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 | Thorpe is strategically situated at the end of Dovedale and is therefore a busy place on summer weekends. However, the main part of the village lies in a cul-de-sac off the through road and is a surprisingly peaceful spot. At the end of this cul-de-sac a track leads down to Coldwall Bridge across the River Dove south of the present access to Dove Dale - this is the old route south from here.
 Thorpe Church
The village clusters around a beautiful little church with a Norman tower, built about 1100 AD, and with suggestions of Saxon work here and there. The nave was added in the 14th century, possibly replacing a Saxon construction, and a vestry in the 19th century. There is a fine tomb of the Millward family (1632) by the altar.
The road down to Dovedale first passes the three star hotel, Peveril of the Peak, and then the distinctive cone of Thorpe Cloud, the hill which guards the entrance to Dovedale. (Cloud is a corruption of the Old English word 'clud', meaning hill.) The summit is a short but stiff climb from any direction, though the approach from Thorpe village is probably easier than that from Dovedale, and certainly involves less gain in height. Whichever way you ascend it the climb is well worthwhile, for the panoramic view is really splendid, including Dovedale all the way to Alstonefield as well as Ilam and lower Manifold valley.
Thorpe Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
0 - Thorpe church | 
1 - Dovedale from below Thorpe Cloud | 
2 - Thorpe Cloud - Descending towards Lindale | 
3 - Thorpe Cloud - The view up Dovedale | 
4 - Thorpe Cloud from the river Dove | 
5 - Dovedale - The Twelve Apostles | 
6 - Dovedale - The Stepping Stones on a busy day | 
7 - Dovedale - The Stepping Stones | 
8 - Blore Church | 
9 - Ilam - the cross | 
10 - Ilam - houses | 
11 - Dovedale - Tissington Spires | 
12 - Blore Church - Bassett tomb | | | |
Local places of interest | Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud | Dovedale is the name given to the section of the Dove valley between Milldale and Thorpe Cloud on the bounday between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Famous for its scenery and fishing. | Ilam Church and Hall | Ilam Church, Staffordshire, is the burial place of St Bertram and a place of pilgrimage. A lovely church with some Saxon parts. Close to Ilam Hall, once home of the Watts Russell and Port families. | Ilam Hall and Park | Ilam Hall is the remains of the hall built by the Watts Russell family in the 1820s, close to Ashbourne. The Hall and Park now belong to the National Trust | Tissington Hall | Tissington Hall is the 17th century home of the FitzHerbert family in Tissington Village near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Wonderful furniture, paintings and porcelain collection. |
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