Some places were designed by nature with dogs in mind. Places that are just so perfect, so idyllic, so gloriously beautiful it's as if mother nature said: "I'm going to create a location where dogs and their owners will be able to go and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the most perfect landscape this planet has to offer.".
Dovedale in Derbyshire is one such place.
As we continue our series finding the best dog walking locations in the UK to visit and explore with your trusted four-legged friend, we visited historical Dovedale in Derbyshire and if you haven't been lucky enough to take your own dog to Dovedale yet, after you read this you will most definitely be itching to plug the directions in to your car's sat-nav.
Photo Credit: Shaun Dunmall
One of Britain's most visited natural tourist sites, Dovedale is a valley in Derbyshire's Peak District visited by more than 1 million people each year - and it's easy to see why it's so popular with history buffs, families, hikers and dog walkers alike.
A perfect pet friendly retreat to explore and blow away the Winter cobwebs, this valley is home to the famous trout stream, River Dove, and rock pillars such as Ilam Rock, pictured below, Viator's Bridge, and limestone features Lovers' Leap and Reynard's Cave, not to mention the infamous stepping stones and isolated limestone Thorpe Cloud, you can easily spend a good portion of your day here if you seek out all it has to show.
Photo Credit: Beth
Its history dates back around 350 million years through the limestone formations. During the two ice ages, the limestone was cut into craggy shapes known as reef limestone by the melting ice, and dry caves such as Reynard's Kitchen Cave were formed.
Photo Credit: Ben Dalton
Used by hunters the caves were used as shelters by hunters around 13,000 BCE, evidence has also revealed that around 4,500 years ago Neolithic farmers used the caves as tombs. There is evidence from Reynard's Cave of both late Iron Age and Bronze Age activity and artefacts, including Roman coins (or treasure as they've been called) which have been found there are displayed at the nearby Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.
Photo Credit: Andrew Dennes
The views from Thorpe Cloud, pictured below, is not to be missed and this isolated hill was most recently used to film 'Robin Hood' starring Russell Crowe.
Photo Credit: Rob Bendall
Step back in time and explore this historical landmark for yourself with your dog in tow. When you've finished you can visit the Izaac Walton Hotel, which can be seen from Thorpe Cloud and is only minutes away, where you can relax and take in the sights of Dovedale from the dog friendly bar which serves food daily.
How to find the Dovedale
Located near to Milldale in Derbyshire, you can download a useful map here.
Address: Derbyshire, DE6 2AY.
Parking available on-site.
