Matlock Staycation - Day 3 Part 1

Today started off pretty well. Ilam Hall and Dovedale to start with.

Nissan Connect was actually able to locate Ilam Hall. We arrived in good time and parked up. The car park was free as we are National Trust members. 

The sun is shining and it was a balmy 8°C. First stop Manifold Tea Room. Reggie not allowed in as he isn't an assistance dog. We sat outside and it would be right not to have a bit of Bakewell Tart....

Paul, one of the volunteers advised us against walking to Dovedale due to the local flooding of the Dove and the mud. He gave us a short walk along the river there at Ilam. Plus a bag of treats for Reggie.

Walk acheived we drove to Dovedale. The car park was a vast sea of mud. It was packed as locally this week is half term. Plus Paul said that the famous stepping stones may still be submerged as they had been a few days earlier.

We aborted. Set Nissan Connect for Chatsworth House. Or so we thought. It took us through Ashbourne towards Derby!

Chatsworth is near Bakewell! 

Another aborted journey. We set the car for the Stables and turned around. A stop in Ashbourne at Sainsbury's for tonight's and tomorrow night's dinner.

So a late lunch and then out to make the most of the day.

(Photos to follow)