River Dove, Central England

Dove (Derbyshire & Staffordshire)
River
The traditional source of the River Dove (SK031684), nowadays usually dry
Country England
Regions Staffordshire, Derbyshire
Districts Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale, Dovedale
Tributaries
 - right River Manifold, River Churnet
Source Dove Head
 - location Axe Edge Moor, Peak District, England
 - elevation 84 m (276 ft)
 - coordinates 53°13′N 1°57′W / 53.217°N 1.950°W
Mouth
 - location Newton Solney, Derbyshire, England
 - coordinates 52°49′N 01°35′W / 52.817°N 1.583°WCoordinates: 52°49′N 01°35′W / 52.817°N 1.583°W
Length 72 km (45 mi)

The River Dove is the principal river of the southwestern Peak District, in the Midlands of England and is around 72 kilometres (45 mi) in length. It rises on Axe Edge Moor near Buxton and flows generally south to its confluence with the River Trent at Newton Solney.[1] From there, its waters reach the North Sea via the Humber Estuary. For most of its way it forms the boundary between the counties of Staffordshire (to the west) and Derbyshire (to the east). The river meanders past Longnor and Hartington and cuts through a set of stunning limestone gorges, Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale and Dovedale.[2]

The river is a famous trout stream. Charles Cotton's Fishing House, which was the inspiration for Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler,[3] stands in the woods by the river near Hartington.

The river's name is now usually pronounced to rhyme with "love", but its original pronunciation rhymed with "rove". This pronunciation is still used by some residents of the lower reaches of the river.

Dovedale

The River Dove at Dovedale
The stepping stones over the River Dove, Dovedale
Main article: Dovedale

From Hartington to its confluence with the River Manifold at Ilam, the river flows through a series of scenic limestone valleys, known collectively as Dovedale. Dovedale is also particularly used for the name of that section between the stepping stones under Thorpe Cloud and Milldale. The Dovedale gorge is considered so scenic that it attracts a million visitors a year.[4] Good riverside paths make the whole route accessible to walkers.

The River Dove at Milldale

Much of the dale is in the ownership of the National Trust, being part of their South Peak Estate. Dovedale itself was acquired in 1934, with successive properties being added until 1938, and Wolfscote Dale in 1948. Dovedale was declared a national nature reserve in 2006.

Dovedale's attractions include rock pillars such as Ilam Rock,[5] Viator's Bridge, and the limestone features Lovers' Leap and Reynard's Cave.[6]

Lower Dove

Once the river leaves Dovedale it combines with the Manifold and enters a wider valley near Thorpe. The valley increases in size as the river continues south to reach Mapleton and then Mayfield, where it is crossed by the medieval Hanging Bridge. At this point it is joined by the Bentley Brook, and then nearby at Church Mayfield, by the Henmore Brook.[7]

The Dove now flows in a south-westerly direction, passing Norbury and Ellastone, where it turns south until it reaches Rocester. To the south of the village, at Combridge it is joined by its largest tributary the River Churnet. As it reaches the ancient Dove Bridge, it is joined by the River Tean, the river now meandering through a wide valley which turns east as it passes between Doveridge and Uttoxeter; the only town along its length.[7]

The River Dove near Tutbury (Mill Fleam Sluice)

Beyond this point riverside communities, such as Marchington, Sudbury and Scropton, tend to be located at the edge of the valley; although the village of Hatton encroaches across the valley floor, where it is linked by a bridge to Tutbury whose Castle overlooks the crossing. The river continues east passing the villages of Marston, Rolleston and Egginton, where it is joined by its last tributary, the Hilton Brook. The river is divided at this point, with some flow passing through the mill fleam at Clay Mills, the two arms rejoin downstream of the A38 road bridge, and then to the south, the Dove reaches its confluence with the River Trent, at Newton Solney.[7]

Tributaries

Alphabetical list of tributaries, extracted from the Water Framework Directive list of water bodies for the River Dove:[8]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to River Dove, Derbyshire.

References

  1. ↑ "River Dove". Peak District Information. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Peak District National Park - Fact Zone 8. Dovedale and the Dove Valley". www.peakdistrict-education.gov.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  3. ↑ "BBC - Radio 4 - The Philosopher, Fish and the Dove". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  4. ↑ "Dovedale - Dovedale in Derbyshire and the Peak District". www.derbyshireuk.net. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  5. ↑ "Walks in The Peak District - Dove Dale and Wolfscote Dale walk". www.walkingenglishman.com. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  6. ↑ "National Trust - Ilam Park, Dovedale". www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Get-a-map online". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Water Framework Directive Surface Water Classification Status and Objectives 2012 csv file". Environment Agency.gov.uk. 26 Nov 2012. Retrieved 10 Feb 2013.