Self-Guided Walk

Five Churches Walk

Walk through a landscape filled with churches dating back to the Norman period and reflecting the changing times of the people and the land. There are Stately homes, secluded villages and a Swiss village with a unique Youth Hostel. All the churches are different and well worth a visit. The landscape they sit in is the real prize of this walk, with wonderful views at every turn. Paul Besley, route researcher

Key Information Distance: 8.01 miles (12.9km) Time: allow 4 hours plus stops Route Grading: Start & Finish: Peveril of the Peak

Distance Directions Photographs Km Miles

0.40

0.23

1.93

0.25 0.14 1.20

Walk down the hotel drive to the road. Turn right to Thorpe. Take road first left. Walk up minor road and take footpath right immediately after farm on the brow of the hill. Continue across fields to reach road. Go right and immediately left to continue across fields. (A)

Road from Thorpe

Footpath (A)

Five Churches Walk – Page 2

Distance Directions Photographs Km Miles

2.68

3.73

6.39

1.66

2.31

3.97

Follow waymark posts to wood. (B) Turn left and immediately right to continue through wood to Mapleton Church. (C) From Church cross road and walk through field to bridge. Turn left across bridge to Okeover Park. Leave Park road in front of house and bare right to ascend hill keeping left of tree copse. Continue across fields to arrive at Martin Hill Farm.

Path into wood (B)

Mapleton Church (C)

8.02

9.72

4.98

6.03

Walk in front of farm, across fields to lane leading to minor road by farm buildings. Turn right along road to Blore Church. (D) From Blore Church go straight on at cross roads then through car park on right to footpath descending to Ilam village. (E)

Blore Church (D)

Ilam village (E)

12.9

8.01

Take the road to Thorpe. Then footpath immediately after houses footpath left across fields to Dovedale. Turn left in front of NT car park and follow river to cross stepping stones. (F) Crossing river turn left go through gate to left of Thorpe Cloud. Ascend behind Thorpe Cloud to brow. (G) Turn left to reach Peveril of the Peak.

Stepping stones (F)

To House (G)

Five Churches Walk – Page 3 Local Information Refreshments: Okeover, Ilam Hall & Dovedale. Facilities: Thorpe, Ilam Hall & Dovedale. Places of Interest:

• Thorpe Village. An old Norse settlement. The church is of particular interest with parts dating back before the Norman period. There are some interesting headstones in the churchyard, well worth viewing and reflecting on.

• Mapleton. An unusual church with a pub next door.

• Okeover is a stately home with its own church.

• Blore. The church is well worth exploring with some wonderful surprises inside.

• Ilam Village and Hall. A unique village built in the Swiss style during the Romantic period. The hall is now a Youth

Hostel. There is a National Trust visitor centre and tearoom. The park is well worth exploring particularly for its collection of trees. The church is very interesting with Saxon Crosses in the church yard.

• Dovedale. A limestone dale of exceptional beauty. Limestone caves and pinnacles are dotted along its length.

• Thorpe Cloud - A limestone reef knoll standing at the entrance to Dovedale. Should time and strength permit take the

footpath to the summit for excellent views across Dovedale and the surrounding area. Please Note: All self-guided walks and cycle rides are undertaken entirely at guests’ own risk. Route directions are supplied in good faith; however HF Holidays cannot be held responsible for any errors contained within.

Peveril of the Peak, Thorpe, Nr. Ashbourne DE6 2AW. T: 01335 350396 © HF Holidays Ltd, January 2015

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This product includes mapping licensed from Ordnance Survey ® with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. License Number PU 100040361. This map was generated and printed by TrackLogs Digital Mapping software. For more information seewww.tracklogs.co.uk.