Walk around Ilam, Peak District

Karen and I parked at a small car park outside of Ilam village and headed down the hill next to the road we had driven up to the bridge in Ilam. As there was an ice cream van in the usual place near the bridge, we had to have one! We followed the path past some ornate cottages into the grounds of Ilam Hall.

After having a look at a well in the grounds we followed down to the path next to the River Manifold. Because of all the recent wet weather, the river was flowing quite deeply. Normally at this time of year, the river is flowing underground. Continuing on past the 11th Century Battle Stone, we continued along the river and past through the small garden of River Cottage where I dropped some coins into the collection box which is payment for being allowed to use the Permissory Path across the garden.

After this we followed the road across a bridge over the river and uphill past a farmyard. We then headed uphill through fields with the view across to Bunster Hill and the start of Dove Dale opening out. Passing the abandoned farmhouse, Upper Musden, we contined on through fields until we reached a track heading up to the right.
We followed this until we arrived at the road. We followed this down a short distance and crossed a stile back into a large field which we followed downwards to another stile and across the road back to the car park.