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.
Before even leaving the village properly we spotted these beauties outside the church.
Then we followed the lane into the countryside.
The footpath soon cut off across fields, which often had stony outcrops.
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 AbbeyAMP and here it was again!
Then we crossed the river and entered Staffordshire briefly on our way back to Hartington.
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 tripAMP. Other places we visited on this trip:
Kirkby MoorAMP in Lincs
Fountains AbbeyAMP in Yorkshire
Grin Low BuxtonAMP Derbyshire