Riders on the Storm

Ashbourne – 18 to 21 July 2014

You will remember (of course!) that when we visited Derbyshire in May 2012 we finished the entry with “at the end of the week we wondered why we hadn't visited Derbyshire more often and decided we would return”. So we have kept our word.

On the outward journey we passed through a thunderstorm and torrential downpour (hence the title of this post!) but fortunately overall the weather was much better in Derbyshire than in southern England.

The first port of call was Leek, just a brief visit to the town. Set in the heart of the beautiful Staffordshire Peak District, Leek is a compact town and has a mix of independent shops alongside historic markets, with numerous places to eat and drink. We picked up a few leaflets from the Tourist Information and followed the suggestions of exploring cobbled Getliffe's Yard, with its boutiques, eateries and artisan shops, and then St Edward Street, which in the past was considered to be Leek's finest street, with its wide pavements and grand half-timbered buildings.

Then on to the Caravan Club Site at Carsington Water, which is about 5 miles to the east of Ashbourne, for two nights The site is set in a plantation, with groups of pitches separated from each other by the pine trees. The late afternoon and evening were warm and sunny; perfect opportunity to relax outside the 'van.

The weather forecast for Saturday was for heavy rain and storms across much of the country so we weren't surprised to be woken in the early hours by the sound of rain on our tin box. This continued until the middle of the day, so more relaxation needed, but inside this time with the Saturday Times! Once the rain had stopped (even though the drips from the trees suggested that it hadn't!) we were able to go out for a short walk to the reservoir and across the dam to the Visitor Centre.

Suddenly the sky turned ominously black and forced a decision to return to base and we arrived just before the storm did! Phew!

Sunday dawned dry and warm and we headed off to Ashbourne. We remembered the motor-home friendly car park from last time and on arrival we were amazed to hear the sound of bagpipes. The annual Scottish Highland Gathering, was taking place in the Memorial Gardens and attracting hundreds of visitors to watch the highland games and pipe bands.

From Ashbourne the next stop was the National Trust property, Ilam Park, where there is also a small caravan site. There are two ways in to Ilam from the main road; don't expect to travel fast on either of them! We travelled in from the A52 which winds through pleasant countryside for some two miles and over several cattle grids with bollards either side, and then you are suddenly confronted by the picturesque village of Ilam with its “Swiss cuckoo clock” cottages and the cross in memory of Eleanor Watts-Russell, the wife of the shipping magnate Jesse Watts-Russell, who had the village built adjacent to his estate.

A little further on you enter the NT property and car park. There is no stately home here, as the buildings are now used as a youth hostel and bunk house. But there is a small Italienate garden overlooking the church and lots of parkland to explore.

Beautiful Dovedale is just a 15-20 minute walk away across the fields. Needless to say, there is also a cafe and gift shop plus a small but interesting visitor centre. The caravan site is located at the rear of the car park, through a five-barred gate, where the wardens were sitting in the sunshine ready to greet new arrivals or bid farewell to those leaving in a most friendly fashion. The site is a gem! Exquisitely peaceful with facilities to hand. You just need to have sufficient provisions with you; it's a long way to the supermarket!

On Sunday afternoon we set off to Dovedale and had a most enjoyable walk as far as Lion's Head Rock on the way to Milldale.

There were plenty of people with the same idea, so we had to wait a while to cross the stepping stones, one of Dovedale's best known attractions.

Determined to make the most of Monday morning, we got up early so we had time for a walk through the parkland before tearing ourselves away at midday for the journey home. We exited Ilam via the alternative route to the A515, which is supposedly the better road, but is nonethleless hilly and narrow in places.

Notes for motorhomers

Leek: Car parks without height restriction are off Stockwell St or Waitrose Supermarket, Buxton Road

Ashbourne: Parking without height restriction at Park Road near the Memorial Gardens or the supermarket car park opposite

Ilam Park Caravan Site belongs to National Trust, but open to non-members.

From the A52 beware of the sharp left hand turn and stone pillars at a subsequent turn to Ilam

20 pitches. Fees: £18 per night (Friday and Saturday), otherwise £12. Includes EHU.

Water and waste disposal facilities are within the site area; toilets and two shower rooms are located in the NT buildings 150 yards away. The latter are “rustic”, but clean and perfectly adequate.