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Milldale

Milldale near Alstonefield and Dovedale in the Peak District

Milldale, situated in the Peak District National Park, is a tranquil,clustered, riverside village of square stone cottages,surrounded by steeply wooded hills near Alstonefield and Dovedale. Milldale village is only visited by local traffic and walkers, lots of walkers.

There is a shop, toilet facilities and a small information barn provided by the National Trust. The barn was originally the stable for the corn mill, which was demolished in the mid 19th century. The foundations are still visible by the river. Outside the barn are the remains of the sheepwash, last used in 1965 and recently restored. Other traces of 2 mills which brought industry to the area can also be seen. Lodemill, on the Alstonefield road, prepared lead ore for smelting and ochre mill which was powered by water diverted from the river dove by a channel. A millstone once used for grinding the ochre pigment lies near the riverbank.

The valley path hugs the river Dove along the roadside to Lode Mill. However a path also runs along the top of the valley from milldale to Lode Mill to the Alsop-en-le Dale road and has splendid views down into the dale.The National Trust has resisted all pressure to open up the eastern dide of the dale to walkers on conservation grounds.



Milldale Bridge
Milldale Bridge
Milldale village house
Milldale house


Milldale provides a good starting point for walks in the Peak District around Dovedale gorge to the south and Wolfscote dale to the north. The famous packhorse bridge, over the river Dove, that links Milldale to Dovedale is called Viator bridge, viator meaning traveller. It is a very picturesque and popular spot, named after a character in the second part of `The Complete Angler` by Izaak Walton. Some of the goods carried across by pack horse were silks and flax from nearby Wetton and Alstonefield.


Directions to milldale

Take the A515 out of Ashbourne towards Buxton and after approx 5 miles take a left turn, sign posted Alstonefield, Milldale. Follow the road round past lode mill, along the valley, through the village and up the hill where you will find a car park on your right.

Oher places of interest nearby

Dovedale

Thorpe

Ashbourne

Milldale

Wetton

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