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Ilam Park: Dawn Chorus Ranger Walk

Join us for an early morning walk and be guided around Ilam Park with our Ranger team to hear the incredible dawn chorus.

  • Booking essential

Experience Ilam Park at its most magical as the first light of day breaks over the valley. We’ll set off at 6am for a gentle, unhurried walk through the park’s woodlands and riverside paths, pausing to enjoy the rising swell of birdsong that fills the early‑morning air. After our gentle three‑hour stroll, we’ll finish at 9am in the Ilam Park tearoom, where a complimentary breakfast roll (bacon, sausage, egg or vegan sausage available) will be waiting for you to round off the morning perfectly.

There is no entry fee for Ilam Park, only a charge for car parking for non members. This event, like all our events is open to members of the National Trust and non-members. Money raised from our events goes back into looking after the White Peak.

Please note our car park machines take only coins and our bookshop will not be open yet to take card payments. National Trust members and blue badge owners park free, non members must pay a parking charge of £6 for 4 hours or £8 for over 4 hours.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
All Walk & bacon bap£15.00
All Walk & egg bap£15.00
All Walk & sausage bap£15.00
All Walk & vegan sausage bap£15.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Suitability

Suitable for adult and older children (10+) but please no dogs.

Meeting point

Meet our Lead Ranger Adam in the stableyard at 6am.

What to bring and wear

Wrap up with layers, it should be a fairly warm day but it can get chilly early in the morning and we'll be standing still listening. If you have binoculars or a scope please bring them along.

Accessibility

The walk will take place mostly along paths, but will likely include steps and periods of standing without available seating.

Other

Please note our car park machines take only coins and our bookshop will not be open yet to take card payments. National Trust members and blue badge owners park free, non members must pay a parking charge of £6 for 4 hours or £8 for over 4 hours.

Contact info

White Peak Estate Office

Upcoming events

Ilam Park: Bird Ringing Demonstration 

Get up early and get up close with some of our feathered friends. Learn about bird ringing and the native birds of Ilam Park.

Event summary

on
14 Feb 2026
at 07:00 to 10:30

Dovedale: February Dovedale Big Bird Count 

Fly down to National Nature Reserve and see how many birds you can discover this February half term.

Event summary

on
14 Feb to 21 Feb 2026
at 10:30 to 14:30+ 7 other dates or times

Ilam Park: February Bird Box Detectives trail 

Grab you detective hat and your binoculars! It's time to explore Ilam Park and solve the puzzles to discover the beautiful birds that live here.

Event summary

on
14 Feb to 22 Feb 2026
at 10:30 to 15:00+ 8 other dates or times

Dovedale Big Litter Pick 

Join us for a few hours at Dovedale and get your steps in, picking litter along the valley so the National Nature Reserve remains a great place for nature and people alike.

Event summary

on
18 Feb to 5 May 2026
at 09:00 to 11:00+ 2 other dates or times