam Park. However, a similar menu of food and drink will be available from the Coach House Café during this time.
MTWTFSS282930311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829301OpenPartially openClosedNon-member parking, up to 4 hours
Ticket type Gift aid Standard £5.00 Non-member parking, all day
Ticket type Gift aid Standard £7.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop
Kiosk
Our Grab & Go outlet at Ilam park is open seasonally and in peak periods. Drinks and refreshments are available from our Grab & Go Van on weekdays in Spring and Summer and between 10am and 3pm at weekends at other times of the year.
Car park
Available at Ilam Park and Dovedale.
Tea-room
Dogs allowed
Dogs on lead are welcome in all our outdoor spaces and in the Grab & Go outlet.
Toilet
Uneven surfaces and pathways with some steps and stiles. Blue badge parking in main Ilam Park and Dovedale car parks. Changing Place located just off the Stableyard at Ilam Park, which can be accessed with a radar key. The extensive network of bridleways and permissive tracks are shared by walkers, horse riders, climbers and cyclists.
Accessible toilet
Designated parking
Changing Places
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
2.5 miles off the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton 25 miles from M1 junction 28 25 miles from M6 junction 15. Upon arrival to Ilam and Dovedale please drive carefully and be considerate of the local communities and farmers that live and work there. Please do not block access points or roads, these must be kept clear at all times for farmers, local communities and the emergency services.
Parking: Parking is free for National Trust members in both car parks, with a charge for non-members of £5 for up to 4hrs, £7 for over 4hrs. Please have the correct change for the Dovedale car park. The tickets are not transferable between the two car parks. We do not allow any overnight parking in any of our car parks.
Sat Nav: DE6 2AZ Please note - the driving route given on Google Maps to reach Dovedale is incorrect and does not take you to the car park and valley entrance. Please drive to the road between Thorpe village and Ilam village to access the our Dovedale car park and footpath to stepping stones and the valley. This is a very popular area so if you cannot park safely and responsibly, please come back at a less busier time.
On foot
Quiet roads and footpaths off the Tissington trail (Ashbourne to Buxton) and Limestone Way (Matlock to Uttoxeter)
By train
Matlock 11 miles, Uttoxeter 11 miles, Buxton 15 miles and Derby 16 miles. For any information on trains please copy and paste this link in to your search bar: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
By bus
For Ilam and Dovedale: services from Buxton train station to Ashbourne, daily, alight Thorpe, 2 miles (Monday to Saturday, Ilam village Sunday and Bank Holidays). For Winster Market House from Bakewell to Matlock train station, daily. *There is now a community bus service which covers Ilam and Thorpe, please copy and paste this link for more information*: https://www.ashbournect.org.uk/derbyshire-connect For any information on buses please copy and paste this link in to your search bar: https://moovitapp.com/
By bicycle
NCN68, 2 miles
Planning your visit
Article
Christmas at Ilam Park
Visit Ilam Park this festive season and enjoy a range of Christmas themed events, activities and trails.
Events at Ilam Park
Find out more about upcoming events and seasonal activities.
Article
Things to do at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Explore the great outdoors at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak. Enjoy a walk, find a spectacular view, or spot fossils in the limestone.
Article
Accessibility at Ilam Park
Plan your visit to Ilam Park and understand more about the accessibility of this special place so you know what to expect when you arrive.
Article
Organising outdoor events in the Peak District
Planning an outdoor event in the Peak District? Find guidance for organising events on National Trust land here, along with top tips for submitting an application.
Article
Visiting Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak with your dog
Find out all you need to know about visiting Ilam, Dovedale and the White Peak with your dog.
Highlights
Ilam Park
Ilam Park is nestled beneath steep-sided hills on the bank of the River Manifold. It features a formal Italian Garden, views across to Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill and walks through ravine woodlands. Ilam Hall is managed by the YHA as a youth hostel.
Dovedale
Dovedale National Nature Reserve boasts ancient ravine woodland, wildflowers, limestone crags and a variety of wildlife.
The White Peak
White Peak countryside has numerous pathways and bridleways to explore across the Manifold Valley, Ecton Mine, Stanton Moor Edge, Miller's Dale, Ravenstor and High Wheeldon.
Eating
Hot and cold drinks, cakes and seasonal lunches are available from our cosy Manifold Tea-room.
Second-hand bookshop
Second-hand bookshop located within the stableyard area at Ilam Park. Wide selection of pre-loved books, with some indoor seating and is dog friendly.
Visiting with your dog
Dogs on leads are welcome at Ilam Park, Dovedale and in the White Peak all year round and there are plenty of places to walk with your four-legged friend while you are here.
Spotlight events
Article
Christmas at Ilam Park
Visit Ilam Park this festive season and enjoy a range of Christmas themed events, activities and trails.
Mini Acorns - Nature based crafts and activities for preschool children aged 2 -5
On the third Monday of the month bring your Mini Acorns along for a morning of nature based craft, discovery and play. Every month will be a new theme and a new experience.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Explore the great outdoors at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak. Enjoy a walk, find a spectacular view, or spot fossils in the limestone.
Article
Family days out at Ilam Park and the White Peak
Ilam, Dovedale and the White Peak has lots of opportunities for a great family day in the outdoors.
News
New accessible paths allow more visitors to explore further at Ilam Park.
We've welcomed Gillian Scotford from AccessibleUK back to Ilam Park, where a second phase of work to ensure more visitors can explore further into the parkland, has been completed.
Top trails
Trail
Ilam Park to Wetton circular walk
A scenic walk from Ilam Hall and Park that goes via the River Manifold and River Hamps, taking in stunning views of limestone rock formations on the way.
Trail
Ilam Park to Dovedale Stepping Stones trail
Explore the White Peak with a walk from Ilam Park to the stepping stones at Dovedale.
Trail
Manifold Valley walk
A 10-mile walk around the River Manifold valley that takes in Thor's Cave, and other distinct landscape features in Dovedale and Ilam Park.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Take a break at Ilam Park and enjoy lunch or a cream tea with stunning views of Thorpe Cloud and the Italian Gardens.
Places to stay
Ilam Bunkhouse
A large bunkhouse on the Ilam Park estate with the formidable hills and rocky outcrops of the Peak District nearby.
Norbury Manor
Soak up the history of this luxury manor house, where views extend over the Peak District.
Kedleston Park House
On the edge of Kedleston Hall's vast parkland, this cottage is a great spot to explore the Peak District.
Upcoming events
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Festive Footprints Trail
Join us on a self-guided adventure to uncover the hidden footprints of our winter wildlife. Track down all 10 down and see if you can identify the creatures that they belong to.
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Festive Wreath Making
Get into the festive spirit and create a stunning wreath to adorn your door ready for Christmas. Use natural materials foraged from the park to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Christmas Launch Weekend
Join us for our Christmas Launch Weekend filled with festive cheer in the picturesque Ilam Park.
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Christmas Trees sales
Get ready to deck the halls! Our annual Christmas tree sale is back, featuring a stunning selection of fresh, fragrant trees. Find the perfect one to bring Christmas cheer to your home.
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Breakfast with Father Christmas
Make a magical memory this festive season with our Breakfast with Father Christmas event.
Event
Ilam Park: Winter: Needle Felted Bauble Workshop
Discover the therapeutic art of needle felting and craft a beautiful bauble for yourself or as a gift.
Event
Ilam Park: Monday Mini Acorns
Join us for a new and exciting monthly event at Ilam Park. Designed for tiny tots aged 2-5, a creative and nature based activity morning.
About Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Situated in the spectacular setting of the Staffordshire and Derbyshire Peak District, Ilam Park makes an ideal base to explore the other parts of the White Peak area.
White Peak incorporates several key areas. These include: Dovedale; the Manifold Valley; Ilam Park; Ecton Mine, Stanton Moor Edge; Miller's Dale and Ravenstor; and High Wheeldon.
Places of interest:
- In Dovedale: stepping stones, Milldale, Wolfscote Hill and Biggin Dale
- In Manifold Valley: Wetton Mill, Ecton Mine Engine House, Manifold light railway track, the disappearing Rivers Hamps and Manifold, Apes Tor and Beeston Tor
- In Ilam Park: the River Manifold and Boil Holes, Italian Garden and tea-room.
- Around Monyash House Farm: Monyash Moor and Ferndale
- Near Stanton Moor Edge: Stanton Moor
- In Miller's Dale and Ravenstor: Bellamy's Bank, Tideswell Dale, River Wye, Monsal Trail and Ravenstor YHA
Please help to look after the places you love by taking only photographs and leaving only footprints #peakdistrictproud
History
Article
The history of Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Over 360 million years ago, Ilam Park lay under a shallow sea as coral reef. Read about the moments that have shaped the landscape.
Our work
Article
Tackling ash dieback across the Peak District
The nation is currently witnessing the widespread effects of ash dieback. Learn about how the National Trust is tackling this issue in the Peak District.
News
Planting trees to create healthy woodlands
Rangers and volunteers in the White Peak have been busy planting trees as part of a project to tackle the effects of ash dieback and create healthy woodlands for the future.
News
Connecting and developing woodland and grasslands in the White Peak
New land in our care at Grindon in the White Peak area of the Peak District will help us protect, connect and develop important woodland and grassland.
Support us
Article
Volunteering in the Peak District
Find out about the many ways to get involved with our work across the Peak District as a volunteer and discover the benefits volunteering can bring.