When Ollie and I first got together 8 years back, he raved about Ashbourne in Derbyshire and specifically Dovedale stepping stones. He promised we would visit the area and made that pledge every year. Each year slipped by and we still hadn’t made it there which is madness we hadn’t as it’s not far away at all.
Finally however this summer we visited the area while camping at Callow Top although it chucked it down and we did think we might have to abandon the trip to the stepping stone altogether.
During the morning we headed instead to a soft play to let the kids run off some steam and we hoped while there that the rain would finally stop so we could get to visit Dovedale.
Thankfully the heavens dried up and we decided to make a dash to Dovedale to at least get a quick visit in before any rain started again. We arrived and I think so many people had the same idea as us that the car park soon filled up. We headed off up to the information barn and purchased a map but Joshua wanted to buy nets too so only a few yards into the walk he ran back to buy one for each of them.
The River Dove runs along the bottom of a valley and it has totally breathtaking scenery so made for a beautiful walk. Joshua was in charge of map reading but after the first 10 minutes he gave in and started spotting ducks instead. I guess when your 7 thats much more fun.
When we arrived at the stepping stones I could see why they are so loved, the boys loved crossing the river and then decided to spend some time catching things in their fishing nets.
Jacob needed some help with his net but Joshua did a super job and managed net himself a tennis ball … that obviously was being played with by a dog further up the river.
We stopped off before heading the car for a much needed ice-cream, but even with dark clouds hoovering we managed to make it and I was thrilled! It may not have been the full day visit with picnic that I had planned in my head but any visit was a bonus after the rain we had.
I have no doubt it won’t be taking us another 8 years to visit!
Glad you made it there! Dovedale is beautiful in the rain, we often choose rainy days as there are less people around and the misty quiet air adds to the atmosphere of the place. We’ve walked so many different paths around there! Sigh, beautiful!
i think we would love to try it in the rain actually we just need the wellies in the car next time and to be more prepared