Flora of Upper Dove Valley

While we were in Derbyshire, we went on a beautiful circular walk in the Upper Dove Valley in the Peak District, starting at the picturesque village of Hartington, towards the remains of the Norman Pilsbury castle (see main photo), across the river and back. We saw very few people on our walk, despite it being glorious weather in high summer – possibly the crowds had headed south of Hartington towards Dovedale.

Flowers of Hartington

Before even leaving the village properly we spotted these beauties outside the church.

Then we followed the lane into the countryside.

Flowers in the fields

The footpath soon cut off across fields, which often had stony outcrops.

Crosswort at Pilsbury Castle

We stopped for a picnic lunch at the castle, having bought fab homity pies at the farm shop in Hartington.

I had only just spotted Cruciata laevipes a couple of days before at Jervaulx Abbey and here it was again!

Then we crossed the river and entered Staffordshire briefly on our way back to Hartington.

Foxgloves and stone walls

For some reason the Digitalis purpurea were seen frequently next to a stone wall.

A note about the route – The map and instructions in the link at the top of the page were very good but they show a route which takes you as far north as Crowdecote – on the day we found this a bit long, not being seasoned walkers, so we crossed the river and turned back closer to Pilsbury Castle.

More about this trip. Other places we visited on this trip:

Kirkby Moor in Lincs

Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire

Grin Low Buxton Derbyshire