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.
![fox and cubs flowers pilosella aurantiaca Hartington Derbys June 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/fox-and-cubs-flowers-pilosella-aurantiaca-Hartington-Derbys-June-2021-600x450.jpg)
Then we followed the lane into the countryside.
![Hartington lane derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Hartington-lane-derbyshire-june-2021-600x338.jpg)
Flowers in the fields
The footpath soon cut off across fields, which often had stony outcrops.
![mike walking upper dove dale derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mike-walking-upper-dove-dale-derbyshire-june-2021-600x338.jpg)
![wild thyme thymus polytrichus upper dove dale derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wild-thyme-thymus-polytrichus-upper-dove-dale-derbyshire-june-2021-600x450.jpg)
![biting stonecrop flowers sedum acre upper dove dale derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/biting-stonecrop-flowers-sedum-acre-upper-dove-dale-derbyshire-june-2021-600x450.jpg)
![Bedstraw upper dove dale derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bedstraw-upper-dove-dale-derbyshire-june-2021-600x450.jpg)
![buttercup meadow upper dove dale derbyshire june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/buttercup-meadow-upper-dove-dale-derbyshire-june-2021-600x175.jpg)
Crosswort at Pilsbury Castle
We stopped for a picnic lunch at the castle, having bought fab homity pies at the farm shop in Hartington.
![Tree pilsbury castle derbyshire Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tree-pilsbury-castle-derbyshire-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
I had only just spotted Cruciata laevipes a couple of days before at Jervaulx Abbey and here it was again!
![crosswort cruciata laevipes flowers pilsbury castle June 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/crosswort-cruciata-laevipes-flowers-pilsbury-castle-June-2021-600x450.jpg)
Then we crossed the river and entered Staffordshire briefly on our way back to Hartington.
![Mike river Dove derbyshire Jun 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mike-river-Dove-derbyshire-Jun-2021-600x450.jpg)
Foxgloves and stone walls
For some reason the Digitalis purpurea were seen frequently next to a stone wall.
![foxglove digitalis purpurea stone wall upper dove dale june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/foxglove-digitalis-purpurea-stone-wall-upper-dove-dale-june-2021-450x600.jpg)
![foxglove flower digitalis purpurea upper dove dale june 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/foxglove-flower-digitalis-purpurea-upper-dove-dale-june-2021-450x600.jpg)
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