River Dove, Central England

Dove (Derbyshire & Staffordshire)
River
The traditional source of the River Dove (SK031684), nowadays usually dry
Country	England
Regions	Staffordshire, Derbyshire
Districts	Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale, Dovedale
Tributaries
- right	River Manifold, River Churnet
Source	Dove Head
- location	Axe Edge Moor, Peak District, England
- elevation	84 m (276 ft)
- coordinates	53°13′N 1°57′W / 53.217°N 1.95°W / 53.217; -1.95
Mouth
- location	Newton Solney, Derbyshire, England
- coordinates	52°49′N 01°35′W / 52.817°N 1.583°W / 52.817; -1.583
Length	72 km (45 mi)

The River Dove is the principal river of the southwestern Peak District, in the Midlands of England and is around 72 kilometres (45 mi) in length. It rises on Axe Edge Moor near Buxton and flows generally south to its confluence with the River Trent at Newton Solney. From there, its waters reach the North Sea via the Humber Estuary. For most of its way it forms the boundary between the counties of Staffordshire (to the west) and Derbyshire (to the east). The river meanders past Longnor and Hartington and cuts through a set of stunning limestone gorges, Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale and Dovedale.^[1]

The river is a famous trout stream. Charles Cotton's Fishing House, which was the inspiration for Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler,^[2] stands in the woods by the river near Hartington.

Dovedale

The River Dove at Dovedale

From Hartington to its confluence with the River Manifold at Ilam, the river flows through a series of scenic limestone valleys, known collectively as Dovedale. Dovedale is also particularly used for the name of that section between the stepping stones under Thorpe Cloud and Milldale. The Dovedale gorge is considered so scenic that it attracts a million visitors a year.^[3] Good riverside paths make the whole route accessible to walkers.

The River Dove at Milldale

Much of the dale is in the ownership of the National Trust, being part of their South Peak Estate. Dovedale itself was acquired in 1934, with successive properties being added until 1938, and Wolfscote Dale in 1948. Dovedale was declared a National Nature Reserve in 2006.

Dovedale's attractions include rock pillars such as Ilam Rock,^[4] Viator's Bridge, and the limestone carvings Lovers' Leap and Reynard's Cave.^[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: River Dove, Derbyshire

• Rivers of the United Kingdom
• List of rivers of England

References