Dovedale Stepping Stones, a beloved landmark in the Peak District near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has become a 'no-go zone' for locals, plagued by littering, antisocial behaviour, and violent altercations during hot weather.
Mass brawl and littering incidents
In July 2024, a mass brawl erupted after two groups of walkers argued over crossing rights, reportedly after a child was hit. The National Trust, which oversees the site, has urged visitors to take rubbish home after volunteers cleared bags of waste following busy periods.
On a recent warm but overcast Saturday, Derbyshire Live visited the site to assess the situation. The overflow car park was already in use, with drivers navigating narrow roads. A lengthy queue formed at the parking machine, where visitors pay a flat fee of £6, and toilets cost 50p—an impatient visitor once forced the door, causing it to jam.
Visitor frustrations and queues
The path to the stepping stones offers peaceful views, but the tranquil atmosphere vanishes at the stones themselves, where a five-minute queue to cross creates tension. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It's the same whenever you come, people will just keep crossing the stones without any regard for those on the other side. I've not been here for a few years, partly because of that. I wouldn't come here at all if my kids didn't love it so much.' She added: 'It just attracts the wrong crowd. 90 per cent of people know how to act, but the other 10 per cent really can make it miserable for the rest of us.'
Litter and disrespect for the countryside
Lucy Hartley, 44, from Derby, said: 'People have lost respect for the countryside. I've been here and seen people with barbecues, which are banned, and then they'll pack up and leave all their rubbish. Whoever looks after Dovedale does a good job cleaning it up, but you can still see bits of debris wrapped around trees in the river.' She called for rangers to monitor the area: 'They'd make a killing off fines, and it might just stop people from treating Dovedale like crap. Until then, it's only going to get worse.'
Long-time visitors disillusioned
Derek Brayford, 72, from Leek, said: 'The place has become a no-go zone when it's really hot. We're only here today because we saw there was a chance of rain, but it's still mayhem. The car park is chaotic with terrible drivers pushing in and honking horns, and the litter and attitude of some people is shocking. We used to come with our kids and grandkids, but the last few years, it has really lost its way.' He added: 'This has always been the best attraction in the area, maybe in the whole of the Peak District, but it's too far gone. They should just tape it off if it carries on.'
