Our Day

On our last day in Hartington, three of us, Melissa, Nigel and yours truly decided to motor to Illam, with its connections with Izaak Walton of "Compleat Angler" fame. We got as far as Illam Rock, where I decided to walk on, via the nearby impressive "Dove Holes" to Wolfscote Dale, Beresford Dale and back to Hartington. Melissa and Nigel looped back to Illam via the village of Stanshope.

Illam Rock impressively stands guard over the southern part of Dovedale.

Our Morning

The weather signs looked good for Easter Monday, our last full day at Hartington. Three of us decided to go to Illam, with its famous Stepping Stones. It was breakfast as usual before we set off at the comfortable time of about 09:30.

Illam Hall was quite a large residence with a number of outbuildings including the coach house and the stables and other farm-related buildings - most of which had been converted to residential purposes. Some of us stayed at the "Coach House"




From the entrance lobby of Hartington Hall, we could see that the weather looked good.

Illam Village to Illam Rock

The three of us, Melissa, Nigel and I, set off around 09:30 and made or way, via Hulme End, Alstonefield, Stanshope and the village of Illam to the busy car park near the Walton Hotel. "Walton" is as in "Izaak Walton", author of "The Compleat Angler" and "fishing buddy" of "Charles Cotton", whose name, in turn, graces the hotel in downtown Hartington. All these local and national interconnections! We admired the vintage Austin. After the busy "Stepping Stones", we took pictures at Reynard's Cave where Melissa gave her mobile 'phone unintended immersive water treatment (luckily, not fatal!). At the Illam Rock, I headed on to Milldale.

An Austin car arrives in the car park as we set off.




Here's that pure white Austin again.




We start our walk.




Spring is in the offing ...




... as these pictures show us.




Here are the Stepping Stones.




Everyone likes the Stepping Stones!




Lover's Leap is busy today.
The apostrophe tells us it's only ONE lover, not two.




Two august Cloggies have made it to the top!
Steady climbing - no leaping!




Onwards we go ...




... enjoying the vernal ambience.




We take a look at Reynard's Cave.




Some kind passer-by takes a picture of us.




This looks like an Easter Island statue.
This looks as if Illam Rock is close.




Here is Illam Rock.
Melissa and Nigel have lunch before leaving Dove Dale for Stanshope.




This could be Pickering Tor.

Illam Rock to Milldale

The next encounters for me are the Dove Holes and Milldale. Closer to Milldale is the point at which, on Friday's walk, we turned around and via Biggin Dale for Hartington. So, some new scenery and some scenery I have seen before.

There appear to be at least two Dove Holes.




I wonder if they provided shelter for pre-historic man (and woman).




They look like limestone caves.




Here's another view.




Here's Milldale, source of ice cream for car-borne tourists from the nearby car park.




Yes, it's Milldale!




About ½ mile further on we get to this traditional hump-backed bridge.




It is watched over by this house,
which could be some one's quiet retreat.




Looking back towards the south, there are some more houses,
which could also perhaps be hideaways for those seeking peace and quiet.




Here is National Trust's "Fishpond Bank".
Any fishing here?

Fishpond Bank to Wolfscote & Beresford Dales

It's perhaps another seven kilometres or so to Hartington. The new component for me is Wolfscote Dale. After that comes Beresford Dale and the path to Hartington. Both were explored on Friday but are always nice to revisit.

Dovedale




Dovedale




Coldeaton Bridge




Wolfscote Dale




Wolfscote Dale




Wolfscote Dale




End of Wolfscote Dale




Footbridge before Beresford Dale




Same footbridge before Beresford Dale




Here's another footbridge.
This one is in Beresford Dale and crosses the River Dove.
We went over it on Friday on our first walk.

Our Last Evening

Most of our party enjoyed their "Last Supper" at Hartington Hall. The talk was about what a great time we all had had. We all agreed that Hartington was a great success, combining walking, cycling, history and sightseeing. This encouraged us to think about ideas for future trips. Well done, Melissa, event organizers and all!