A stroll through Lathkill Dale (Derbyshire)

The stunning Lathkill Dale is supposedly one of the quieter Derbyshire Dales, but there were plenty of others enjoying the food at the Lathkil Hotel and (relatively) gentle valley walks when we visited yesterday.

Our trip began with lunch in the Lathkil Hotel. The cosy bar played host to at least five other dogs on our visit, and were very much welcomed, unlike the muddy boots of walkers which were abandoned by the doorway. Had the weather been nicer we could have enjoyed a table in the large tented beer garden but the unpredictability of our summer this year meant we took the safer option.

After a filling lunch we headed off over the stile to the right of the pub, which led us through fields and then steeply down to Conksbury Bridge. At the bridge we took the well made path up the riverside path, past crystal clear pools filled with trout, and occasional caves and shafts left from the Dale's industrial past.

As we progressed, the Dale narrowed with steep wooded sides, reaching the ford and road leading steeply back up the hill to Over Haddon. Whilst we could have returned this we, we decided to continue on for another half an hour or so before retracing our steps and returning up the road to our start.

The upper Lathkill Dale is a National Nature Reserve and consequently dogs must be kept under strict control. It is though a nice place to visit with your dog, not least because of the welcoming Hotel to start our end your visit.

For a virtual tour of Lathkill Dale click here

Have a look at doggiepubs.org.uk for details of dog friendly pubs, including the Lathkil Hotel

Doggy rating 6/10