DAY 1: DOVEDALE

PADDLING IN THE DOVE RIVER

AFTERNOON

You’re starting your itinerary in THE PEAK DISTRICT’s southern tip, with a gentle introduction to the limestone hills and steep-sided dales that make up an area known as the WHITE PEAK. The easy path that follows the River Dove through DOVEDALE, a national nature reserve 5 miles northwest of the village of Ashbourne, is one of the most popular short walks in the national park, so you’ll need to come late in the afternoon if you want to avoid the crowds. Narrow country lanes lead to a signed car park, from where it’s about a mile’s walk alongside the crystal-clear river to the famous STEPPING STONES. Most people stop for a paddle here before returning along the footpath on the opposite side of the river, or via flat-topped Thorpe Cloud hill, but you can continue your walk along the river as far as Milldale, 2 more miles to the north.

TOP TIP If you’re travelling a decent distance for your holiday in the Peak District, it can be worth adding time to your itinerary for a day out at ALTON TOWERS, arguably the UK’s most famous theme park. The park [open daily March to early November from 10am to 4pm, generally until 5pm or 6pm at weekends and in school holidays | Day Pass £53, under-12s £44; if booked online at least 5 days in advance £34, under-12s £28.50; under-3s free] is home to over 40 rides, with attractions ranging from live shows featuring CBeebies favourites, to river rapids, a haunted house, and classic harum-scarum rollercoasters like Nemesis, Galactica and The Smiler. Alton Towers is 10 miles down the A52 from Dovedale.

WHERE TO STAY

MOORLAND VIEW FARM