Ilam Park Walks
Ilam Country Park is a delightful open space owned by the National Trust. It is situated on the River Manifold about five miles north west of Ashbourne in the Staffordshire and Derbyshire Peak District. Highlights in the park include Ilam Hall and gardens, Bunster Hill, Hinkley Wood, a Visitor Centre, tea-room and shop. The park is perfect for a short riverside stroll in one of the prettiest areas in England.
It's easy to extend your walk in this beautiful area by heading to the nearby Dovedale. You can follow a footpath east for about 1 mile to reach the River Dove and the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones.
You could also try our Ilam Circular Walk which starts from the park. It explores the valleys of the River Manifold and the River Hamps to the west of Ilam Park.
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Ilam Park Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ilam Park Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ilam Park OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ilam Park Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Manifold Tea-room is a fine place for some well earned refreshments after your exercise. You can sit outside and enjoy lunch or a cream tea with stunning views of Thorpe Cloud and the Italian Gardens.
Dog Walking
It's a splendid walk to do with your dog though you are requested to keep them on leads in the park. Water bowls can be found near the tea-room and toilets.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Ilam Dovedale Circular Walk also starts from the car park at the park. This will take you up to up to Stanshope on country lanes before heading into Dovedale at the Dove Holes caves. It then visits the stepping stones and Lovers Leap before returning to the car park.
The circular Fenny Bentley Walk visits Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale from the pretty village to the east. The village is worthy of exploration with the pretty Bentley Brook, a 14th century church and a fine inn with particularly lovely gardens to see. The route also visits the 17th-century Jacobean mansion house at Tissington Hall.
The delightful village of Parwich lies just a few miles to the east of Dovedale. There's a pretty village green, old limestone cottages and a pub dating back to the 1600s. You can reach the village on the Limestone Way from Thorpe.
For more walking ideas in the area see the White Peak Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
View towards St Bertram's Bridge
Architectural scrap in parkland. The stone is probably the capital of a column that once supported part of the structure of the hall.
Pepperpot Tower
Manifold Tearoom. Superlative tearoom run by the National Trust in Ilam Park
The Italianate Garden in early spring. Looking towards Thorpe Cloud, the flat topped hill to the right. The Church of the Holy Cross is beyond the garden to the left.
View of Ilam hall from St Bertram's Bridge
Trees in Ilam Park
The Italian Garden is located above the terrace.