Dovedale's Famous Stepping Stones Are Unsafe - Again |
Storm damage has left one of the Peak District's most iconic landmarks off-limits. The National Trust is urging visitors not to cross, but people keep ignoring the signs. |
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If you were planning to hop across the River Dove at Dovedale this spring, you may need to think again. The National Trust has issued a fresh warning that the famous Dovedale stepping stones are unsafe to use, after one of the 16 flat limestone slabs was dislodged by debris during high river flows last November.
The stepping stones have been a beloved feature of the Dovedale valley since the 19th century, when they were installed to encourage tourism to the area. The National Trust acquired the surrounding land in 1934 and has managed it ever since, though the responsibility for repairing the stones themselves falls to Derbyshire County Council.
This is not the first time the stones have caused concern. They were last closed following damage caused by Storm Babet in October 2023, only reopening to visitors in September 2024. Now, less than a year and a half later, they are out of action again.
Charlotte Hill, the council's cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, explained the delay in repairs: "One of the stones was dislodged by debris in November last year when the river flows were high and the repairs needed to secure the stone can only be carried out when the water levels are low. This winter has been particularly wet, and so we plan to carry out the repair in the next couple of months when the water levels are lower."
A National Trust spokesman added: "Signage is in place to advise visitors that the stones are not safe to use." For those who still want to cross the River Dove, there is a bridge a few hundred metres downstream that provides a safe alternative route.
The situation highlights a recurring challenge for the Peak District's most popular visitor sites, balancing the need for access with the realities of maintaining historic infrastructure in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
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