Historic Dovedale walk to be undertaken

A group of students will be strapping on their Merrell shoes in March to trace the footsteps of early travellers such as James Croston and Daniel Defo through the wilds of Dovedale in the Peak District.

Pupils from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne will be discovering what it was like to traverse the countryside in the 18th and 19th centuries, using old manuscripts and engravings to compare tourism between then and now.

Steve Riva of the national park's learning and discovery team explained that the area has long proved both thrilling and inspiring for artists, writers and visitors alike.

"They often faced dangers, including deeply potholed tracks that could overturn a stagecoach, terrible weather, getting lost, or robbed and abandoned in remote and wild places," he remarked.

The youngsters will come across many beautiful natural sites, such as the Dove Holes - two caves hollowed out by the river - and crags known as Raven's Tor.

Are you inspired to make a trip to Dovedale?