Walking to the Stepping Stones & Thorpe Cloud

From the cottage, the walk to Dovedale follows the river through some of the prettiest scenery in the White Peak, passing caves cut into the limestone before reaching the stepping stones themselves. From there, it's a climb up Thorpe Cloud, an isolated limestone hill with a genuinely fantastic panoramic view over the whole valley once you're at the top. It's a proper walk rather than a stroll, but well within reach for most fitness levels, and one of the reasons guests keep coming back; one recent review described it simply as "great walking from the doorstep." Dogs are more than welcome on the route, and it's one of the best dog walks in the area.

If you fancy going further, a twenty-five-minute walk on from the stepping stones brings you to Ilam, a small village full of Alpine-style cottages, home to Ilam Hall (a 17th-century Gothic manor in National Trust parkland) and the Manifold Tea Room, a good spot for refreshments once you've earned them. There's also a shop, an information centre, and seasonal activities including Nordic walking taster sessions.

Distance From Bankside Cottage to Dovedale

Bankside Cottage is a little over three miles from the Dovedale stepping stones, following the river most of the way. It's an easy walk from the cottage, or a short drive if you'd rather save your legs for the dale itself. Dovedale sits on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire, in the section of the Dove Valley between Milldale and Thorpe Cloud.

Fishing in Dovedale

The River Dove is a well-known fishing river, and Dovedale is a popular stretch. Permits can be bought from the Izaak Walton Hotel, and fly fishing lessons and day tickets are also available if you'd rather learn than go it alone. Full details at peaksflyfishing.com.