Dovedale Stepping Stones, a cherished Peak District attraction, has allegedly turned into a "no-go zone" for residents, with numerous people purposely steering clear of the location when temperatures rise. The site, located several miles north west of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has been blighted by litter, anti-social conduct and violent clashes in recent years.
History of incidents at Dovedale
In July 2024, a large-scale fight broke out after two groups of walkers allegedly refused to allow each other passage, following reports that a youngster had been "hit". More recently, the National Trust, which manages the location, appealed to visitors to remove their rubbish after volunteers spent time collecting bags of rubbish following an especially hectic period.
After the latest bout of warm weather and growing worries voiced online, Derbyshire Live travelled to the stepping stones to evaluate whether conditions were genuinely as concerning as anticipated.
Visitor experience on a busy day
On a warm but cloudy Saturday, with meteorologists forecasting just a slim possibility of precipitation, throngs of tourists arrived in substantial numbers. The additional car park was already being utilised, although motorists initially had to navigate a tight but passable section of road. A substantial queue had built up at the parking machine, where guests pay a standard charge of £6 irrespective of their duration of stay. Even using the facilities costs 50p, which itself became troublesome when an impatient guest tried to force the door, causing it to stick briefly.
The footpath towards the stepping stones offers a wonderfully serene and tranquil walk, with imposing hills rising above delivering stunning vistas. However, the peaceful ambience shifted into something akin to peak travel time once walkers reached the stepping stones, where a five-minute wait to traverse rapidly destroyed any feeling of calm.
Conflict and frustration among visitors
This seems to be where tensions flare, notably during the extensively documented "mass brawl" that occurred here several years ago. When one party tried to cross while another believed they had priority, one woman shouted: "Are you not going to let us through?" Having finally made it over with her young children, the woman, who preferred not to be named, 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, to be honest. 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. I'm all stressed now, and I've only just got here."
Litter and disrespect for the countryside
Large gatherings inevitably result in rubbish, and Lucy Hartley, from Derby, says "people have lost respect for the countryside". The 44-year-old said: "I've been here before and seen people with barbecues, which are banned, and then they'll pack up and leave all their rubbish, and the barbecue, behind. I think whoever looks after Dovedale does a good job at cleaning it up, but you can still see bits of debris wrapped around trees in the river, and people won't stop." She added: "It's always been busy here, since I was a little kid, even, but it's just ridiculous nowadays. We could do with some rangers here to keep an eye on people, even when it isn't as busy, like it is here today. 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-term visitors fed up
While younger families continue to descend upon the area and take full advantage of its attractions, long-term visitors have become progressively fed up. Derek Brayford, 72, from nearby Leek, said: "The place has become a no-go zone when it's really hot, to be honest. We're only here today because we saw there was a chance of rain, but it's still mayhem. People seem to be behaving themselves for now, but I'm sure there will be problems later in the evening, it's inevitable. The car park is chaotic and full of terrible drivers pushing in and honking horns, and the litter and attitude of some people is shocking. We used to come with our kids when they were little, and we used to bring the grandkids until only recently, but the last few years, it has really lost its way." Derek added: "This has always been the best attraction in the area, but for me, maybe in the whole of the Peak District, but it's too far gone. People still come, but they don't respect it. They should just tape it off if it carries on."
