Facilities & access

General

  • Eating - tea-room at Ilam Park and an ice cream concession at the Stepping Stones. Refreshments are also available at Milldale and Dovedale Car Park
  • Shopping - at Ilam Park has a variety of souvenirs and gifts, including walk routes and guides for the area and plant sales
  • Picnics - great places for picnics throughout the dale
  • Dogs - welcome in the dale, please keep on leads to avoid disturbing the wildlife and livestock
  • Toilets - at Ilam Park (NT) and at Dovedale Car Park and Milldale (not NT)
  • Pubs - various public houses in the neighbouring villages
  • Visitor centre - at Ilam Park provides a wealth of information on the area, including changing exhibitions and an interactive display about the geology of the area
  • Parking - Ilam Park, pay & display (NT members free), £2 for up to 4 hours £4 all day; Dovedale, pay & display, manned, £2 Coach parking available on roadside prior to car park; Milldale (not NT), free; Narrow Lane (not NT) free

Family & children

  • Baby-changing and feeding at Ilam Park
  • Children's trail and family guides are available from the National Trust shop at Ilam Park

Access

  • Parking - accessible parking at the Stepping-Stones end of Dovedale (non-NT) and Milldale car parks
  • Pathways - steep slopes and undulating terrain. Upgrading of access is ongoing
  • Seating - information barn at Milldale which provides shelter, seating and information
  • Visitor centre - nearest National Trust visitor centre with accessible access is at Ilam Park
  • Refreshments - entrance to the tearoom at Ilam Park is via a long staircase which has a handrail. Alternative arrangements are available, please enquire in shop. Level access to tea-room garden. Ice cream concession at Stepping Stones. Refreshments (non-NT, take-out) available at Dovedale car park and Milldale
  • Shop - nearest National Trust shop with accessible access is at Ilam Park