Lathkill Dale Nature Reserve

Lathkill Dale is a limestone valley in the White Peak area of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. It has steep sides, clear streams, mossy rocks, precipitous woodlands and grasslands. Best known perhaps for its range of wildflowers it can be very popular in spring and summer. My trips have been on weekdays when it's a little more peaceful.

The dipper was my reason for travelling to Lathkill Dale. Around six pairs nest along the river and they're very easy to spot. Some are very tolerant of humans. However, there is concern over the effects of photographers on nesting dippers. If you intend to visit during the nesting season, please read and follow the advice in the Dipper Nesting Sites leaflet (see link below).

Wagtails are also very common at Lathkill Dale, and the Redstart is a Summer visitor, seen from mid-April until late summer.

Lathkill Dale is 2 miles south west of Bakewell, between the villages of Over Haddon, Monyash and Youlgreave. There are car parks at Over Haddon and on Moor Lane, Youlgreave. I've always parked on Moor Lane, which means a fairly lengthy walk to the reserve. The Over Haddon car park appears to be much closer to the Dale.

View Lathkill Dale Leaflet and map (PDF 2.9MB)

Nesting Dippers and photographers (PDF 0.3MB)

Visit the Natural England Website for more information and directions

The effects of photographers on nesting dippers

My images from Lathkill Dale

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